INTERVIEW WITH MICHAEL BOWEN:
As the sheriff in “Walking Tall,” what’s it like to take on The Rock?
You don’t win going up against The Rock – ever. It just doesn’t happen.
What was the atmosphere like on the set?
I don’t want this to sound wrong, but it was very easy.
Explain ‘easy.’
The director, Kevin Bray, he created an environment where we could do some really good work.
Were you allowed to have any input into how your character turned out?
Oh absolutely, absolutely. He saw what, at least in my case, he saw what was coming and he just let me go. He increased the number of lines I had, so I guess I was doing the right thing (laughing).
What do you think about the theme of this movie, the ‘one man against society’ issue? Does it hold up as well in 2004 as it did in the 70s?
I haven’t seen the film yet so I don’t know. But the idea, I love the idea of it.
This isn’t considered a remake, is it?
It’s not really a remake. Basically they’ve reused the name and he’s carrying a big stick. I think that’s about it.
When you read the script, did you believe fans of the original would like what they’d see?
Yeah, I thought it was a brilliant business move, absolutely. You’ve got all the “Walking Tall” fans. You’ve got all Johnny Knoxville’s fans. I brought along my kids [tonight] because they want to see Khleo Thomas. And then The Rock’s fans. It’s a smart move.
You were in “Kill Bill Vol. 1.” Are you in “Kill Bill Vol. 2?”
Actually I just got a letter today giving them permission to use my stuff in there. So apparently I guess there’s some sort of flashback or I guess there’s a montage at the end or the beginning. I’m not sure.
Isn’t the whole movie pretty much a flashback?
Yeah, Quentin’s life is a flashback.
What’s he like on the set?
Quentin? It just doesn’t get any better than that. He’s God, man. He’s like one of the greats. They won’t figure that out for a couple more years but he’s truly one of the greats.
When you first heard about “Kill Bill,” was it the project itself or the fact it’s ‘Quentin Tarantino’ that sold it to you?
Well my brother is David Carradine – my half-brother – and when I was working on “Jackie Brown,” Quentin said, “God, someday I’m going to work with David.” And… I got them together. I brought him to a couple of screenings. They hit it off amazingly. It just came around like that. But I think that Quentin wanted Warren Beatty the first time. That was the original choice. But then as you see the movie, I haven’t seen “Vol. 2” yet, but there’s really nobody else except for David Carradine. You know what I’m saying?
So you’re responsible for bringing ‘Bill’ to Quentin?
I’m not really responsible (laughing).
You hooked them up.
They were both fans of each other so… But if you want to give me credit, sure I’ll take it (laughing).
INTERVIEWS FROM THE PREMIERE OF "WALKING TALL":
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson / Khleo Thomas / Neal McDonough
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
"Walking Tall" Photos, Trailer and Credits
"Kill Bill 2" Photos, Movie News and Websites
