The actor dishes out an exclusive 1-on-1 for the first time since wrapping the latest in the horror franchise!
Tobin Bell plays the iconic horror villain Jigsaw in the gruesome Saw series of films. Tonight, I went to a function to celebrate the wrapping of Saw IV and noticed Tobin drinking mineral water at the bar by himself. I guess the other people in the room were a little apprehensive about approaching him at first.
He doesn't scare me, though. I asked the man if I could grab him for a quick interview and he sat me down in a booth to give his first exclusive one-on-one since wrapping the film.
Here is what the actor had to say:
The first thing I got to know is, how many more of these movies does Jigsaw have left in him before he kicks the bucket?
Tobin Bell: Well, you know that I've been dead since the beginning. I was dead on the floor. Did you see Saw One?
Of course I did.
Tobin Bell: I was dead on the floor. I've been dead since the very beginning. Its kind of amazing that I'm still alive and kicking. I will tell you what. I will answer that question. The question is, "How many more sequels will Jigsaw be in?"
Yeah.
Tobin Bell: I think there is an unlimited number that Jigsaw can be involved in. It's just a question of story. And how that story plays out. But you will find out in the very first scene of Saw IV what his condition is at the beginning of the film.
If he is faking it, how does he suffer through someone working on his brain like at the end of Saw III?
Tobin Bell: That's a good question. You'll see right at the beginning of Saw IV.
Will we see any more of Jigsaw's love interest, the mystery girl that comes to him in the flashback while his brain is being worked on?
Tobin Bell: What makes you ask that? Is that something you are interested in?
What do you mean?
Tobin Bell: Was that little flashback interesting to you?
I found it very interesting, then they didn't go any further with it.
Tobin Bell: Oh, okay. That's right. That's right. You are going to find out more about that in this film. That's why I asked you. Yeah, you will find out who she is. But you just never know how things register in people's minds. Especially when something comes up as quickly as that did. So, that's good. I'm glad you were interested in that.
Can you tell me anything about your favorite kill scene in this movie?
Tobin Bell: There are a couple of traps in this film that are pretty amazing. All I can say is, I think the one with Cecil is pretty amazing. You will remember that I told you this when you see Cecil die in the film.
Can you tell me anything about Cecil's character?
Tobin Bell: I can't really tell you that. Uh, Cecil is a guy...(Being coy) Let's see, did we meet Cecil in a previous Saw? Have we met Cecil before? Or is this the first time we have met him? I think this is his first film, but I wouldn't be surprised if we see more of him.
In the third one, they cleared up a lot of the continuity problems that some people have had a problem with. One of the things we haven't learned yet is, in the first film Jigsaw was taking puzzle pieces out of people's backs. That seems to be a discontinued plot point. Are we going to figure out what Jigsaw was doing with those puzzle pieces of flesh?
Tobin Bell: Mmm-hmm. Yeah. We will. One of the interesting things about Saw is that you don't find out about things in sequential or linear order. One of the things that fans have liked a lot is, we don't forget about details. They come back and reveal themselves as the story evolves. So, yes you will find out more about those jigsaw pieces.
One of the things my friends and me have talked about is that, other film franchises have intermingled with each other. We have Freddy vs. Jason and the like. Is there any other franchise villain that could go up against Jigsaw? Could he possibly find himself in a Hostel?
Tobin Bell: No. I really understand when people talk about him as some sort of horror icon. In my mind, I don't think he views himself in that way. I certainly don't view him in that way. As some kind of giant horror guy. I always try to work on the humanity in any character that I play, and that includes Jigsaw. I just don't have that perspective on him. I understand that people do. When you say, "Go up against." I imagine two lawnmowers coming at each other. I don't have that kind of view of him. My view on him is one of tremendous delicacy. I don't think he would probably do very well going up against anybody. Certainly neither one of those guys. If he has any strength, its in is commitment and determination. And in his intellect.
How do you feel about all the popularity you've received from this? Are you happy to be a horror icon?
Tobin Bell: I'm very happy to be a part of a very successful piece of art, as the Saw films have been. One gets into this to participate. It's the coming together of a good story. So, that aspect of it has been just splendid. It really has nothing to do with me, or my popularity. I'm fascinated. Groups of skateboarders come up to me and start to talk to me about the Saw movies. And generally, they talk a lot about the concepts that are in the films. I'm always interested in that. They don't talk that much about the traps. They talk about things like, when I said to Detective Daniels in Saw II, "How would you live your life differently if you knew the exact moment of your own death?" These are twelve year olds. And they are talking about appreciations of blessing. Things like that. So, yeah. I ask them what they like about the films. And they say, "Wow, they're so crazy. And they are so real. And they teach you stuff." And I'm like, "What?" And they start to talk about some of the concepts that get interspersed between the murder and the mayhem. I find that far more interesting than anything to do with my popularity. Whatever that is. I don't think about that sort of thing. I try to bring as much as I can every single moment we are on that set. If it works out well, that's great. So far it has been a wonderful opportunity, and I feel very pleased about it.
There's nothing you can tell me about the movie?
Tobin Bell: About Saw IV? I think Darren is going to talk more about the storyline than I am able to. I will be interested to hear what he has to say about it. I think you get to meet some new characters in it. Some people that Jigsaw has been connected to and in touch with during a protracted period of time that we have never met before. That having been said, you meet new characters, but they also fill in some of the details from the previous stories. Which I think is always fun.
Any chance we'll see Jigsaw in space?
Tobin Bell: There's always a chance. You never know what Hollywood is going to do.
Do you frequent the drive-in?
Tobin Bell: Oh, yeah. Sure. You mean a drive-in restaurant or a drive-in movie?
The movies.
Tobin Bell: I grew up on drive-ins. I haven't been to one for a while.
Do you think it would be a good idea to have the premier for this at a drive-in?
Tobin Bell: I don't know. Ask Mark. He would probably know about that. I don't know if a drive-in would be right for Saw. This movie is too much for some people. I think a drive-in is the wrong environment. Yeah.
Lionsgate Planning Saw 4 Release Next Halloween Monday, October 30th, 2006 - "It's the biggest no-brainer of the century to put these movies out on Halloween weekend and wait for the money to roll in.."
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