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June 2007
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Taraji P. Henson talks about playing Brad Pitt's mother

by Wilson Morales

June 11, 2007

While doing interviews for her latest film, "Talk to Me", Taraji P. Henson spoke to blackfilm.com about playing Brad Pitt's mother in her next film, "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button". "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" is about a 50-year-old man (Brad Pitt) begins aging backwards, causing complications when he falls in love with a 30 year old woman (Cate Blanchett). Paramount Pictures will release the film in 2008.



What does the role do for you?

Taraji P. Henson: This role is certainly the biggest role of my career and most challenging to date because I age from 26 to 71, prostethics, fat suit and all. It's a period piece. Early 1900 period piece. It's incredible work. This is the film that I can't wait for to come out. It's the biggest project that I've worked on to date and that's the one that will get me to the very next level. People would ask me, "How does it feel to work with Brad Pitt and Cate Blanchett?" like I would go ga-ga over it, and a little bit of me was like that and is like that, and at the same time, that's where I belong. This is where I always saw myself, as an A-list actress. So, I'm right where I belong.


What role do you play in the film?

TPH: The name of my character is Queenie and I play Brad Pitt's mother. He's aging backwards. Everyone's aging in the film.



Is your part supposed to be a black character?

TPH: Yep. She's a Southern woman. New Orleans is where it takes place. It was supposed to be Baltimore, which is where the original story was written. It's a short story. Eric Roth, wrote "Forrest Gump", "Munich", and "Ali", is an amazing writer. He adapted this for the film and it now takes place in New Orleans.

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