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Compiled by: Jack Foley
Q. How familiar were you with the writings of the Brothers
Grimm?
A: I was not that familiar. Obviously I had the fairy
tales read to me by my mom when I was a kid but we did some research
on who these people were. They were highly respected scholars
of their time. In fact, Jakob went on to become a politician.
But this was Terry’s vision of the movie and so all this
was pointless to stick to the facts of who they were. That was
not what the movie was going to be about. We were putting them
in a fairy tale and so we had license to just play with their
name.
Q. Terry Gilliam seems to create new worlds in his movies,
fairy tale or not?
A: I am such a huge fan of his work. I grew up watching
Monty Python and wanting to be in Monty Python so therefore I
was very familiar with his sense of humor and style of comedy.
Being aware of that, I wanted to bring that sensibility to my
character and to the film because I so desperately to be in one
of those films as a kid so I would do anything I could, to present
that in my character.
People are quick to label him as mad or visually insane. I truly
strongly believe that he is sane, just brutally honest. That is
rare in Hollywood or today’s society to find someone that
honest. Where people get confused is that he has so much passion
and energy in creating and in his visual eye. It is an absolute
treat to be in his film.
Q. You mentioned about bringing that sensibility to your
character. Initially, you were cast as Will, not Jacob. How did
that switch come about?
A: It was actually Matt and I at the same time who had
this similar idea. We both thought we would like to play the other
character to play against type and so approached Terry. He thought
about it and thought it would be a good idea.
Directors in the past wouldn’t give Matt or me the opportunity
to play something we hadn’t done before. I felt I had played
Will and Matt felt he had played Jacob. I guess it was an obvious
casting call.
By switching it up, it made it more interesting for us. We had
to study more and create more but it was worth it.
Q. Jacob is a dreamer and a romantic. How closely do
those attributes resemble you?
A: I am definitely a dreamer and a romantic. There was
quite a lot of me in Jacob. When I met Terry in London, we sat
and shared a drink at some hotel, and when I get nervous, my hands
go everywhere [laughs]. I lose control of them as I explain things
with my hands.
As my arms were flailing all around, he was going, “That’s
great. Do it just like that.” He was giggling at my nervous
energy. So for the first time instead of being asked to harness
my energy, he wanted me to pop the lid off. I just let it fly.
Actors always talk about how they view other people and then use
that to help base their character in reality.
Q. Fairy Tales contain violence, magic, death and vengeance.
Some complain about cartoon violence but look at what we were
taught as kids...
A: Yeah. They are very dark. The movie kind of represents
that nicely, although with humor. But we do have dark corners.
Those fairy tales were dark. Mothers were always dying [laughs].
I think the film is nicely balanced but it could be intense for
an 8 year-old to the see the film. But Terry showed the film to
10 year-olds and they loved it.
Q. Were you surprised at how much the Brothers Grimm
had written? So much can be attributed to them as the film subtly
hints at...
A: They wrote over 200 Fairy Tales. I really thoroughly
enjoyed going over all their works. We had a book on set so we
could cross reference their work and we could add little bits
and pieces to the film when we saw fit. For example, I named my
horse Piff Paff. I screamed during one scene that my horse, Piff
Paff, was eating the girl. That was a name I saw in the book and
just shouted it out. We tried to throw in a whole bunch of little
things like that from the books.
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Q. Back in the 1800’s,
these stories were passed down from generation to generation as
the mythology of the day. Today we have our own superstitions
as whom we are to be afraid of. Instead of the Big Bad Wolf, we
have terrorists...
A: I think the timing is quiet perfect actually but I
don’t think the average movie-goer will read that into the
film. But I do understand what you are saying.
Q. Terry deliberately wanted the set to have a whimsical,
fantasy based feel to them. How did that enable you to feel more
comfortable?
A: The sets were incredible. I think Terry just naturally
does that anyway in all his films. The forests were all indoors
in these two massive soundstages, where they pushed the wall down
between the two and made one huge stage. It was enormous. Matt
and I were actually galloping horses in doors (laugh). It is a
strange concept to go full tilt with lights and ceilings above
you.
On top of that, there was this village Marbaden built behind the
Barrandov Studios. You can pretty much shoot 360 degrees anywhere
and you would still be inside this world. The houses were not
just facades. They were complete where you could actually light
fires inside and shoot in any house. Besides that, there was an
actual forest that was transplanted to the backlot so when we
burned the forest, we really burned a forest.
Q. But that wasn’t the scene where the two of you
almost get burned?
A: Yes it was. Matt and I were strapped to a ladder with
flames licking our toes (laugh).
Q. What was your thought process during those takes?
A: It was pretty hot. We were a little nervous at one
point. But they lathered us in this fireproof gel beforehand but
it didn’t matter. I wanted it to be more dangerous and bigger.
But I knew we were in safe hands with Terry.
Q. Jacob is viewed as an outsider who has these crazy
ideas but in the long run, his ideas are not so crazy after all.
How closely do you identify with that? Have you ever been the
outsider?
A: I guess so but I never drew a parallel. Looking back
on it, I believed I could be an actor and I left home at an early
age to pursue that dream. My father and mother thought I was committing
suicide. It wasn’t until I started earning money, that they
finally understood I was secure and safe. It is hard to convince
anyone of your hopes and reams until you manifest them and prove
them. So I do see a similarity.
Q. As with a lot of Fairy Tales, it always comes down
to that elusive kiss. What is about a kiss that symbolizes so
much in these stories? It can awaken a sleeping princess or rejuvenate
a lost soul...
A: Yeah. I don’t know. Maybe it is the magic of
two powers merging.
Q. How old were you with your first kiss?
A: I think I was 13 but I might have been a little younger
at one of those spin the bottle birthday parties. It was awkward
and embarrassing. It was with Rebecca Anderson.
Q. You remember who it was so she must have meant something?
A: She is one of my best mates. I have known her since
I was 3 and we are still good friends.
Q. You are about to become a father. Will you retell
these same Fairy Tales to your child?
A: I would like to think that I would tell them. Sure.
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