Jessica Chastain on ‘Zero Dark Thirty’

Jessica Chastain discusses her Oscar-nominated role in “Zero Dark Thirty” with the L.A. Times’ Glenn Whipp. Read more about Chastain’s career here.

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A text message starts it all

Director Kathryn Bigelow wanted Chastain for the role but was told she was unavailable. So what changed?

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Mythic movie moments

Chastain -- who says "I don't really cuss in real life" -- talks about why a particular line in the film hit such a nerve with audiences.

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On playing strong women

Like her director, Kathryn Bigelow, Chastain notes that the CIA character she plays does not dwell on the glass ceiling for women in fields dominated by men.

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Video: Jeff Amlotte and Jason H. Neubert. Photography: Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times. Production: Lily Mihalik.