At 94, June Squibb’s a Hollywood action hero

Certainly, "Thelma" is a tribute to seniors everywhere with June Squibb, 94, as the nonagenarian Thelma Post bent on revenge against internet scammers.

Fleeced of thousands of dollars online Thelma, who lives independently but is looked after by her grandson, decides to go get her money back. That means getting on the back of a scooter driven by a fellow retiree (John Shaft himself, Richard Roundtree, in his final performance).

As feisty, bright and determined Thelma, Squibb, an Oscar nominee for the 2013 Alexander Payne "Nebraska," carries a movie that only seems written especially for her.

"Josh Margolin," she said of the writer-director in a Zoom interview from her Hollywood home, "thought of me right away when he had it finished"

Squibb had no trouble divining what was what with this, her first leading role. "I just worked with a wonderful script and felt that I had everything I needed.

"She is a woman who cares about people and things. When this happens, she's got this sense that she can make this right and get her money back."

As for working with Roundtree on the back of a fire engine red electric scooter, "Yes, we did that ourselves. They thought that I wouldn't be driving it that much at all but I enjoyed it. And I really got to be good on it."

Had she ever been on one before?

"No, I had never driven one before. Never really ridden on one."

There's one scene where Squibb runs into a bedroom, throws herself on the bed – and flips over to get out on the other side!

"That's myself," she confirmed. "Yes, yes."

What did she say to do it? Didn't they want to do this with a stunt person?

"They did. They were so worried about me. But I just kind of knew I could do that – and I kept saying I could do this. I could do this.

"So they said, 'Okay, try it.' And they all were like standing around worried to death. And I did it. And they thought, 'Oh, my God, she can do it!'

"So I had to do it three or four more times then. You know, to get it all on the camera. It's never just once."

Squibb has another high-profile picture coming, "Eleanor the Great" with a leading role directed by Scarlett Johansson.

"We shot it in New York. She is so smart — and she is a really good director. I don't know how much she will want to direct, but if she wants to, I think she will be asked to again and again."

"Thelma" opens Friday