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AICN EXCLUSIVE: Quint interviews Robert Rodriguez about SIN CITY and COMIC-CON!!!
Ahoy, squirts! Quint here with an exclusive interview with Robert Rodriguez as we both prepare for the chaotic San Diego Comic-Con. Rodriguez will be heading a panel at the Con (Saturday 2-3pm in Hall H) along with SIN CITY creator and co-director of the film Frank Miller and a few of the babes that frequent the streets of SIN CITY (Rosario Dawson, Jamie King and Sue Storm herself, Jessica Alba). Keep in mind that this a teaser, only a few questions long. I'll have an in-depth interview with Rodriguez closer to release, but for now... this is the word to get you comic-con geeks excited about the project and what Rodriguez and crew are going to bring to you folks.
If I'm not mistaken, this is the first official word out on SIN CITY since Rodriguez finished the production, so all you Miller freaks gather round and prepare for your salivary glands to start pumping. When Rodriguez says below that he's making Frank Miller's SIN CITY, not Robert Rodriguez' SIN CITY, that really gets me going. I've heard stories from the set... It's amazing how faithful this is going to be. People aren't prepared for it. I can't wait to see the footage he's bringing to Comic-Con. Who will we see brought to life? Here's hoping for Marv, Kevin, Nancy... shit, if I continue on I'll list off everybody in the whole movie... Can't wait!
===========QUINT: I don't know of any other property that brought in its sole creator to such a position of power as you gave to Frank Miller on this project. Did you go into this film trying to make the most respectful to its source material Comic Book movie of all time?
ROBERT RODRIGUEZ: It was really the material itself that dictated how it would be done. It didn't "need" adapting. Frank is such a great visual storyteller, that if you study his artwork you see that his Sin City books are already the best movies never seen on the big screen. His stories were so clearly realized that to go in there and change things would just make it different, not better. I told Frank right off the bat that I wasn't interested in adapting the books, I wanted to simply translate them to the screen. I didn't want to make Robert Rodriguez's SIN CITY, I wanted to make Frank Miller's SIN CITY. I love these books and wanted to see this movie be as true to his vision as possible. Having learned all this new technology over my past several movies, the time was right. I also understood his process, because he writes, draws, inks and even letters his own material. The idea of him directing was really because I knew he could do it. He'd already been directing all these years, only he was using a pen and paper instead of a camera. When I told Frank that I wanted him to direct at least one of the stories he was so excited about the idea that he said right away, "BIG FAT KILL!" But later I realized what I really wanted was for him to be there directing all the time with me. He picked it up quick. I have to say, it was a thrill for us all to see him stalking the set, running up to actors to give direction, while furiously sketching up additional shots.
QUINT: Which SIN CITY storylines did you focus on for the film? What made you choose them over the others?
ROBERT RODRIGUEZ: After re-reading all the books, and trying to focus the movie, I thought the first SIN CITY book, (MARV's story), the BIG FAT KILL, and THAT YELLOW BASTARD made sense going together because of their use of overlapping characters. I thought DAME TO KILL FOR was great, but too big to include in this movie. The idea I had was to take 3 of Frank's stories and put them together, so the audience would get a real taste of what Sin City was all about.QUINT: As a fan of the original books, was there a particular sequence that stood out to you... that you couldn't believe you were getting to bring to life?
ROBERT RODRIGUEZ: That would happen daily. No kidding, Frank's books are so tightly plotted there's nothing in them BUT good stuff. So just about every shot we'd come up to do, we'd thumb through the book and say, "Hey! We get to put a gun barrel through Jackie Boy's skull!" I think for Frank, anything with MIHO he couldn't believe we were getting to do, and one of my personal favorites was seeing Hartigan give the Yellow Bastard his... well, you gotta see it.
QUINT: You've got a helluva cast with the film. Who was the most difficult character to cast?
ROBERT RODRIGUEZ: It was amazing we were able to find so many great actors that looked like Frank's very unique characters. I had the main actors chosen early on, and I have a terrific casting director, Mary Vernieu, so I was confident we'd find everybody else. I think Frank was most worried about GAIL and MIHO, because those are two of his favorite characters and they were the ones we were casting last. I would tell him, "don't worry, they'll just walk in the door and we'll know." Sure enough, at the very end of casting, in walks Rosario Dawson and Devon Aoki. I remember early on he was worried about finding the right Nancy in time for the Marv shoot, but then he met Jessica Alba.QUINT: Can you give a little hint to the Comic-Con fans about what they might get to see during your panel?
