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You
may have broke new ground - your the first horror icon to
star in your own menus [on the Jeepers Creepers 2 DVD].
(laughs) That was something new they decided to do. I had
to come back and reshoot those like two months ago, so they
would have actual interactive stuff. It was great fun.
So, how did you originally get the role of the
creeper?
I auditioned for it, actually. A cattle call. It was a
very interesting experience, as you can imagine. It was
wild. I went in and met with the director, Victor [Salva]
and went through a series of auditions and got the role.
They actually taped my original Jeepers audition and it
is on the 'B-side' of the first DVD.
How much input did Victor allow you in initially
shaping the character?
We got together very early in production and we talked.
The character is one he wrote as an enigma. A lot of things
weren't defined. So we got together to talk about our thoughts
of where he came from and who he is. But we purposely left
that a mystery, because I think that plays better to an
audience.
Did you reference any previous performances or
famous monsters in creating the way the Creeper moved or
acted?
I didn't. It was something I came up with on my own. I
really approached it as I would any other acting role. I
wasn't a huge horror genre fan before I made the first Jeepers
Creepers - that has since changed. I didn't grow up watching
great monster movies. But I think that has served me well.
As you say, I didn't have any part anyone played previously
in my mind, either consciously or subconsciously. When you
are a big fan, you can't help think, Awww, I want to do
this like they did in that one scene or that time. I didn't
have any of that clouding me. In that way, I think I was
able to find some freshness to the character.
Were you intimidated about working under such heavy
makeup?
I didn't know what i was getting into. It just sounded
like fun, so I said, Let's go! Next thing I knew, I was
in a chair for four to seven hours every day. And at that
point, the contracts are signed and you just have to resign
yourself over to it. And find a way to meditate. It actually
got to a point where I didn't have such a hard time with
it by the end because it was a process for me. As each layer
of the Creeper makeup went on, I was able to fall deeper
and deeper into character and mediate about what work I
had to do that day. So by the time the makeup process was
over, I jumped out of the chair and was ready to go.
The first was exceptionally challenging. I was blind for
a good part of it. I was cataract contacts, and I couldn't
see anything. Hitting marks - I would have to rehearse everything
first and extensively, then the contacts would go in. I
had to then do it all from memory. By the second one, they
gave me a break and I didn't have to wear them anymore.
Which was a relief.
Was there anything in particular that you changed
from the first film to the second?
Well, the look of the creature has changed. What is great
about making a sequel is that you get to learn from the
first one. The Creeper looks a lot better darker and wetter.
He's gotten a lot slimier. (laughs) Other than that, it
is the same character. And what is great about him is that
we can keep surprising the audience, because they don't
know exactly what I am.
With the second movie, you see that I fly and I fly extensively.
And I have a whole arsenal of medieval weapons. And we intend
to keep surprising people if we continue to make them, with
new things that the Creeper is doing.
You also have more interaction with the kids on
the bus, especially the scene where you "sniff out"
the next victim...
I got to have a ball with the kids. There is actually more
I wish I could have done. I like the Creeper's twisted sense
of humor. It is all about getting what he wants. The more
I terrify them, the easier it is to get what I want. So
I devise new ways to do that. It is fun, definitely.
Next to Freddy and Michael and Jason and Leatherface,
the Creeper is probably the most popular character to come
along in years. What is it about this character that you
think has clicked with audiences?
Victor is very smart. He gave you some glimpses into the
Creeper's personality. For example, in the first film he's
whistling, he's playing the joke with the head, he's eating
the tongue. He's got a little sense of humor. I think you
sense some personality. And, if I may say it, humanity.
Something that is somewhat familiar to us, not just some
blind eating machine. I don't think that that is near as
appealing as something that is similar to us in some way.
And much more disturbing because of it.
To be honest, I actually felt sorry a little bit
for the Creeper. You can't really blame him for just doing
what is his nature.
I really wanted to play for that in the end. There is something
great about going to a horror movie and rooting for the
monster.
I grew up on slasher and monster movies, part of
the fun was always what worried my parents - you root for
the heroes and for the killer with equal fervor.
It is a fine line we walk. And that is what is appealing.
There are no stops on you. When you are playing the Creeper,
no one is going to tell you no. You can go pedal to the
metal, as far as you want with this character. Anything
you can dream up, you can do.
So, the last and most important question. Who would
kick ass in a fight, Freddy or Jason or The Creeper?
Well, you know, the Creeper is on young legs. He's fresh
and the other two have been out for a while. They've had
great success, but I think they are on the downward end
of their lifecycle. I've been asked that question a lot,
and you can be sure I won't be taking part in any Freddy
vs. Jason vs. Creeper. That won't be happening.
Special thanks to Kelli Perkins and all at MGM Home
Entertainment. All images copyright United Artists. All
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