M500 INTERVIEW WITH TONY TODD AKA CANDYMAN



HODGE- Wow, where to start. According to rumors on the internet you've got a ton of films in the works! For a few years now I've been hearing about this "Minotaur" movie you're supposed to be in. Is this movie legit? Has filming already started?

TONY TODD- No, we start on November 29th. I just received the contract this week. I play a character called the Galleon. He's the prince of this mystical city, which is in the Underworld. Basically, I play the ruler of the beast.

HODGE- Tony, is this a remake of a film I watched many years ago that dealt with a labyrinth and a Minotaur creature, or something totally new?

TONY TODD- It's similar to that. Based on the Greek mythology of the creature, and I'm the King of the Labyrinth. It's going to be great. They have a decent budget and they've been working on the CGI and Animatronics for over a year now. They were supposed to start shooting last year but it got postponed. Now it's definitely going to happen because I signed a contract last week.

HODGE- I hear you're also set to star in a upcoming movie titled "Heart Of The Beholder", a film about one family's struggle to run a video store after they refuse to remove a controversial religious movie from the shelf. What role will you play in this film?

TONY TODD- I believe it's a star cameo role. I play CHUCK BERRY. We shot it 2 months ago. It's an independent. It's got a lot of heart. It's an important subject about censorship in America. It's based on a true story. It's based on the film "The Last Temptation of Christ". When that came out, their were some cities in the Midwest that refused to stock it. This guy was starting a video store and he almost went out of business when people started boycotting his store. Based on a basic American right. "Freedom of Speech". I haven't seen the film yet, but I like the director's passion. He raised his own money to shoot this. The writer and director was the actual video store owner. So this subject matter has been boiling within him for years.

HODGE- Can you enlighten us about an upcoming basketball film you're in? Is it a drama? What role will you play?

TONY TODD- Yeah it is a drama. It's called "Tournament of Dreams". We shot it about 10 months ago. It's based on a true story of a high school basketball team in California. Girls Basketball. It's a struggling program and I play a coach that gets recruited by his daughter who is one of the star players. Beyond the struggle of going for the championship, it's about building character in the girls. Teaching them that through basketball they will learn about teamwork, interplay, tenacity and it's strength. We also have a great soundtrack attached to it. Some great young talent. And many incredible basketball sequences.

HODGE- Is this film going to be in theatres Tony?

TONY TODD- Yes it is. The theatrical release date is not confirmed yet. It was one of my favorite roles in the last few years.

HODGE- You've appeared in such major Hollywood movies as- "Platoon", "The Crow", "Colors", "The Rock", "Wishmaster", "Final Destination 1&2", "Lean On Me", "Night Of The Living Dead" and of course the "Candyman" franchise. Out of all your acting experiences, which role are you most fond of?

TONY TODD- Well, "Platoon" will always be that little fond spot in my heart because it was my first film. I was just out of acting school. I had been working a couple years as a bartender in NY when I got that role. It totally changed my whole career. After it became successful Hollywood pretty much looked at everyone in the film as a great cast. Most of us have continued to work ever since then. Since 1987. I've been blessed. I've had some great experiences. I've been able to work with some incredible people for many years. "The Crow" was definitely a memorable experience, although tragic. "CANDYMAN" of course was a signature film. I try to go back and fourth between the big mainstream films. This allowed me to work with people I've always wanted to meet. And then the independents. Where the directors have more control over their stories and I'm able to take more chances.

HODGE- You've also landed roles in numerous popular T.V. shows like- "24", "Boston Public", "CSI Miami", "Angel", "THE X-FILES", "Charmed", "Smallville", "NYPD BLUE", all 3 incarnations of "Star Trek", and to many more to mention. Does having such a hectic T.V. show schedule affect your availability for film roles that come your way?

TONY TODD- Yeah. Sometimes you make a commitment to do something and invariably something else comes up ya know. I'm not going to mention the things that I've missed out on due to my unavailability. Usually I try to do one piece of theatre per year as well. The Theatre demands at least 3 to 6 months of your time. Invariably whenever I do that, something comes up and I'm not the kind of guy to jump ship. I love theatre to. I just wish it paid more in America. In Europe, actors can thrive doing "live" theatre. This is what develops and builds you as an actor. Because it is "live" and you're doing the same thing night after night. Which isn't a limiting thing, it allows you to increase the character. By the end of the run you know that person better than anybody. I think the best films are those that were based on theatre. For example, "A Street Car Named Desire". Mr. Brando got to live with that role for over a year before he did the film, and it shows.

