Milady de Winter, murderously seductive and charming, is back in a brand-new, lushly mounted French adaptation of the Dumas classic, “The Three Musketeers – Part II: Milady.”
Eva Green’s romantic, often doomed heroines began with Vesper Lynd opposite Daniel Craig’s James Bond in “Casino Royale.” Now she is perfectly cast as one of literature’s –and the movies’ – most enduring femme fatales.
This two-part “Musketeers,” a box-office and critical hit in Europe, is set in 1627 France. “Part II” begins with Catholic King Louis XIII (Louis Garrel) surviving an assassination attempt and launching war against the Protestants.
This homicidal, maniacally determined Milady, is, as Green, 43, noted in a phone interview from London, “such an iconic role it becomes intimidating. When they approached me I wasn’t sure. I really don’t want to repeat myself.”
Once she read the script, she realized, “It’s a new take on Milady, one we’ve never seen before.”
Dumas’ classic 1844 adventure story celebrates the Musketeers Athos, D’Artagnan, Porthos and Aramis of “One for all! And all for one!” renown. Yet Milady and her treachery have for nearly 200 years always stood out.
“In the novel she’s a really strong character but there’s something quite wild, a bit more crazy,” Green discovered. “What I like is that especially with this new take, she’s a warrior who can fight as well as men. She wears pants underneath those dresses. She’s not afraid of anything. She doesn’t care if she dies.
“She’s extremely mysterious – and she’s ready to go all the way, do absolutely anything to get what she wants. She’s completely unpredictable!”
Despite extravagant costumes, jaw-dropping estates and royal palaces, Green most favored the intense six weeks’ training. “The luxury of having those strong people just for me! For a good month and a half, every week.
“As Milady I have to fight until the end so we started with simple martial arts. Then fencing, and then to try and find a particular way Milady would fight that would be different from the Musketeers. That, and also the horse riding, really helps. Anytime you have the possibility to be physical in a movie and rehearse helps you find the core of your character.”
Milady at bottom is, Green decided, “Very much a feminist. Of course, she manipulates people and does evil things, but at the same we see the human in this movie.
“I mean, I hope especially you see the wounded woman who had to build a defense in order to survive this crazy world. I hope people will have a bit of empathy for her.”
“The Three Musketeers – Part 2: Milady” is available on streaming platforms April 19
