Rosario Dawson: 'You'd Be Surprised How Many Klingons Are Out There'

If you've seen Rosario Dawson in any one of the 39 films she's packed into just 15 years, you know that the girl's got chops. Whether she's dancing through the streets of "Rent's" New York, keeping the streets of "Sin City" safe for the working girls or trolling the streets in her breakthrough film "Kids," Rosario projects an everywoman air, even when she's doing the most unladylike things.

But prior to "Seven Pounds" I don't think anyone was aware of the river of emotions she has running beneath the surface. While the drama is clearly Will Smith's baby, Rosario is the beating heart that keeps it running through some of its more questionable diversions. Ironic considering ... oh wait, it's better if you don't know.

See, the film is shrouded in mystery, which made selling it a tough task for Rosario. But thankfully she had Will by her side and as they globe-hopped she got a first-class lesson in what a star should be. Good timing since hers in seriously on the rise.

PopWrap: Lemme tell you, when I saw "Seven Pounds" in theaters, the whole audience was in hysterics
Rosario Dawson: [laughs] The first time I saw the movie was at 9 am, and that was a tough way to start the day! I always warn people to make sure they have tissues when they watch it. I cry every time I watch it, so I was really nervous about the premiere. I was worried about ruining my makeup!

PW: It's got to feel good that so many people are affected by it
Rosario: I am so proud of the movie, and excited that we got it made. It's hard to make this kind of movie -- one that's very nuanced and attempting to show really intense issues in a very different light. We tackle poverty, sickness, death, loss, love and it's hard to portray themes like that in a way that people can relate to.

PW: So how do you make it work?
Rosario: To me, it's all about the relationships. I was so struck by the love story in this movie. Obviously, everyone is going to get something different from it depending on where you're coming from in your life when you watch it, but for me, I see love.

PW: Is there a particular moment that stands out for you with the love story?
Rosario: I'm just constantly blown away by how hopeful and exciting the love is. The idea of the transformative power of love. The surprise of it, seeing these people who are not expecting or looking for love spark, and surrender to those moments.

PW: The movie was promoted as having big ideas and bigger secrets. Is it hard to promote a movie when you can't talk a lot about it?
Rosario: It was really hard, because there are so many things in this movie that I want to talk about, but can't, out of fear of giving the ending away. We were lucky that people, afterwards, totally understood the secrecy. And then they totally became complicit with us, not revealing anything but telling people, you have to see this movie!

PW: Which is refreshing because I feel like trailers give away everything nowadays.
Rosario: Oh, so true. I loved how unique "Seven Pounds" was because I see trailers all the time and know the entire film. Plus, a lot of other movies have music cues that tell you when to cry, when to laugh, but this film is really smart and counts on the audience being equally smart. It's hard these days to see a movie you don't already know everything about.

PW: I know you and Will went around the globe promoting the film. What was that like?
Rosario: It was incredible. I've never been able to do a world tour before on any of the films I've done, which is remarkable since I've been acting for 15 years. I've just always been working, which believe me, I'm thankful for, but I've been itching to be a part of a film that I could just knock on doors, and talk to people about.

PW: And I'd imagine being with Will made it even better.
Rosario: Dude, biggest movie star in the world. Sometimes I'd look over at him with people screaming his name in every accent imaginable, and it's like, "wow, you are the biggest movie star in the entire world." It just made me feel so proud of him for challenging himself and pushing himself with this movie, because it wasn't a safe choice for him. I just hope I can do that in my career. I'm a huge fan of Mr. Will Smith, I have to say.

PW: You tend to work on more independent projects. What's the difference between filming those and this?
Rosario: I was always joking that I'm used to getting up at 6 am and talking until 6 pm, then begging anyone to write anything about our little movie. Here, we're getting into hair and makeup at 11 am and we're done at 4 pm. Then he's like, "we're gonna do 'Oprah'" and that's that. It's like, wow, I guess that's how Big Willie does it!

PW: You worked with Will in 2002 on "Men in Black 2." What's different today?
Rosario: You know, there are a lot of people that want to meet certain celebrities who would be highly disappointed if they were to see them in person because of the type of people they are. But Will, he behaves exactly the same with everyone. He's not different depending on the level of power a person has. He's not fake and is genuinely that nice, that charming, that beautiful, that talented, that smart and a really good man.

PW: Sounds like you have a soul crush
Rosario: It's amazing to watch him and see how he takes the time to care. He goes on talk shows in Japan, and does the interviews in Japanese because he took the time to learn the language. You'd think every actor does that, but they don't. I would say that he's a good human being, and that's not something a lot of people -- especially celebrities -- aspire to be. Some are just content to be in the limelight, but he pushes himself to become a better more evolved person. It's quite remarkable.

PW: Some of that had to rub off on you since you're an actress that a lot of fans consider the kind of person you'd love to share a meal with.
Rosario: That's nice to hear, because I don't foray out too much, so it's always great when people stop you on the street to say something nice because it's like belated applause. I remember Chloe Sevigny calling it that, because as a screen actor, you never know. Sometimes a movie you loved doesn't do well and it could be because of timing or another movie opening -- so it's hard to gauge if people liked it or not. So it's amazing when I can interact with fans at, like, Comic-Con because you get to meet the coolest people.

PW: You do a lot of genre work -- I'd imagine it's next to impossible for you to even move at Comic-Con.
Rosario: I usually walk around in a mask, which is not difficult to do since everyone is in some sort of costume. I walk around in different masks because I like to see the shops and booths -- there's so much to see there.

PW: What are your favorites?
Rosario: Whenever I go, I got for a week to see the panels and artists. I remember sitting in the "Iron Man" panel, Neil Gaiman's panel, Rob Zombie's ... it's awesome to see your friends and colleagues doing their thing. That's what Comic-Con is about.

PW: Any mask get more usage from you?
Rosario: Not really, but I have been spotted through my mask before, so I'm going to have to up my game!

PW: Maybe you get a Hollywood prosthetic guy make something cool for you
Rosario: Yeah, I'll get Greg Nicotero [he does all of the makeup in Quentin Tarantino's movies] to make me a fake nose or something!

PW: I've heard that you speak broken Klingon, is that true?
Rosario: I don't speak broken Klingon...

PW: You speak perfect Klingon!
Rosario: Yeah, perfect Klingon! Let's get it straight! [laughs] No, literally, I know like one word in Klingon, and somehow over the years it's translated into me having a literacy in it. I think I said kapla [Klingon for success] on Conan O'Brien and I've been having Klingons walk up to me ever since. You'd actually be surprised at how many Klingons are out there, ready to come chat!

PW: So you're not fluent, once and for all
Rosario: I actually knew someone who was trying to teach me Klingon -- there was this guy who worked at a magic shop in 9th street and he spoke fluent Klingon. He was the one who first told me they translated the bible into Klingon, which I was pretty shocked by.

PW: They did?
Rosario: Yeah, it's a fill on thing man, screw pig Latin -- Klingon's all the rage!

"Seven Pounds" is now on DVD