Hit the jump for the interview.
How does it feel revisiting this movie 10 years out?
He just sees the door in the background that didnt quite work that day.
Its sort of the curse of the filmmaker.
And as James said, there are a lot of things inSawthat were thrown together.
It was a cheap film, and that was the point - to make a cheap film.
Image via Lionsgate
But its hard for us now to watch it, though at least were laughing about the mistakes.
And the success of the film has given us license to do that.
If it had made $200,000 it would be a different story.
Image via Lionsgate
WHANNELL: Yeah, yeah.
JAMES WAN: We would be so bitter!
Its a very strange thing to have other people take something youve created and take it in another direction.
Image via Lionsgate
Its a strange feeling to be driving down Sunset Blvd.
and see a billboard to a film that is a sequel to something you created.
It all started with us and now someone else had taken over.
Every Halloween it would happen, and I found it very strange.
WAN: The whole thing started in our bedroom, where I designed the doll.
And the first film almost feels homemade.
WHANNELL: And were affectionate about the sequels.
I think the firstElm Streetmovie I saw wasDream Warriors.
And those teenage years, you kind of lose track.
I had this one friend who was into horror who was allowed to watch these types of films.
We would lose track.
It didnt even matter.
WAN: Funny you should mention that, its what people say about theSawfranchise too!
WHANNEL: Thats what I was going to say.
WAN: Thats what Im hoping for.
I didnt want to change it too much, I didnt want to change the look too much.
But I just wanted to fix things here and there, thats too dark and thats too bright.
WHANNELL: Especially the first one.
WAN: Its really interesting.
Brian Collins and I had this conversation recently where the movie in some places plays like a drama.
The characters sit around and they actually chat.
And Brian pointed out to me that, compared to the sequels, its a very minimal film.
And it actually is.
When I go back to it, its so minimal.
WHANNELL: The fact thatSawis called torture porn is something…
I think the film got that label from the sequels as they got more and more gory.
The first one is more about the idea.
WAN: Watching it again, its not gory at all.
There are barely any scenes with gore because we couldnt afford it.
WHALE: Its hard for me to have any annoyance when thinking about the word torture porn.
When I think of it, I think about our movie and our dreams coming true.
TheInsidiousandConjuringfranchises are largely bloodless.
WHANNELL: That’s true.
And I think that “torture porn” is a phrase that the mainstream press glommed onto.
They were just never successful in the mainstream like this one was.
Leigh, you’re in post onInsidious: Chapter 3right now.
When I was on set I was very impressed with what I saw.
It looked “big” to me.
I really hope so.
WAN: [laughs]
WHANNELL: And then I got on set and was answering these questions.
I had no idea what I was doing.
And like anything in life, sometimes the opportunity is there before you think you’re ready for it.
It’s like having a child, you just learn as you go.
I wasn’t sure I wanted to direct “Part 3” of anything.
So I’m standing there thinking, “wow.
Hardly anything gets released in theaters anymore.”
It’s eitherThe Avengersor one of these Blumhouse movies.
WHANNELL: iTunes is now your local independent theater.
And when I went to set to visit Leigh, it was amazing.
It was like watching a guy who had directed many movies before.
I was envious of how relaxed he seemed on set!
And to see how creative he is with the set pieces too.
How was it acclimating to that and how is it coming together now?
It doesnt matter how big or small your film is, you still dont have enough money.
You dont have enough time to shoot it.
ButFast 7is definitely the hardest movie Ive had to do in my career.
ThatFast 7is the hardest movie hes ever had to make as well in his entire career.
And its very true.
But I think the final product will surprise a lot of people.
Its that hardest film Ive ever had to make but its also the one Im proudest of.
Im really proud of this film.
