FANFEST EXCLUSIVE: Interview with ‘Annabelle: Creation’ star, Talitha Bateman

The Conjuring franchise is a fan favorite, and horror junkies have been waiting impatiently for the newest addition to the universe, Annabelle: Creation, which will be out in theaters tomorrow, August 11th. Annabelle: Creation is a prequel to the 2014 movie Annabelle, which is a story about a couple who began to experience terrifying supernatural occurrences involving the vintage doll, shortly after their home is invaded by satanic cultists. This time out, Annabelle: Creation will be directed by David F. Sandberg (Lights Out) and fans are hoping it will be a much scarier version of the infamous doll’s story.

I got a chance to meet and interview Talitha Bateman, one of the young stars of Annabelle: Creation, at the 2017 Saturn Awards, and she shared with me a little bit about her experience on the upcoming film.

Talitha Bateman at the 2017 Saturn Awards.
Photo by Vicki Woods

Vicki Woods: Hi Talitha! I am so excited to see Annabelle: Creation!

Talitha Bateman: “You like horror movies? Me too!” (High Five)

VW: So, let’s get right to it- What was your favorite part about working on Annabelle: Creation?

TB: “There are so many things I love about working on this movie, but my favorite part would be the stunts that I did. I got to do a lot of super creepy stunts and that was really fun.”

VW: Did anything happen, on set with the doll, that you can’t explain?

TB: (Laughs) “No, I wish I had a story to tell, but it was pretty boring. Because it would be cool to come off the set and tell my parents about this crazy thing that happened, like claw marks on my arm, but I didn’t have anything like that.”

VW: What did you do to prepare for acting in the creepy scenes? Is there something you do to make you seem really scared?

TB: ”I always try to take a minute before I start filming, because I feel like that helps me to really get in character. I watched the first one, (Annabelle) and that really helped me see how it was going play out, how it’s going to happen. I also read the script, so, that’s mostly how I prepared. Going into the auditions I didn’t know much about the character, it was very hush, hush, so I just did my best. But when I ended up booking it, it was crazy, because after I read the script I played her completely differently. I know what happens to her, I know her past, her story, and who she is as a person, so I ended up playing her more raw, hurt and sensitive, where I played her tough and strong at the audition.”

VW: You have quite the star-studded family. What it’s like? Have you ever felt in the shadow, or is it a fun family to be in?

TB: “It really is a fun family. I’ve auditioned for the same projects that my sister has, that my brother has, and sometimes they’ll get call backs and I won’t or visa-versa. But we’re never really envious of each other. We never fight over anything. Well, ok we fight, obviously, but I really think we just look out for each other. We’re not jealous of anything that the other one is doing.”

VW: So, what’s up next for Talitha?

TB: “Two movies I worked on: So B. It and Geostorm also come out this year!”

Annabelle: Creation will be out in the theaters August 11th!! Watch it if you dare!