February 20, 2003

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

TOO MUCH MONKEY BUSINESS?

by Cindy Pearlman

They met two years ago on the set of "Planet of the Apes," and maybe there's proof that monkeying around is good for the species--at least the human one. Two days ago, it was reported that cool director Tim Burton and period-piece actress Helena Bonham Carter are expecting their first child together.

However, during a phone interview Wed-nesday from the Alabama set of their new film "Big Fish," a slightly peeved Cart-er ranted to GLARE, "I never actually said anything about a pregnancy, and I have no comment to make." She says the story swept the world after appearing in the London Daily Mail. "I found that infuriating, and a completely disrespectful thing to the people involved. It's intolerable!" (So is that a denial? "No comment," she sweetly said.)

"Just because I signed up to be an actor doesn't mean I have to parade my personal life around." So much for finding out if she and Burton are planning to wed. "No comment on that one, too," she added.

It's been a rocky ride for Burton and Carter since getting together-- at least with the press. Carter was accused of "stealing Tim" from his longtime girlfriend Lisa Marie. Carter never would touch that one, but will talk about professional matters such as "Big Fish," in which she co-stars with Billy Crudup, Albert Finney and Ewan McGregor. Burton is directing them. "It's great working with Tim again. He's a great director. I love his taste and films," she said breezily.

Meanwhile, Carter stars next week in "Till Human Voices Wake Us" with Guy Pearce. When that wraps, she's back to her London home. As for her cravings these days (hmmm), she says, "I do miss marmite, which I get in London. I miss my home, and I miss the papers, but I do hate the British press."