It doesn’t sound possible, but writer/director Kurt Wimmer’s idea for Ultraviolet came from an unexpected source: the filmmaker was inspired to retell John Cassavetes’ 1980 cult classic Gloria as a comic book action-adventure. Drawing on his experience in both science fiction (as writer/director of Equilibrium) and action (as co-writer of The Recruit) and banking on the immense watchability of an uber-powerful woman amidst high-flying action and ultracool special effects, Wimmer created a hi-octane, action-adventure piece with a surprising emotional core. Violet was born.
Wimmer’s innovative story and the multifaceted, imaginative world in which it’s set gripped everyone who read it, and producer John Baldecchi was one of the many eager to jump on board. “I thought Kurt did a great job of incorporating a multitude of powerful themes into a big action film,” says Baldecchi, “and he did it in a way that breaks the convention of the genre.”
Tony Mark, executive producer and second unit director, adds, “You have a woman who, because of her own loss and infection, has completely shut down emotionally. She’s a killing machine out seeking revenge in the little time she has left before the disease kills her, sublimating her emotions, her humanity, and her maternal instincts in pursuit of a single-minded course.”
With its dramatic scenes and martial arts set pieces, the filmmakers had to sign an actress who could handle the physical demands of the role while turning in an affecting, emotional performance. Fortunately, Wimmer wrote the role of Violet with only one person in mind and was lucky enough to get her to sign on for the role: Milla Jovovich. Wimmer knew that as an actress, Jovovich had the talent, beauty, and athletic ability integral to playing such a complex, fascinating and fun character. “I fell in love with Violet,” says Jovovich. “I can relate to her. She’s like a comic book character, but I can relate to her as a human being and the problems she goes through, even though they’re extreme.” She was surprised at how quickly she got the part. “I met with Kurt and talked about it and told him how committed I would be. Then we basically shook hands and said ‘Alright, see you in Shanghai,’” she laughs.
Later, when she found out he’d written the role for her, Jovovich says it was flattering and exciting, and she clicked with director Wimmer immediately. “Kurt is such an exciting person to work with,” she says, “because he’s so passionate about this movie. He fell in love with this character, Violet, and was so excited about seeing her come to life.”
“She was absolutely spot on for this movie,” Baldecchi adds. “There’s a lot of inner strength in Violet, as there is in Milla, and working with her was a dream – she’s 100% dedicated.”
Shooting a gun backwards while doing the splits and spinning on one foot is no easy task…and that’s just one of the moves Violet has to master. To prepare for the role, Jovovich trained for a full year to get into shape, working extremely closely with stunt coordinator Mike Smith to hone the skills necessary to perform the style of fighting they had in mind. “We trained on an Olympic level, but it was worth it,” Jovovich. “I’ve never been involved with a movie with this much complex maneuvering, and never had such a long stretch of preparation time.”
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