M3GAN 2.0’s Ivanna Sakhno on Embracing Her Inner Automoton

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Prior to the release of the first M3GAN , the brief sneak peeks left audiences intrigued by the titular doll, as her mix of wit, dance moves, and propensity for violence quickly gained a dedicated fanbase. The success of both the movie and the doll led to the creation of the sequel M3GAN 2.0, which introduced Ivanna Sakhno‘s sinister doll AMELIA. Although M3GAN maintained her quick wit in the sequel, AMELIA was a distinct kind of robot, with her stoicism being both more terrifying and tragic than what fans had seen with M3GAN, while still managing to be just as captivating. Fans can now purchase the unrated version of M3GAN 2.0.

In the upcoming sequel, the original creative minds behind M3GAN return. These include James Wan’s Atomic Monster, Jason Blum’s Blumhouse, and director Gerard Johnstone. Together, they are revamping M3GAN for a new objective. When an advanced android designed as the ultimate weapon poses a threat to M3GAN’s cherished friend Cady, M3GAN persuades her creator, Gemma, to give her an upgrade that makes her even more formidable. Equipped with fresh enhancements and retaining her signature sassiness, M3GAN stands up against the aspiring techno-terror in a thrilling showdown to decide who is the most menacing machine built for ultimate chaos.

I recently had a chat with Sakhno about joining the popular series, discovering what drew her to AMELIA, and other interesting topics.

Interviewer: It’s been mentioned that certain aspects of Amelia had a healing effect on you and others that you learned from the process. In terms of creating Amelia, which traits or qualities from Ivana do you believe you incorporated into her character that weren’t originally written in the script?

Ivanna Sakhno believes that Amelia is essentially her since she’s the embodiment of the character. She admits it might be hard to pinpoint specific traits that make Amelia more like her, but she thinks immersing herself in the work and experiencing Amelia through her own body could be the key.

You’re balancing the challenge of portraying a character who seems genuinely human yet remains distinct from others, so as not to lose the intended detachment while also making her appealing to the audience.

I completely concur with your viewpoint. It seems to me that the main goal wasn’t to make her appealing to the viewers, but rather to delve deeper into understanding her complexities. By doing so, we hope that the audience will also strive to comprehend her and perhaps recognize aspects of her [character] that reflect common human traits, making her more relatable.

In this movie, your role requires keeping a neutral facial expression while conveying emotions solely through your voice and rhythm. Was it difficult for you to portray such emotional detachment visually, or did you find it liberating that you didn’t need to add human-like qualities as with other characters you’ve played?

This intriguing task provided a unique opportunity for growth. One of my primary motivations for diving into this role was the chance to shape a character physically, which differed significantly from my past endeavors. Additionally, collaborating with a movement coach was an exhilarating prospect. In essence, I found this challenge appealing because it offered me the freedom and stillness that I longed for, making it one of my favorite aspects of portraying her.

Are you, Ivanna, indeed a human? Just wanted to confirm this.

Likely. High probability.

As a robot striving to convincingly portray a human character, do I constantly consider the various aspects of my performance within each scene, or does this become second nature through training, allowing me to primarily concentrate on the script and let my responses seem instinctive?

Before starting the filming, it’s essential to grasp her physical character as thoroughly as possible. This involves research, watching relevant films, and collaborating with Luke [Hawker], our movement coach. These steps form the foundation for creating a convincing character. The goal is to ensure that you’re well-prepared so that on set, you can perform naturally, despite the constraints of physicality. Ultimately, you aim to navigate any challenges smoothly and fluidly.

Regarding AMELIA, what was your creative process when it came to her having earlier stages, moments where she uses the M3GAN operating system, and instances of complete autonomy? Did you treat these as distinct characters or were they all aspects of AMELIA’s core personality?

Each one belongs to her fundamental character, yet they are distinctly separate expressions. To me, they seemed entirely different personas, particularly when they refer to her as the “bombshell,” a term used by the team during the gold dress incident. That’s an entirely unique persona because her focus shifts significantly from, for instance, when she interacts with M3GAN, which occurs in the tunnel. This persona is driven more by emotionality and the aim to connect and influence through emotions rather than simply being attractive to a tech guy.

Are you a performer who is always eager to tackle every daring stunt and test your limits, or do you prefer to step back and let your stunt double handle the riskier, more challenging sequences?

In simpler terms, I aim to fully immerse myself in everything we do, especially during stunts. However, I couldn’t pull off these feats alone; I had an exceptional stunt team and a remarkable stunt double who was like an extension of me, as we were all part of the character Amelia. Although I yearned to perform as many stunts as possible on my own, there were times when safety measures required that I be insured and couldn’t do certain tricks. Nonetheless, there are sequences where I performed most of the actions independently, but some scenes needed assistance from the team.

Is there a particular scene in the production where, upon seeing some acrobatic feat performed by a contortionist who appeared to rise from the dead, you found yourself thinking, “Gosh, I could have pulled that off if only they had given me the chance, as it requires extensive training over many years”?

I’m confident that I gave it my all, considering the dual operations we had simultaneously. There were multiple tasks ongoing concurrently, hence the term “pickups”. I truly wished I could have participated in these tasks too. Some additional filming was being done alongside the initial unit, but yes, overall I stand firm on the work I’ve accomplished. I prepared diligently to be able to handle those responsibilities. I have no regrets about my preparation or performance.

One intriguing aspect of M3GAN’s transformation from the initial film to the sequel lies in the subjective nature of being a “villain.” Amelia perceives herself as innocent, while M3GAN underwent some degree of redemption in the second movie, acknowledging her mistakes. Pondering the future, if Amelia is still alive, would she consider altering her actions or might she persist in her belief that she was acting righteously?

I expect her growth to be significant both in terms of personal development and character. She seems to me as a continuous thinker about life and the essence of consciousness, just as she has been. Therefore, yes, I anticipate her continuing to grow.

Are there any specific iconic franchises that you aspire to work on next, as a fan and potential contributor, given your past experiences with M3GAN, Pacific Rim, and Star Wars – all hugely popular series with dedicated fan bases? If so, which one has caught your attention, thinking, “This is the one I’d love to leave my unique mark on?

The franchises I’ve been involved with are among those I’d point out when asked. To be honest, I don’t currently have a specific franchise in mind. However, I am deeply appreciative of the experiences I’ve had. What I’m actually seeking is to discover independent projects, and collaborate with directors who inspire me, some of whom I’ve admired for years. In essence, I’d like to delve more into auteur cinema.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, it seems like if The Terminator, The Matrix, or Marvel Studios come knocking, I’d have to let the world know: “Sorry, sorry, sorry, better save your energy. Unless you’re planning a romantic comedy spin-off of The Terminator, I’m afraid Ivanna is unavailable.

I’m not opposed to those things, but I keep an open mind about everything life brings me. If the situation aligns with what’s meant for me, then I’ll gladly join in.

Fans can purchase M3GAN 2.0 Unrated now.

This conversation has been shortened and made clearer for your convenience. Feel free to reach out to Patrick Cavanaugh personally on Twitter or Instagram.

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2025-07-22 20:41