Slashdot Mirror
Ask Bruce Campbell Anything...
Bruce Campbell has a new book out (If Chins Could Kill) and I thought it would be fun
for Slashdot to interview him in our charming, enigmatic way. Bruce should be familiar to you though such films as the Evil Dead (include Army of Darkness) and ,well, anything Sam Raimi has ever done. The book
is a lot of fun. As usual, moderate up your favorite questions, and I'll pass on the highest scoring ones to Bruce so that he can reply to 8 or so. Bruce has a
website for you to check it. It's
got a FAQ and bio for you to examine.
Were you pissed that liam neeson got the lead in darkman?
As the voice actor (And model for the player representation) in Tachyon: The Fringe, you managed to have a starring role in a video game which succeeded in the marketplace based on its own merits and (No offense) not because of the draw of its cast. Tia Carrere's "The Daedalus Encounter" and Brent Spiner's "Chronomaster" rapidly shoot to mind as immense failures in this regard. How did you like the experience of helping to bring Tachyon to life? Was it better than working in film? Would you do it again? Can we have a Brisco County Jr. FPS? :D
"Mod, mod, mod...and another troll bites the dust."
Did everyone else involved in the making of "Tornado" think it was a joke too?
I know you're working with Jim Carrey in an upcoming film, how did that come together and is it something you enjoy? I've always thought that his performance from "The Mask" borrowed heavily from Evil Ash, so I wondered what you thought.
What ever happened to doing a Doom movie?
Posiks
Of all the movies I have seen you in, Icebreaker had to be the one of the best and also one that I would never have thought you to get a role in. How did you ever end up doing that flick? Do you actually speak any french? Fun/hard to cast?
Cheers,
Eöl
De Oppresso Liber
Which role do you find you are most like....and why...?
(My bets are on Ash, but then, they would be....)
Also, did you have a little thing going with Gabrielle from Xena?
Finally, If you were asked to write a film now, what would it be about...
it's the taking apart that counts
Do you prefer the original ending of Army of Darkness where you're propelled further forward in time, or the remade one?
I wear pants.
Why did Jack of all trades get canceled? It was one of the better shows in that timeslot, and Bruce sure made it worth watching. Was it a corporate budget cut, the victim of execs without humor, what?
I am !amused.
Bruce, you've played a number of "unconventional" heroes on TV and in films. Which character was the most fun to play?
Are you pissed that hack-job horror film directors are ripping off the original Evil Dead ideas? e.g. Blair Witch Project: the unseen dead and shaky camera shots.
"If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear." --George Orwell
I loved Brisco County, Jr. and Jack of All Trades, and I was wondering if you had like a billion dollars to make a TV show, and there was no one else holding the purse strings, would you bring one of those two back, or make a new one (and if so, what would be it be?), or would you forget TV and make a movie, or even just lay in your bed of cash with several beautiful women?
http://www.naildrivin5.com/davec
What was that all about uh?
I heard you were fairly choked when you heard Duke Nukem 3D ripped off some of your lines. Now, those lines weren't written by you presumably, but by a third party. How tied do actors feel to their lines? You seemed to take personal offense to this.
Ok way back, I saw "Congo" in the theaters and was completely thrilled when I say you on the screen (having been a fan of "evil dead" and "Brisco County jr"). Than like 2 seconds later you died and I was pissed. Than after that "Congo" Sucked. What makes you decide to take a small part like that? Have you done lots of small parts that maybe the rest of us don't even realize?
What is it like to be a b-movie star, and a very successful one at that? I assume that everyone going into acting has the fantasy that they'll be the A-list guys making $20 million a picture, so are you happy to be in that "middle ground"?
You're well-known and very liked (probably moreso than the hunk-of-the-month actors), but is it frustrating to feel typecast in that way, or fulfilling to be successful, albeit not in the stereotypical hollywood sense?
Recursive: Adj. See Recursive.