HODGE- Although you're probably often recognized by your most obvious role as "Candyman", do you also get a lot of recognition by Star Trek fans as well?

TONY TODD- Which is incredible to believe, since I'm almost always covered in makeup. But you know, Star Trek fans are a deep and devoted fan base. Out of all the things I've done, the fan base is strongest with that. And they're very true, and very loyal to the whole concept that was created. So I was honored when I first got the chance to play Kurn. Very honored. It has allowed me to make an imprint in the convention circuit where you really get to interact with fans.

HODGE- Is it true that you supply the occasional narrative voice for certain horror films?

TONY TODD- I just started doing voice-over work with a great agency that's one of the best in the business. But it's not as much as you think. I did the campaign for "Final Destination" and a couple of video games. I'm trying to do more video game stuff because- A. I'm a gamer and B. my children are gamers. I try to do things that make them happy as well.

TONY TODD- Actors are a very unique community. We have to do a lot of things to stay afloat. You can go months from one major film to the next. And usually with any degree of success comes more expenditure. Such as Marriages, or Children, or just life. So I've been fortunate to make my living as an actor. I'm a very creative person. I'm also making another independent film called "Turntable" with friend of mine in Boston. He's an example of someone who years ago decided to buy his own equipment. Five Camera trucks, film equipment, etc. He shoots the films he wants to make, when he wants to make them. You gotta do that if you're a filmmaker. So eventually I want to take that same approach to selling my own stories. I actually trained as a writer when I was in school. So theirs stories that I have yet to even share with you.

HODGE- You're a very accomplished Theatre Performer. Some of your impressive performances were in the award winning "King Hedley II" and "Othello". Which form of acting do you prefer?

TONY TODD- Theatre hands down. Also with film, you know I love it. I collect films. I have over a thousand DVDs. But, it's a permanent thing. You shoot it and it lasts forever. Theatre seems to be more of a chameleon experience. The extra missing character is the audience itself. Depending on what they're feeling, and getting, and giving back. It changes from night to night. It's beautiful. It's like watching a garden grow.

HODGE- Last time I spoke with you at a convention, you mentioned a new "Prophecy" film you were going to be starring in. When is this film scheduled to be released?

TONY TODD- That I don't know. We shot that over a year ago in Romania. One of my favorite places in the world (sarcasm). I did get to see the original Dracula's castle when I was there. I play a continuation of the Christopher Walken character from the first film. I did see the rough footage of it. It looks fantastic. The good thing about Romania is that it looks like a crumbling European background. So we used a lot of scary old locations. The final scene is on a great European rooftop. It was one of the best finale's I've ever shot. It's going to be released by Dimension someday. I've asked my agent about it. They owe me a copy and I have yet to see it. But Hollywood never holds on to something that they own. We can't affect the things we can't control. It'll definitely be out. It's a good film. I doubt if it will be a theatrical release though. Doug Bradley(PINHEAD) also appears in both upcoming "Prophecy" films.

HODGE- Okay, now for the biggest question that's on the minds of your fans. Will their ever be a "Candyman 4"? You helped produce part 3, and the tone of that film seemed to really recapture the fans attention. I assumed a fourth one would be in the works by now. Any word on a possible "Candyman 4"?

TONY TODD- Yeah, I've been meeting with Clive, his representatives, and the production team. I know their was a rumor when the whole "Freddy vs. Jason" film came out that Miramax wanted to do a "Candyman vs. Hellraiser". I think Clive wisely opted against that. He didn't want either of those 2 characters to sell out for a commercial gain. He is very strongly interested in "CANDYMAN 4". That problem that is going on much like many backstage workings, is determining who owns the "CANDYMAN" franchise. Which is strange to me because it's Clive's Character? But in dividing the first "CANDYMAN's" profits, the ownership went from Propaganda, to Sony, to Columbia, then to Artisan. Then Artisan became Lions Gate. As soon as it's all straightened out and it's determined who has to be paid before the film even gets written, then the movie will move forward. But he has every intension and knows how much these fans really appreciate a true horror classic. We've been in active discussion about doing it. I know it will take place in New England. It will take place in a woman's college. I know we're going to use the seasonal elements such as snow. We're just waiting for the Go-Ahead to move forward. Hopefully it will be shot sometime next year. We're not gonna let it go. And if for some reason we can't get the character back from the powers that be, then we're going to re-create it. One way or another, Clive and I will be working together again. I can absolutely assure the fans of that.

