Interview: Tobin Bell Talks Different Textures of Horror and Shudder’s CREEPSHOW
We sat in awe as horror royalty spoke. Tobin Bell, internationally known as Jigsaw in the Saw Franchise, discussed his upcoming role in the new Creepshow series. We were shocked to hear that this was only his second time in a Stephen King production, and even more so that his first King production was only two year ago. Regardless, having him in the return of Creepshow solidified that the horror genre is continuing its glorious ascent on the shoulders of giants.
Creepshow premieres September 26th, 2019 on Shudder.
Read below to find out more!
Dread Central: Tell us a little about your character in Creepshow and if you have any memories of watching it back in the day?
Tobin Bell: No memories because I never saw Creepshow. Working with Giancarlo Esposito and Adrienne Barbeau. I’ve worked with Adrienne a couple of times before in one film and Criminal Minds. But I’ve never worked with Giancarlo before. He is a pretty interesting and intelligent actor.
The episode is a very intense night with probably a Category 4 or 5 storm on the way in a relatively empty town. I play a guy named Chief. We are still clamoring around to figure out what the writers had in mind for him because he’s a sheriff; but, I think he has retired in some way. I don’t think there is a lot of law enforcement going on in this town. I think he was originally a sheriff that is no longer working. Think Gary Cooper in High Noon. So, [Chief] puts back on his duds and makes his presence known wherever he might be needed.
Giancarlo plays a man named Doc, though as it was written in the script, never defined him as an actual doctor. And my guy’s name is Chief, but it never said that I was a cop or a former cop. As a matter of fact, when you do see me in the script, I’m putting two by fours up over the window of a convenience store to protect against the oncoming storm. So, he does whatever people need.
So, we’re kind of fleshing it out as we go. There’s somethings that are really, clearly defined in the story and other things like the relationship between different characters. Adrienne character owns a convenience store, probably the only convenience store/supermarket left open in this town.
DC: Have you had a chance to work with Greg Nicotero before this?
TB: Yes. The first time I met Greg was many years ago, probably 80s. I was hired to play a 70-year-old woman, a former accountant who stole money from the mob. The mob was obviously looking for him, [so] he hides out on a cruise line as a 70-year-old woman and plays canasta all day. [Nicotero] had to make me look like a big sort of 70-year-old woman. It was a lot of fun. He did a great job. I have some photos of that, which I won’t show.
DC: So, this is your first Stephen King adaptation?
TB: It’s interesting. Last year, I went to Detroit and did a Stephen King short story called My Pretty Pony. It’s a story between a grandfather and his grandson that takes place in an apple orchard. We went to Detroit during apple blossom season and shot it in this beautiful orchard, directed by a young guy named Luke Jaden. Stephen has seen it and said some nice things to Luke. Then when this came up, I said, “Good. I like Stephen.” I have not read this story in his writing. I’ve just read the screenplay of it. But clearly, Stephen has had an amazing career.
DC: What was it about this screenplay that really drew you to it?
TB: The horror genre has many textures to it. Since I’ve been involved in the Saw movies, I’ve met thousands and thousands of horror fans. They are so dedicated to what they do and to the genre as a whole. It’s unlike any other genre, whether it is historical drama, period pieces, romantic comedy. Horror fans are a breed all of their own. And they have great respect and admiration for storytelling in the horror vein.
This particular story I believe takes place in 1974. It is very much in that period of time where horror had its own sort of flavor. It’s a flavor that fans love because it’s the traditional approach to horror. When Saw came out in 2003, followed by Hostel, it took a different direction.
For this one, you are also dealing with a whole new set of fans. You are also dealing with fans from the original Creepshow who are still going to want to see this.
But to answer your question, any time Greg Nicotero wants you to do something, if you can, I’ve worked with him enough to know that he does great work. So, I wanted to be a part of it. And when I knew that Giancarlo and Adrienne were going to be in it, that’s a great triumvirate. We are having fun doing it.
DC: Nicotero is obviously known for his effects work. What is he like as a director?
TB: He is very specific and very organized. Says very little. Very spare in his direction, which is always good. He’s not too complex. Don’t step here; step there. Nothing too psychological. So, he’s good. Plus, he knows all of the other aspects of the production. He knows what his goal is. He can help you to achieve what he needs in order to get the effects that he’s after. He’s not separate from the ultimate result.
DC: You said that there are different textures of horror. Can you name one that may have stood out to you in recent years?
TB: One is called The Descent. I loved it because they took time at the beginning to introduce the characters. You can accomplish as much in horror as you can in any other genre. It’s all in the writing. You don’t have to sell out.
The reason why horror has been sort of the weak sister of film for so many years, and ignored by the Academy to some extent, is because they didn’t care about the writing. Character and relationship can all be there. And you can still have the scares, twists, turns, and special effects.
If you don’t care about the people, then you are relegated to what horror always was, which was guy outside door at night. It can be more than that. It can make you think. It can make you question. It can make you care. And you can have all of the other elements of horror that you like at the same time. But you gotta remember, it’s a horror movie. So if you don’t have the traditional elements, then it’s no longer a horror movie. To bring in the relationships and the character development is tricky business.
Based on the iconic 1982 film written by Stephen King and directed by George A. Romero, Creepshow stars David Arquette (Scream franchise), Adrienne Barbeau, Tobin Bell (Saw), Big Boi (Scream: The TV Series), Jeffrey Combs (Star Trek, Re-Animator), Kid Cudi (Drunk Parents), Bruce Davison (Longtime Companion, X-Men), Giancarlo Esposito (Better Call Saul), Dana Gould (The Simpsons, Stan Against Evil), Tricia Helfer (Battlestar Galactica, Lucifer) and DJ Qualls (The Man in the High Castle, Supernatural).
The first season will feature segments based on stories by award-winning and acclaimed writers including the Stephen King story “Gray Matter,” “The House of the Head,” by Josh Malerman, “By the Silver Water of Lake Champlain” by Joe Hill, “The Companion” by Joe R. Lansdale, Kasey Lansdale and Keith Lansdale, “The Finger” by David J. Schow, “Lydia Layne’s Better Half” by John Harrison and Greg Nicotero, “Night of the Paw” by John Esposito, “Bad Wolf Down” by Rob Schrab, “All Hallows Eve” by Bruce Jones, “The Man in the Suitcase” by Christopher Buehlman, “Times is Tough in Musky Holler” by John Skipp and Dori Miller, and “Skincrawlers” Paul Dini and Stephen Langford. Note, the story list is not in episode order.
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