Ask Bruce Campbell Anything... 362
Bruce Campbell has a new book out (If Chins Could Kill) and I thought it would be fun
for Slashdot to interview him in our charming, enigmatic way. Bruce should be familiar to you though such films as the Evil Dead (include Army of Darkness) and ,well, anything Sam Raimi has ever done. The book
is a lot of fun. As usual, moderate up your favorite questions, and I'll pass on the highest scoring ones to Bruce so that he can reply to 8 or so. Bruce has a
website for you to check it. It's
got a FAQ and bio for you to examine.
Darkman? (Score:3, Interesting)
Computer game experience (Score:4, Interesting)
Auntie Em! Auntie Em! (Score:2, Interesting)
Jim Carrey (Score:5, Interesting)
Doom movie (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Doom movie (Score:2, Funny)
Perspective (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Perspective (Score:4, Funny)
Icebreaker (Score:3, Interesting)
Cheers,
Eöl
Bruce.... (Score:4, Interesting)
Which role do you find you are most like....and why...?
(My bets are on Ash, but then, they would be....)
Also, did you have a little thing going with Gabrielle from Xena?
Finally, If you were asked to write a film now, what would it be about...
Alzheimer's (Score:2)
One of the symptoms of alzheimers is repeating yourself. One of the symptoms of alzheimers is repeating yourself.
One thing I've been wondering... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:One thing I've been wondering... (Score:2)
Probably because it followed that godawful "Cleopatra 2525." Starting on a half-hour in timeslots where most other shows are an hour long doesn't do much for your viewership. I loved the show, and tried to watch it, but it was difficult for that very reason.
Favorite character? (Score:5, Interesting)
Favorite actress? (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Favorite actress? (Score:2)
hail to the king, baby. (Score:3, Interesting)
Ideal TV Show? (Score:5, Interesting)
Duke Nukem (Score:5, Interesting)
We asked Bruce about Duke 3D... (Score:2)
Re:Duke Nukem (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Duke Nukem (Score:2)
please advise...
Bruce never says that in Evil Dead 2. I've seen ED 2 so many times that I never have to see it again, and I am 100% certain that line only
appears in They Live, which I own on DVD, and is a really great campy flick.
Being "B-Grade" (Score:5, Interesting)
You're well-known and very liked (probably moreso than the hunk-of-the-month actors), but is it frustrating to feel typecast in that way, or fulfilling to be successful, albeit not in the stereotypical hollywood sense?
Re:Being "B-Grade" (Score:3, Interesting)
Since the book is subtitled Confessions of a B-Movie Actor you might think that this answer would be found in the book.
And you'd be right!
Sarcasm aside, the book is very good. In it, Bruce says that he thought about trying to be a Star, and decided instead to be a good working B-movie actor.
The book really made me have a lot of respect for Bruce and the other actors who work their tails off.
So you're saying... (Score:2, Funny)
I just want to be clear.
Women (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Women (Score:4, Funny)
Re:Women (Score:2, Funny)
What do you want to do? What haven't you done? (Score:5, Interesting)
I guess there's lots of ancillary questions that could go with this. Like "What do you wish you had done (but maybe turned down)?" Or "What do you wish you hadn't done?" And "How much does it take for you to do something that you're not all that interested in?" (not necessarily money, I guess -- it could be a bad part with a good director or something, right?). And one more: If you weren't an actor (or wanted to quit tomorrow or whatever), what is it you would do?
Like I said, maybe kinda lame. But I've found you can tell a lot about someone by both their desires and their regrets. Being quite a fan or yours, I'm curious.
BTW, thanks for everything you done for those of us on the other side of the screen.
-B
One-liners (Score:3, Troll)
Pseudonymns "Pete Perkinson" and "Roc Sandstorm" (Score:5, Interesting)
The Raimi's (Score:5, Interesting)
Could you comment on working with the Raimi's? Obviously you're friends, but anecdotes, personal commentary, and so on would be great. Basically I'd like to get some insights into your friendship with them and the sort of chemistry you have with that particular dastardly duo. Comparisons (favorable and otherwise) to other people you've worked with are also more than welcome.
He's already commented on them... (Score:2)
...in his autobiography (mentioned in the story). I heartily recommend it; it's a great read. Huge chunks of the book are descriptions of Raimi-antics and opinions thereof, so it'd be a bit unfair to ask Mr. Campbell to repeat them here.
whoops (Score:2)
Re:The Raimi's (Score:2)
There is also a cheaper version of the director's cut [amazon.com], for those who don't want to pay the $23 for the "limited edition."
Your biography (Score:2)
Big fan - will watch anything you're in...
Whoa... (Score:4, Flamebait)
Remakes and Special Editions (Score:5, Interesting)
You've been an actor, director, and producer. Pick whatever hat you want to answer.