Hey Bruce. Are you famous enough that you can walk into a bar and pick up a chick simply because she recognizes you, or do you have to struggle for poon like the rest of us? Just wondering.
-- Give me ambiguity or give me something else!
I guess there's lots of ancillary questions that could go with this. Like "What do you wish you had done (but maybe turned down)?" Or "What do you wish you hadn't done?" And "How much does it take for you to do something that you're not all that interested in?" (not necessarily money, I guess -- it could be a bad part with a good director or something, right?). And one more: If you weren't an actor (or wanted to quit tomorrow or whatever), what is it you would do?
Like I said, maybe kinda lame. But I've found you can tell a lot about someone by both their desires and their regrets. Being quite a fan or yours, I'm curious.
BTW, thanks for everything you done for those of us on the other side of the screen.
-B
Ash and Hickory, straight-grained and true, make excellent bludgeons, dandy for the cudgeling of vegetarians.
According to the IMDB , you're sometimes credited as "Pete Perkinson" or "Roc Sandstorm". Where did you get those names from?
Never play leapfrog with a unicorn. Or a juggernaut.
I've heard little rumor-snippets about your practical-joke relationship with the Raimi's. For example....that Sam himself threw the dirt on your face during the "burying the Evil Ash" scene in Army of Darkness.
Could you comment on working with the Raimi's? Obviously you're friends, but anecdotes, personal commentary, and so on would be great. Basically I'd like to get some insights into your friendship with them and the sort of chemistry you have with that particular dastardly duo. Comparisons (favorable and otherwise) to other people you've worked with are also more than welcome.
4-star general in a one-man army.
Evil Dead II is a loose remake of Evil Dead, so that leads me to ask what do you think of Hollywood's stream of Special Editions and remakes. In the past few years we've seen classic films and TV shows re-cut with new SFX and the insertion of new scenes. At what point is a film "untouchable"? Do you have films that you wish you could re-edit more to your liking? What movie has been altered that bothers you most?
You've been an actor, director, and producer. Pick whatever hat you want to answer.
When are we going to see Brisco Country Jr. on DVD? It was a series ahead of its time. (I especially liked the anachronistic references. Timmothy Leary as the preacher was histerical!)
"Trademarks are the heraldry of the new feudalism."
A long time ago (mid 90's) I heard about a movie based on Doom in which you were to star. If this ever was in the works, what happened? It might not have been a classic of it's time, but it would have rocked.
If not, please disregard =)
Personally, I think this has made you very well-suited to the business: but is there any other field you could see yourself succeeding in? Other than hitting the convention-circuit of course: you'd be mobbed by fanboys in seconds!
There has been a persistent rumor that you were up for the role of Batman before Burton was brought in (and subsequently selected the lamentable Michael Keaton). Is there any truth to this, or was it all wishful thinking on the part of your fans?
* As is generally the case, my opinions do not reflect those of my employer.
Bruce, I went to same High School as you (Birmingham MI) and graduated about 8 - 10 years ago. You and Sam Rami are somewhat of a legend there and my 10th grade Drama teacher choregraphed the skeleton dance fron Evil Dead 2. My question is rather off beat - Back in high school, what were your goals? Did you ever imagine "making it" in acting as a carrer?
Jesse Wolfe Sr. Manager Systems Integration
Hail to the king, baby.
The video game: are there any Easter Eggs or inside/interesting bits you'd like share?
The line: If I'm not mistaken the line "Hail to the king" isn't in the Army of Darkness Official Bootleg Edition, right? Travesty. And the "director's cut" ending in the Bootleg is for poot on top of that. You guys just wanted it there because you probably spent some dough on the props. Oooo, pretty. The other ending had more class. What do you think? Why not just put out one DVD with both endings, you leeches?
enraged or something,
Micah
I'm probably one of about three people who've seen the recent Love Bug TV-movie, in which Bruce plays Herbie the Love Bug's new driver.
