At 94, June Squibb is a Hollywood action heroine

Richard Roundtree and June Squibb in a scene from “Thelma.” (Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures)

“Thelma” is undoubtedly a tribute to all seniors, and 94-year-old June Squibb plays the role of ninety-year-old Thelma Post, who is out for revenge against Internet scammers.

Thelma, who lives independently but is cared for by her grandson, has been scammed out of thousands of dollars online and decides to get her money back. That means getting in the back of a scooter driven by another retiree (John Shaft himself, Richard Roundtree, in his final appearance).

In the role of the spirited, clever and determined Thelma, Squibb, who was nominated for an Oscar in 2013 for the Alexander Payne film “Nebraska,” presents a film that seems to have been written especially for her.

“Josh Margolin,” she said of the screenwriter and director in a Zoom interview from her home in Hollywood, “immediately thought of me when he finished.”

Squibb had no trouble getting the hang of her first leading role. “I just worked with a wonderful script and felt like I had everything I needed.”

“She’s a woman who cares about people and things. When something like this happens, she feels like she can make it right and get her money back.”

As for working with Roundtree in the back of a fire-engine-red electric scooter: “Yeah, we did it ourselves. They thought I wouldn’t ride it that much, but I enjoyed it. And I got on really well with it.”

Had she ever been on one before?

“No, I’ve never driven one. I’ve never actually ridden on one.”

There’s a scene where Squibb runs into a bedroom, throws himself on the bed – and turns around to come out the other side!

“That’s me,” she confirmed. “Yes, yes.”

What did she say? Didn’t they want to do it with a stuntman?

“They did. They were so worried about me. But I just knew I could do it – and I kept saying I can do it. I can do it.”

“So they said, ‘Okay, try it.’ And they were all 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. You know, to get it all on camera. It’s never just once.”

Squibb has another high-profile film in the pipeline: “Eleanor the Great” starring Scarlett Johansson.

“We shot in New York. She’s so smart – and she’s a really good director. I don’t know how much she wants to direct, but if she wants to, I think she’ll be asked to do it again and again.”

“Thelma” starts on Friday