Re:Remakes and Special Editions (Score:2)
Brisco County Jr. on DVD (Score:5, Interesting)
Please explain (Score:2)
Why I like (admire?) Bruce Campbell (Score:2)
This leads into Evil Dead 2, which was 1/2 horror, 1/2 3-stooges remake, followed by Army of Darkness, which threw most rules of horror-film-making out the window, not that the first two didn't as well.
Bruce is a guy that seems to like what he's doing. He's a hard working actor. You never see him in a part and say "who cast this jerk? he's terrible at that part!".
If you need any more explinations, I'd advise watching all three of the Evil Dead movies, *then* watch the DVD commentaries where he and Sam Raimi talk during the movie and get real insight into how these guys work. No stunt people, karo syrup everywhere, and plenty of scenes where Sam tries to get Bruce (literally) killed, but Bruce still gets up and keeps going.
Doom movie? (Score:3, Interesting)
A long time ago (mid 90's) I heard about a movie based on Doom in which you were to star. If this ever was in the works, what happened? It might not have been a classic of it's time, but it would have rocked.
If not, please disregard =)
Glamour of Hollywood (Score:2, Interesting)
Personally, I think this has made you very well-suited to the business: but is there any other field you could see yourself succeeding in? Other than hitting the convention-circuit of course: you'd be mobbed by fanboys in seconds!
Batman? (Score:5, Interesting)
Evil Dead: Hail to the King (Score:2)
On the other hand, the commercial [evildeadgame.com] for it was hilarious. Some guy gets a hedge-trimmer attached to his arm, and then Bruce chases after him yelling "Get back here you freak". It looks like the streaming isn't working right now; if someone else has a copy of the commercial, I'd love to see it again...
-Chris
High School Question (Score:5, Interesting)
Hail to the king (Score:2, Interesting)
The video game: are there any Easter Eggs or inside/interesting bits you'd like share?
The line: If I'm not mistaken the line "Hail to the king" isn't in the Army of Darkness Official Bootleg Edition, right? Travesty. And the "director's cut" ending in the Bootleg is for poot on top of that. You guys just wanted it there because you probably spent some dough on the props. Oooo, pretty. The other ending had more class. What do you think? Why not just put out one DVD with both endings, you leeches?
enraged or something,
Micah
Have you ever banged... (Score:4, Funny)
Any of your assistants?
Any of your interns?
Gillian Anderson?
Pamela Anderson?
Jean Claude Van Damme?
Jean Luc Picard?
Xena Warrior Princess?
Catwoman?
Yvonne Craig?
Anyone remotely famous?
My sister-inlaw?
Margret Thatcher?
Anyone dead (evil or otherwise)?
Winona Ryder?
Howard Stern?
Heidi Wall?
Willow?
Buffy?
Any of your family?
Someone too drunk to notice?
The chick who turned gay with Melissa Etheridge?
Inside the Actors Studio Questions (Score:2, Interesting)
I consider Bruce to be one of my favorite actors and would love to see him interviewed on "Inside the Actors Studio". Somehow I just don't think that's going to happen anytime soon. :-/
So how about we get Bruce to answer those 10 questions they always ask at the end of the show?
Love Bug (Score:5, Interesting)
What was it like playing second fiddle to an annoyingly cute little car?
What was it like working with Dean Jones?
Appearances (Score:2)
I really wish I had not missed it, but is there a chance this would ever happen again?
I'm not sure of the details governing this, but I assume one of the RPG companies involve bought and paid this session. How was your experience with such activities?
Re:Appearances (Score:2)
Origins used to be very good about entertaining their players who never left the convention. Onee week long, 24/7 convention fun.
My friends just sleep in the room showing anime 24/7
To bad I missed it though...
Cult of the Campbell (Score:5, Interesting)
Question: Did you ever get a chance to do battle?
Followup: You seem to be mostly stereotyped towards wise cracking blue collar type characters; what are your thoughts about the fan/cult base built around you when it seems to concentrate on the cult films as opposed to the more serious work that you've tried to do? Do you feel hindered in getting 'blockbuster' or 'artful' type roles. Do you even want to play more dramatic roles?
Book Signings (Score:5, Interesting)
Friends with your fans? (Score:5, Interesting)
With his experience in mind, have you become good friends with any of your fans, or is it just too weird?
PS, was he involved in your latest book project?
War of the Evil Dead Chins (Score:5, Funny)
Re:War of the Evil Dead Chins (Score:2)
It wouldn't matter if Z'Dar was on the other side of the planet. And asleep. He'd still win.
Fan fiction (Score:4, Interesting)
Is this true, and if so, is there such a thing as "good fan-fiction?" What constitutes it, or if it's all bad, why is it so horrible?
