Oprah Winfrey returns to the big screen this week in a big way with a crucial role in the adaptation of A Wrinkle in Time, her first foray as an actress in the science fiction and fantasy genre. The film marks her most recent collaboration with filmmaker Ava DuVernay. The two women first worked together five years ago when Oprah produced Selma in which DuVernay gave her a small but significant role. The actress/producer dynamic between the two women expanded when they both collaborated on Greenleaf, a series produced for OWN, Winfrey's television network. When asked what was different about working with DuVernay for the third time on an epic big screen adventure, Oprah did not hesitate one second in stating "Disney Money." This honest and succinct answer provoked gales of laughter among those present at the press conference to promote A Wrinkle in Time. But Ms. Winfrey was quick to clarify that her reference to the studios financing was completely free of cynicism. "During (the filming) Selma most conversations where around what money we needed to try to finish the movie or would we be able to get something that was crucial because we didn't have enough money. When you work with the most successful movie studio in the industry, having their financial support means your are afforded limitless opportunities for your art and creativity."

The other thing "Disney money" was able to afford DuVernay was a stellar cast, that includes Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Mindy Kaling and Zack Galifianakis, to share the screen with Oprah. It seems fitting that during the global press conference most of them felt compelled to celebrate the importance of being part of their director's vision for this story. Kaling describes playing a celestial being alongside Oprah and Reese Witherspoon as "a dream come true. But the fact of the matter is that being here discussing my role in a fantasy and science fiction movie is truly monumental. As a kid those were the two genres that I absolutely adored but they did not love me back. There was no one like me in any of those stories that I fell in love with. So having the opportunity of being part of this as a woman of color is extremely important to me. I will be forever grateful to Ava for giving me the chance of maybe someday to be seen by a little girl who finally gets to see someone who looks like her on screen."

Galifianakis was equally emotional in discussing the many "themes of the film that we just have not seen in a movie of this scale before." The actor felt most proud of "being part of a movie that embodies what is happening with women in our industry. This is a very effective antidote to the toxic masculinity that has always prevailed. To me it is extremely moving to see a movie where a 12 year old girl with glasses is the center of the story and at one point she has to ask a boy her own age to trust her to lead and he does. Having that on screen is important for everyone to see. And I feel extremely lucky to have a small part in it."

For Chris Pine, the main significant male figure in the story, the role of a doctor who mysteriously disappears from his family presented the chance to "play an imperfect father who does not get demonized by his mistakes. He gets to lear the biggest and most important lesson which is to focus on what is important. He gets obsessed with his work and wanting to shake hands with the universe but then realizes that the true treasure is the love of his beautiful daughter and family."

Reese Witherspoon admits that she feels "immensely proud to be part of a movie with these themes and that very clearly represents the power of inclusion and love. But the fact of the matter is that for Ava I would have played a magical tree in the movie if she had asked me too." Instead Witherspoon, Winfrey and Kaling respectively play Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which, three powerful female forces who help Meg try to find her father and bring out her inner warrior.

While Oprah admits that she was thrilled to get an opportunity to play a part in a fantasy film "that allows me to combine Glinda the Good Witch from The Wizard of Oz and Maya Angelou who's a friend, a mentor and a mother figure to me. But the real reason is that I just wanted to be on set to see Ava in charge of a movie of this scale and to have a front row seat in watching the crew get all the cues from her. It was thrilling to see."

The director assured the journalist present at the press conference that feeling the love from her cast feels like a natural extension for a film that has "love in every single frame and moment". And even though the hope is that the financial success of A Wrinkle in Time leads to more chances for her to make a movie with "Disney Money", DuVernay feels extremely proud "to have made the movie my 12 year old self would want to see."

Tesser to theatres to see Disney's A Wrinkle in Time, now playing!