Simmons returns in "Spider-Man 2," and this time his character's son enters the scene as MJ's love interest.
INTERVIEW WITH JK SIMMONS:
With the first film being such a huge record-breaker, do you feel any pressure?
No. I just show up and goof around. There’s no pressure on me. The pressure’s on Sam [Raimi] and remarkably Sam doesn’t act like he’s under pressure.
People are saying this one is even better than the first movie. What’s better this time around?
Well I think there’s even more action in this one because we get into the action much sooner. We don’t need to meet all these characters, we’ve already met most of them. There’s tons of actions, and the little chunks that I did get to see during shooting were amazing. And then, you know, the office scenes – there’s a little more for us to do in this movie and we had a great time.
Can you talk about working with Tobey Maguire?
Tobey’s great. He’s been out there flying around and doing all the other stuff, kissing the girl, and then he comes and sits in a chair and gets screamed at for a week or two when we’re doing the office scenes. He’s great. He really jumps on the moving train that is the office and has a good time. He’s a perfectly nice young fellow.
Do we see your character outside of the office this time?
Yeah, I actually get to go breathe some of that fresh New York air. No, wait a minute… I’m outside of the office but I’m not actually outside.
You’re not outside the building?
I’m at two different social events inside other buildings.
Interesting. You’ve worked with Sam Raimi prior to working with him on the first “Spider-Man” movie. Is that connection what drew you to the movies in the first place?
Yeah, we were working together on a movie called “The Gift” when word got out that he was doing “Spider-Man.” And all my friends were jumping on me about, “Oh, you should be the bad guy in ‘Spider-Man.’ Go hit up Sam.” And then a couple of months later he asked me if I’d be interested in the part. I auditioned and everything and then [that was it].
Audiences love this character. Why do they love him so much?
You know, he’s like the guy you love to hate or hate to love or whatever. He gets to just scream and say whatever he wants and be the mean boss that we’d all secretly like to be.
With the addition of your onscreen son, does that mean we see the character in a ‘father’ type role?
We actually don’t share any scenes, really. But I’m acting the part of the proud father but you don’t see the two of us interacting.
You’re going to be appearing at a sci-fi convention soon. Does that type of thing – the conventions and promotional appearances – really help sell this movie?
You know what? I don’t know. Seriously, I just show up when they tell me to show up if I can. Try and do my thing and go home and play with my kids. I know as little about show business as anybody here right now, I promise.
Does the fanaticism of the fans amaze you?
No. I think it inspires that. It’s a great character and it was so well-realized in the first movie.
Do you have any insight into the third “Spider-Man” movie?
No, just that it’s happening and that it’s going to be out three years from now. They’ll take an extra year to make the third one.
ADDITIONAL "SPIDER-MAN 2" RESOURCES:
Interviews from the "Spider-Man 2" World Premiere - Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst & Sam Raimi / Cliff Robertson / Producer Avi Arad / Writers Miles Millar & Al Gough / Musician Christopher Carrabba from Dashboard Confessional
"Spider-Man 2" Photos, Trailer, News and Credits
