Ciara Riley Wilson is kicking some major butt in her new role as Athena in the live-action adaptation of Kim Possible. The role is a dream come true for Ciara who grew up on the iconic Disney animation, and she’s more than glad to be a new member of the Team Possible family.
Pop Culturalist had a chance to catch up with Ciara ahead of the film’s premiere on Friday, February 15.
PC: Tell us about Kim Possible, your character, and what drew you to this project.
Ciara: Kim Possible is a live-action Disney Channel original movie based on the beloved cartoon series that aired in the early 2000s! I play Athena, a new character who wasn’t in the original series. She is a new girl at school, the ultimate super-fan of Kim Possible, and the newest member of Team Possible. Her dreams come true when Kim and Ron welcome her into their group and include her in all the action and adventure. I was incredibly excited to be a part of this project because I had watched the series growing up! I also think it’s an important movie to be made right now because of the amount of girl power this story embodies. I am so grateful to be a part of the film and I can’t wait for everyone to see it.
PC: With Athena being a new character, was that a challenge or an advantage for you as an actor?
Ciara: As an actor, it was both a challenge and an advantage to portray her. Because I had nothing to base Athena off of, I had to create her world myself. I did extensive work in the audition process crafting her personality, favorite things, and backstory. During filming, Athena being brand new gave me the opportunity to really play around and bring some of myself into her. I had a blast bringing Athena into the world of Kim Possible and I’m excited to see how the viewers will react to the new dynamic she brings next to the original beloved characters as well.
PC: How similar or different are you to Athena? What can you tease about her arc in the movie?
Ciara: I think I am very similar to my character Athena! We are both very passionate and loyal as well as fun loving and total goofballs. In the movie, Athena is welcomed into Kim and Ron’s friend group. Friendship is a large theme in the movie and throughout the story, Athena learns what it means to be a true friend. This movie is full of surprises and I am excited for the viewers to learn the many important life lessons that these characters do as well.
PC: Athena is a new member of Team Possible. Did you have the opportunity to do your own stunts? How did you, Sadie Stanley (Kim Possible), and Sean Giambrone (Ron Stoppable) build your bond?
Ciara: Stunt work and fight choreography was a large component of the movie and one of my favorite parts of my whole experience filming Kim Possible. I learned hand-to-hand combat, kicks, shoulder rolls, flips on custom fitted harnesses, and bo staff (Athena’s specialty in the movie and my personal favorite.) There was an incredible team of stunt choreographers, doubles, and coordinators that were crucial in bringing the iconic Kim Possible fight scenes to life. Doing a large part of my own stunts added another layer to the complexity of this movie and helped me develop an important lifelong skill. The most important part about fight choreography is working with and trusting your partners. Sadie, Sean, and I practiced our fight choreography constantly and helped each other work to be the best while have the best time in the process. Most importantly, we all became such close friends during filming, that we had full trust in each other.
PC: You’ve done a lot of television in your career. What is the transition like doing your first TV movie?
Ciara: I have had the incredible opportunity to work on television shows in my career, but filming my first movie was the most amazing experience I’ve ever had. This was also Sadie’s first movie and I am so happy we got to experience this together. My favorite part about the making of a movie is the amount of development and teamwork it takes. The cast, crew, directors, and producers all went through the story arc from the beginning to the end and we created a wonderful family in the process. I loved going through the emotions of my character and learning the lessons she learned throughout it all. It is incredibly fulfilling to be a part of a movie, especially one with an amazing cast and storyline, and I am grateful to have had Kim Possible be my first movie experience.
PC: If you could pick another animated series to adapt for live-action, what would it be and why?
Ciara: I would love to see or be a part of a live-action Lilo and Stitch movie! Lilo and Stitch was one of my favorite cartoons growing up and I loved Lilo’s fierceness and determination. Stitch, the loyal animal companion reminds me of Rufus in Kim Possible, Ron’s lovable naked mole rat sidekick! Set in beautiful Hawaii, I think it would make a great live action movie.
PC: Guilty pleasure TV show?
Ciara: Anything on the Food Network!
PC: Guilty pleasure movie?
Ciara: The Disaster Artist
PC: Favorite book?
Ciara: Mindset by Carol Dweck
PC: Favorite play or musical?
Ciara: Wicked
PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Ciara: Sufjan Stevens
PC: Last show you binge-watched?
Ciara: Arrested Development
PC: Hidden talent?
Ciara: Magic!
To keep up with Ciara by following her on Twitter and Instagram, and catch Kim Possible on February 15.
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