gt.com: take us through the process of your preparations for filming -- did you read the book that inspired the movie to get into character?

ANNE: I did! Actually, Miramax Films gave me the book to read when I was sixteen years old. I was very, very happy when I heard they were making it into a movie, and they wanted me to play Ella! After that, it was just kinda about the physical preparations for it -- I worked with a mime for about two weeks to sort of learn how to get my body under control, and I started working out with a kickboxing instructor to learn how to kick butt like Ella. And then it was about just kinda letting loose and having fun in Ireland!

HUGH: You know what? I didn't, and I'll tell you why. First of all, I only became aware of the book quite late in terms to when we were shooting. And I thought at that stage, well, anybody that reads the book has their own idea of the different characters. I already had an idea from reading the script, and I didn't want to confuse it for myself. So I read it later, and I enjoyed it very much! The process for me was all about making sure Annie and I would have the right chemistry together. We really hit it off, we got along like a house on fire. From the first time we met in the auditions, I think we both felt really comfortable. We had a couple of weeks in Ireland before we started filming, she called me and the director to talk through the scenes, make sure we liked them all and they were funny enough and the relationship was going to come across right.

gt.com: speaking of your on-location shooting in Ireland for the film, how would you describe the set in relation to the movie?

HUGH: Every landscape, exterior, waterfall, and forest scene in the movie is Ireland. None of it is computerized, none of it is stuff that we just added. It's all real, and that's what Ireland is like. Beautiful! I often think that the country Ireland is almost like a character in the movie, because it gives it a whole color and the whole look. Of course a lot of people that work on the film are from Ireland, too, so it was a big part of it.

ANNE: Yes, I think the set really aided the magical tone of the film. Ireland is spectacular to shoot in, and if you are there in the right time of the year, you can get some amazing, amazing shots.

gt.com: what a great backdrop! okay, how did the locals react to you when you traveled off  the set?

HUGH: It's like the most welcoming place you could ever go. The great thing is, not everybody is going crazy. You don't get too much crazy attention, but at the same time, you could sit down and chat with anybody and have a great conversation.

ANNE: And they were pretty cool with me, too! I had a good time, although a couple of them were a little wary since I was American, but they quickly got over it when they learned that I was cool. ::laughs:: But the funny thing is, I think there needs to be a reality TV series called "Vivica [Fox] in Ireland" -- her in Ireland is the funniest thing ever! People did not know what to do with themselves! Because she's Viv, she's out there, she's crazy, but it was great! I cannot tell you the number of times we were in a cab together and something she would say would make cab drivers almost drive off the road!

gt.com: hilarious! now anne, in Ella Enchanted, your birthright was the gift/curse of obedience. in reality, if you were able to choose any type of "gift," what would you like to have?

ANNE: I would choose the gift of telekinesis! I've always had an admiration for Jean Gray in X-Men. So, yeah, I'd love to be able to levitate things, read people's minds, and stuff like that. That would be fun!

gt.com: absolutely! back to hugh, in this modern-day Cinderella story, your character can be compared to the Prince Charming. What was it like to play the royal Romeo?

HUGH: It has got to be pretty good for any guy, huh? I liked it, because it wasn't that normal boring guy that rides in at the end on a horse and just rescues the girl and goes off and really doesn't have anything to say for himself. And, like you said, it is a modern day kind of story. To be honest, in the beginning, my character is almost kind of obnoxious. He didn't want to be the prince, and he didn't even want to be that charming. He just kind of wants all the girls to chase him. And, it's only when he finally meets a girl who does exactly opposite and tells him where to go that he finally realizes that life is not all about that.

gt.com: so what was it that drew you to these roles?

ANNE: Mainly it would be Ella's independence, but I really wanted to play somebody that had Ella's strength, character, and heart! Plus, the opportunity to go to Ireland and be a part of one of the most beloved children's novels of all time!

HUGH: For me, it's kinda what I was talking about before, the fact that it was just going to be a little bit different from any other fairytale you have ever seen, a bit more modern. For me, I was going to get to play a character that had a real transition, somebody who learns a lot throughout the course of the movie, who changed and grew up a bit. And that meant also that I was going to get to do a lot of different things, because sometimes it is very romantic and sometimes it's just very funny. It's a nice challenge to blend all those things together and work with people like Anne Hathaway and Vivica Fox and Eric Idle and so many great people!

gt.com: definitely! speaking of characters...hugh, going from a serious flick like Black Hawk Down to the more light-hearted Ella Enchanted, did you find it difficult to make that type of role transition?

HUGH: No, not at all. I think when you've done something really serious, like Black Hawk Down for example, you actually find yourself really eager to go and do something that will be lighter and try out that kind of acting. Because otherwise you get stuck in a rut, stuck doing one thing, and before you know it, you're kind of bored. And the worse thing for any actor is to get bored!

gt.com: we can imagine! anne, coming off from the widely successful The Princess Diaries remake, does it add more pressure for you to match the success with Ella Enchanted? or are you less nervous about the box office statistics?

