Jake Lloyd

Jake Lloyd (b. March 5th, 1989)
a.k.a. Jacob Christopher Lloyd

Already a Hollywood Veteran at Ten, Jake Lloyd Talks About Making Movies and Other Cool Stuff
Jake Lloyd's first professional acting job was a 1995 commercial for Ford Windstar. Now with his pivotal and iconic role as young slave boy Annakin Skywalker in Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, it is the 10-year-old Colorado native who is in the driver's seat. As the boy who would be Darth Vader, he is now a part of movie history, but the down-to-earth Lloyd, a veteran of television (E.R.) and independent films (such as Unhook the Stars and the upcoming Madison), wears it well.

Barnes & Noble.com: When did you first get the acting bug?

Jake Lloyd: Watching Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 2.

B&N.com: That's an R-rated movie! How old were you?

JL: I was about two years old. I said I was going to be in a movie with Arnold.

B&N.com: And you were; Jingle all the Way. Sometimes meeting a hero is a letdown. What was it like to meet Arnold and work with him?

JL: It was awesome. Just cool. He is the nicest guy; just really funny and fun to hang out with. I just thought it was great to be around him.

B&N.com: So how did Phantom Menace come about?

JL: Luck.

B&N.com: Were you familiar with the Star Wars movies? Who was your favorite character?

JL: Darth Vader. He's a good guy, too. He brought balance to the Force.

B&N.com: What was the audition process like?

JL: I went in once every six months for two years. Then it came down between me and two other kids, one of which I'm really good friends with now. We did the "Are you an angel?" scene and Annakin's goodbye to his mother.

B&N.com: How did you find out you got the part?

JL: The casting director called us. I had called over to my agent's office after an audition. He told me I got hired.

B&N.com: What was your reaction?

JL: I started crying. It was the coolest thing.

B&N.com: What was the most fun about making the movie? Tell me about the pod race scene.

JL: I think it was all really cool. For the pod race, they sit you in a pod and you get shaken a lot. It's pretty much like an amusement park ride.

B&N.com: How did you prepare for this role?

JL: I am my sister's slave pretty much, so that helped. (imitating her) "Jake, go do this, Jake, go do that."

B&N.com: I caught you on the MTV Movie Awards on Samuel L. Jackson's shoulders. Did you get to meet any celebrities backstage?

JL: I talked with Adam Sandler. I got to meet Will Smith and Ben Affleck. I also got to meet (singer) Robbie Williams.

B&N.com: Was making The Phantom Menace everything you thought it would be? What is the one memory you think you'll want to tell your own children someday?

JL: It was better than I thought it would be. But by the time I have children, I won't remember any of this.

B&N.com: Finally, who is the better actor: Arnold or Jar Jar Binks?

JL: (Laughs) They both have their stuff.

July 11, 2000