I was talking to Kevin Smith at the premiere of “The Bourne Supremacy” and asked him about “Southland Tales” being a musical – and asked if he sings in it. He said there's only one song. I know I've asked you before about the musical aspect of the film, and you also got the question during the “Donnie Darko” Q&A.. That 'musical' tag is sticking. Is there really only one song?
Well, he hasn't read the newest draft (laughing). It really isn't a musical, but it kind of is. To me, it's a musical because of the way I'm going to photograph the film. It's complicated, it's complicated. When you read the script you're like, “This really isn't a musical.” It's more in the style in which I'm directing the film. That's the best way I can describe it.
That's being really cagey.
(Laughing) I have to be cagey because it's all still coming together.
Have you disclosed what your budget is on “Southland Tales” yet?
No, no, no, no.
Are we talking high 20's?
I wish.
Not even? With the cast you've got?
I have bad numbers [referring to the box office figures of “Donnie Darko”]. My numbers are not good. I'll be lucky to get every penny that I get. I don't know what the end budget is going to be.
What's the most bizarre rumor you've heard about “Southland Tales,” besides that it's totally a musical?
I think what gets me, is it bugs me out when people are judgmental of actors. They think that just because someone's been in a teen film or something that they're not worthy. But that's just me excited about hopefully proving people wrong. There hasn't been too many rumors yet about it, but maybe there will be (laughing). But I'm definitely itching to get back behind the camera. It's been too long and it's driving me nuts. If I don't direct a film soon, I'm going to go postal. You don't want to see that (laughing).
Speaking or rumors and bad information, one thing I wanted to clear up is your age. Looking at articles on the Internet, your age is listed anywhere between 23 and 30. Someone even printed that you were 29 when you wrote “Donnie Darko,” which isn't possible.
No, I was 25 when I directed “Donnie Darko” – I'm 29 now. Fact-checking…I was born in 1975.
I heard you'll be 'supervising' the adaptation of “The Contortionist's Handbook.”
Yeah, I'm probably not going to be doing the adaptation myself. It's a matter of having the time. We would like to get a draft sooner rather than later. I'm excited, actually, to work with another writer, but I'll be very involved.
Who is the writer?
We haven't decided yet. We're still searching.
Where does it fall in your line of projects?
It's definitely up there. There's a lot of other scripts – there's “Into the Great Wide Open” and there's “Bessie.” I don't know for sure.
“Bessie” is still in the works?
Oh yeah, her wrath will be felt hopefully before the next three or four years. Fear her!
And “Knowing” is totally out of the picture now?
I don't know. I mean, I don't know if they'll ever come back to me for “Knowing.” I don't own the screenplay. I don't own the project. They might go and find another director. Maybe they'll ask me to do it again. It was just… I think the project was like literally happening and then it all fell apart. We just have to wait for something to happen.
How far have you gotten on the screenplay to “The Box?”
“The Box” - we're hopefully almost done with the script. Eli [Roth] is doing his thing right now. We want to get the script just right, but it's all ready to go.
With the start of filming delayed for “Southland Tales,” does that affect “The Box?” Eli has said he wanted you to be on the set while he was filming it.
I don't know. I think it's all about getting the script right right now. I would love to be on the set for Eli. I don't think he needs me there, but I would love to be there. I think he knows how to conduct himself. I mean, what he did on “Cabin Fever” for $1.3 million is incredible.
There are so many people who don't get that movie.
It's a great comedic satire of a horror film. It was really energetic and it had an incredible pace and camerawork and music. It was incredibly well done. It was a very smart, smart piece of satire.
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RICHARD KELLY RESOURCES:
Q&A from a Special San Diego Screening of "Donnie Darko"
Richard Kelly Interview - The Director's Cut of "Donnie Darko"
Richard Kelly Interview - "Southland Tales," "The Box," "Domino," and "Cat's Cradle"