What was it like playing second fiddle to an annoyingly cute little car?
What was it like working with Dean Jones?
Editor Emeritus and Senior Writer, TeleRead.org
Background: Prior to your book signing trip, you went onto excite.com's online chat. One question/response I recall was "if you've ever had a battle of wits with a fan." To which you challenged the other fan to a battle. Due to the load of questions flooding excite, the battle never took there. But recalling my memory, that fan said (in user channels) that she'd get you at your book signing.
Question: Did you ever get a chance to do battle?
Followup: You seem to be mostly stereotyped towards wise cracking blue collar type characters; what are your thoughts about the fan/cult base built around you when it seems to concentrate on the cult films as opposed to the more serious work that you've tried to do? Do you feel hindered in getting 'blockbuster' or 'artful' type roles. Do you even want to play more dramatic roles?
What's the craziest thing someones has asked you to write at a book signing?
Um, this is my sig.
A while back there was a terrific piece on "This American Life" where your literary agent - a self-confessed Bruce super fan - detailed how he worked his way into your life. His story ended with the bittersweet realization that he couldn't get over his "oh my God, I'm hanging out with Bruce!" feelings long enough to simply chill out and be friends with you.
With his experience in mind, have you become good friends with any of your fans, or is it just too weird?
PS, was he involved in your latest book project?
I am a huge fan of the Coen brothers. You were in Crimewave, which was written by Sam Raimi and the Coen Brothers and also in the Hudsucker Proxy which was written, directed, and produced by the brothers. What did you tihnk of them as writers? Directors?
I've heard that you're rabidly opposed to fan-fiction, going so far to call it uncreative theft.
Is this true, and if so, is there such a thing as "good fan-fiction?" What constitutes it, or if it's all bad, why is it so horrible?
Its been said and said again that Evil Dead IV will not be made, simply because the studios didn't make money on the last encounter, and are unlikely to make any profit on a further sequel.
However, have you considered doing a further sequel the old fashioned, low budget way? On, say, an Evil Dead I budget?
It seems to me that due to your cult status, that there seems to be a big buzz anytime your name is mentioned in relation to a movie or project. I've noticed that on your website you have a section devoted to trying to clear up what is true and untrue about your work. I guess my question is do you truly enjoy the fans reaction towards you and try to keep up with the rumors or do you get annoyed sometimes and wish you could be more private.
How much fun was it working in the Xena/Hercules Universe? And how challenging was it to play opposite and off of the charactors of Xena and Gabrielle?
ttyl
Farrell
CAN-CON 2019 - Ottawa's only book oriented Science Fiction Convention! October 18-20, Sheraton Hotel, Ottawa, Canada h
OK, let's beat a dead horse, Bruce.
So you say that Army of Darkness didn't make enough moolah to warrant another installation of the series, eh? Well, maybe so. But that's probably because most folks knew nothing about Evil Dead I or II, when it came out, myself included.
However, the entire series has gained such a cult following over the past few years that it's inconceivable that enough fans would not cough up the money to see a new movie on the big screen, and on DVD, and buy whatever other merchandise can be created.
So what do you say, bucko? Will you at least discuss it with Sam yet again? For the fans?
Many people love you, Bruce.
In fact, many of us love you so much that we rented movies we suspected would be extremely bad, solely because you were in them.
And though our suspicions were confirmed, yea, though we cringed and groaned and hooted and were just generally nonplussed by much of what we saw, still...still....
"Look, there's Bruce!"
We are the people who spotted you in Fargo. But I digress.
If you can answer honestly, and without fear of legal action by directors or producers:
What was, in your estimation, the worst movie in which you ever had a significant role?