ANNE: I'm sure I feel pressured to be that way, but I feel like honestly, nobody hits a home run every time. I didn't get into making movies for the box office grosses, that's not my department. Nobody can take control why a movie does well. Even if people love a film, the time of year that it comes out, the press behind it, the hunger people have for that type of film, all influence the box office statistics. All I can do is do as well as I can in the role and make as good as a film as I can!

gt.com: that's a good attitude to have! while filming Ella Enchanted, what was the most memorable experience you can remember having?

HUGH: I think the most memorable experience for me has got to be being told all of the sudden that I was going to have to sing. It wasn't something that I was planning on! It wasn't in the original script, so my heart almost jumped out of my mouth. But, it turned out okay...I'd like to think! ::laughs::

ANNE: Yes, probably the singing thing -- it was three days of trying not to freak out and be shy while I was performing in front of the entire crew! Trying to get over feeling stupid with the dancing and stuff like that.

gt.com: we're sure it sounds great! anne, with singing in mind, you sing on two songs for the soundtrack -- do you have plans to venture into music in the future?

ANNE: No, I have no plans whatsoever to do that! If I have a career in music, it would probably be many years from now when I learn to play an instrument. Or, if I could, a musical theater or Broadway type of thing.

gt.com: hugh, in your acting timeline, you've played such a variety of characters in the movies. if you could choose your next role, what type of character would you like the chance to play on-screen?

HUGH: Well, maybe a villain. I haven't really thought about it, because you never know what is coming around the corner. That would be fun! After a charming prince and the rest of it, I would like to do the opposite. In general, that is an idea for me of what it is about. I just think you ought to keep doing different things to always keep yourself interested.

gt.com: very true! anne, Garry Marshall called you "a combination of Julia Roberts, Audrey Hepburn, and Judy Garland." how do you view those types of comparisons?

ANNE: I mean I'm hugely flattered, and I don't know what else to say except thank you. I hope that I can make myself live up to the standard that those actresses have set in their careers and lives!

gt.com: your well on your way! now hugh, The Sunday Mirror named you one of the 20 Hottest Eligible Bachelors in the UK. on that note, what type of girl would end your bachelorhood for good?

HUGH: ::laughs:: It did? What position was I? The double-figures probably! Not to deliberately go back to the movie, but for me to be interested in somebody, I need to be a little bit challenged. You want somebody that's got their own life going on, and that if you're going to get together with them, they're going to bring a whole different thing of theirs. I think everybody is like that, nobody wants life to be too easy. You gotta keep interested, and everybody likes to play games a little bit too.

gt.com: you're too modest! hugh, have you ever used your British accent to pick up American girls?

HUGH: ::laughs:: No, you know, I haven't had the opportunity. I have met some very nice American girls, and I would like to think that they were interested in more than just my accent! But, if they weren't, well...I'm not fussy! No, I don't mean that! ::laughs:: I've been here a few times, but most of my life at the moment is back in London.

gt.com: we're sure you'll have plenty of takers! anne, your first big break was in television, but you quickly moved into the movies. do you miss the small screen or are you content with film-making?

ANNE: I'm fine with film-making -- the lifestyle and the hours work out much better for me. And I like the fact that you have time to develop the story, and you only have to commit and be on top of everything for about three or four months. In TV, it's nine to ten months of constant work and you never know when the next script is coming in. It's a lot more stress!

gt.com: wow, we can imagine! hugh, at what point in your life did you decide you wanted to pursue acting? what made it a decision you stuck with?

HUGH: I decided when I was about seventeen. I spent a few years really getting more and more into it, until I realized it was something I really loved doing and wanted to pursue if I possibly could. I think that was pretty much it -- I didn't go to drama school. I knew in my heart of hearts that I was going to give it a shot one way or the other.

gt.com: good thing! anne, as a college student and actress, do you find it difficult to juggle studies and work?

ANNE: Yeah, and I'm actually not very good at it obviously, because I haven't made it back to school in about a year! It is difficult, I use to try and do both at the same time, but that was just stressing me out way too much. So I kinda made the choice that acting is where my heart lies right now, but I'm giving myself a decade to graduate from college!

gt.com: haha, definitely! hugh, in your next movie, King Arthur, you worked with producer Jerry Bruckheimer, whose got quite an extensive list of credits to his name. did you find yourself intimidated when you were being produced by him, or was it smooth sailing?

HUGH: Well, Jerry also produced Black Hawk Down. He is a legend, really -- he's the man that produced Top Gun and many other great films. I had already met him and already knew him from that. I was just glad to be asked back!

gt.com: anne, you're now filming a sequel to The Princess Diaries -- how is that going?

ANNE: I just finished about a week ago! It went really well. Actually, a lot of people working on it commented that they think the second one is going to be better than the first! I certainly had a great time making it, and I hope the people enjoy it!

gt.com: people will definitely enjoy the future films you both have to offer. thanks for your time, we can't wait to watch your careers skyrocket!