Obviously you're there on the set, experiencing "Army of the Dead" up close and personal, and as such, you get a look at the movie magic. But I can't help but think, looking especially at the zombie king and queen, that it must be a little bit frightening and maybe give you nightmares even though you know in your mind that they're actors under there.
Okay. I'm going to be honest with you. On set, so the makeup was incredible. They would spend hours in the makeup chair, getting ready. They were so convincing, and it was very helpful to have them on set. But then we would drink at night, have cocktails with them. And so, it was kind of a fun ... When you were actually acting on set, it wasn't that scary. It was impressive. You know what I mean?
So did you share drinks with them while they were in makeup?
Oh, no, no, no, no, no. Never when we work. Rule. Only in France, not in America! [Laughs]
Your character has the cool responsibility of telling the origins of the zombie tiger, from a famous duo in Las Vegas. But do you recall seeing that completed, rendered shot of the zombie tiger for the first time? I mean, that's the talker. Everybody loves the zombie tiger and being scared by it.
It's impressive. We didn't see the zombie tiger because they added it after. But we actually had a real actor playing the tiger, and he was moving like a tiger, and it was amazing — very impressive.
Yeah, absolutely. Plus, I have to say you have the great line in the film, which isn't giving too much away — but there must be a particular joy in saying, "One more step, and I'll blow her head off, or well ..."
"More ..." [Smiles]
"More off." Lines like that just must make the character that much more satisfying to play.
There's a saying in French that says humor is the politeness of desperation. Sense of humor is for politeness of desperation. Does that make sense to you?
Oh, yeah. Absolutely. Sure.
I think any comic relief is actually a part of life. When we go through struggle, when we go through hard times, there's always ... Nothing is all dramatic. You can have a comic relief that really helps the drama.
Also starring Ana de la Reguera, Omari Hardwicke, Ella Purnell, Matthias Schweighöfer, Raúl Castillo, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt and Tig Notaro, "Army of the Dead" is now playing in select theaters nationwide and debuts on Netflix May 21.
