“Bridge of Spies,” the highly anticipated thriller from director Steven Spielberg, opens in movie theaters across the U.S. today. The DreamWorks Pictures/Fox 2000 Pictures drama, based on historical events that took place in the 1960s, stars Tom Hanks as Brooklyn lawyer James Donovan, who gets recruited by the CIA to negotiate the release of captured American U-2 pilot Francis Gary Powers (played by Austin Stowell) from the Soviet Union during the Cold War. The film also features Mark Rylance, Alan Alda and Jillian Lebling.
Lebling plays Peggy Donovan, the young daughter of James and his wife Mary (played by Amy Ryan). “Bridge of Spies” is the first motion picture for the 9-year-old actress from Delaware — but this isn’t her first professional gig.
What other shows or movies do you enjoy?
I liked “The Whispers.” It’s kind of creepy. I mostly like scary movies and stuff. “The Whispers” had a whole bunch of kids in it, and it’s about a guy talking through the lights. A movie I like is “Mama.” Mama is kinda like a ghost, and these two kids are the kids of Mama. Then Mama tries to hurt the parents that adopted them so she could get her children back.
And this doesn’t scare you?
No. Well, sometimes. [Giggles]
Do you want to be in a horror movie one day?
That’s my dream!
Do you go to a regular elementary school or are you homeschooled?
Regular school, and they are really supportive of my acting.
What’s your favorite subject to study?
I like science. Last year, we had experiments every Thursday. We made Flubber — gooey stuff you play around with.
What do you like to do for fun when you’re not acting or going to school?
I like to do lots of things: I like to go fishing with my dad and my brother, play guitar, play soccer, play dice with my family, go to the beach....
You like to be outdoors?
Yeah, mostly. Pretty much you could say I like playing outside.
For more on Jillian Lebling, check out her Facebook page.
