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Back from the brink of obscurity, GoldenEye's Izabella
Scorupco is aiming to break the Bond girl curse once
and for all.
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Izabella Scorupco - Life After Bond
22nd August 2002
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It was the typical Bond girl story: young unknown foreign
actress thrust into the limelight as the latest conquest
for the world's most famous secret agent. But that is where
the dream stops for most women who have played leading ladies
in Bond's adventures.
Many fail to capitalise on their new found fame with projects
after the film is no longer the latest in the series. The
career casualty list is long, and includes the likes of
Daniela Bianchi (FRWL), Claudine Auger (TB), Mie Hama (YOLT),
Lana Wood (DAF), Lois Chiles (MR), Lynn-Holly Johnson (FYEO)
and Maryam d'Abo (TLD).
Brosnan's girls have faired somewhat better than his predecessors,
with Famke Janssen, Teri Hatcher, Michelle Yeoh, Sophie
Marceau and Denise Richards keeping their careers beating.
Izabella Scorupco was at risk of breaking the mould. She
shot on to the world stage as the strong willed and independent
Natalya Simonova in Pierce Brosnan's debut as Bond - GoldenEye.
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But like so many women before her, she faded fast from the media
spotlight after GoldenEye became just another notch in the longest
running film franchise of all time. "I just needed time to
think. I wasn't prepared for all the craziness that went on after
you do a Bond movie. I became unsure about who I was and what I
wanted to do".
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Fans of the 32 year-old Polish born actress can breath
a sigh of relief. 2002 is the year that will mark the comeback
of Scorupco's career in film. After calling time on an eight
year marriage to professional ice hockey player Mariusz
Czerkawski, Izabella says it's time for her to return to
the blockbuster.
After a few low-key appearances ("With Fire and the
Sword", "The Driver", "Vertical Limit"),
X-Files director Rob Bowman approached Scorupco about his
latest project. "Reign of Fire", a story about
a boy who awakens ancient dragons in London and sets about
the near destruction of the earth, will see Izabella back
in the big time as helicopter pilot 'Alex'.
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Bowman explains his choice of casting: "She was very
handy in both Vertical Limit and GoldenEye, and I could
throw plenty of dirt on her, stick black circles under her
eyes, never comb her hair, put her in a loose fitting costume,
and underneath you can still see a gorgeous woman".
She has also earned great respect inside the movie business
with her courteous approach and willingness to learn everything
about the film making process she can. "I was brought
up to treat people with respect" she says, "I
have been fortunate, the whole Bond machine is as kind as
it possibly can be because the producers insist on it. Nowhere
is quiet like that".
Making sure she is making the most out of every opportunity,
Scorupco recently moved to Los Angeles. "Actresses
don't have a long life span. So I need to be in the right
place, to take advantage of the chances I get".
"I have grown up a lot since Bond. I am realistic
about living in Hollywood and being part of the movie system.
If I am still working at 40, I will be lucky". Some
would argue you make your own luck, and with such a down
to earth approach to the industry, and an imminent blockbuster
predicted to do big business, Scorupco could join the ranks
of Jane Seymour and Famke Janssen in sustaining a successful
life after Bond.
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"Reign of Fire" opens for UK general release in
cinemas from Friday August 23rd 2002
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