Space Rippers is a science-fiction feature film that tackles the controversy of piracy and intellectual property, while still having a light and goofy feel. The film features science and magic, which clash among the stars when a notorious team of space-going media pirates rips a cursed DVD and unleashes a vengeful Anti-Piracy Witch.
“The film is about space and mysteries and people going in a spaceship and many actions happening,” said Gilbert.
The film, currently in post-production, stars Nicola Wilson (Brokeback Mountain, Fargo) as 666Mama. Gilbert plays the younger version of the character, 666Baby. Gilbert has played Wilson’s younger version in multiple other productions due to their similarities.
“We look a lot alike. I love to see Nicola on set. She is really fun. She is a teacher. She loves kids. We have fun together,” said Gilbert.
Space Rippers is Gilbert’s first role in the sci-fi genre, which provided a learning experience for the actress. At the age of five when the filming took place, it showed her the importance of patience on set.
“We had many many takes on this set because of the special effects,” said Gilbert. “It was also cool to work with spaceships, I had never done that before.”
The ending of the film features a big reveal that not even the actors know about. Gilbert’s main scene is extremely pivotal to the grand finale, and viewers can look forward to her natural abilities as an actress to shine through.
“Apparently the end is crazy awesome and the filmmakers don’t want to tell anybody until we see it. I can’t wait,” she said.
The film was written, directed, and produced by Chris Shalom (Truth, April). Shalom was immediately impressed with Gilbert’s talent, especially for someone of her age.
“Maryanne's got all the energy you'd expect of someone so young, but she knows how to focus it. She's a professional presence on set and an engaging, organic presence onscreen. She's always cheerful, which never hurts on a shoot day,” said Shalom. “Maryanne's a good actress because she's always got something new and different to offer in a scene. She'll do something unexpected and you realize you should have done the scene that way from the start.”
For Gilbert, the film was a chance to try something new while still doing what she loves: acting. The actress says she just loves to act, no matter what the role, but playing 666Baby was very enjoyable.
“666Baby loves to explore like me. She discovers things, but I can’t say what she does in the movie it’s a secret as the movie is not quite out yet. She goes on adventures with her brother in the fields. But she is not scared. I am a bit more scared of dangerous things than her. And there was another kid in the scene with me, that is always fun,” said Gilbert. “The filmmakers were super nice. I made a really good friend. He was older but super nice. He was good with young kids. And I had to run in a field for a scene. That was fun. I could run lots, and lots, and I love to run. And there was fake smoke on set. I had never seen that before.”
Audiences can expect to see Gilbert in Space Rippers later this year, and finally know the big reveal at the end of the film. For now, you can watch the trailer here.