Everyone knows how much I hate this new trend of 3D movies. Instead of immersing you into the movie, I think it is a distraction, and distorts the image on the screen. With that said, for some weird reason, I’m kind of looking forward to catching Saw 3D this weekend. It’s ironic, and pretty amazing, that I six years ago I did one of the very first interviews regarding SAW – with creators James Wan and Leigh Whannell. It’s pretty amazing to watch how this franchise has blossomed over the years and recently became the top grossing horror franchise of all time.
Think about that; the top grossing horror franchise of all time (earned almost $1 billion worldwide) – more than Nightmare, Scream, Halloween, the Friday the 13th, series, etc. A few weeks ago, I had a chance to participate in a press conference at New York Comic Con where Cary Elwes and Betsy Russell held court. Yes, I did ask some of my trademark dumb questions, but I’m proud of myself for not asking Carey any questions about one of my all-time favorite movies – The Princess Bride. Unfortunately, they weren’t able to say much about the actual movie.
Why is this movie in 3D?
Cary
I think this franchise lends itself well in 3D. I think this is one of the most graphically violent movies that I’ve ever seen and it’s not for the faint of heart.
Betsy
I think they’ve wanted to make this movie in 3D for a while and just didn’t have the time. They’ve been thinking about what would work and what wouldn’t. It’s the wave of the future I think they really wanted to go out in a big way.
Do you truly believe this will be the last SAW film?
Betsy
This is it; it’s what we’ve been told. They really want to go out on top. We got the plaque for the Guinness book of World Record for the most successful Horror Franchise in history. We want to go out on top and not die a slow death.
What’s it like being on the set of a Horror Movie franchise?
Betsy
It’s always fun being in the makeup room and having people with missing limbs come in and say “Who stole my arm?” “Or my Leg…” It feels kind of history making; It is fun seeing old cast members and makeup people. It feels like a family.
The new trend in Horror movies is to make a movie about Horror movies, where the plot comes to life. Have you ever felt scared making these movies? That Jigsaw is going to come to life for real?
Carey (looks at me like I’m insane)
You mean like for real? Thank goodness Tobin (Tobin Bell) has an enormous amount of restraint and I never felt safer.
Betsy
Tobin is a real pussycat. He is the sweetest and gentlest person that I’ve ever met, he just happens to be playing a serial killer. When I’m doing my scenes he’s on the sidelines saying “This is what I’m talking about. That’s compassion and love.” We’re actors we expect to be in situations that are not real.
So you opened the box in the last movie, will that come into play this time?
Carey
We can’t give away the plot. We don’t want to give away the spoilers because we owe it to the fans. Plus we signed a contract not to say anything.
Betsy
Plus, I haven’t seen it yet. You never know what made it into the movie or not or what’s changed from the script to the finished product. They could totally redo the movie for all I know.
Carey
I can say that all of the loose ends and questions from the previous movies will be answered here.
Carey, what is it like revisiting a character like Dr. Gordon?
I get a chance to really explore what happened to Dr. Gordon and answer all the questions the fans have asked. The only reason I’m here is because the fans campaigned heavily to bring me back and I’m thankful for that.
You were there in the beginning, did you see any of this coming?
I don’t think any of us thought this would become this huge franchise. We shot the first one for around $1 million and shot it in 20 days.
You all made seven films in seven years. That’s an impressive feat, where do you think the SAW franchise fits in the horror genre?
Betsy
We’re number one! We got the plaque – the world record. No one can say otherwise or “What about Friday the 13th or Halloween?” We got the plaque.
What are your favorite kills from the series?
Betsy
I don’t have a favorite kill. That’s not really what I’m about. But I think the writers are all inventive and geniuses.
Carey
I would concur. The kills in this movie are really, really intense. It’s one of the most graphic movies I’ve ever seen.
Coming from a comedy background and switching genres, is there one that’s more fun than the other?
I feel very blessed as an actor to be remembered for anything. You are very lucky as an actor to have anything that’s successful. I’m thrilled to have two films (The Princess Bride and SAW) that have been so successful. Do I prefer any genre over the other? No, not really, I feel very fortunate to be part of anything that’s successful.
How difficult is it to play scared; what type of stunt work were you involved in?
Betsy
I had a stunt girl this time and I got very close to her. So that should tell you something.
Carey
She had to do a lot of screaming in this film. The day I met her she was screaming a lot. She does it very well.
Betsy
Acting scared a lot, there is definitely a talent to it. You don’t want to do it too little or go over the top or too scared – you want it to be very real and have to do it many times in a row. I had these Producers ask me, “What emotion was that? Where you happy, angry, sad? Do it again!” Not doing a good job is what scares me.
What’s it like for you to return to this Franchise after so many years?
Carey
It’s really an extraordinary experience to go from a movie that we shot in 20 days to arriving at a film studio that was built to house these movies and having a huge budget to work with. The first thing I noticed was we actually had chairs where I could sit down. That was a luxury that we didn’t have during the original movie.
As an actor how difficult is it to film in 3D?
Betsy
The only difference for me was that it took a lot longer to set up a shot or we’d reach a technical glitch with a camera where we had to send it back to Germany for another one. This was really big movie making and like shooting history. Shooting it in 3D was cool and awesome though. There were sometimes when the director would tell us something would look better in 3D if we moved this way or that way.
Is the script any different? Does it specifically mention 3D scenes and camera movement?
Carey
No, it’s really a directorial thing. We didn’t want to write the script with 3D in mind because it would come across as really gimmicky.
Betsy
I think there was one specific trap that they were really excited to do for a really long time that to do it in 3D was really a clincher for them.
Carey
The traps in 3D are really amazing, it’s like you really are in them.
Out of all the movies which one would be your favorite?
Betsy
I think this one.
Carey
I’ve seen them all and think this one is the best.
EM Interview
By Michelle Alexandria
Originally posted 10.24.2010