| About playing villains from ROBIN HOOD: PRINCE OF THIEVES: THE OFFICIAL MOVIE BOOK When Michael Wincott discusses his role as the cruel persecutor and occasional murderer of the poor, Guy of Gisborne, he wears a look of undisguised delight. "It's terrific to play an out-and-out villain." Wincott says. "The villains are always so much more interesting to play--and this guy is a real son of a bitch. What is fascinating is that this guy is so solitary; so very alone. That is even more interesting than the evil aspect. "I wish there was a way of showing more of Gisborne, but I am a realist. This movie is about Robin Hood and we don't want to confuse the central issue." But Guy will catch the eye. Wincott maximizes his character's dark side by wearing a costume of jet black and a constant, unblinking stare. Make-up supervisor Paul Engelen has also sculptured a savagely disfigured right ear, the result of a near- miss swordfight. Definitely a case of Gisborne looking like the bad Guy all right. "I find something new about Gisborne on each day we film," says Michael. "But as one day is never the same as the last, I am not the person to tell you whether I'm getting it right all the time." Was there any of the Robin Hood legend which was part of his own childhood? "No," says Michael. "I could not imagine anything about him that was a part of my background, which was an urban environment. Anything that romantic came from a world in your head or just books. Also, in terms of the way it was depicted in films we had the Errol Flynn version and that was it." He trained at one of America's most prestigious drama schools, Juilliard. With more than 20 major stage credits to his name, his particular admiration of theatre actors led to a special friendship with Morgan Freeman. "I went to see him in THE TAMING OF THE SHREW in New York and he was terrific, as always," he says. "He busted his ass in New York theatres for 22 years and there aren't many actors like that any more. Compared with that, films have advantages. Look at us, how lucky we are. Trailers and nice hotels. People to pamper you, guys asking if you want a coffee, all your needs cared for." Kevin Costner Interview - Total Film Magazine (ISSUE 51, APRIL 2001) Kevin Costner: When I played Robin Hood I knew the great role was Alan Rickman's and it didn't bother me. I always think that leading actors should be called the best supporting actors because you're the only person who can support somedbody like Alan and say "go for it-this is great". Interviewer: Were you hurt by stories that came out about you recutting Prince of Thieves because you thought Kevin Reynolds' cut put too much emphasis on Rickman? K: It was true that the studio wanted changes in the movie, but it was nothing to do with Alan; Alan was gold. There were things that the studio wanted - and they were not gonna necessarily be done by Kevin Reynolds. I: What specifically did the studio want changed about the film? K: They thought the relationship between Morgan Freeman and the Robin Hood character was stronger and funnier than Kev thought it was and they wanted to add some scenes back in. I didn't think they were wrong, but it wasn't my choice. I never went into the editing room on that movie. I think they wanted to show my allegiance to Kevin - would I walk away if they wanted to try some things? And I wasn't going to because they'd put up a lot of Money. But I'm a pretty convenient foil for a lot of people. I: Robin Hood was the second of three times you've worked with Kevin Reynolds. K: I think he's very talented. There's a question in a lot of people's minds but there's never been one in mine. I mean, two of our movies made almost 800 million bucks between them. |
| Interviews |