ROBERT RODRIGUEZ: I put something together that will show footage from the movie for each character, along with the original book panels that those scenes were taken from, so the fans can see how the movie really is their favorite books brought to cinematic life. It's very cool, and will give a real sense of the movie. I can't wait to see the reactions to how great these actors look in character and in the SIN CITY world. I might also show... well, we'll just have to see... I'm just excited about getting to go to Comic-Con with Frank Miller! At the panel we'll have to talk with Frank about his transformation during the course of the shoot. Now that he's learned how to make his own movies, I think we've created a monster. He's so fired up.
============That's it. It's a quickie, but a helluva teaser, don't you think? Thanks to Mr. Rodriguez for his time. Geeks prepare! SIN CITY is going to knock a whole lotta socks off!!!
-Quint
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Jul 18, 2004 6:59:06 AM CDT
FIRST actual adaptation of a comic book, rather than a movie bas
by duncan1983
OH MAN. This will be awesome
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Cos that would be cool - I've never been around when any of the catchphrases have been created (well, except for "tomboy beanpole")... But this interview doesn't really fill me with excitement. Partly cos I've never even heard of Sin City before, but also because I have a feeling that we're looking at a similar thing to the Psycho remake. I don't care how cinematic the book is, it's a story thats already been told with pictures that have already been seen. But hey, it hasn't seen by me, and they sound enthusiastic, so I'll probably go see it anyway.
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has everyone seen the footage online? i think its alba dancing and willis in a car. its all in front of a green screen so its got me wondering if miller will be drawing or animating the backgrounds. RR did say hes got some crazy visual style for this didnt he?
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Jul 18, 2004 9:27:43 AM CDT
Hey "Feral Kid" From Dusk Til dawn is a GREAT film whereas ...Me
by regicidal_maniac
El Mariachi and Desperado are really good examples of the same film told with different budgets. As such they make for an interesting study comparison. From Dusk Til Dawn is a monster mash of exploitation and horror film cliches, it's an intertextual collage and quite a nice love letter to 30 years worth of geek films. The Spy Kids series are decent kids films, although I only saw the first one. And for the record the Banderas plus kids idea came to him when he made his hilariously dark segment of Four Rooms. BTW: The real Emil Minty works as a jeweller now at Parramatta, or so I read last year.
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This could not be better. Giving the creator control and trying to do an almost exact translation is the best idea I have ever heard in a while. Sin City is one of the BEST comics EVER! Hopefully the movie will live up to the book.......and with these guys at the helm it can only succeed!
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Is it going to be in black and white?
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And Rosario Dawson as Gail is going to be too hot for words.
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Jul 18, 2004 10:52:18 AM CDT
Emil: I may have to check out "Wrestling Women vs. the Aztec Mum
by regicidal_maniac
"Las Luchadoras contra la momia" certainly looks good even though it doesn't star my favourite StrongBad look-a-like Mexican wrestler Santo, althiugh I do see some connections through the director. And you're still being too hard on "From Dusk Til Dawn". Before you watch it again first watch "Rio Bravo", "Assault On Precinct 13" (76), "Aliens", "Night Of The Living Dead" (68), "Silver Bullet", "Dawn Of The Dead" (78), "The Beyond", "The Lost Boys", "Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn", "The Wild Bunch", "The Getaway" (72) and "Hell Up In Harlem" or any of the slew of other 60s and 70s era exploitation films that the film references and is an ode to and if you still don't appreciate it then no problemo amigo it just aint your style. However given the z-grade "Manos The Hands Of Fate" level of the type of "mujeres grandes del pecho contra diablo en el mundo de los muertos" films you have recommended I should think that the ultra-shlocky exploitation love letter that is "From Dusk Til Dawn" would be right up your alley. Give it another chance.
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Jul 18, 2004 10:56:33 AM CDT
Funk: Yes it is in high contrast B&W, an after effect filter is
by regicidal_maniac
What I want to know is whether that lazy bastard Miller is ever going to finish "Sin City 1940"??
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Not only am I hyped for this movie, but RR points out a good point, now Frank will be able to direct his own movies which will be awesome too.
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Jul 18, 2004 1:14:05 PM CDT
Wow Minty you have ceased to amaze me, now you just bore me. You
by regicidal_maniac
That must be really liberating to have the exact same opinion on every topic. Hated it, hated it, hated it. Miller's script for "RoboCop 2" was overlong but is currently being adapted to comics by Avatar Press, I'd say give it a look but I already know your opinion of it even if you don't. the movie itself was a fun romp thanks largely to uberscreenplay master Walon Green who also penned Peckinpah's "The Wild Bunch", which I'm sure you hate and the still in limbo "Crusade". To top it off it was directed by Irvin Kirshner who also directed the best Star Wars film and Bond entry "The Empire Strikes Back" and "Never Say Never Again". "RoboCop 2" is a great flick with a darkly comic tone, not quite as cynical as the original but it does stand up to repeat viewings better than the first and "BEHAAAAVE YOURSELVES!!!!" always cracks me up. But then you've already got grit in your cunt about the film and Miller so I suggest you just get over it and then get over yourself, I have.
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And I'm expecting breathtaking cinematography, ala THE MAN WHO WASN'T THERE, so please Robert, I've backed you up everytime people was bashing you, so don't make me swallow my own words... I love SC so much it's actually gonna hurt me if you blow it.
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Cloudrider, Mickey R is Marv. I'm still not super happy about that, but the rest of the casting is impeccable. Bruce Willis is Hartigan, Rosario Dawson is Gail, Frodo Baggins is KEVIN, Clive Owen and Josh -why-the-fuck-am-I-rich-and-famous Hartnett play Dwight (hey remember he got plastic surgery) and Nick Ed-Furlong-was-too-doped-to-do-T3 Stahl is THE YELLOW BASTARD! I loved that one. I want to see this so bad... Oh and QT is directing a piece of THE BIG FAT KILL segment.
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He is perfect for the part and will do a great job. He remains my favorite working actor, based on his performances and not so much recent roles. I have never been so excited about a movie.
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Where are the real questions we want answered? Is it black and white? Why cast Alba as the most naked Sin City character if she won't get naked? Is Tarantino involved? These are the things I for one want to know. Sin City is my favorite comic book, I'm still iffy on whether this film should have been made, but here's hoping it's great.
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Because he made the abortion know as DARK KNIGTH 2. The rest of his work is amazing and all, but that comic raped my chilldhood. I'm serious!
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It was pretty bad. I got the first issue and thought... "Hmn it's set up some interesting stuff I guess. Wow, that art is weird". Then the second, "Hmn maybe it'll have an awesome ending" And well I still bought the third... "This sucks!"
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I'm not saying the movie is nudity free, hell for all I know it's chock full of it, I'm just saying Alba has said multiple times in interviews that she won't do nudity. The character she's playing, Nancy(the stripper), is naked in almost every "scene" she's in with the comics. In "the Big Fat Kill" she has a larger part, but she's still naked half the time. They should have gotten an unknown actress. Oh well...
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frank miller has a wicked sense of story-telling, as does rodriguez. i think we can expect a dark and brooding film, maybe something along the lines of the crow. but with a bit of a tongue in cheek dimension, such as in once upon a time in mexico, which was a great film.
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http://www.empireonline.co.uk/site/news/newsstory.asp?news_id=16012 It's an article about Clive Owen's role in the film, but it sheds some light on Tarantino's involvement, and Benicio Del Toro's role.
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Just another troll looking to flame and then burn out. Good luck with that.
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Jul 19, 2004 1:33:59 AM CDT
It's ABOUT FREAKIN' TIME that Frank Miller gets a REAL shot in H
by jdanielp
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Jul 19, 2004 3:46:24 AM CDT
Bah! I want to know the real reason the Harry Princess of Mars w
by fatal discharge
...either it was the budget couldn't handle Harry's enormous catering bill or he had such an intense orgasm at the thought of being involved in such a project, it left him in a partial coma. I thought Robocop 2 was a bit underrated...probably the kid villain worked better on the printed page than in actual reality but I love Miller's writing. Anyhoo, I'm greatly looking forward to Sin City.
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Zhirkwad Loozair, all I meant was that this production seems to have exactly the same mentality as the Psycho remake - the reasoning behind that film was that the younger generation hadn't been exposed to Psycho, hence the shot for shot remake. This production seems to be saying "well, we've seen this already, but not on a cinema screen or moving". But I still said that it sounded interesting - and the TB'ers are definitely passionate about it - and that I'd probably still see it. No need to blow up about it.
