Exclusive: Dennis Haysbert Talks Sin City: A Dame To Kill ForPosted by Wilson Morales
August 20, 2014
Coming out this week is “Sin City: A Day to Kill For,” the sequel to the 2005 film “Sin City” where co-directors Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller reunite to bring Miller’s visually stunning “Sin City” graphic novels back to the screen.
The film stars an ensemble cast including returning cast members Jessica Alba, Rosario Dawson, Jaime King, Jude Ciccolella, Powers Boothe, Mickey Rourke, and Bruce Willis. Newcomers to the series include Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Josh Brolin, Jamie Chung, Dennis Haysbert, Marton Csokas, Christopher Lloyd, Julia Garner, Juno Temple, Ray Liotta, Stacy Keach, Christopher Meloni, Alexa PenaVega, Lady Gaga, Jeremy Piven and Crystal McCahill.
For Haysbert, he may be new to the film but his character Manute was in the last film. He replaces Michael Clarke Duncan, who died in 2012 before production began. Having appeared in several films and TV series, the California native is best known for his roles as the baseball player Pedro Cerrano in the Major League film trilogy, David Palmer on the TV series 24, and Sergeant Major Jonas Blane on the drama series The Unit, as well as his work in commercials for Allstate Insurance.
Earlier this year, he appeared in ‘Think Like a Man Too,’ and will later be back on the screen in Justin Simien’s ‘Dear White People.’
In speaking with Blackfilm.com, Haysbert talked about working on this film, his chance to do action sequences, and working with the cast.
How would you describe Manute in this film?
Dennis Haysbert: I would describe Manute as a worldly man. I think I established with him, and although you can’t tell when you’re watching the film because his back-story is diluted, but he’s sort of superhuman. When he appears, he appears in service to whomever his boss is at the time. At this time, he’s in charge of protecting Eva Green’s character, who is the dame to kill for. It’s pretty fascinating and the character is a lot more flushed out than what Michael Clarke Duncan did in the fist film. You learn a little bit more about him and why he does the thing that he does. He gets a supernatural life out of it by performing theses deeds. It’s a pretty dark character.
What was the attraction to doing this? Had you seen the previous film or read any of Frank Miller’s graphic novels?
DH: After watching the first film so many years ago, I started reading the graphic novel, and I just notice the way that Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez shoot the film and it’s almost like you’re reading the books. The books sort of come to life and it’s a fascinating world they created, especially with Frank Miller writing these graphic novels. I was very excited about it, even back then, and was questioning my agent and manager, saying “Why didn’t you get me on this?” The second time around is the charm and here I am.
With the action scenes you’re involved in, did you prepare for it physically or did you leave it up to CGI?
DH: Oh no. The physicality that I had to use is me. I worked hand and hand with the stuntman and I had a couple of stunts done for me but most of the time I did my own stunts. It was great. I got my athletic juices going as well. It was a lot of fun. It was exciting to be a part of it.
Having worked on so many projects, was there anything new you picked up as an actor?
DH: Every character that I play is unique and this one is unique by the fact that he’s sort of a monster. He’s like Marv, Mickey Rourke’s character, and the two of them have this incredible fight. It’s different in that it’s a surreal supervillain fight and hopefully this will get me into other movies like the Marvels and the DC Comics movies. It’s really fascinating and physically taxing. As an actor, it’s very engaging. I think I keep coming back to my favorite word, it’s fun.
How was working with Mickey Rourke and Josh Brolin?
DH: I really enjoyed working with these guys. With Mickey Rourke, you hear these stories and the people in the media, but when you’re actually dealing with individuals on an individual basis, man to man, he’s really, really cool people. Eva Green is amazing. I worked with her, Mickey and Josh Brolin almost exclusively and they’re just great people, which I think happens when you get to this level. You’re working with people who are excellent actors and i find that the better the actor you are, probably the better the person you are. It was cool to sit down and while they are resetting a scene, you can kick back and get to know one another.
You’ve played different roles in three films so far this year. With ‘Think Like a Man Too’, you’re a romantic figure; in ‘Dear White People,’ you’re a father figure; and with this film, you’re an enforcer. Of the three, which did you enjoy the most doing?
DH: I enjoy them all. Every character that I play, I immerse myself. I take it as it is and when I’m in a particular role, I’m not thinking about any other type of role. I’m in that one and I’m enjoying that to the max.
How good is that all these films are being spread out throughout the year?
DH: I liked them equally and the common denominator is the script and the directors I get a chance to work with. With ‘Dear White People,’ I worked with a new, young director (Justin Simien) who’s going to phenomenal in this business. He’s only going to get better and he’s pretty dam good at this one. In ‘Sin City,’ to work with Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller as a team is amazing. They were seamless and flawless in their execution. I really, really enjoyed working with them. In ‘Think Like a Man Too,’ you’re working with that ensemble cast, and that was just a hoot. All those guys are incredible and funny.
This is the 25th anniversary of ‘Major League.’ Where do you think Pedro Cerrano would be at this point?
DH: Definitely a Hall of Famer. Once he learned how to hit the curveball, it was over for the rest of the league.
How do you stay busy doing movies, TV projects, and independent films?
DH: I think the secret is evolution. You have to keep evolving. You have to keep learning new things. I watch a lot of films. I watch a lot of films being made tday and how they are being made and I want to be a part of the new films, and the new TV projects that being produced now. I also think that’s what keeps you young and vibrant and relevant. You have to keep evolving. Always keep learning.
Having done this film, does it give you the itch to do more action films?
DH: Absolutely. I’ve always wanted to do more action. Also love doing romantic films. When you see my list of credits, it really does cover all the areas and I just to continue covering those areas as much as I can, as long as I’m healthy and strong and able to move around. There’s always enough stories. There’s always a new story. There’s always a new twist on any given story. I’m really looking forward to what the future holds.
What’s a good reason to see Sin City; A Dame To Kill For, even if you haven’t seen the first film?
DH: If you haven’t seen the first movie, I would suggest seeing it if you want to, but the second movie stands on its own. It’s got incredible characters. It’s got incredible action sequences and incredible performances. It will keep you on the edge of your seat. This is a great popcorn and soda movie. Buy a seat and enjoy the action as Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller can only show you. It’s amazing.
Sin City: A Dame To Kill For hits theaters on August 22.
