Dominic Sena Interview - Whiteout Movie
Whiteout doesn't hit theaters until 2008, but Warner Bros Pictures gave audiences a sneak peek at what's in store by bringing director Dominic Sena and Whiteout star Kate Beckinsale to the 2007 San Diego Comic Con to talk about the movie.
Transcript: Dominic Sena Interview - Whiteout Movie
Rebecca Murray from About.com Hollywood Movies at the 2007 San Diego Comic Con.
Director Dominic Sena - Whiteout
Do you approach doing something inspired by a comic book any different than you would any other film?
Dominic Sena: "No, you know. I was a fan of the comic book, had been for years since it first came out. But I looked at the script. The script was what evolved from the comic book so it really was a 120 page script to deal with. I mean, I knew the comic book and so I knew what the spirit of it was. I sort of came to the script and made some adjustments, some tweaks, brought some changes to it. But we approached it the same way. I wanted to tell a real story. This isn't Sin City graphics, sort of bring the comic book to life. It's telling the story in a very real way."
So it will be faithful to the comic book for people who people who like the comic but those who haven't read it, like myself – unfortunately, are going to understand the story, right?
Dominic Sena: "Absolutely. There's a first, second and a third act. It's a mystery thriller. I love the environment. It's rarely been seen, the Antarctic. I just love the idea of setting this murder mystery in a place so alien and inhospitable and unforgiving. I mean, every time you're walking out the door, you're taking your life in your hands."
Why do you think the Antarctic isn't the subject of many films?
Dominic Sena: "You know, it's a brutal environment to film in. It's difficult to bring to the screen. And also I guess there are only so many stories you can tell there. It's a very sort of remote place with a little group of people. The Thing I think was one of the last films that actually took place in this sort of environment. But that's what I loved about it. Just the fact that it takes place in this world is challenging and it's exciting, and people haven't seen it. So it's a chance to do something fresh and bring something different to the screen. Rather than if you told the story in San Diego or LA it would have been fairly conventional. But to tell the same murder mystery in a place that alien is a whole new ballgame."
What makes Kate Beckinsale so perfect for this character?
Dominic Sena: "You know, she's great because, well, number one, she's just a great actress. She's pro, she's British, she comes prepared. She knows her lines. She's willing to do whatever it takes to do it. What was good was that she had come from Underworld - the two Underworld films and was looking for an opportunity to do something that had even more meat on the bones. She gets to play a character who has flaws. This time, some of the demons she's chasing are her own."
Did you put her through a lot of action sequences?
Dominic Sena: "We put her through the grind. I think the wounds have healed by now. I haven't seen her yet today, but I hope she forgives me. I hope she's still not mad at me."
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