Drew Barrymore says roller derby is "scary as s**t".
The 34-year-old actress' new movie 'Whip It' - which she directs and stars in - is about the roller skating contact sport, and she admits she had no idea how brutal the sport could be.
She told Time Out New York magazine:

"What I love about the sport is that it's real and high stakes. And by the way, it's scary as s**t to do. I wouldn't have guessed that the first film I directed would have a sports element, but then again it doesn't surprise me, because I love girls getting to do what boys do.

"I love when women get to be women and not feel like they have to become a man in order to play in a man's world."

Drew decided to star in the movie as well as direct it - she plays skater Smashley Simpson - as she wanted to ensure she was fully involved in the entire creative process.
She explained:

"Well, I've always found that I tend to rebel against authority. I wanted to throw myself in there so I could really go through what the girls were going through. I didn't want to be that guy who said, 'Just get in there.' I hate that - I hate dictatorship, I hate hierarchy, I hate sidelines."

Drew reunited with ex-boyfriend Justin Long earlier this year, but refused to be drawn on their relationship.
She would only say:

"We're friends, and we love each other, and that's all we know."

Are you planning on seeing 'Whip It'?

Photos by INF