Toegegeven: echt wild zijn we niet van “Drive Angry”, maar dat wil uiteraard niet zeggen dat we de kans laten liggen om een hartige babbel te hebben met regisseur Patrick Lussier. Zeker niet omdat de man ooit begon als monteur voor Wes Craven en meewerkte aan “Scream”. Waarmee we meteen ook een link hebben met “Scream 4”. Horrorfan en –schrijver Brian Slayne vuurde voor ons volgende vragen af op Lussier.

You started working as an editor about 20 years ago and scored some great editing jobs like “Scream” and “H20”. With “The Prophecy 3” you made the transission to directing.
During your career you directed mainly genre films. Is there any reason why you prefer doing a horror flick above another genre?

P.L.: I've always enjoyed working in the genre and was fascinated by it as a kid. Would I like to do other kinds of movies, sure, but genre films have been great to me. The cinematic mechanics and the sharp edge of the stories you get to tell in horror or horror related films is very liberating as a filmmaker.

Of all the films you've been involved with, which one is your personal favourite and why?

P.L.: Tough question to answer. “Drive Angry” was a great experience and a blast to make. So was “My Blooyd Valentine”. The “Scream” movies, especially the first one were incredible projects to be part of. Watching an audience react to “Scream” for the first time was insane. None of us knew how well it would work. Wes Craven and Kevin Williamson did some of their best work on that film, as did everyone involved. But favourites, I edited a little Showtime movie called “HEADS” back in '93. No one saw it. A decapitation comedy with Jon Cryer, Jennifer Tilly and Ed Asner. I've always loved that film. Great dialogue, great performances. Also “Wes Craven's New Nightmare” has some of my favourite sequences that I've ever cut. Freddy rising up out of the bed intercut with Heather Langenkamp and John Saxon, and the death of the babysitter in the hospital room in particular.

Is there an entertaining anecdote you call tell us? Something you have witnessed during your career?

P.L.: Too many to mention, to be honest. One thing I've observed, is that a lot of directors don't thank their crew. At the end of every night I try to make a point of going to as many of the crew as I can find, guys in the equipment trucks, the drivers, etc and thank them for the hard work they do on the film. Making movies is a great job, but it's not an easy job. Seems like so few people do that and it's such a simple and respectful thing to do for all the people that work on the film. I always feel that we shouldn't hesitate to show appreciation to everyone and anyone who works hard for you.

Suppose, you have an unlimited budget and no producers telling you what to do. What would your ultimate film project look like and who would play the leading role?

P.L.: Wow... a scenario I can't honestly imagine happening. But I'd love to remake “The Running Man”, the book by Stephen King, who wrote it under the name Richard Bachman. And make it faithful to the book. I read the story before King had revealed that he was Bachman, just bought it from a paperback stand. Brilliant, amazing story. So many great actors could play that part. Have to see who would be right at the time.

Now lets talk about your new film “Drive Angry”, which is now running in Belgian cinema’s. This one is your biggest project so far. Starring Nicolas Cage and Amber Heard . How was it, filming this action packed movie? Do you like the result?

P.L.: It's incredibly challenging and exciting to film a movie with so much action. Logistically it's the most complicated story I've been part of. I'm thrilled with how the film finished. Tonally, it's a little unique. We wanted to make an edgy but fun action movie, a film where every character was a bad-ass, yet you were compelled to cheer for them anyway. We were very lucky to have great actors like Nick Cage, William Fichtner, Amber Heard and Billy Burke. They had all done action before, and were so good at it. Especially Nick, my God, the man's so good at his job. His physicality, understanding of filmmaking and what he needs to convey to make each moment tell the story. But each of the leads brought that to their roles. Amber was exactly what we needed as the punch-first heart of the film, she's sexy, relentlessly tough and vulnerable at the same time. Not many actresses can do that. Billy created this great Jim Morrison meets Jim Jones villain – a total rockstar psychopath with a backwoods preacher mentality. And Fichtner, well Fichtner steals the movie. His portrayal of The Accountant was more magnificent than we dared dream. He NAILED that part... each day it was such a joy to watch the nuances and turn of a phrase and how he'd bring this unique character to life.

Just like your previous film “My Bloody Valentine”, “Drive Angry” was shot in 3D. Does it make a lot of difference between directing a 3D movie and a regular pic?

P.L.: On “My Bloody Valentine”, there was a ton of research and concern, over framing, lenses etc. On “Drive Angry” we decided to push things as far as we could, to make it less about the limitations of 3D and instead make the 3D do what we needed it to do. For an action movie, with faster cuts, handheld, rapid camera movement, etc, we needed to to make certain camera alterations. But once that was done, we could shoot the film as fast as a 2D movie and get amazing results.

Now “Drive Angry” is done. What will your future bring us?

P.L.: Currently, Todd Farmer and I are writing a rebirth of “Hellraiser” for Dimension Films. We have a few other projects on the go. Have to see which one is greenlit first.

To conclude this interview. Can you tell our readers why they should go see Drive Angry ?

P.L.: “Drive Angry” is a kick-ass supernatural action movie with sex, violence, explosions, comedy, fast cars, great characters, roller-coaster 3D and a unique story that binds it all together. It doesn't apologize for getting in your face and making sure you have a blast be part of the thrill ride.

Thank you for your time and we wish all the luck with your future projects.

P.L.: Thank you.

Brian Slayne
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