Allison Williams, known for her roles in "Girls," "Get Out," and the Blumhouse hit "M3GAN," is currently navigating the excitement surrounding "M3GAN 2.0." The actress has been candid about her experiences with the franchise, from the initial surprise of the first film's viral success to her perspective on the sequel.
The original "M3GAN" became a sensation, due in no small part to its unexpected internet virality. Memes and dance remixes exploded across social media, turning M3GAN into a pop culture phenomenon. Williams has expressed her delight with the online response, noting how quickly people grasped the character's unique energy and tone. She humorously acknowledged M3GAN's popularity, even referencing memes that alluded to the character's warm reception from the LGBTQ+ community. The actress told Variety, "It's the pinnacle of what we could have possibly hoped for, the way she's being treated. Truthfully, she's a very specific kind of gal. Her iconic individuality is something that people can project so much onto and can put her into all these different memes and scenarios and it works."
Now, with "M3GAN 2.0" hitting theaters, Williams has shared insights into her character, Gemma, and the evolution she undergoes following the events of the first film. She explained that Gemma is clearly affected by her past experiences, adjusting her life accordingly. Williams sees her role in the franchise as grounding the story, keeping it relatable for the audience amidst the heightened horror elements. Describing the challenge, Williams mentioned that it's a "game of pushing yourself to an 11, and then with me, that's still gonna be kind of grounded." She also praised the director for pushing her into new territory, turning the film into a full-blown action movie where she had to step up to the plate.
Moreover, Williams has spoken about her close relationship with her young co-star, Violet McGraw, who plays her niece, Cady. The bond between the actresses is so strong that Williams jokingly forbids McGraw from watching "Girls," particularly because of one specific scene that makes her cringe. "Violet has not seen Girls, nor will she ever," Williams said in an interview. "You can see it when I pass on."
In discussing "M3GAN 2.0," comparisons to "Terminator 2" have surfaced, a notion that Williams finds honoring. However, she cautioned against assuming a direct parallel in plot or vibe. The actress highlighted that "M3GAN 2.0" takes the tone and characters of the first film and successfully moves it into an action movie, but the movie has its own essence. The movie introduces a new AI entity named Amelia, forcing Gemma to revive and upgrade M3GAN, making her faster and more lethal. This sets the stage for intense action sequences. In the movie M3GAN can fly.
Amidst all the excitement, Williams also touched upon the realities of being an actor. She described the "most vulnerable part of our job" as the exposure to public opinion and scrutiny that comes with putting oneself out there creatively. One example of this is the Marnie memes from "Girls." Despite any vulnerability, Williams approaches her work with dedication and a sense of humor, embracing both the accolades and the playful ribbing that come with her profession.