She’s Laura Bush in ‘‘W.’’
Paul Rudd’s lawyer/girlfriend in ‘‘Role Models.’’
An unlikely porn star in ‘‘Zack and Miri.’’
Credit: PHOTOGRAPH BY CHRIS MCPHERSON
Just as Banks settles in, a stranger approaches with that unmistakable look of omigod-Im-about-to-talk-to-a-celebrityanticipation.
He leans over and asks, Excuse me, are you Chelsea Handler?
Banks smiles, apparently loving that shes been mistaken for the E!
I amsoChelsea Handler, she says.
The Handler fan is delighted.
Are you here promoting a film?
Banks doesnt miss a beat: No, Im just here promoting myself.
The fan grins, satisfied, and moves along with a starry story to tell his friends.
Im constantly getting, Youresomebody, arent you?
And the fact of the matter is, Im not quite somebody yet.
Actually, shell have three chances.
(in theaters).
Two weeks from now, shell drop F-bombs and roll around withSeth RogeninZack and Miri.
And the following weekend, shell playPaul Rudds put-upon lawyer/girlfriend in the bromantic comedyRole Models.
I feel very lucky that Hollywood hasnt figured out how to pigeonhole me yet, she says.
But then she drifts off, lost in thought for a moment.
At the same time, she sighs, there is an argument to be made for branding myself.
So which Elizabeth Banks will it be, the serious dramatic actress or the silly comedic one?
Is it too much to ask to be both?
