What can be said about Robert Englund that hasn't already been said. Not a lot. An accomplished leading actor who has appeared in a number of very successful horror movies. And who is probably best known for his portrayal of child killer Freddy Kruger in the Nightmare On Elm Street series. Englund is perhaps the newest horror film actor of our time. This interview was conducted following the theatrical release of Freddy vs Jason (2003).
How does it feel to put the Freddy glove back on after so many years? Does it bring back nostalgic feelings for you?
I am comfortable with the character and have been anticipating this project
since 2000. The new make-up crew was terrific. Too much glue due to all the
underwater make-up scenes.
It was a shame to hear that Kane Hodder would not be reprising his role as Jason in the Freddy vs Jason team-up. Did Ken Kirzinger do as good a job or as well as could of been hoped after Kane hung up the mask? And do you plan to work with Kane in the future?
Ken is a terrific stunt coordinator and actor. He is a lot of fun and a gentle man. He made me feel very comfortable in the fight scenes because of his great knowledge. No plans either way with Kane.
Ronny Yu's last movie 'Formula 51', a.k.a. 'The 51st State': as its known here in the UK, starring Robert Carlyle and Sam Jackson was shot over here in Liverpool and was pretty impressive. What was it like working with Ronny and what did you get out of it?
Ronny is very enthusiastic. He brought a Hong Kong sensibility and fresh interpretation to the character.
Staying on directors: since Wes Craven got to make such films as 'New Nightmare' and the 'Scream' trilogy in the nineties do you now feel that this kind of self referential film making is becoming overused and tired?
On the contrary, I think it is necessary. The modern horror audience is wise to our tricks this lets it in on the gag.
Does Freddy vs Jason use this kind of self referential style and let humour slip into it occassionally?, remembering one of Ronny Yu's previous works being 'Bride of Chucky' which again features a number of these genre references?
FvJ is pretty straightforward. The biggest gimmick is the blending of the two franchises.
Robert jokes at 'Freddy vs Jason'premiere.
|
It's great to see such a number of popular horror series being sequelized and revived generally over the last few years, with still a number waiting on the sidelines..But does so many of these revivals indicate to you a lack of imaginative and fresh ideas in the genre at the moment, or is it simply a fun way to bring back great characters and memories from movies we grew up with?
There will always be sequels, it is par of pop culture, what's old is new again. There are plenty of imaginative new genre movies, MAY, DEVIL'S BACKBONE, DOGSOLDIERS (werewolves meet action).
You have obviously worked with thousands of fellow actors and a number of great directors in your career, in film, TV and the theatre. Are there any person(s) in particular that you think stand out above the rest on a professional and personal level?
I got spoiled in the 70's by working with great directors like Daniel Petrie, Bob Rafelson, Robert Aldrich Robert Mulligan, Frank Pierson and later Wes Craven. Jeff Bridges taught me a lot about how to keep a scene fresh.
Having worked with a number of young and upcoming actors in the 'Elm Street' series such as Johnny Depp, Patricia Arquette, and Breckin Meyer...which stars from the upcoming 'Freddy vs Jason' do you think will be the next big thing?
Jason Ritter is already proving himself on JOAN OF ARCADIA
Being a UK based horror website, we often find a lot of our classic 60s and 70s horror with stars such as Peter Cushing and the great Christopher Lee, are very still popular overseas today. Many of our readers think these early villainous monster portryals are responsible for the increasing number of films nowadays that rely on a villain to be played by a British actor. So generally, what do you think makes British actors more typecast to these roles?
Many great horror stories are period pieces and English actors have a facility for historic characters.
And so what does the future hold for the world of Robert Englund? Can we expect more Freddy or should we expect the unexpected?
"V" will return to TV in the spring, I got a 9 minute standing ovation for
IL RITORNO DI CAGLIOSTRO at the Venice Film Festival.
"Thank you ever so much for taking part in this interview Robert, and good luck in the future!"
Visit the official "Robert Englund" website: http://www.robertenglund.com/
