Robert Joy Talks About "Land of the Dead" and "The Hills Have Eyes"

Robert Joy on Playing a Good Guy in George Romero's "Land of the Dead:" "It’s great. I was in a movie called 'The Dark Half' where I played kind of a sleazy bad guy in that movie, so I was honored when he called me to play in this one. We just had a really good time working on 'The Dark Half' in the small role that I played and he felt - and I’m flattered that he felt – that I could invent something to make Charlie come off the page. We both had a great time working on it. He’s such a great collaborator."

On the Training He Underwent to Get Ready for "Land of the Dead:" "Simon Baker and I had to go into a firing range and get used to shooting a whole range of weapons. Mostly what I had to look good at was that one rifle that I fired, but that took some doing. It used to be that whenever I’d use a gun in a movie I’d wince when I shot it. Charlie has to be so used to it that it wouldn’t affect him at all."

Walking Around on a Set Filled with Zombies: "You know, it is surreal and the longer you do it and the later it gets at night… We did night shoots and so you’d find yourself two hours before dawn, you’d been there for 12 hours already and you think, 'Oh my God.’ And then you’re surrounded by zombies and the freakiest thing is when they’re in the Craft Service truck eating the snacks. The zombies eating the same Cheetos that you’re eating. It puts you off your food a little bit."

Why Audiences are Still Attracted to Zombie Movies: "You know I wonder. There’s something about… You know George really touched a nerve obviously with 'Night of the Living Dead' because I think it’s got something to do with the zombies being very close to what we are, but far enough away that we can look and say, 'If that’s what a zombie is, what is a human? What am I compared to that? How much like that am I and how much am I different from a zombie?'

In 'Dawn of the Dead' in the shopping mall, [Romero] really makes you wonder because you see that it's just like me and my family going to the shopping mall. George does the same thing in this movie with his zombies. You always see people doing stuff that’s very familiar. Like there’s a bride zombie, and a preacher zombie, and a gas station attendant."

Robert Joy's Upcoming Movie - A Remake of "The Hills Have Eyes:" "I almost brought my teeth because I’ve got this horrible, disfigured mouth in that. I am going to be a bad guy in that one."

The Original Wes Craven Movie vs. the Remake: "I think it’s very close. I haven’t seen the original but it’s very, very close."

Joy on His Character in "The Hills Have Eyes: "I play a character called Lizard and he’s one of the mutant clan that lives in the mines and they waylay travelers and cannibalize them. It’s pretty intense. It’s like a little baby movie – no, don’t go bringing your children to it (laughing)."