Joey King has come a long way for someone who began her career as a child star, and the actor says she hopes to explore uncharted territory in this new chapter of her life. King is best known for her smash hit Netflix rom-com franchise The Kissing Booth and Hulu’s crime drama series The Act. Her most recent film releases have been actioners The Princess and Bullet Train.
She described her choices as evidence of her maturation as a performer.
“I approach my job and my career in the sense that I want to be able to do things that make me happy.” But I do feel as if I’m entering a new era for myself. I’m maturing regardless of where this takes me.
“I’m becoming more at ease in my own skin, making decisions that make me happy and exciting.” “I can’t wait to see where this leads me,” King said in a virtual interview with PTI.
The actress has been in the business since she was four years old, when she appeared in a television commercial. She made her film debut in Reign Over Me in 2007, and has since appeared in films such as ‘Crazy, Stupid, Love,’ The Dark Knight Rises, The Conjuring, White House Down, and Slender Man.
At the age of 23, the actress claims to be a different person. King went on to say that she still enjoys her work but doesn’t take herself “too seriously.”
“I’ve changed so much as a person, but I’ve also carried with me some of the most important life lessons I learned early on.” I’ve been doing this for a long time and I’m still in love with it. I’m completely smitten with this line of work.
“I consider myself fortunate to be able to do it.” I’m not too serious about myself. I’m not too serious about my job. I simply want to enjoy my life and myself. And so far, that strategy has served me well.”
King is currently awaiting the release of her latest film, Bullet Train, in which she co-stars with Brad Pitt, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Brian Tyree Henry, Andrew Koji, Hiroyuki Sanada, Michael Shannon, and Sandra Bullock.
In the David Leitch-directed film, the actor, who recently debuted in the action genre with the period action thriller The Princess, plays an assassin.
“I couldn’t believe I was able to be a part of this film, where I’m playing an assassin for the first time and surrounded by actors you admire — Brad, Aaron, Brian, and Michael Shannon.” “It was incredible to be a part of this film with such heavy hitters,” she said.
Based on author Kotaro Isaka’s Japanese novel Maria Beetle, Bullet Train follows seasoned assassin Ladybug (Pitt), who wants to give up the life but is drawn back in by his handler Maria Beetle (Bullock) to collect a briefcase on a bullet train travelling from Tokyo to Kyoto.
Once on board, he and the other assassins discover that their goals are all intertwined.
King described Pitt as “everyone’s favourite actor,” saying the Hollywood star made every cast member feel at ease during the film’s production.
“He is an incredible man with an incredible body of work, but more importantly, he is a sweetheart.” I consider myself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to spend that time with him on Bullet Train.
“He’s simply wonderful and nice. He simply made everyone feel important and at ease. I couldn’t think of a better guide to have led this film as well as someone to look up to as a person. I hope to be able to emulate the kind of positive energy he exudes.”
Bullet Train will be released in India on Thursday, one day before it hits theatres in the United States.
Sony Pictures Entertainment India will release the film in four languages in India: English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu.