The Quentin Tarantino/Robert Rodriguez collaboration, Grindhouse, isn’t hitting theaters until April 2007 but it’s already one of the most buzzed about movies of the upcoming year. Based on the reaction to the clips shown at the 2006 San Diego Comic Con, Tarantino and Rodriguez fans won’t be disappointed by their latest joint project.
Grindhouse borrows its title from the nickname given to old movie theaters that would run double or triple features continuously, without a break between films. As a homage to grindhouses theaters Tarantino and Rodriguez each directed 60 minute films, which will be joined together by faux ads and trailers. Tarantino directs the slasher film Death Proof; Rodriguez is at the helm of Planet Terror.
While promoting David Ayer’s gritty drama Harsh Times, Freddy Rodriguez answered a few questions about his role in the Grindhouse movies. Rodriguez had just wrapped work on the Tarantino/Rodriguez project and, after four months of filming, admitted he was ready to relax and take a break.
Are you in both films or just the Robert Rodriguez segment?
“I’m in Rodriguez’ but Quentin also worked on Rob’s. They kind of worked on each other’s films so in a sense I was working with both of them as I was doing Robert’s film.”
And you’re the lead in Planet Terror?
“I am. Rose McGowan, Michael Biehn, Josh Brolin…”
Does it get crazier than the Comic-Con footage?
“You saw me running up the wall and doing back flips, slicing people’s necks with a knife. That’s just the tip of the iceberg, man. It gets a lot crazier than that. It’s Robert Rodriguez, man. It’s Quentin Tarantino. You never know what to expect from those guys. For them to allow you to see that, you know that’s only the tip of the iceberg. They’re not going to give away the A-game in the beginning. You’re going to see a lot more than that.”
Rose McGowan gets a machine gun leg. Do you get something cool?
“I don't know. You saw me slicing people’s necks and running up walls and doing back flips… I’m the quintessential action hero in that film.”
How did you get involved in Grindhouse?
“For Grindhouse I auditioned only because that’s their MO to begin with. For that film in particular, I don't think I fall into the action hero stereotype. When you look at me, I don't think the first thing you think is, ‘Yeah, that guy looks like an action hero.’”
What’s the appeal of working with Robert Rodriguez?
“It’s just he’s a visionary. He doesn’t sit there and say, ‘Oh yeah, he looks like an action [hero].’ He doesn’t even care about that stuff. There’s something about you that he likes, that he feels he can incorporate into his films, and that’s what he cares about. He doesn’t care about what Hollywood thinks is the next action hero. That’s evident in his whole setup. He’s become completely self-sufficient. He’s created his own Hollywood in Austin.”
