Julie Benz roughed it in making 'Rambo'

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Blink during the television trailer for Sylvester Stallone's "Rambo," and you'll miss Julie Benz.Fortunately, since Benz is the female lead, she gets a lot more screen time in the film, the fourth featuring Stallone's Vietnam-veteran anti-hero, Rambo."I think he's an amazing director," she said of Stallone, who also stars in the film, "and I love the performances he gets out of his actors."It was Benz's performance as the tormented girlfriend of the title character in the Showtime hit "Dexter " that caught the eye of "Rambo" producers. When they called for a meeting, she took it and won the part.Filmed in Thailand, the movie is set against the backdrop of the 60-year civil war near the Thai-Burma border.Benz, 35, said dealing with real issues as well as the opportunity to work with Stallone are why she took the part of Sarah, a missionary aid worker held captive by the Burmese army.It's been 20 years since the last "Rambo" romp, and Benz said the character is "an older shell of a man who's left with no belief in man whatsoever."The actress spent three months in the jungles of Thailand last year, doing most of her own stunts. "It was an extremely physically demanding as well as an emotionally demanding shoot. ... I would go home every night completely drained emotionally and physically, but I would be exhilarated."She praises the movie's stunt department, which made her feel very safe, and stunt double Heidi Moneymaker, who stepped in for the most difficult work. While Benz had no problem running past an exploding building that catches on fire, a fall into a rice paddie proved to be a bigger challenge.That stunt was handed over to Moneymaker.The Murrysville, Pa., native is as busy as she's ever been, promoting "Rambo" after having recently wrapped up shooting on the film "Punisher: War Zone" in Montreal, and season two of "Dexter."Benz, a figure skater since age 3, had dreams of Olympic gold until an injury at 13 forced her to take time off. "My mom didn't want me to sit around and be bored, so she dragged me kicking and screaming to an audition for local community theater."She got the part and a career was born. Benz signed with Pittsburgh casting agent Donna Belajac and started modeling and doing commercials.After graduating from high school, she headed to New York University to study acting. From there it was on to Los Angeles, where she's been working ever since.After building her fan base and resume with roles in TV's cult classic "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" and "Angel," Benz said she fought tooth and nail to get the "Dexter" role.She auditioned numerous times, but the producers thought she was too beautiful and confident to play a struggling mother of two.They relented after she came in minus makeup and her usual pulled-together look."I wanted to be part of that show," she said. "I loved the premise. I loved the script. I wanted to work for Showtime. It just had all the elements I wanted in a show."(Monica Haynes can be reached at mhaynes(at)post-gazette.com)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.scrippsnews.com.)