The Interview
KR: So Shawnee, how did you get involved
with SAW franchise?
Well the guys at Twisted Pictures produced the movie with their own money.
They also have a management division of their company called Evolution.
At one point my manager was over at Evolution, their management company
and he heard that they were looking for a girl to do the jaw trap scene
(featured in SAW 1). I was brought up to James Wan the director who was
familiar with my work and got excited about the idea. They asked me so
I read the script. I was horrified. I said "please don't make me
live this out for a day.” And they replied with "come on you
gotta do it" So I did. And thank God!
KR: Yeah I bet. That's my favorite scene
from all the films so far, the jaw trap scene.
Yeah it was awesome. I got to see the scene before I even filmed it.
That's how they got the movie made. They originally filmed the scene as
a short movie with Leigh Whannell in the jaw trap.
KR: When you were approached for SAW 2 did
you know you were going to be the killer from the start?
No. In fact, that ending was kind of discovered almost at the end of
the shoot, which is probably part of the success with the SAW movies,
the flexibility with the script. No one settles until the film is in the
can. There's just this continuous search for truth, and that goes on until
filming is done.
KR: When you were filming SAW did you have
any idea it would become this huge franchise? I mean the SAW franchise
is fucking huge!
No, nobody did. I knew the script was a great script, and the short film
was great, but that’s about it. And the producers well, they were
just hoping to make their money back. But I don't think anyone could have
foreseen this kind of legendary franchise.
KR: In part three it's revealed that you
work with Jigsaw. Can you elaborate on that?
Yeah, they've had a partnership longer then most would imagine. And you'll
find out a lot about that in part 3. Part 3 will actually take you back
to part one, more pieces to the puzzle.
KR: So what is the coolest part about being
the killer in a huge franchise like this?
I mean it's great. Usually you don't get a lot of female villains that
aren't the spawn of someone else. It's almost like a true marriage between
jigsaw and Amanda, which are two halves to a whole. Some people might
say monster. I saw uh... they're intentions are more noble, but that's
because I'm on their side.
(We both laugh)
KR: Do you know approximately how many people
get axed in SAW 3?
You know... expect the unexpected. But expect some kind of body count,
I mean this is SAW. And you can't imagine that they can't get any more
vicious, but they do. Jigsaw saved his most harrowing game.
KR: How involved is Leigh Whannell (writer
of SAW 1, 2, 3) at this point?
He's very involved. He was actually on the set for most of SAW 3. There
was one scene that he completely rewrote on the spot. It was good he happened
to be there that day. (Shawnee laughs), funniest scene of the movie actually.
KR: That's awesome that he's still involved?
Yeah, definitely, I hope he stays involved.
KR: So what element of SAW 3 are you most
looking forward to the fans seeing?
You know, there's something for everyone. I think the audiences are going
to get what they want and love about the SAW movies, which is that kind
of balance between horror and humanity. And SAW 3 is the best one so far
in all those departments
KR: So if SAW 3 does really well do you
know if there's going to be a fourth?
I can't imagine that they wouldn't if it's anywhere near as successful
as one and two, but the difference between one and two and two and three
I wouldn't even venture to guess we're they'll go with it. So who knows?
The fact that we've done a part 3 that is of the same quality if not more
as the first two is a phenomenon in itself. If the filmmakers can keep
improving the films then why not?
KR: So Halloween is coming soon, do you
have anything specific planned?
Usually I just stay at home, but this year Darren Bousman (SAW 3 director)
some how wrangled me into hosting this big Halloween party with him. But
there's lots of pressure on us for the costumes. I mean, we're supposed
to be really clever and twisted, right? We still haven’t decided
what to wear.
KR: So are you handing out candy on Halloween
day?
This Halloween I'm actually doing the Jimmy Kimmel show, and then hosting
that party with Darren. And somewhere in there I need to do some trick
or treating with the kids.
KR: What was the last awesome horror movie
that you saw?
You know, I don't even have time to watch the news. But the last great
movie I saw was when I was in the hotel promoting SAW 3. It was LITTLE
MISS SUNSHINE, which I guess is the anti horror film, isn't it?
Yeah, I heard it was really pretty good though.
Thanks to Shawnee Smith for this interview!
Interview is property of KillerReviews.com - Copyright 2007
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