Tarsem's 'Snow White' is super fascinating: Julia Roberts

New Delhi: Oscar-winner Julia Roberts says she took up the role of Evil Queen in the modern adaptation of Snow White because she wanted to work with Indian-American filmmaker Tarsem Singh.

Roberts, who is mostly known for her rom-coms, is looking forward to the new adaptation of the famous Brothers Grimms fairytale by Tarsem, who is known for directing movies like The Cell, The Fall and Immortals.

"This really comes more out of my interest and desire to be on board with Tarsem, who I think is brilliant. His idea of cinema is just on another planet, so his take on a fairytale is super-fascinating," Roberts told PTI in an email interview.

Tarsem, who grew up in India, had recently said that Roberts will make the most lovable evil queen and the star too is waiting to see how the role turns out to be.

"...the sets, the story... it's incredible. His version of the Evil Queen is just going to be so fun," said Roberts, who has become a practicing Hindu after her visits to India.

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Roberts, 43, also enjoyed teaming up with her Charlie Wilson's War co-star Tom Hanks for his second directorial vehicle Larry Crowne, which released in India today.

The actress plays a bored teacher, Mercedes, who is forced to come out of her unhappy cocoon by her middle-aged student, played by Hanks.

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"Tom gives 100 per cent in every department all day long. He's happy. He's buoyant. He's present. It's mind-boggling that this is his second time directing, and he has it down. He can shape-shift from acting to directing. It's pretty impressive," said Roberts.

Roberts says the story of a man, who tries to get an education after losing everything in life intrigued her.

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"The story was charming, yet topical, for so many of the characters who are losing faith and trying to cope by rediscovering themselves. I was intrigued by it all, especially Mercedes and her drinking problem.

"As an actor to be able to play that, it is so fun and heartbreaking and challenging. She has pickled herself into this cocoon of an unhappy life. So without hesitation, I called Tom back and said I would hitch my wagon to his," she added.