You play the villain in THE WIDE WEST: Do you enjoy playing the bad guy? Everything I’ve seen you in, you’ve been the hero-type. Talk about your approach to this character.
I must confess, I loved playing the villain! Every actor will tell you that the bad guy is always more interesting to play than the hero. My approach to this character was to give him some broader dimension and more levels rather than just play a straight villain. Whenever I had a call time I would first walk the location with my “gang” to get just the right feel to the attitude I thought this character should have. He has an appeal that if I had played it simply like a standard villain it would never have come across.
There’s a little twist at the end: You live to see another day. What was the reasoning to not have you and Alexander face off in a duel here?
Well, this was an invention by our writer, Craig Hamman. To have the typical “duel” between the hero and villain seemed a bit too conventional for this very unusual story. The twist at the end has a big payoff but don’t worry-there is still a big spaghetti western set piece duel. That’s all I will say so I don’t give away too much!
What are some other ideas you might have for more westerns? It appears that you and Alexander are going to do another Rio Bravo film. Tell me a little bit about that one.
I have a stack of western scripts ready to go, all of which are quite unique. First, though, we would like to address the third installment in the RIO BRAVO franchise, LAST HEROES OF RIO BRAVO. I suspect that production is on our busy slate right away. I can tell you that the script is again by Craig Hamman and will feature some of the characters the audience will already know and quite a few new ones. The locations will be different and I assure you it has some of the vilest outlaws that Alexander has ever faced!
How fast are you in a quick draw? Do you find yourself practicing your holster draw when no one is looking?
I don’t know if I am all that fast in a quick draw but as John Wayne said in THE SHOOTIST, “it’s not about being fast, it’s about being willing!” I do practice, however, before any shoot, usually in front of a mirror. Check out my weapon in THE WIDE WEST, an 1890’s Broomhandle Mauser, it’s something else!
Who came up with the idea to center the plot around the Sumos? Where did you find the perfect guys to play those parts? I liked them, but would like to see them involved more in the action if you do another one together.
This was an original idea created by Alexander and our producer Andrew Freund who is the director of The USA Sumo Association. Hiroki Sumi and Ichi are the two world champions of Sumo, the idea was to combine an interesting western-action story with elements of the Sumo world. I do not believe it has ever been done before. Of course, I would be thrilled to work with these gentlemen again and, who knows, it could happen. Special mention to Kaz Kobayashi, who plays the Sumos’ referee in the film. Watch for some marvelous sword work from him!
Whose idea was it to bring Sean Murray, your composer, into the film as the mayor? He’s your secret weapon for your movies. He always makes your movies even better with his scores. Talk about having him on set.
Sean usually has some kind of appearance in our films. He certainly is our secret weapon as our composer. This will be the fifth movie he has scored for me. He is great fun and supportive on the set and, many people don’t know this, he introduced me to Alexander.
What are your hopes for this particular film? How can people watch it? Where do they find it?
I hope the audience has FUN watching it because this movie is wild. It is currently an exclusive on NBCUniversal’s Xumo Play and will head to VOD a few months down the road.
You clearly have an affinity for westerns. Do you feel you were born in the wrong time and wish you’d been born in a different era? Or is this your time and are you happy just being able to inhabit a world where you can step in and out of a simulation as an actor and filmmaker?
Good question! I clearly have an affinity for this genre or people wouldn’t keep asking me back! I appreciate being in the here and now but I do actually own a horse and I do possess quite a few practical skills so it’s not just “simulation” for me. Of course I love being a filmmaker, it’s better than having the most awesome electric train set.
Do you only want to direct westerns, or do you have other types of films you want to make?
I have directed other genres. Check out NIGHT OF THE CAREGIVER, a super creepy horror film we released in 2023. I think I would most like to try a crime caper movie (I’m writing one right now!).
What’s the secret sauce of your collaboration with Alexander? You guys make an interesting pair of guys to be making movies together.
There is no secret. Anyone who has seen us work together knows that our relationship is based on honesty, mutual respect and exploring new approaches to our movies. We also know and love our audience and we want them to be happy. It’s pretty simple!
