In this interview from "Runaway Jury's" World Premiere, Davison provides a little insight into how he prepared for the role, what it was like on the "Runaway Jury" set, and even provides a few details of his upcoming miniseries, "Kingdom Hospital."
BRUCE DAVISON:
Did you do any research for this role?
Well, I’ve played a number of lawyers before and I had done research. I did a lot of research on gun control, which was the issue that I was arguing - the 2nd Amendment. I did a lot of reading and stuff on that because finally, I’m just a little peg in the story and it’s real important that I look like I know what I’m doing. And I watched a lot of Louisiana lawyers, too.
What do you think about switching the topic of "Runaway Jury" from tobacco to guns?
I think it’s going to be kind of seamless. I think that right now people are concerned about it because people are real religious about John Grisham and the books that they’ve read. But they did "The Insider," and I think that this is a heist movie and the jury is the jewel box, and I think it fits quite well. It’s also just as timely.
What is it about Grisham's writing that makes it so attractive to an actor?
I think his ability to really get at the truth of an issue, and that’s what an actor always tries to do with his character.
How was playing opposite Dustin Hoffman?
It's a dream come true.
Were you allowed much freedom with this character?
We were allowed to work on our opening and closing statements a bit. We were allowed to work things.
Did you add much to the statements?
Yeah, Dustin and I both. It was fun for us to try and top each other. That was a great opportunity that Gary Fleder helped us with.
You also have a Stephen King miniseries coming up.
Yes, Kingdom Hospital on ABC in February.
And you play a doctor?
Yes, I am the Head of Neurosciences.
Is it a spooky, scary, thriller, Stephen King-ish thing?
Yes, keep going... (laughing)
Okay (laughing). What’s it about?
Oh gosh, "ER" meets "The Shining" meets "Twin Peaks," meets a little "Monty Python." It’s sort of what's science, what is the unknown, and where is the meeting ground in the middle and who survives and who doesn’t - and who is alive and who isn't.
ADDITIONAL "RUNAWAY JURY" PREMIERE INTERVIEWS:
John Cusack ('Nick Easter'), Rachel Weisz ('Marlee'), and Dustin Hoffman ('Wendell Rohr')
Cliff Curtis ('Frank Herrera')
Nora Dunn ('Stella Hullic')
