Interview: "HookMan" Muse Watson
Ryan chats with I Know What You Did Last Summer's hook-weilding maniac!
Living-Dead.com: I'm going to cut right to the chase. How did you hear about the part of 'Hook Man', Ben Willis?
Muse Watson: I actually got a call from my agent saying that they were having trouble finding a Ben. I was asked to come to the casting office and read the role on tape to be sent to the director who was already in North Carolina on location. I thought it was a great role. Here was a man who was a loving father who becomes crazy after his daughter is killed in an accident. Of course, after arriving on set, the loving father part got diminished. But when I first read it...I thought it was well written and a great character.
Living-Dead.com: What kinds of things did you do, behind the scenes, to get in shape for your role as everyone's favorite 'Hooked Maniac'?
Muse Watson: Well, I studied each movement like Tai Chi, because I thought of Ben as a man who was methodical and smooth. I took the Hook home with me and became very accomplished and accurate. I could spin it in the air four revolutions and catch it in a back-hand. A move that one of the producers thought should have been included in the film. I could also take every leaf off of a bush one at a time with out touching the other leaves. Ben's movement was very important to me. Because he was not revealed til the end, it was very important to me for the audience to feel his presence and know his ominous nature.
Living-Dead.com: What's your thoughts on being considered somewhat of a horror movie 'Icon'? Do you accept this role with honors, or reluctance?
Muse Watson: It's an honor. I don't think it is "just" luck either. Although a great audience reaction seems a bit of luck in this business. I think the camera work, the other character's reactions, the movement I gave him, all have a part in it. I'm proud to be a horror "Icon". ...and grateful to the horror fans. Of course like any other actor, I could wish that I could earn the distinction of being a comedy icon too by the end of my career. LOL
Living-Dead.com: Between the renewed success of the modern day Slasher film, which 'classic' Slasher Icon would you love to portray in a motion picture, if you had the chance? And why?
Muse Watson: I was not a big fan of the genre before becoming 'Ben' so my knowledge of them is limited. I don't know which one I would choose, but I would jump at the chance I'm sure.
Living-Dead.com: 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' catapulted many careers, including yours. What was it like to work with such a talented bunch of actors/actresses, all at the same time? And if I may be so bold, which was your favorite?
Muse Watson: It is always exciting to work with a cast full of folks who are on their way up. The energy is amazing. I really enjoyed getting to know them and love them. As for my favorite, I can tell you I would be proud to have any or all of them as family. Love will always hold a special place in my heart. She was responsible for my being on Saturday Night Live. One of the biggest thrills of my life. Sarah and I really enjoyed talking and going places, and I think she is one of the sweetest and most professional actors I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Freddy is a really nice person and interesting to get to know. He is very intelligent. Ryan is thoughtful and kind. He is such a talented actor that it's scary. He has an incredible range. Johnney Galecki was fun to get to know. I worked with him again on 'Morgan's Ferry'...and would jump at the chance to work with him again. We worked with some incredible talent in both films and they were both a pleasure to shoot.
Living-Dead.com: I just saw 'Hollywood Vampyr'. It was kind of odd not seeing you portray a villain. Which had you rather play, the good guy, OR the villain? and why?
Muse Watson: I'm an actor. I will play whatever the role calls for. I've done some real villains though, and since the birth of my daughter, I guess I would like to play some nice guys now. Something she can watch. LOL
Living-Dead.com: Were you surprised that 'I Know What You Did Last Summer' would become the success it has become?
Muse Watson: Well, yeah. I didn't even go to the premier. LOL My publicist said I could stay at the hide-out in Tennessee if I wanted to. He said the word on the street was that something must be wrong with the film, since they were not allowing any press pre-screening. LOL You never know in this business.
Living-Dead.com: Were you all up for filming a sequel and reprising your role as, Ben Willis?
Muse Watson: Sure. I was excited about working with the cast again. Although I was disappointed in the additional information they gave Ben's character eventually. I didn't think it was necessary or fit the original character.
Living-Dead.com: I know that on a lot of movie sets, certain things can go wrong during production. Were there any 'mishaps' that occurred during the making of either 'Last Summer' film?
Muse Watson: Yeah. When I was hung up-side down by one leg and swung across the boat ...right after my hand was severed...I busted all the blood vessels in my eyes. Love was grossed out by the way it looked when I was put down and called for the medic.
Another time, the barge we were using for lighting broke loose and was headed for us and we had to evacuate the barge we were using for staging for fear that the collision could hurt a bunch of us.
The 'throw him in the ocean' scene became very scary. It was scheduled with the tides so I would be able to stand on the bottom and have my head above water after they threw me in. We got behind and the scene was filmed after the tide had come in over my head. I had weights on me to make sure I went to the bottom, so that became an issue. LOL
On I Still Know, I busted the joint in my big toe and had to be transported by armed guards across bandit territory in the middle of the night to a hospital. I later had surgery.
Living-Dead.com: And the 'eternal' question is, will there be another 'Last Summer' sequel? And if so, are you raring and ready to go?
Muse Watson: I doubt it. The folks who own the franchise haven't said anything except that they are not interested in doing one. I could be talked into one, depending on how they handle the script and who they asked to be in it.
Living-Dead.com: Muse, I just want to thank you for your time. It's been a real pleasure.
Muse Watson: Thanks for asking.
