Spider-Man 2 (2004)
The Interview with James Franco
James Franco returns in Spider-Man 2 as Harry Osborn. He auditioned at first for the role of Spidey but when the lead was given to Tobey McGuire he impersonated his best friend. The 27-year old made his breakthrough as James Dean in a made-for-tv-movie. He wanted to leave right away after the interview but we urged him to stay for some autographs, which he then agreed to. Franco obviously had a hang-over. Probably to much partying with Daniel Gillies the other night, since he was bit sleepy too. But OutNow.CH doesn't mind. The interviews were great fun anyway.
» Das Interview auf Deutsch übersetzt
OutNow: How did your character evolve?
James Franco (JF): Well he always wanted the love and respect of his father and almost got it, right before he was killed. So now that he's gone, Harry's life is shattered in a way and the only way he knows to put it back together is to be successful as his father was or feels his father would want him to be. So he takes over his father's business but is looking for Spider-Man too.
ON: Do you think he is over Mary already?
JF: Yeah, I think that relationship will always be. He's always reminded and he sees Peter and Mary together.
ON: In playing your part, were you conscious of Willem Dafoe's work? Because you're sort of becoming him at the end of the movie.
JF: Willem was great and very distinct in the role but Harry's father Norman, played by Willem, at this point, is quite much a different character. He's much more sure of himself and a little darker. He's more evil minded I guess and Harry is still innocent in a lot of ways.
ON: Unsure of himself?
JF: Exactly. He's not very much like Norman at this point.
ON: You three guys, Kirsten, Tobey and you, are gonna be in the next sequel. Have you become friends already?
JF: Yeah. Well its my first sequel and when you work with someone you get to know them. I'm glad I made a sequel of Spider-Man because it's a great cast. And Tobey comes to my place. We get along well.
ON: Has Spider-Man changed your life already?
JF: I get recognized, but other than that not much has changed.
ON: Why do you think Spider-Man is the most popular among the MARVEL superheros?
JF: A couple of reasons. Spider-Man is a very original character. I think what they've done in the Spider-Man films is, that they really developed the human side of the story. So Peter's life outside of being Spider-Man is just as important being Spider-Man and the action of the film. That's what drives people in and that's what people can relate to ultimately: The human story.
ON: A superhero soap opera?
JF: Well, soap opera...
ON: Better?
JF: Yeah.
ON: How did you approach the fact that your character is a bad guy, but also nice guy. People pity you but they also hate you.
JF: Hate me?
ON: Yeah, because you're after Spider-Man in the first film. But still they understand the fact that you want to avenge your father.
JF: Yeah. Harry is very confused. I'm not defending his behavior, but a lot of his behavior is understandable because of the upbringing he's had and the father that he's had. So people can kind of sympathize in some ways, no matter if he does bad things.
ON: What future plans do you have before Spider-Man 3?
JF: We won't be filming Spider-Man 3 until January 2006. So my next film will be a movie that's called Annapolis It's about a naval academy in the United States and it's about boxing.
ON: You're the lead?
JF: Yes. And there will be Tristan & Isolde that we filmed last year. Love story, sword fights, that kind of thing. And a movie called The Great Raid about World War II.
ON: And you're directing yourself?
JF: I am. I directed two films this year. Low budget. Very satisfying. Based on stage plays that I wrote with my partner.
ON: Is it easier to do a low budget film or a big budget movie as an actor?
JF: I guess it's really just a matter of comfort. You don't have that much time. You don't have the same locations. But other than that. The acting is the same. If you have good people it doesn't matter what the budget is.
ON: To finish up we've got some keywords and you can answer back with a keyword.
ON: Promotion
JF: It's fine
ON: Tobey
JF: Nice Guy.
ON: Switzerland?
JF: Gorgeous.
ON: CGI
JF: -
ON: Sam Raimi
JF: Brilliant
ON: That's it. Thank you.
JF: Thank you.