(My personal shortlist: Moontrap, Mindwarp, and Maniac Cop 2.)
spawn_of_yog_sothoth
Bruce, I remember seeing a quote, atributed to you, that the movie "Titanic" was 194
minutes, and they could have lost 194 minutes from that. Anyway it sounds like
something you might say. My question is: Are there any so called "chick-flix" you
really liked, and could you picture yourself one day playing let's say in a
Merchant-Ivory movie of something by Henry James? (Or Shakespeare's Richard III starring
Bruce Campbell! Wouldn't that be a hoot?)
Bitsofnews.com Giving you the latest bits
After reading your book (actually, my wife read it to me, while I was trying to watch Evil Dead 1&2 and Army of Darkness) I must say - you're a very odd, goofy man.
Seeing all the stunts Sam Raimi "made" you do for those three movies....some of which would make Jacki Chan wince....Was there ever anything Sam asked you to do and you just plain said "NO" (or "HEll NO!" or even "Thank you, no. I'd rather die...") because it was too dangerous/stupid/life threatening/unnatural?
Hopefully everyone knows about the up-coming movie Bubba Ho-tep (Bruce - playing Elvis playing an Elvis impersonator vs a 2000 yr old mummy in an old folks home).
:P (specifically - Adelaide, South Australia)
1. What can we expect after Bubba Ho-tep? Time for a break, or is there another movie lined up?
2. When are we going to see you in Australia damnit?
Is it cruel to keep a giraffe as a pet?
Even if you live in a tall house?
Well, you said ask him anything...
What is it like to be mostly known, loved and adored for movies you did 10-15 years ago?
Most of the questions here on slashdot are concerned with the trilogy or the poster says he/she (probably he) first saw you in Evil Dead 2 or Army of Darkness and has been a fan ever since. Not many posters say they first discovered you in Brisco.
My guess is that most of us are guys who watched ED2 or AoD when we were teenagers and that we long for that time again and hence want you guys to make ED4 for nostalgic reasons. And on that note... when oh when will you make a movie with my other teenage heroes John Woo and Chau Yun Fat?
-cheers Christian
Hail to the King! :)
-- Azaroth
Considering how close you are to the Raimis, I was wondering how that relationship has affected you. Obviously Sam's reputation has grown at the same time as yours, however (and I'm sorry to say this) his reputation as a 'famous director/producer' has just shot like a bullet. This seems to have helped out your career... while the Evil Deads were the projects of all you guys, Sam's other projects have allowed you to step into parts (and even directing) more or less by calling up and saying "Hey, Sam...".
How much does this bother you, though? We fans tend to hear things like, "A new Sam Raimi movie, eh? Wonder how big of a part he'll give Bruce Campbell and his brother Ted?" Or the people who just assume that you landed parts due to your friendship with him as opposed to getting them by your own merits. (Though according to your book, apparently friendship with Sam has its own price. If you guys haven't read it, there's an absolutely _GREAT_ story about a walk-on part in 'The Quick and the Dead' that was never used.)
As a side note, I wish I could've met you at Gateway in St. Louis this past June. Not sure what the conflict was, but I had my book in hand ready. (However I did pick up Ted Raimi at the airport, so it wasn't a total loss. But still, Brisco wasn't there. Oh well.)
:^)
'Life is like a spoonful of Drain-O, it feels good on the way down but leaves you feeling hollow inside'
I consider Bruce to be one of my favorite actors and would love to see him interviewed on "Inside the Actors Studio". Somehow I just don't think that's going to happen anytime soon. :-/
So how about we get Bruce to answer those 10 questions they always ask at the end of the show?
Brought to you by Team SPAM! where we believe: "Information in the noise!"
Very funny Wil... A bunch of us here at Cornell Univeristy were watching a "Q-a-thon", which was all the ST:TNG episodes with Q the other day. There was a big screen TV nearby our projection system, and while we were watching Star Trek, we noticed that some odd movie had come on with you in it; it was a very improbable coincidence... I mean, how many movies have you actually been in? ;)
:) I think I'd pay to go see that in the theatres. Bruce could use one of those.
Actually I can see you as Bruce's kindy dorky sidekick
Cheers, Justin