We first fell in love with Dana Gaier as the spunky middle sister Edith in Despicable Me, and this summer Dana is back to reprise her role in the highly anticipated sequel Despicable Me 2, out July 3! Dana stopped by our offices to chat about Edith, hanging with Miranda Cosgrove, One Direction and why you should check out Despicable Me 2!
J-14: Can you tell us a little bit about Despicable Me 2? What can we expect?
Dana Gaier: In this movie, the three sisters are already with Gru, so they're more of a family now and you get to see them in that family setting. What's funny about Edith in this movie is that she's going through this ninja phase. Gru's a secret agent during this movie and she just thinks that's the coolest thing ever. She's infatuated, and because she's going through her ninja phase, all she wants to do is help out. So she's always taking his gadgets, taking Nefario's gadgets, just always having a good time.
J-14: How did you identify with Edith?
DG: We're both troublemakers. We like to tease our sisters, definitely. But even though there's that teasing there's still that sibling love. It's still a good relationship but definitely having a little fun with it.
J-14: Speacking of sisters, you play Miranda Cosgrove's sister in the movie. Are the two of you close in real life?
DG: I would definitely call us friends. We were at the opening of the ride in Orlando together and that was so much fun. We basically spent the entire day together. We were talking about One Direction. I was like, "Oh my God so you have to tell me, how was One Direction on the set of iCarly?" She was like, "They are so cute!" I was like, "I'm so jealous!" cause I love them so much.
J-14: Has she given you any "big sister" advice?
DG: The first time I met her was at a screening for the first movie and when we were standing there I just remember her turning around and saying, "You did such a great job." To have such a huge star and such a great actress say that to you, it boosts your confidence. It's very encouraging.
J-14: Why would J-14 readers go see Despicable Me 2?
DG: There's so much to love about it! There's a new character, Kristen Wiig's character, Lucy. She was in the trailer, so there's another female character to identify with.