Interview with Abigail Breslin

She’s definitely not Little Miss Sunshine anymore, but Abigail Breslin still displays her trademark sweetness as the voice of Priscilla in the animated Western Rango, also starring the voices of Johnny Depp and Bill Nighy. The 14-year-old actress spills about working with the big shots and how she bites her nails over getting good grades, just like everyone else.

So, this wasn’t your first time doing animated voiceover?
No. I had done it when I was younger, but this was the first time I actually remember doing it. We actually recorded it like a live-action movie and got to play off the other actors, which was great, instead of just being in a booth by yourself.

I’m sure everyone wants to know what working with Depp was like.
Ha, yes. He’s a really nice guy. Everyone was always in such a good mood because it was just such a fun movie to make. Nothing too crazy happened on set. Except one day they had to shoot a gun, and we all had to wear earplugs and crouch down and everybody was like, “Oh my God, the guns!” I was a little scared, but I was getting ready to do another movie [Zombieland] where I shoot a gun, so it was good practice.

So you’re a freshman in high school?
Yes, don’t remind me. [Laughs]

Do you ever just want to be a regular high-schooler?
No, because I feel like I have a normal high-school thing. I do my school online, send it to my teachers, bite my nails until they grade them. Then when they do, I’m very proud if it’s a good grade. I don’t say anything for a while if it’s not. [Laughs and looks at Mom] I just hang out with my friends. It feels pretty normal.

Are you thinking about college yet?
I’d definitely like to go to college. My cousin and I have this whole plan that I’ll go to NYU and she’ll go to Columbia and we’ll have an apartment together and paint it pink and purple and have a silver Christmas tree year-round. And give each other a present each day and have a favorite sushi place around the corner on Bleecker Street. I don’t know if she’s still on board; we made it when I was 11.

Who are you craving to work with in Hollywood?
Well, obviously, my favorite actress is Meryl Streep. I’d love to work with her, but I’d be pretty intimidated. And Helena Bonham Carter. And The Devil Wears Prada is my favorite movie, so if I could work with everyone on that set, I’d be good to go.

And you said you already head back to L.A. in a few hours?
Yeah, we’re just trying to fit in as much shopping as possible. I already got my deep dish pizza last night. I love Chicago. I always feel like a little more at home here than somewhere like L.A.

Rango opens in theaters Friday 4.