Cliche (Score:5, Interesting)
However, have you considered doing a further sequel the old fashioned, low budget way? On, say, an Evil Dead I budget?
How come Brisco County JR. was ended so quickly? (Score:2)
Actor still seeks work (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Actor still seeks work (Score:5, Informative)
(Yes, kids. That is the real Wil Wheaton who posted this comment's parent.)
Re:Actor still seeks work (Score:2)
Grab.
PS. Gotta get yourself in a horror film, WW. OK, the leeches in Stand By Me were icky, but something where ppl get sliced and diced. Bonus points if you're doing the slicing and dicing.
Re:Actor still seeks work (Score:2)
How about it Bruce? Are you a Wil Wheaton fan???
Re:Actor still seeks work (Score:2, Interesting)
Actually I can see you as Bruce's kindy dorky sidekick
Cheers, Justin
Re:Actor still seeks work (Score:2)
I think a goatee would be more appropriate.
Face Off!! (Score:2, Troll)
Rumors... (Score:2, Interesting)
For those comments that don't make it... (Score:2)
Working in the Xena/Hercules Universe (Score:3, Interesting)
ttyl
Farrell
Signature (Score:2, Funny)
Affiliate program revenue and Slashdot posts (Score:3, Offtopic)
bookinfo.asp?theisbn=0312242646&from=MJF138
The last parameter makes it look like the sales link is passing on affiliate info, so that the story submitter is making cash from each transaction. Knock off "&from=MJF138" and you still get to the book page.
I wonder how many sales will be made and how much commission chrisd will earn as a result of this slashdot post?
In the context of a commercial site, is it proper to disclose that the content creators are profiting in this way?
Would it be more appropriate for this site to choose a charity like the EFF and send affiliate commissions to them, when stories tied to products were run?
This isn't a flame, even if it turns out that the submitter is making a packet of the fatbrain affiliate program. I just thought it was worth talking about.
For the sake of being a curmudgeon, here's a link to the book at Amazon [amazon.com]. It's a better site anway, it shows more info about the book, including interior pages.
Re:Affiliate program revenue and Slashdot posts (Score:2)
No, it would be appropriate for the readers of this site to join or donate [eff.org] to the EFF, if they want to.
/. is a commercial site and so I don't see anything wrong with it getting revenue.
McHale's Navy (Score:2)
As a minorly tangential aside, what's it like working with Tim Curry? Poor fellow seems to end up in just about every cheesy villain role out there these days.
Cinematic badness (Score:5, Interesting)
In fact, many of us love you so much that we rented movies we suspected would be extremely bad, solely because you were in them.
And though our suspicions were confirmed, yea, though we cringed and groaned and hooted and were just generally nonplussed by much of what we saw, still...still....
"Look, there's Bruce!"
We are the people who spotted you in Fargo. But I digress.
If you can answer honestly, and without fear of legal action by directors or producers:
What was, in your estimation, the worst movie in which you ever had a significant role?
(My personal shortlist: Moontrap, Mindwarp, and Maniac Cop 2.)
"This is the summer of our *cough* nicktu!" (Score:2, Interesting)
minutes, and they could have lost 194 minutes from that. Anyway it sounds like
something you might say. My question is: Are there any so called "chick-flix" you
really liked, and could you picture yourself one day playing let's say in a
Merchant-Ivory movie of something by Henry James? (Or Shakespeare's Richard III starring
Bruce Campbell! Wouldn't that be a hoot?)
Klaatu Barada N... (Score:4, Interesting)
Seeing all the stunts Sam Raimi "made" you do for those three movies....some of which would make Jacki Chan wince....Was there ever anything Sam asked you to do and you just plain said "NO" (or "HEll NO!" or even "Thank you, no. I'd rather die...") because it was too dangerous/stupid/life threatening/unnatural?
Evil Dead 4 (Score:2)
I know that for now, Evil Dead 4 is a non-starter (tho we all hope it happens one day). But my question is this: If it ever happened to be made, which ending of Army of Darkness would you prefer to work from? The 'S-Mart' ending or the 'End of the World' ending?
Bruce: Where are we going to see you next? (Score:2, Interesting)
1. What can we expect after Bubba Ho-tep? Time for a break, or is there another movie lined up?
2. When are we going to see you in Australia damnit?
Turning the tables (Score:2)
I ask because a friend gave me a video of a backstage Q&A session you had at an anime convention with a guy named Ray. Ray was reading his questions off a card, and it quickly became apparent that he knew nothing of you or your work. He blithely nodded in agreement as you assured him that you were most famous for your role as Yakko the Milkman. By the end of the interview you had completely turned things around and were asking him all the questions. The image started to get wobbly because the cameraman was laughing so hard. It was priceless.
