What Margot Robbie learnt from the Queen of Comedy

THERE’S no doubt about it, Margot Robbie is at the top of her game right now. But Australia’s golden girl says she’s just getting started.

THERE’S no doubt about it, Margot Robbie is at the top of her game right now.

But, speaking to Australia’s golden girl at the world premiere of her new film, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, in New York City this week, she admits that she’s still got plenty to learn.

Rocking a daring, cut-to-the-navel black jumpsuit on the red carpet, Margot looks fresh as a daisy, save for the slightly husky voice, which the stunner blames on having “way too much fun” at the Oscars on Sunday night.

“But it’s one of those once-a-year things, you have to let your hair down and have a good time,” she reasons.

If 2015 was a big year for the former Neighbours star, 2016 promises to be colossal — with highly anticipated films Suicide Squad and Tarzan due out later this year.

But first, Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, a war comedy starring heavyweights Tina Fey, Billy Bob Thornton, Martin Freeman, as well as fellow Aussie Steve Peacocke.

For Margot, who recently turned her hand to producing, working alongside Ms Tina Fey (who co-produced the film) was a dream come true.

“It was the most incredible opportunity and it’s kind of daunting when you’re working with someone and you have so much respect for her and you really hope that they don’t come across different to how you’ve always imagined her to be,” the Focus star said. “But she is even cooler, even nicer, even funnier, even more intelligent than I assumed and it was just so great.”

Actress and producer Tina Fey.

Actress Margot Robbie.

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, which is based on the book The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Baker, sees the reigning queen of comedy take on a more serious role, playing real life journalist Baker who abandons her desk job as a cable news writer to jump in the deep end as wartime correspondent.

“I was keen to observe her [Fey] because she produced the film and I’ve just started producing so I was keen to see how someone can handle having a family and sustain their relationships while producing a massive project, while starring in it,” said Robbie, who revealed late last year that she’s been working on a number of projects behind the camera, including a Pulp Fiction-style film.

“She was just so cool, calm and collected and she said [to me], ‘it’s kind of like preparing for your wedding day — if you do enough preparation in advance you can just enjoy the day.’

“On set, she didn’t seem stressed at all, she was just a chiller, so I thought that’s a note to self: over-prepare so you can enjoy the moment.”

Tina Fey as Kim Baker and Margot Robbie as Tanya Vanderpoel in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Getting a start alongside the dynamic duo is none other than Summer Bay’s favourite bad boy Steve Peacocke (Brax). The Logie winner from NSW’s Central West hit the red carpet for the premiere on Tuesday night alongside wife Bridgette Sneddon.

Peacocke plays Nic, a buff Kiwi bodyguard assigned to keeping Fey’s character safe.

“When I told people I was in a film with Tina Fey, they lost their minds, especially girls and it’s nice to be able to report that someone like her that everyone loves it just lovely, the nicest person you’d want to work with,” he told news.com.au of working with the Sisters star.

“It’s all about the work, it's the same sort of work ethics we have drummed into us in Australia. You don’t take yourself too seriously but you take your work seriously and she’s a testament to that.”

The former Home and Away hottie warned that, before any of his mates give him a hard time about playing a Kiwi in the film, there’s a big twist involving his character.

So, how did he nail the accent of our antipodean neighbours? “Watching Richie McCaw videos on YouTube.”

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot hits Australian cinemas on May 12.

Stephen Peacocke attends the Whiskey Tango Foxtrot world premiere.

Stephen Peacocke plays Nic in Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.

Originally published as What Margot Robbie learnt from the Queen of Comedy