HODGE- I've recently noticed a disturbing new clothing trend at horror conventions. People are selling shirts with the images and names of Real Killers on them such as Ed Gein, Jeffrey Dohmer, or Charles Manson. In recent interviews with actors in the Horror genre, I've asked actors what their opinion is on Real Murderers being marketed on clothing or even Todd McFarlanes recent action figure series of ancient notorious killers. What is your take on this new trend?

TONY TODD- I have a very strong opinion on that. I think horror is supposed to be a fantasy right? In my mind, horror is a flight of the imagination. Not something based on the atrocities of some real person. I think anything that would glorify someone that is clearly struggling between the affects of good and evil is not a good thing for our society. We need to be very careful. I mean lets face it, this is a business. Conventions are very good in the sense of being able to put the artist face to face with the fan. Sometimes I look around the convention floor and I realize exactly how much money is being generated and re-generated. Constantly. That's not what I'm in this for. We might as well of set up shop in the wasteland after the third World War and sell bottles of water for a fuckin hundred dollars ya know. I think theirs a small contingent of the horror fan base that may be a little misguided about what horror is. Horror is a flight of fancy. It's a film. And then some get closer to the term "snuff film" ya know. Where people can actually get real murders shot on tape in the Underground, and who needs that or any kind of sexual version. Let's keep it in the realm of fantasy and flight of imagination. Those are the best stories, whether it's horror or anything else. I don't like this whole habit they had a couple years ago about ripping made-for-TV movies right out of the news headlines. Like when they did the Sniper movies, or what happened in Washington DC, or even the O.J. Simpson story before the trial even happened. That's just the work of people who want to make a buck on people's fears. I don't like our current political process.

HODGE- That’s happening right now. Theirs a new show coming out or might already be on TV. It's about the current terrorist situation that isn't resolved yet. They're already making a show about it.

TONY TODD- Again, that's another element of Hollywood that's not necessarily creative. I hope I belong to the old school creativity force. To tell a good story, make sure that its fantasy, it's a figment of the imagination. If I'm going to do a biography, then I want to do a biography about people I respect. Like a Sam Cook story, or Marvin Gaye story, or another unsung hero in America. One of my favorite films that I shot was a film nobody remembers called "Black Fox". It was a western based on the true story of the first black federal marshal in this country. This was something that was expunged from our history books. I was able to give rest to a forgotten true hero. It starred me and Christopher Reeves. I'm getting ready to do another western next year called "Justice". So I get to return to that genre, which is one of my favorites actually. I also have a thing under development based on Joshua Henson, who was a real person that worked very passionately with the Underground Railroad. We're going to be shooting that in Buffalo and Canada.

TONY TODD- So that's where my future passion really lies. It's trying to find these stories. I'm a big Jazz fan and for years I've opted for a Lesser Young story. Who was a great Saxophonist and worked very closely with Billy Holiday. I was told that Jazz doesn't sell. Which I thought could fool the tens of millions of people. I guess it doesn't sell in terms of making 20 million a week. But it's not all about money is it?

HODGE- No. Some of the best films didn't have a huge budget. I like horror movies, but preferably the older ones. They didn't have the hi-tech CGI and this and that. They had to rely on a very deep in-depth story that was so rich with the characters. I love those movies.

TONY TODD- Story is everything. Without story you have nothing. Even though Hollywood is doing more horror films these days, I think sometimes they're selling the fan out with all the special effects. You have to leave something to the imagination. Your best scare is what's not said or seen ya know. It's leaving it to the audience's imagination to sort out what happened. That's the most frightening thing of all. It's like when you're on a rollercoaster. That first hill and you're going up. It's not about the way down; it's about the anticipation of what's going to happen. I'm a huge film buff, so I like the films that left things out like "Rosemary's Baby". Even though it was implied what was happening. It wasn't necessarily horrific. It was about OMG, if I were in that situation what could happen. If they were to do that movie today they would have some sort of Animatronic baby running around.

HODGE- With fangs and a spinning head I'm sure.

TONY TODD- Exactly. So, it's a fine line ya know. I think that's what made Bella Leguisi powerful in his instant carnation of Dracula. It's what he didn't do. Miles Davis said it best. It's not about playing the note. It's about playing what you don't hear. Playing what's on the offbeat. Anybody can play the song.

HODGE- I've read numerous rumors about a third "Final Destination" film. Possibly a "Final Destination 3-D"? I've also read that the movie might take place on a big boat?

