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'Little' star Marsai Martin dishes on how her 'mean' character challenged her

6:11
'Little' star Marsai Martin
Universal Pictures via AP
ByCandice Williams
April 12, 2019, 1:44 PM

Marsai Martin is getting an opportunity to live a big dream in her new film, "Little," where she plays the younger version of a disgruntled tech boss named Jordan.

The 14-year-old, who conceived the project and serves as an executive producer, told ABC News that she enjoyed playing the bratty teenager because it really challenged her.

"I was really excited to portray that character because it's someone that I haven't played before," Martin said.

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(MORE: Issa Rae of 'Little' on 14-year-old Marsai Martin being film's executive producer: 'I look at her and I'm inspired')

In fact, Martin makes clear that Jordan isn't like anyone she'd played before, including her "black-ish" character Diane, who's also an extremely precocious teen.

"Because, you know, Diane -- a lot of people put similarities to, like, Diane which I play on 'black-ish' and Jordan," she explained. "But to be honest, they're nothing alike because they have their own path that they want to go to."

Martin, however, admits there are some similarities between her and her "Little" character.

"Well I'm not going to lie," Martin said. "Little Jordan, she is innocent and shy and smart, which I am, but no -- I'm not...mean."

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(MORE: 'On Their Shoulders': 'Black-ish' star Marsai Martin honors 5 TV stars for Black History Month)

Martin's co-star, Regina Hall, agreed, adding that Martin and the entire "Little" cast really did an amazing job on the film.

"She's great," Hall said of Martin. "And Issa Rae is in it and she's phenomenal. And we've got some great guys in it. So we keep the ladies happy with the good men. And it's just a great story."

"Little," also starring Luke James, is now in theaters.

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