Any regular visitor to Bloody-Disgusting.com knows I have a gripe with director Uwe Boll, but the fact of the matter is this is a news site, not my personal blob page. So when I was asked to interview Uwe for his upcoming film Alone in the Dark, which Lions Gate will be releasing on January 28th, I said yes. As I watch my forum, I noticed that as much as people absolutely hate Uwe's House of the Dead, some people really enjoyed the film- so this interview is for you. If you're skeptical about 'Alone in the Dark,' then maybe this interview will help give you a little hope? Here it goes- I'm sucking in my pride...
 You have a great cast for 'Alone in the Dark,' how was it working with them?
All three actors are different characters. Dorff is intense - but on the point there. Slater very relaxed, experienced and a great talent. I hope he gets his comeback with ALONE. Tara is easy going, not selfish at all and willing to work hard. Physically the movie was too much for her - all that running, jumping etc. - she was hurt a few times.
Is the story the same as the game, or did you reinvent it?
The idea was to use a similar setup like A NEW NIGHTMARE was but to bring also a new overall story in what ATARI can use for ALONE 5. The problem now is that ATARI has not finished ALONE 5 on time. For four years they've been working on it and I saw a lot of great animatics. It was even planned to scan Slater's face - to bring him in.
You're also working on 'BloodRayne,' another film with a great cast. How is that coming along?
Very good. It is very dark, brutal and disturbing and not at all like a new superhero over the top piece like CATWOMAN or ELEKTRA.
Which film are you more excited about, 'Alone' or 'BloodRayne'?
Both are different movies. ALONE more horror-sci-fi-action and BLOODRAYNE more a horror-action- period piece. By the way in front of every ALONE print is the first real BLOODRAYNE trailer in the theatres.
Do you plan on making sequels to either film?
Possible.
Your first movie here in America didn't go over too well with horror fans; do you think there's a different type of taste between US filmgoers and foreign fans?
HOUSE OF THE DEAD made a lot of money in Russia, Spain, Italy, South America, Thailand and other countries - but the critic was not good. So there is not real a different taste. I was not involved in the development of HOUSE OF THE DEAD. I think I made at least an action driven zombie flick. It was more action as horror - but so is the game. ALONE and BLOODRAYNE are real Uwe Boll movies where I was really involved in everything. For all people they judge me only for HOUSE OF THE DEAD in the internet I really recommend seeing my movie THE HEART OF AMERICA (it came out on DVD/VIDEO in December 2004 in USA) and ALONE and BLOODRAYNE.
A lot of fans really hated 'House of the Dead,' but there were plenty that enjoyed it - did the negative reactions help make your next film 'Alone in the Dark' better?
I always read what is going on on yours and other websites. The idiotic thing is that a few fans are flipping completely out - but why? Is HOUSE OF THE DEAD a very intelligent, great game with a huge background story? Or is it maybe more like the movie? The main question to bring a videogame to the screen- what is the basic and the mood and the characters of the game? Nobody can ONLY use the game story.
Why aren't you working on the sequel?
Michael Roesch, Peter Scheerer and I developed the sequel together and I hope that our ideas found now in the last script of the sequel. I couldn't do it because I had no time. ALONE took one year and BLOODRAYNE also.
You spent a lot of the budget from 'House' on the long action sequence with 'Matrix' shots, did you spread your money more evenly with 'Alone' and 'BloodRayne' or would you say you have some huge sequences in those?
Both movies have much bigger budgets and we didn't had to save money for one big scene. But in both movies are various money scenes and money shots. And don't worry: NO VIDEOGAME SEQUENCES are intercut.
Your directing style is said to be "unique" to other directors- would you say you're the same, or what places you in a different category?
Every director gives his best and deserves respect. My style is: long meetings with my DP and the CGI and PRODUCTION designer way before we go in Prep. Storyboards. No parties and no L.A. meetings - basically I have no contact with the Hollywood bullshit. Jogging with my dogs every day. Actors can show me in a rehearsal how they wanna do a scene - and I correct the actors. I never tell actors what they should do before they show me their version. I never PLAY A PART to show it to the actors. The editor should look into the material not infiltrated by me - he is not on set - so he can stay objective. After he made rough assemblies I go into editing work with him and finalize the director cut.
There were plenty of homage's to films like 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Star Wars' in the scenes in 'House of the Dead,' did you do the same thing in 'Alone' and 'BloodRayne'?
You will find this out on your own.
A long time ago you promised on your website that you'd remove the video game footage from 'House of the Dead' after the fan outcry for removal, why the choice to leave it in? Do you think it made the movie better, or hindered it?
We omitted a lot. The rest is in the title credits and as OPTICALS in the big battle.
If you could change one thing from the past, what would it be?
I would change a lot - in my life and my movies.
If you could have one thing in the future what would it be?
I wanna stay healthy.
What's your dream project?
I don't have one film I live for. HITMAN is my favorite game.
Who would you like to work with more than anyone in the world?
All stars are only humans and in the reality not so fascinating, intelligent etc. how they look like on screen. I would love to work with: Mel Gibson, Bruce Willis, Will Smith, Kurt Russel, Donald Sutherland, Cameron Diaz, Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp and others
Do you have any plans for the future besides video game adaptations?
Not now- in a few years for sure.
Anything else you'd like to say? This is your chance to say anything you want.
Whatever fans wanna email me in regards of my upcoming projects like
HUNTER-THE RECKONING, FEAR EFFECT, FAR CRY and DUNGEON SIEGE - they should send me their thoughts what they think what the basic of this games are etc! Also if fans wanna visit the set - and play as extras - contact me - we will make it happen.
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