Interview with Stuart Gordon

From his 1985 debut as a cult-horror director with "Re-Animator" to his 2002 H.P. Lovecraft film "Dagon" (originally written, it turns out, as the follow-up to "Re-Animator"), Stuart Gordon has consistently delivered quality horror to the masses, and is now considered by many of us to be one of the most important fear film-makers of the past 30 years. Like Tobe Hooper, who will always be remembered for "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre," Gordon will likely always be best remembered for "Re-Animator," but his other horror films have always been top-quality endeavors. "From Beyond," the remake of "Pit and the Pendulum" and "Castle Freak" are just some of his later efforts. "Dagon" is arguably the best thing he's made since "From Beyond." We were fortunate enough to pose a few questions to the director during his promotional tour for "Dagon" in May of 2002.

"Dagon" was great. It seemed like the lead character was written for Jeffrey Combs. Was it written for him? And, if so, why didn't he star?

It’s very perceptive of you. It was written for Jeffrey, 15 years ago. It was supposed to be the film to follow "Re-Animator." Unfortunately, in the time that past we’ve all gotten older, so I needed to find a leading man in his early 20’s to really make the story work. And I thought Ezra Goddsen did a great job in the lead role as Paul.

What's your next project after "Dagon"? Last I heard you were at work on another, HP Lovecraft project. Is that still going to happen?

I am working on a project based on the Lovecraft story "The Thing on the Doorstep." At this time there isn’t a specific start date for it although I’m hoping to be doing a film called "King of the Ants" next, which is a "Reservoir Dogs"-type film about a housepainter who becomes a hitman.

Many people consider "Re-Animator" your best film. What do you think? Do you have a personal favorite?

I’m very proud of all of my films for different reasons. They are kind of like children so it's hard to single one out as the favorite but I’m hoping that as a filmmaker I’m learning and developing as I go. So I’m hoping that the best is yet to come.

Do you think, given the heightened political correctness we've seen in the U.S. since the 1990s, that "Re-Animator" could have been produced and released today?

Yes I do think it could. I think that there is still a market and an audience for movies that go beyond what normal films do. It’s exciting for me to see films that are coming out now that are just as disturbing as "Re-Animator" in their own way. Films like "Audition," a Japanese film. I thought that was an amazing movie.

Are you surprised the following for "Re-Animator" has lasted this long?

I’m very surprised and pleased. When we made the movie we hoped that fans would like it but I never realized that it would end up becoming a cult classic. Now its reaching its third generation of audiences and it’s wonderful.

What's it like working for Fantastic Factory as opposed to Full Moon Pictures? What happened to your relationship with Full Moon? You had directed a number of films for them.

Well I just finished executive producing a project for Full Moon called "Deathbed," which is the story of a haunted bed. It’s directed by a very talented director named Danny Draven. So I’m still in touch Charlie Band and I’m still a fan of his work. Working with Brian Usted at the Fantastic Factory reminded me a great deal of the movies we made in Italy for Empire Pictures. Movies like "From Beyond" and "Dolls." It was a great experience and Brian was a great producer who encouraged me to go further than I’ve ever gone before in some of the sequences. He brings out the worst in me. (laughs)