Video:Soul Surfer Interview - Ross Thomas
with Rebecca MurrayRoss Thomas stars in 'Soul Surfer,' the true story of Bethany Hamilton, a talented surfer who lost her arm in a shark attack. At the premiere of 'Battle: LA,' Thomas talked about the real Bethany, surfing, sharks, and Carrie Underwood's film debut.
Transcript:Soul Surfer Interview - Ross Thomas
Rebecca Murray from About.com Hollywood Movies at the LA Premiere of Columbia Pictures' Battle: Los Angeles.
Ross Thomas - 'Noah Hamilton' in Soul Surfer
Soul Surfer is based on a true story. How much did you know about the real story? Doesn't everybody know about that story?
Ross Thomas: "Who doesn't know about that story? Bethany Hamilton is a global sensation. Her story is absolutely one of the most inspiring that I know. I'm a surfer myself, so I've been following her career before she lost her arm. She was an amazing surfer at 13 when she lost her arm. And now it's a true comeback story. She's now surfing professionally again, competitive, ranked in the top 10 in the world. She's doing it with one arm. It's really an amazing story to be a part of."
Have you ever had any encounters with sharks?
Ross Thomas: "I personally have not. But I'm from Northern California so I grew up surfing in Santa Cruz which is kind of Great White territory. But, you know what? It's a blessing and a curse because you can't see through the water like you can in Hawaii."
I could never be a surfer because I know they're down there.
Ross Thomas: "I think everyone's got in the back of their mind when they're in the ocean that there's stuff in there that you may not want to come into contact with."
Was she instrumental in the film? Did she go to the set and was she part of this production?
Ross Thomas: "Yes, she was. I played her older brother, Noah, and this film was interesting because the family was present the whole time that we were there. They were on set and they were very active in the whole process, which was great because they never crossed the boundaries of getting involved in the creative process of filmmaking but they were there and they were supportive. It was actually really amazing having them there on set."
Does it take us from when she gets bit to recovery - or what does the film show?
Ross Thomas: "Yeah. It sort of spans the lifetime. I shows her in her childhood and her progress. You know, the family - including my character, her brother - notices that Bethany is a talented person at a very young age. So we kind of show that, and then it gets to that arc where that happens, and then overcoming that obviously and seeing the aftermath of that."
Isn't this the film that Carrie Underwood makes her acting debut? How is she? Rate her.
Ross Thomas: "You know, I can't rate her because I wasn't in any scenes with her. But I heard she's fantastic so I'm excited to see her myself. I haven't even seen her in it yet."
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