Jennifer Connelly's Sci-Fi Lesson

Oscar-winning actress Jennifer Connelly, who has starred in films like "Blood Diamond" and "A Beautiful Mind," learns something new every time she takes on another intense role.

In her latest role as an astrobiologist in the blockbuster remake of "The Day The Earth Stood Still," she has learned more about science fiction.

"I read the script and I thought it was great. I thought it was a great story," she said.

Although she hadn't seen the original iconic sci-fi classic, which was made in 1951, before reading the script, she went back and watched it many times.

"I love it. I think it's just fantastic. I think it was really cutting edge for its time. I think it was interesting. It was a very self-reflective film. It had a lot to say about that time and that special climate," Connelly said. "Great performances. Patricia Neil was fantastic. But it was such a great story. I thought there was room to retell it now."

Having also starred in a giant movie like "Hulk," Connelly has a feel for the magnitude of a giant blockbuster.

"This one was sort of interesting. It was a curious sort of blend, which is one of the things that I really loved about it. There is green screen work that we did. Primarily, the sequence where the sphere comes down in Central Park. It's a strange way to work, but, ultimately, I think it pays off because I think it's so beautiful what they did with it, but a lot of it was just me, Keanu and Jaden Smith sort of driving around in the car to figure out what was going to happen," she said.

Connelly, who plays an ultra smart scientist, had to beef up on her science however.

"When I read it (the script), no (I didn't fully understand it). But, of course, I had an obligation to make myself understand. So, I did some research," she said.

With the help of a science adviser and science professors, Connelly had a better grasp on the scientific component of the film.

"I was nervous about it," she admitted. "I had some bad dreams about, you know, wondering what would happen, you know? The sort of classic 'I will forget my lines.'"