Coming to theaters this week from Disney and visionary director Tim Burton is the all-new grand live-action adventure “Dumbo,” which expands on the beloved classic story where differences are celebrated, family is cherished and dreams take flight.
Circus owner Max Medici (Danny DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Colin Farrell) and his children Milly (Nico Parker) and Joe (Finley Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Michael Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland. Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Eva Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.
For Nico Parker, this is the big screen debut for the 14 year-old. As the daughter of actress Thandie Newton and writer, director, and producer Ol Parker, the London native has trained at Ballet Black Dance Academy in London, and was a keen gymnast before working on “Dumbo.”
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with Parker on her experience in the film.
How did you get the role?
Nico Parker: My mom got an email from her agent that they were making a new Dumbo film and they wanted her daughter to audition. I had done one thing before and so I was thrown into it. I did the audition and I think I was overly confident. I didn’t think it was a big thing. I did something embarrassing on my kitchen with my dad and we sent in a self tape. So I did the audition and then there were four auditions after that and then I met Tim (Burton). Then I met Fin (Hobbins) and there were three auditions with just Fin and the casting director. Then we went to meet Tim again, which was like the scariest. It was Tim and his people, which is even more scary. I’m sitting there with Fin and Tim is giving us notes.
Can you talk about your character and how her actions will transcend with audiences?
Nico Parker: Milly loves science and is very academic in that sense. It was great because during those times, it was rare for women and young girls to be into science and her dad is pushing her to be a member of the circus, which is amazing and incredible but if you want to do something else he doesn’t see it. She feels that she’s letting down her family because she doesn’t have the drive to be what he wants her to be. I think it’s lovely that throughout the film, she finds her voice and she can do what she wants. She can learn about science and also be a good asset to the circus.
How has your mom been with you working on this film?
Nico Parker: It’s really fun because she obviously does this as well so she knows what to do and could give me advice. I didn’t know where everything is and she would say what goes where and give me advise. It was definitely helpful. It was also nice that for the premiere our dresses were sort of matching. Little thing like that. I wouldn’t do this with my dad because he’s not going to wear a matching suit. I didn’t see her much when I was filming but during this press tour it’s nice and fun to have her here.
What was it like working with the animals?
Nico Parker: Unfortunately it was a lot less animals than it seems. The only animals I saw and met were a snake and some colorful poodles. I was obsessed with them. I was trying to hint that I wanted one. I wish I had a pink poodle. All of the animals you saw on screen weren’t there.
Dumbo went from being shamed to be famous. Can you talk about self-acceptance?
Nico Parker: I just love that at first Dumbo is seen as a monster because he’s different from the other elephants, but what they see as imperfection is what makes him special. Some people will resonate with this because they, if not themselves, know someone who is being made fun at. But at the same time, it’s his uniqueness that makes him special and amazing.
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