From horror to comedy (Score:2)
Maybe I'm in a minority here, but I was disappointed by Army of Darkness - the intensity and clautrophobia of the first two films, plus the sheer "man-having-worst-day-of-his-life" nastiness was completely missing. I'm wondering what lay behind the decision to turn the Evil Dead series from one of coolest series of horror films to a 15 rated (in the UK) comedy full of cheapo Marx brothers humour?
Is it cruel... (Score:3, Interesting)
Even if you live in a tall house?
Well, you said ask him anything...
Another Evil Dead? (Score:2)
Will you be in another evil dead movie?
Input into Scripts (Score:2, Interesting)
Hail to the King! :)
-- Azaroth
The Coens (Score:2)
On a serious note: (Score:2)
He was a mentor in the arts of television crafts, story telling and nearly all things scientific.
Would it be possible to return the favor, so to speak, in some Rami production? I don't know how much pull you would have with the insertion of a minor character - but it would be a nice homage to a man who educated quite a few people in many subjects, and really knew well produced TV when he saw it.
Maybe have that starving actor who likes to hang around here play the part...
1. This so happens to explain why the demographics in Northern CA have dropped by one.
My question(s) (Score:3, Interesting)
How much does this bother you, though? We fans tend to hear things like, "A new Sam Raimi movie, eh? Wonder how big of a part he'll give Bruce Campbell and his brother Ted?" Or the people who just assume that you landed parts due to your friendship with him as opposed to getting them by your own merits. (Though according to your book, apparently friendship with Sam has its own price. If you guys haven't read it, there's an absolutely _GREAT_ story about a walk-on part in 'The Quick and the Dead' that was never used.)
As a side note, I wish I could've met you at Gateway in St. Louis this past June. Not sure what the conflict was, but I had my book in hand ready. (However I did pick up Ted Raimi at the airport, so it wasn't a total loss. But still, Brisco wasn't there. Oh well.)
:^)
Ford Prefect or Zaphod Beeblebrox? (H2G2 movie) (Score:2)
Would you be interested in auditioning for the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy movie, which is currently on indefinite hold due to the sad passing of DOuglas Adams?
Do you see yourself more as Zaphod Beeblebrox, or Ford Prefect?
Kissing Gabrielle (Score:2)
Garbage... (Score:2)
And if not, do you wish someone would?
And lastly, if they did would they find anything interesting?
Cool (Score:3)
I like this.. (Score:2)
I am forced to ask, once again, why somneone who acted the role of a fictional character is worth interviewing on a site devoted to nerds?
Maybe if he did the interview in character as Ash, but that would really be unfair to Bruce as a person.
Re:MetaMod Editors? (Score:2)
Re:Congo (Score:2, Interesting)
Anyway, FYI, he answered the first part of you question there: he said the credentials of all the people involved in Congo was so impressive, that no one would've guessed it would turn out so poorly. He originally thought getting involved in that project was a no-brainer.
Try a little harder, huh? (Score:3, Informative)
Bruce has a website for you to check it. It's got a FAQ and bio for you to examine.
From said FAQ:
Q: CONCERNING "ARMY OF DARKNESS," WHICH ENDING DID YOU PREFER? THE "S-MART" ENDING OR THE "I'VE-SLEPT-TOO-LONG" ENDING?
A: The "I've-slept-too-long" one. It's more appropriate for the idiot, Ash.
Re:Evil Dead 4 -- When Monkeys... (Score:2)
His response was to look at the audience and say, "Yes! Yes, there will be an Evil Dead IV!"
Then he paused for a few seconds, long enough for the applause and cheering to die down, and added, "...when monkeys fly out of my butt!!!"
The crowd went wild.
Re:Another? (Score:2, Interesting)
So you say that Army of Darkness didn't make enough moolah to warrant another installation of the series, eh? Well, maybe so. But that's probably because most folks knew nothing about Evil Dead I or II, when it came out, myself included.
However, the entire series has gained such a cult following over the past few years that it's inconceivable that enough fans would not cough up the money to see a new movie on the big screen, and on DVD, and buy whatever other merchandise can be created.
So what do you say, bucko? Will you at least discuss it with Sam yet again? For the fans?
What's it like to be known for Evil Dead 2 (Score:3, Interesting)
Most of the questions here on slashdot are concerned with the trilogy or the poster says he/she (probably he) first saw you in Evil Dead 2 or Army of Darkness and has been a fan ever since. Not many posters say they first discovered you in Brisco.
My guess is that most of us are guys who watched ED2 or AoD when we were teenagers and that we long for that time again and hence want you guys to make ED4 for nostalgic reasons. And on that note... when oh when will you make a movie with my other teenage heroes John Woo and Chau Yun Fat?
-cheers Christian
I agree (Score:2)