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Jul 19, 2004 5:07:05 AM CDT
Right now my biggest Sin City worry is that it'll be toned down
by jackburton
And as a long time lover of everything Sin City (my fave original comic series *ever*), what I'd hate, and what I fear more than anything else is just that, that we'll get Sin City lite as far as the sex, nudity, violence and overall seediness goes. I don't want to see a cleaned up and audience friendly Basin City done for the masses, I want it hard core noir, just like the books. That means nudity, that means violence, that means drugs, that means sex, that means coarse language, that means broken people making bad calls and non happy endings. I'm happy with the cast for the most part, I'm just hoping Rodriguez and Miller truly do deliver the Sin City from the books in all it's low down seediness, and not just a cleaned up studio friendly version of it. This is *the* film I want to see next year, please mr Rodriguez, don't let me down.
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Naked women are important in Sin City. Don
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we will see Sue Storm herself, Jesica Alba, bare ass hanging out the back of her chaps? Hey people Harry started it! SO anybody got pictures or what?!?!?!?!?!?!
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The fact that Jessica Alba has been cast means that this is not going to be a faithful adaptation of Sin City. She said she'd never do nudity. You may see her bum, but she won't be topless and she'll be earing a g-string. Are they going to use a body double? It disturbs me that that these compromises are becoming so common in American cinema that they don't seem to be worth mentioning. Explicit violence is okay, but nudity and sex isn't. As for Princess of Mars, surely Harry realises that Carter and the Princess are nude all the way through the book? I suspect that Harry is so excited about the prospect of making this that he's willing to make any compromise. And I suspect that Miller is in the same boat - he get's to make Sin City, but without the nudity.
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That`s exactly how she got the part
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If you're trying to get me banned by stealing my identity for your posts, having a different email address than mine won't make it any easier.
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Jul 20, 2004 8:10:41 AM CDT
Oh thank goodness DocP, I knew deep down it wasn't you I just ne
by regicidal_maniac
I knew you wouldn't be supporting those weirdos. That sucks that they can just do that to besmirch the good name of anyone here.
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This film won't be as good as the comics of course, but maybe they will do them some justice and not be a travesty. I like Rodriguez's attitude towards the whole thing...I hope he is as sincere as he sounds and not just preaching to the choir to sell tix.
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Sin City sounds cool and I'm looking forward to it...but now that Frank Miller is making a full fledged foray into movies, does this mean that we will finally see a film adaptation of Ronin?!! I think a Ronin movie could be the shit! Please, please, please make it happen!
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Jul 21, 2004 7:53:09 AM CDT
devon aoki / train wreck, which is more morbidly captivating?
by andy_christ
I'm not really familiar with Sin City...I hope this character Devon Aoki is supposed to be playing looks as bizarre as she does.
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Jul 21, 2004 9:25:47 AM CDT
I really look forward to this, ... especially with Miller's invo
by jdanielp
BELIEVE me, ... it's a very POWERFUL read and worth every penny. I expect that the beginning of this film will have that SAME EXPLOSIVE IMPACT with Marv ... where he realizes that those police sirens he hears are for HIM. Very cool and I'm hyped for this movie. And I respect both RR and FM. -- If you ever get a chance, check out the extras on "SPY KIDS 3D" ... (and c'mon, don't blast me for saying that until you've actually seen the extras) ... because you get the impression that RR would like for EVERYONE to make movies (at least, everyone who's interested). On these extras, you'll see some fairly ordinary family "home video" RR has made ... that is, fairly ordinary until you see some incredible homemade special effects added to them. -- I like the family shot with ... if I remember correctly ... the castle at Disneyland, in the background. Next thing you know, the camera shakes and looks skyward, revealing a GIANT ROBOT crashing into the castle, coming towards the camera! Personally, I think RR seems like a cool and friendly guy whom really loves his kids/family. And I wish him great success. (And I wish success for Frank Miller, too.)
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Well, this is an ad in Variety anyway. Wonder why the nerds haven't posted it...
http://www.sketchbooksessions.com/shanesboard/download.php?id=10161 -
Where the hell is DANNY TREJO!!!! This can't be a Robert Rodriguez without that handsome face of his. If I remember correctly he was pretty much in all of RR's movies. So come one guys let me know!
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