Kate Beckinsale didn't have a "training period" to get in shape for her new movie Total Recall.

The actress only found out she had won the part of Lori Quaid in the sci-fi reboot days before production commenced.

And although the 39-year-old keeps fit with regular yoga and hiking sessions, she admitted it was a rush to get ready for filming.

"I didn't know I was doing this movie until two weeks before. Normally you have a training period - you do trampolining and all this stuff. But I didn't have time. As soon as I learned I was doing the movie, I started learning the fight choreography," she told British magazine Closer.

Kate added that she enjoys portraying strong women who can defend themselves.

The British star is best known for her action-packed role as vampire Selene from the Underworld franchise and said it is easy to see the appeal these characters hold for the audience.

"I think people tend to respond to women in tight trousers when you're playing tough. It's sexy in itself," she said.

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