Last week, I spoke with Jennifer Garner about her role in the upcoming family comedy, Nine Lives. In the film, she portrays Lara, the patient wife to workaholic billionaire Tom (Kevin Spacey), who finds himself trapped inside the body of a cat named “Mr. Fuzzypants” after paying a visit to a pet store owned by a mysterious man named Felix (Christopher Walken). Will he find a way back to Lara and their family, or remain stuck as a “Tom Cat” forever? Garner chatted with me about the process of making this film and working with the cast – both human and feline!

Beeb Ashcroft: I have to know what was it like acting with a cat as your co-star – it sounds like it was pretty funny.

Jennifer Garner: It was very funny. You’re working so much with the animal handlers, which I had done some of [before] – but, never to this extent. And just all that is done to keep the cats focused, in a good mood, happy, looking camera ready, they are definitely the star, the diva. And they are the center of the universe when they’re on set. I’d be getting a touch up, and they’d say, “Jennifer, Fuzzypants is ready!” And I’d say, “Okay, I’ll be right there!” And we’d all hurry because Fuzzypants was in a better mood.

Beeb Ashcroft: The true diva on set! So, in addition to the cats, this movie also had a great human cast. What was your experience acting alongside actors like Christopher Walken and Kevin Spacey?

Jennifer Garner: So much fun. And I have actually worked with Christopher Walken once before, although we hadn’t had any interaction. But, we knew each other from the press. It was this tiny role I had in Catch Me If You Can. And he’s just such a pro. He just comes in and nails it and is great.

Kevin is hilarious, and it’s like just a running commentary of all things funny, as you’re setting up to do a scene. Even when he was in a coma in the hospital [in the scene], he couldn’t keep his mouth shut. He had something funny to say about every single moment of every single day. And Kevin, I’m crying here. Go back to your coma. And then, Cheryl Hines was just the most fun ever. So, yes, it was a great cast. I loved working with all of them.