Ireland’s fastest-rising film star has her own plans for next year’s Oxegen.

She’s quickly becoming a household name and has already cracked Hollywood at just 17 years old, so what’s next on Saoirse Ronan’s hitlist? Why, following in the footsteps of Amanda Brunker and taking to the Oxegen stage of course.

“I don’t want to be mean,” she told Hot Press’ resident film guru Roe McDermott, referring to Brunker’s onstage fiasco, “But come on! It means I could headline next year! My friend and I are learning the ukulele and are going to hula-hoop. We’d have to take out Jessie J again though. But hey, I’ve trained as an assassin. Twice. I’ll sort it out.”

We think she’s joking, but stranger things have happened.

You can read the rest of this interview in which the Atonement star waxes lyrical on her personal life and future projects including plans to work with Neil Jordan in the latest issue of Hot Press (Adele cover), on shelves now!

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Here are the outtakes from Harper’s Bazaar UK June issue.

Thanks to James from Don’t Panic for letting us know about the following interview of Saoirse did with them.

We caught up with actress Saoirse Ronan, who voices Arrietty in the English version.

What did you know about Arrietty when you signed up? Were you a Studio Ghibli fan?
Well I knew that it was based on The Borrowers. I used to read different versions of it growing up so I knew it was a story I loved and it was kind of ‘different’ and quirky. Probably the most exciting thing though was the fact that it was a Japanese animation, not simply a cartoon but one from the East. I’ve grown up with different [Japanese] animated shows over the years so to actually be involved in something like that was great. I had seen Spirited Away and My Neighbour Tororo as well. Spirited Away in particular I found amazing. The Japanese style is so different from ours and it’s quite innocent as well. They’re magical and otherworldly.

Ghibli films like to have a nice message. Arrietty has quite a strong ecological one. What is the film about for you?
For me it is actually about the relationship between her and the boy. It’s special because they live in two separate worlds. For a different being who is superior to her, and ultimately more powerful, to help her and her family survive is actually quite a strong message, I think. You could tie up the situation they’re in, which is her people struggling to survive, striving all the time to have a better life, with so many different situations today all over the world.

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Photos from I Could Never Be Your Woman have been added to the new gallery. So be sure check them out.

I’ve added some additional photos from WonderCon and Opening Night Of Coca Cola Cinemagic International Film & TV Festival. Thanks to Ivonne for those of WonderCon.

Saoirse Ronan is disappointed that she had to turn down a role in ‘The Hobbit’ because of her other career commitments.

Saoirse Ronan is “really disappointed” she couldn’t appear in ‘The Hobbit’.

The 17-year-old actress initially jumped at the chance to work with director Peter Jackson – after previously starring in his adaptation of Alice Sebold’s novel ‘The Lovely Bones’ – but eventually decided she has to concentrate on her Hollywood career rather than moving to New Zealand to be in the film.

She said: “I’m really disappointed that I couldn’t do it. I really am. Any excuse for me to go back to New Zealand, and work with those people I’d take.

“But there are other projects as well that I’ve had to consider – and to do that for over a year, it wouldn’t have left me time to do anything else.”

Asked about her dream role, the young actress has previously said she would love to work with ‘Pulp Fiction’ director Quentin Tarantino, who is famed for his shocking films full of violence and bad language.

She said: “I haven’t worked with him, but I’d love to. I’ve talked to people who have, and they all say he’s made and that it’s fantastic fun.

“There’s always such an ensemble feeling in his films, too. In ‘Kill Bill’, for example, of course Uma Thurman is the star but it really feels like a group effort.”

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Saoirse Ronan’s dad reads her scripts before her to check they aren’t too explicit.

The 17-year-old star has received praise for the mature nature of her acting – appearing in films including ‘Atonement’ and ‘The Lovely Bones’ – but her father always makes sure he discusses any potential movie roles with her before she accepts an offer.

She explained: “My dad and I always read the scripts.

“Most of the time, he’ll read it first – to see if there’s anything in it that’s a bit explicit. Then I’ll read it afterwards and we’ll discuss it.”

Saoirse has proved a sensation in Hollywood, already gaining nominations for a BAFTA, a Golden Globe and an Oscar, but despite her early success, does not feel any pressure as she becomes a grown adult.

She added: “At the age I’m at, it’s a tricky time to try and figure out which is the best project for me to do.

“I’ve never really felt like I was a child actor. Just an actor who happened to be quite young.”

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Thanks to M for the heads up.

1) Saoirse Ronan – Top of the list is a teenager who has already taken the film world by storm, acting flawlessly in a wide range of movies which has directors bowing at her feet and leaving critics speechless. This girl deserves top spot as she will continue surprising audiences all around the world.

Past: The role which launched her career was starring next to Keira Knightley and James McAvoy in the Oscar winning Atonement (2007). The film revolves around Ronan’s character, Briony Tallis, who witnesses something she does not understand which results in a catalyst releasing a series of injustice. For a twelve year old, her performance was remarkable and created the base for another two actresses to portray Tallis as she grows in age and starts to realise the consequences of her actions.

Present: After also appearing as the main character in both The City of Ember (2008) and The Lovely Bones (2009) Ronan’s latest leading role is in Hanna (2011), also directed by Atonement’s Joe Wright. The Irish starlet portrays a trained assassin in the thriller where she is sent on a mission across Europe whilst having to deal with agents being dispatched to kill her.

Future: Ronan’s next role is a biggie, playing Melanie Stryder in another book adaptation by the same author who brought us the extremely successful Twilight Saga. The Host (2012) shows an alien race called ‘Souls’ taking over Earth and its inhabitants, although Stryder rebels to cooperate as a host for the Soul, Wanderer.

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Thanks to Caro for the link of this new interview.

She’s the Oscar-nominated star of Atonement, whom director Peter Jackson calls “amazing on screen”. But when we meet, I’m given an early reminder that Saoirse Ronan (it’s pronounced “Sir-sha”, by the way) is still only 17. I’ve just told her that I’ve seen the final Harry Potter film. “I can’t believe it’s the last one,” she squeals, flushed with excitement, her blue eyes widening. “I’ve basically grown up with Harry Potter, as so many kids my age have. It’s kind of a part of my life. I’ll go see it no matter what.”

Five years ago, she auditioned for the role of Harry’s fellow Hogwarts pupil Luna Lovegood (eventually won by fellow Irish actress Evanna Lynch). “I was too young – but at the time I thought, ‘I’d love to be in Harry Potter.’ When I was younger, I used to think they had the best job in the world.” But now it’s different. Potter is over – and it’s Ronan who is in the enviable position. With directors clamouring to work with her, she also doesn’t have to deal with hordes of screaming fans like her Potter peers.

Rather than mania, Ronan seems to inspire loyalty wherever she lands. “Saoirse is the most focused and dedicated actor I’ve ever met in my life,” says Joe Wright, who directed her in his film of Ian McEwan’s Atonement and in this year’s teenage assassin tale Hanna. “She drives herself harder than anyone else ever could or would.”

Stanley Tucci, her co-star in Jackson’s adaptation of Alice Sebold’s The Lovely Bones, in which she played the murdered teen Susie Salmon, notes, “She handles herself as well as any seasoned actor. I wouldn’t even be able to finish a sentence at her age. She’s a real actress. Bottom line.”

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