[Interview] Jackie Earle Haley on Human Target, Nightmare and Shutter Island
This is an interview Jackie did with IESB during the Television Critics Association Press Tour panel for Human Target.
Here are a few of the questions I found more interesting, but check the whole thing out because it's pretty cool.
On Nightmare on Elm Street:
Q: How was it to do A Nightmare on Elm Street?
Jackie: We had a blast. The cast was wonderful. It was an arduous task, getting in and out of that make-up, though.
Q: Were you a fan of the original A Nightmare on Elm Street?
Jackie: I've never been a huge horror fan, per se, but I actually went and saw that one in the theater, and I liked it. The commercials were cool and the concept of it was great. As far as horror, I think Alien was probably my favorite, and then Sam Raimi's stuff blew me away.
Q: How does your Freddy Krueger compare to Robert Englund's Freddy?
Jackie: I don't know. Our approach was to make him a little more serious. He's a little less jokey.
Q: Does he look like the Freddy we've seen?
Jackie: He's got a new look going. We're still true with the fedora, the sweater and the glove, but the mug is a little bit more based in reality.
Q: Why did you want to do that role?
Jackie: Oh, man. I did need to think about it, for a minute and a half. But, I just kept going, "Freddy Krueger?!" It's such an iconic character. How could I not do that character?
Q: Do you worry about the comparisons to what Robert Englund did with the character?
Jackie: They were going to do it, and they were going to get somebody else to do it. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. As an actor, I'm one that's willing to take risks. Especially as a character actor, I've got to be willing to go out and totally mess up. If I try to play it safe, I'm not going to be a very good actor. I would imagine, somewhere along the way, and hopefully it's not this, but even with characterizations and stuff, playing it safe is not what makes us interesting. It's getting in there and really trying to do something with something, and hope for the best.
On Shutter Island:
Q: What was that experience like?
Jackie: That experience was just pinch yourself crazy. I was acting this far away from Leo DiCaprio, and Marty Scorsese was coming up and directing, between takes. It totally was a pinch me moment. I can't wait to see it.
Q: Who are you playing?
Jackie: I play this guy, George Noyce, who is an inmate at the facility. There's this one scene that's very pivotal for Leo's character, towards the last act. I can't wait to see the movie, myself, because it will be just like going to see a movie. I just so happen to be in one long scene, in the middle, and the rest of it will be just watching the movie.
On Louis and Bolden:
Q: What's the status of Bolden!, the jazz biopic you did?
Jackie: I just talked to Dan Pritzker, the director. I think he's recently finished up the silent film, Louis, and I think he's getting ready to finish up Bolden! as well.
Q: Will that get released?
Jackie: I'm not sure. That was a neat experience ‘cause it was such a period piece with the costumes. It was crazy.
And this is a little :(
Q: If you were in Texas, what would you be doing right now?
Jackie: Having my five-year anniversary dinner with my wife. Today is my anniversary.
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