TONY TODD- Yeah, that's what I've heard, but I have not seen the script yet. It's all a rumor so far. I know that they are going to do one. I think that's theirs some script issues. I haven't received the official call. I have not received the script. All I know is that they want me to be in it, if and when it's done. And they want to expand the character. That's all I've heard.

HODGE- That's great. The role you played was very mysterious. In the first one, you were in there. But in the second one…your role seemed much more devious and eerie. It was good. I liked it a lot. It kind of foreshadowed that you'll be more of a major player with a sinister plan in the next one.

TONY TODD- I'm pretty sure their will be another one. It was immensely profitable for them. Sometimes profit dictates what gets done. Whether it's really feasible to do a 3-D movie is yet to be seen. You have to understand that would make it more of a novelty. People would be walking into the theatre putting on the glasses. Okay, that's great for the first film but what about the afterlife. It sounds good "Final Destination 3-D". Sometimes movies get created first in the marketing department, and then the story gets built around it. But the creators of that are brilliant writers. They just wrote the first one and then moved on. They've got a movie coming out called "Saw". Have you heard about that?

HODGE- I did see a trailer for that. It looks very good. A very disturbing movie!

TONY TODD- Yeah. That's Morgan and Wong, who created "Final Destination". They started with "X-Files".

HODGE- Really? I didn't know that. The early "X-Files" years were incredible. Was that around the time that you appeared on the "X-Files"?

TONY TODD- Yeah. That was one of my favorite television experiences. It was good and I did it when the show was fresh.

HODGE- What's the scoop on this new film you shooting right now called "Shadow"?

TONY TODD- Well, if it works, I think it's going to be very interesting for the fans. We're filming at an actual prison called Homesburg State Penitentiary in PA. It's an amazing complex. On my first day I met the commissioner of Prisons who took me on a tour and told me some of the incidents in this place. Including the murder of the Warden and Deputy Warden in 1973 I believe. And you can really feel the spirits in this place. Then I did some research of my own and apparently some medical experiments were done by the local university and the prison. I guess theirs some pending lawsuits going down. That being said, we have the environment of the prison. We have this new character we're trying to create. He's basically a self created vampire who starts controlling the existing prisoners and turning them into zombies. And you have the chick factor. The prison transforms from a hardcore men's facility to a new age woman's facility. So you then have every stereotype going on. So you have all those elements horrifically. Then they have this guy named Tony Leone. Who's our stunt coordinator, and he's the president of the Hong Kong Stunts Association. This guy first worked with Bruce Lee on "Enter the Dragon". He's then worked with Jackie Chan, Jet Lee, Chow Yun Fat, and so on. His biography includes over 100 films. He's doing the fighting stuff. For some of this we're doing wire work similar to "Crouching Tiger". We're doing Hardcore Kung Fu stuff. I'm learning techniques of the Hong Kong film makers. If you're a martial arts fan, look out. So we have all these elements put together. We have incredible animatronics sequences. It's a low budget film, but it's very ambitious. I think it could be a sleeper hit. And they're also trying to get a hardcore soundtrack to go along with it. I know they want to have this out before early summer. Theirs other talk to. They have the option to do a video game as well. The website will be up soon. The scene I'm shooting in a few hours is my electrocution scene, which precedes the film.

HODGE- What role do you play in this film Tony?

TONY TODD- I'm "The Shadow". I'm this guy who is in death row. My character started doing occult studies. On the dawn of my execution I was able to remove my spirit and wait for the right time. When it becomes a woman's prison, my daughter arrives. Then I'm able to enter the spirit into the Prison. We finally just shot the final combat sequences between us. It took us 3 days. If it's any indication, I had to get on the wire 3 times. From that point of view it's very exciting. We have lots of blood, zombies, Hong Kong fighting, etc. At a prison. It's a real environment. The one thing that's for sure, when fans see it it's not a fake set. It's real. When it comes to DVDs we're shooting a ton of extra footage. Such as a tour of the prison. Also real internal stuff with the camera's inside the makeup process. Fangoria magazine just came to the set yesterday. Rue Morgue is coming tonight. I'm supposed to wrap it up tonight and tomorrow night. I may work one extra day on Monday. You should come on by for an on-set visit.

HODGE- I'd be honored Tony!

HODGE- Well, that about does it for the questions. I've followed your career for years and this was definitely an honor for me! Any last words for your fans reading this?

TONY TODD- Well, I think that's all the current new I have for now. God Bless Everybody. And may the work continue. Thanks Mike.

---