The comic guru talks to High Definition Review about The Spirit, ahead of its Blu-ray release on 25 May.
High Definition Review: The movie seems like it had a fairly experimental production, and the cast seemed like they were encouraged to bring their own ideas to the table. Coming to directing comparatively late, were you more open-minded in your approach?
Frank Miller: Since everything was drawn, there was a structure there. My favourite part of directing is working with actors. The whole trick to directing – as I see it – is to surround yourself with people who are much better at their various crafts than you! So, working with talent like [Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson] - of course I’m going to want to hear what they have to say! The plan is to light the fuse, not plan the explosion.
HDR: You’ve assembled a hugely impressive cast by anyone’s standards. Were they literally queuing up to work with you?
FM: When I was talking to Scarlett I was enjoying her company, and I was getting her dry wit, and her comic timing. Those are aspects of Scarlett’s that I think have been under-used, to say the least. I looked at the character of Silken Floss and realised how funny that character could be – so I re-wrote it completely for Scarlett.
HDR: Gabriel Macht who plays the Spirit will be something of an unknown quantity for fans. Is that something you strived for?
FM: It’s something I insisted on. I wanted the Spirit to be introduced as “the Spirit”, not as the latest Tom Cruise vehicle… In fact, he was the hardest piece of casting we had. We had dozens of actors read for it, and Gabriel really stood out as the most heroic of the bunch.
HDR: How did he cope with the role?
FM: It’s human nature. We rise to the challenge. He and I talked about it early on. I told him that we’re going to be partners in this, and we could end up having a really miserable three months. We worked together really hard, and I watched him day by day fill that trench-coat out… emotionally. He was very impressive as the Spirit.
HDR: He’s certainly got the whole look down. He looks like a matinee idol…
FM: That was the exact term that I used!
HDR: The Spirit is the most unashamedly film noir movie since Sin City. Are there any other contemporary film noir that you admire?
FM: Modern film noir? Yeah, I enjoyed the Coen Brothers last one – No Country For Old Men – up until they skipped the climax…! But generally, I think, since way back in Body Heat people have gone for the superficial darkness of noir rather than the internal darkness. Tarantino’s got his own take on it – which works very well, but it’s an absurdist, wild take, and it’s based on the ‘70s more than the 1940s and 1950s – which are the years that I love the most.
HDR: There are an awful lot of costume changes in the movie…
FM: Right. In how many films do you get to swing from a Geisha to a Nazi?!
HDR: The difference between writing comic books and directing movies couldn’t be more pronounced. Are you looking forward to getting back to comics or are you enjoying yourself too much?
FM: I’m just an insufferably happy guy at both jobs. It’s all story-telling. As different as it seems, whilst cartooning is much more solitary, and film is much, much more collaborative, the same rules all apply. A good story is still a good story.
HDR: How far off is Sin City 2?
FM: The script is ready. I’ll be doing it with Robert [Rodriguez] and we’re just trying to work out how, where and when.
HDR: In the past you’ve mentioned a possible trilogy – is that still on the cards?
FM: Yeah, I’ve planned it as a trilogy.
HDR: You evidently had a great time working with Sam [Jackson] and Scarlett [Johansson] on The Spirit – what are the chances of those guys popping up in Sin City 2?
FM: [Smiles] I hope so.
HDR: You’re very well known for your Batman comic books. With so much uncertainty regarding Christopher Nolan’s future, would you be keen to get involved in the movie franchise if he decides not to continue as director?
FM: They’ve got my number. I’ve got my own version of the character, so who knows what could happen. I wrote the first draft for Batman: Year One, which became Batman Begins, so yeah, I’ve got an excellent relationship with Warner Brothers. The Batman franchise is such a big deal, and I’m known as a risk-taker, so we’ll have to see what happens. But first they’d have to call me up…
HDR: But never say never?
FM: No, I’m way too young for that!
Check out issue 19 of High Definition Review (on sale 07 May) to see what we made of The Spirit.
Following recent Blu-ray announcements For All Mankind and Repulsion, the Criterion Collection has announced that fans will be able to vote for its next high definition release. The US region-locked discs represent some of the best available versions of classic and important contemporary cinema, and now cineastes will be able decide, via Amazon.com whether Au Revoir Les Enfants, Down By Law, Howards End, Kwaidan, or Picnic at Hanging Rock will enjoy its BD debut next. Cast your vote here.
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