Lily James wanted to speak to Pamela Anderson before playing the blonde bombshell in the new Hulu and Disney+ series Pam & Tommy.
But it did not come to be, the British star told the new issue of PORTER magazine, which was released on Monday.
'I was really hopeful that she would be involved. I wish it had been different,' the 32-year-old beauty said adding she had reached out to the 54-year-old Anderson before filming but never heard back.
Reel vs real: Lily James wanted to speak to Pamela Anderson before playing the blonde bombshell in the new Hulu and Disney+ series Pam & Tommy. But it did not come to be, the British star told the new issue of PORTER magazine which was released on Monday
James wanted feedback from the Playboy cover model so she could get it right. 'My sole intention was to take care of the story and to play Pamela authentically,' shared Lily.
And Lily did not call just once but rather several times before the cameras started to roll.
The film star also said she had never worked so hard on a project before. 'I read the books [Anderson] has written, I read her poetry, I can parrot along to all her interviews,' shared the actress.
'I love that about acting; you fit into a character, and you realize you’re not as different as you might have thought. You lean in to things in yourself, and discard parts of you that aren’t useful. We were exploring a particular moment in Pamela and Tommy’s life in the ’90s, this absolute lust for love.'
Missed opportunity: 'I was really hopeful that she would be involved. I wish it had been different,' the 32-year-old beauty said adding she had reached out to the 54-year-old Anderson before filming but never heard back
Pam & Tommy chronicles the sex tape scandal which rocked Pamela and her then-husband Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee (played by Sebastian Stan) during their three year marriage.
It comes after photos of the star in costume hit the headlines, with Lily looking like Pamela's twin in her iconic red Baywatch swimsuit.
Lily explained that the makeup and costume took four hours every day to perfect, and came complete with a prosthetic body suit.
She explained: 'Of course, there was the physical transformation. Slowly, our incredible team found a balance where I resembled Pamela but also felt like I could act through it.
'I’ve never done anything where I look very different from myself before. And I’d really like to continue in this vein, because I felt there was something very freeing and liberating in it. There was a bravery that came from that. A courage that came from… disappearing.'
Her goal: James wanted feedback from the Playboy cover model so she could get it right. 'My sole intention was to take care of the story and to play Pamela authentically,' shared Lily
She tried: And Lily did not call just once but rather several times before the cameras started to roll. Seen with Sebastian Stan who played Tommy Lee
She added that she was sorry to take the costume off at the end of the day, saying: 'I hated it… It was like being stripped of all these superpowers! I’d really enjoyed the physicality and the sensuality, even down to the long fingernails. There was just so much character to hold on to – it was really thrilling.'
Pam & Tommy chronicles the infamous sex tape which rocked Pamela and her then-husband Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee during their three year marriage.
Speaking about the scandal, Lily said she believes the effects are
