Kim Bubbs Talks about Working on "On The Road" and Walter Salles

Kim looks to make a splash on the worldwide stage with The Thing as well as the big-screen adaptation of Jack Kerouac's novel On the Road, which is due out in 2012.

This year it's The Thing and next year it's the adaptation of Jack Kerouac's On the Road, another film working off of some pretty popular source material. How would you compare the way the two very different films appealed to you?

I went from The Thing, which is one of the most celebrated horror films of all time, to On the Road, which is one of the most celebrated novels of all time. That alone is pretty great. The Thing appealed to me because it was a very inventive prequel, because it involved two smart, strong female characters, and because of all of the psychological elements. On the Road was incredible to work on, because it is a classic book. What made it even more incredible is the opportunity to work with Walter Salles and to be part of such an unbelievably talented cast. It's a film about growth, discovery and about a very pivotal moment, both artistically and socially, in American history.

In On the Road you play Laura. Who is she and how did you shaped the character?

Laura is Sal Paradise's "one true gal". She's the woman he's been looking for in all the wrong places. Laura represents a huge shift in Sal. He has matured, he has grown and he has left a more extreme way of living behind. Laura is fun loving without being too wild. She's gracious and steadfast, but she still has a little devilish twinkle in her eye. She truly loves Sal and feels compassion for Dean. I infused Laura with some of my own natural playfulness and sensitivity.

Had you read the book before getting the part?

Yes. I reread the book after getting the part.

And does the filmmaker's interpretation of the source material mesh with how you saw the characters?

Walter is very meticulous in his work. He is very thoughtful and detailed in his approach. It was incredible working with him. His interpretation of Kerouac's universe is just and he truly brings the novel to life. It's always important to read the book to understand the author's intent and to get a sense of how the characters are presented. Playing Laura is a balance of using the elements presented in the book and the screenplay as a foundation, and then adding facets of my own interpretation of her.

Looking at the casting list you seem to be in pretty good company on the set, what can you add about some of your new co-stars?

Since it's a road movie, all of the characters inhabit different environments that are only frequented by Sal and Dean - played by Sam Riley and Garrett Hedlund. I had the pleasure of working with both Sam and Garrett and was deeply impressed by the quality of their work. It was 15 degrees out when we were shooting, the whole crew was wearing full snowsuits, and Sam was nice enough to lend me his jacket between takes. I actually lost sensation in my feet!

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