Video:Paul Bettany Interview - Priest at WonderCon 2011

Transcript:Paul Bettany Interview - Priest at WonderCon 2011

Rebecca Murray from About.com Hollywood Movies on Screen Gems' 2011 WonderCon 'Priest' Press Line.

Paul Bettany - Priest

How do you feel about the 3D footage screened at WonderCon?

Paul Bettany: "How do I feel about the 3D? I saw the movie in 2D about a month ago - the whole movie in 2D - and I was so blown away and happy. And then last night, I've heard a lot about post conversions and stuff, and I was so blown away by the result. And I'm really glad that we were able to shoot this movie on 1970s anamorphic lenses, the most beautiful lenses ever in cinema, so you have a film made as a 2D film and then we were able to spend the time to convert and not rely on. I think the punch that it gives to the movie is extraordinary."

I love the fact that it's not a vampire movie per se. It has vampires in it, but it's not a vampire film. How would you describe it?

Paul Bettany: "A sci-fi action thriller, I think."

And re-teaming with Scott Stewart for the second time?

Paul Bettany: "It's a joy. I love working with directors a second time. I have a history of it. But, you know, Scott and I we've become dear friends. I think he's an immense talent and it was so great after a movie where we had so little money to make Legion, suddenly he was like a kid with all of this dough, frankly, that he could actually realize his vision on screen. I think he's done an extraordinary job. I'm really proud of him."

Have you gotten the action stuff out of your system now and you're ready to go back to straight dramas?

Paul Bettany: "I went and did one straight afterwards. You know, I'm like a child with a very short attention span. I've got to have both things in my work life. And whenever somebody tells me I can't do something, I've got to go and do it like a punk. Somebody says, 'You know, Paul, you're never going to be the action guy.' 'Right!' Off down to the gym I go. It's been a lot of fun. I'm not quitting, but then I'm also not quitting dramas."

A lot of people have never heard of Priest the comic before. Do you have to know the background at all?

Paul Bettany: "Not at all. In fact, our movie has almost nothing to do with Priest the comic. Min-Woo Hyung has made a bridging story to bridge both legends. Our film takes place in the future of the 16 books that he wrote and drew. The tattoo of the cross on the forehead is an homage to the original Priest, Ivan, who has a scar of a cross on his forehead. But, yeah, you don't need to know anything about that. But he started writing and drawing new Priest comics which are great - I've seen them."

And you're ready for Priest 2 then?

Paul Bettany: "Yeah. I mean that's up to everybody. If people come to see the movie, we'll make another one. It's so much fun."

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