M3GAN 2.0: Ivanna Sakhno (AMELIA) & Jen Van Epps (Tess) spill secrets on the new AI, action-packed sequel, and what’s next for the killer doll!
The highly anticipated sequel, M3GAN 2.0, is now playing in theaters, bringing back the beloved killer doll for another round of techno-horror and thrilling action. Directed by Gerard Johnstone, who also helmed the original, this film escalates the stakes, moving beyond the horror of its predecessor into a full-fledged sci-fi action-thriller.
The story picks up two years after the first film, with roboticist Gemma (Allison Williams – Get Out, Girls) now a celebrated author and AI advocate, while her niece Cady (Violet McGraw – The Haunting of Hill House, Black Widow) navigates the challenges of teenage rebellion. However, danger looms as M3GAN’s underlying technology is stolen and repurposed by a powerful defense contractor to create AMELIA, the ultimate military-grade infiltration spy, portrayed by newcomer Ivanna Sakhno (Ahsoka, Pacific Rim: Uprising). The returning cast includes Brian Jordan Alvarez (Cole – Will & Grace) and Jen Van Epps (Tess), Gemma’s loyal tech teammates, with comedic legend Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords, What We Do in the Shadows) joining the ranks.
To celebrate the release of M3GAN 2.0, Mama’s Geeky had the fantastic opportunity to speak with two of the film’s stars: Ivanna Sakhno, who portrays the formidable new AI, AMELIA, and Jen Van Epps, reprising her role as Tess. Our contributor, Rachel Tolleson, delved into their experiences on set, the evolution of the M3GAN franchise, and what it was like bringing these compelling characters to life. Ivanna shared insights into the intricate process of creating AMELIA’s eerily human-like physicality and the challenges of working with an animatronic so realistic it was often confused with her. Jen discussed the excitement of the film’s expanded scope, the joy of reuniting with the cast and crew in New Zealand, and her hopes for a potential trilogy.
Ivanna Sakhno On Crafting AMELIA
Mama’s Geeky: How did you approach that when you were kind of getting ready to build the character off of the page?
Ivanna Sakhno: I don’t take it for granted, the fact that you were able to connect with her, and it’s very much how I felt reading the script. I found so much complexity within her and turmoil, as well as compassion towards her. Even though she is an AI robot, she’s somebody who has dealt with so much, and as a woman, as well, was brought into such a cruel world. So, getting to play around with her and building her up as much as possible, her physicality with my movement coach, Luke, and with Gerard, getting to have those conversations, has been a really fulfilling journey.
Mama’s Geeky: And what’s it like having the animatronic?
Ivanna Sakhno: Girl, it is so creepy. They didn’t tell me that I was going to meet her. So, people sometimes realized that it wasn’t me in the room; I was having an out-of-body experience when I first saw her. I was like, have I left my body, and just me lying on the ground? But yeah, no, she’s extremely human-like, and she’s able to move and speak, as well. And even though we didn’t get to use her as much in the film, it was a wonderful and interesting addition to the process. I’ve never had that experience before. And the uncanny valley aspect is very much what we’re going for, because Amelia is meant to be very human-like, unlike M3GAN. And so, creating her movement and physicality that would be extremely human, but then some moments when you would look at her, you would sense that something is off, and there is an uncanny valley aspect to that.
Mama’s Geeky: Was that physicality a hard thing to learn?
Ivanna Sakhno: I would say it was really exciting, more than it was hard. There’s definitely a sense of responsibility that you feel coming into the world that is beloved, and you want to do it justice as well. And you’re very right, while she is very human, there is a certain stillness about her and in the way that she interacts with the world that we had to find through. Honestly, tai chi was a big part of it, just the ability to hold your energy in different parts of the body, and also breath work, as I was unable to breathe during filming when we filmed the scene. So also having kind of her guidance outside of her body, she was always kind of here when she would move, and the eyes would be delayed. And I just hope that it comes off on screen, those moments are found by the audience.
Jen Van Epps On Tess’s Return & Possible Trilogy
Mama’s Geeky: This was such a big change in tone. What was it like returning?
Jen Van Epps: I think returning to the same character and story was the easy part, right? Like, Tess is just part of my DNA. She’s just who she is, right? She’s like my child. The scope of the movie was definitely like, whoa, we’re doing this, but we’re doing an action movie. I’m like, wait a minute, wait a minute. Do I need to do like abs? Do I need to get like a six pack? What’s happening? My one my mama one pack is beautiful, but maybe I need to. Yeah, but it was it was quite exciting. Because, you know, again, it was like, we made this like cute little horror indie movie that was so fun. And it was light camp. Honestly, it was, you know, it’s a very Kiwi. There’s a lot Kiwi sense of humor in that, which gives it a campy tone, I would say. And so it was exciting to say, like, we’re upping the ante. And I think the audience is going to have a good old time. It’s like, buckle up. Put the turbo charge on and let’s go.
Mama’s Geeky: Oh, absolutely. And then, you know, you mentioned Kiwi humor and Jemaine Clement is in this movie, who is—
Jen Van Epps: I love Jemaine.
Mama’s Geeky: I won’t go into detail, but he is hilarious.
Jen Van Epps: This is the third time I’ve worked with him. He played my husband in Don’t Make Me Go. He was my he was basically my boss in Time Bandits. And now I’m like, we can’t get rid of each other. Here you are being your funny self. You have no idea. It’s hard to not crack up.
Mama’s Geeky: What was one of your favorite things about filming this second movie?
Jen Van Epps: Honestly, it’s just being with my friends. That sounds silly, but the New Zealand crew is tight. So most of the crew that’s back is the same crew, obviously seeing Allison and Brian and Violet and Amy, my OGs. I think the other thing I really loved is because I’m in the first one, I step in as camp mom. That’s what I always say. I’m American, but I’m the local to Auckland. And so I get to play like camp mom, like, what are you doing? Who wants to go on this hike? Let’s go to this volcano. And that’s where I’m a connector and reconnecting with people I love and reconnecting with new people is like juicy.
Mama’s Geeky: Would you would you hope for this to become a trilogy?
Jen Van Epps: Why not? I mean, if the audience loves it. Yeah. I love this character and I love M3GAN. She’s crazy, and I love her. She’s even crazier in this. I secretly held the puppet’s hand because she just the life-size one. I’m pretty short. She’s not much shorter than I am. And like it was just the posable doll. Don’t worry, it wasn’t grabbing Amy’s hands. But she like my mother instinct kicked in. It was standing next to me. She’s so beautiful in person. And I was like, I just want to hold your hand.
Be sure to watch our full M3GAN 2.0 interviews for more behind-the-scenes details.
NEXT: Red Carpet Revelations: Stars Dish on the Action-Packed Comedy ‘Bride Hard’
