(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Rachel Weisz pretends to be a defence lawyer so she can "represent" her movie characters to her best ability.

The actress stars as scientist Dr. Marta Shearing in The Bourne Legacy, alongside Jeremy Renner. Rachel spent time talking to a real-life virologist as part of her research for the big screen role, and admits preparation is key to portraying any character convincingly.

"What happens in that moment when I sit and talk to someone is that I realise they're just a human being like me and there's no reason why I couldn't pretend to be them. I guess my main thing is that I don't judge the character, ever, and if I do, I think I've probably failed in bringing the character to life," she told British newspaper The Telegraph.

"So the analogy would be: I'm their defence lawyer and in my guts I have to believe in their innocence to represent them."

Rachel quietly married fellow Hollywood star Daniel Craig in New York City last year. The star is aware of the level of fame she's attracted in recent years.

"I used to say, 'Oh well, I'm not a celebrity.' Now to say that would be just silly because clearly I am," she said.

"Today I'm being interviewed and I'm aware that people are looking at me as if I'm a celebrity, but when I'm running around the streets taking my son to work with no make-up on I mostly don't think it's a reality. So I feel like I can opt in and out of it. But maybe I'm mad!" (C) Cover Media