Writer and Director David Twohy has earned a legion of genre film fans from his popular sci-fi films like "The Arrival" and "Pitch Black" as well as the World War II ghost story, "Below." With the official DVD release of "The Chronicles Of Riddick" hitting shops on and offline on Tuesday, November 16, 2004, Mr. Twohy was kind enough to give a few minutes of his time to answer a few fan questions for Genre Online and Dark Horizons readers:
Interview: David Twohy by 'Mark A. Rivera'
"Mr. Twohy has a rather charming personality and has a good sense of humor too. Upon learning the name of my website, he asked me what genres I covered and I told him that I cover all genres, but specifically I prefer sci-fi, horror, and fantasy. He asked me isn't it something when a person says "genre film" they almost immediately think of sci-fi, horror, and whatnot. "No one thinks of a romantic comedy as a genre film..." I agreed with him, but in my opinion genre film also sounds better than popcorn movie and then I relayed one of my film school lessons, which is that comedy is the riskiest genre because there's no market for comedies that are not funny, but people will rent and watch even the worst horror films on any given night because there is an interest in the quick thrill that even a z-level horror flick could offer. Thus horror films, including bad ones, make their money back eventually. This broke the ice a bit at least for me and so I proceeded to ask Mr. Twohy as many questions as I could with regard his work and "The Chronicles Of Riddick" given the amount of time I was allotted.
Question: I have to ask this one before my time runs out and it is the most frequently asked question I have seen related to "The Chronicles Of Riddick." Will there still be two more feature film sequels to "The Chronicles Of Riddick" or will you complete the story in books, anime, or maybe a TV miniseries?David Twohy: It took about four and half years to make "The Chronicles Of Riddick" after "Pitch Black." If the box office had been greater there would be no question, but we find ourselves with the DVD release of the "Unrated Director's Cut," which as you know is different from the PG-13 version that was released theatrically with richer character development and it is tougher and truer to my original vision. "Pitch Black" did very well on DVD so if the fans take note and make "The Chronicles Of Riddick" a great DVD retail release like "Pitch Black" was before it then maybe down the road we might be able to do the next sequel.Question: In expanding the universe for "The Chronicles Of Riddick," as a Writer, did you have any difficulty or any sort of difference of opinion between yourself and the co-writers of the original "Pitch Black," Jim and Ken Wheat?David Twohy: No. Jim and Ken Wheat submitted the original screenplay for what would become "Pitch Black" and it had a great setup, but once I came onboard I added the character of Riddick to the screenplay, but I did keep them aware of the changes I was making. However there was no time spent pacing back and forth with them in a room. They submitted their draft and I developed it myself from there.Question: Without going into spoilers, in the film you go through great length to develop memorable characters and I think the Director's Cut is great a showing this. However I often wonder why you choose to create such a dark universe for these films?David Twohy: Personally I find it interesting to explore the dark side of nature in my stories. I think Hollywood can be too insulating at times, so I chose to explore the darker side of sci-fi, but I'm not a brooding person.Question: You rose up the ladder from being a successful Screenwriter to becoming a Feature Film Director as well. What advice would you give any aspiring Writers and Directors out there making films in school or on their own and see you as a person whose footsteps they'd like to follow?David Twohy: I always wanted to make movies, but I did not start out as a Director so I focused on screenwriting first. Don't lose faith. Screenwriting is a handy skill to fall back on if you do not find yourself working as a Director right away.Question: I have a few fan boy questions in part because I'm a fan too. I read the book and have reviewed the DVD, but I was curious to find out what that dark gas like substance was that accompanies the Necromonger ships when they fly, hover, and land?David Twohy: Necromonger weaponry is gravity based. The exhausts of their ships work in reverse thus the dark clouds that appear around their vessels. The have a way of compressing the forces of gravity and utilizing it for an energy source.Question: Will we get to see the UnderVerse if the sequel gets made?David Twohy: Yes. Whether it will be a heaven or hell or something like that mixed together in the case of the dark faith of the Necromongers remains to be seen, but all religions communicate the idea of a person rising from the dead to a new life. So if one is a faithful Necromonger, they should rise again in the UnderVerse.Question: You hinted at that in the audio commentary on the Unrated DVD too. Is the "Riddick Universe" a humans only universe like "Dune" or "Foundation" or are their any other sentient forms of extraterrestrial life we have yet to see?David Twohy: So far we have sentient humans and alien beasts. So the answer now is yes.Question: What is your next project?David Twohy: Next Project I'm working on is something like "Jumanji" with the ability to visit many worlds. It's more fantasy and as it spins off, I think it will be fun.Question: What is your favorite sci-fi or fantasy film that you've seen, but were not involved in?David Twohy: "H.G. Wells' First Men In The Moon."Question: I've seen that film. Ray Harryhausen.David Twohy: Well Harryhausen did the effects. I was surprised though that not many people were familiar with the film so I showed them the DVD.Question: I think the effects we have today are amazing, but I agree with Harryhausen that it is sad that the art of stop motion animation is not being passed down. There was a certain human element Harryhausen brought to his characters that only he could. I think there is a human touch missing on some CGI effects because the nature of it is creation by a committee of animators instead of just one person.David Twohy: I think you are looking back with rose tinted glasses.Question: Maybe... One last question, did you shoot the live action materials on the DVD specifically for it? Like Riddick being questioned by the Quasi-Deads?David Twohy: No. A company called Herzog designed the menus using images from the movie. There were many more questions I had for Mr. Twohy that I never got the chance to ask, but I do appreciate the time he gave to speak with me and I also have to give a big thank you to Universal Studios Home Video for making this interview possible. You can read my reviews of all three Riddick DVDs by clicking on any of the box cover art icons below. "The Chronicles Of Riddick: Unrated Director's Cut" will debut on DVD-Video this Tuesday, November 16, 2004 and is definitely worth checking out".
Thanks to 'Mark'
