Exclusive: Omar Dorsey Talks ‘Halloween’ & Horror FilmsPosted by Wilson Morales
October 17, 2018
Coming out this week from Universal Pictures and Blumhouse Productions is Halloween, starring Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, Will Patton, Virginia Gardner, Omar Dorsey and Nick Castle.
Jamie Lee Curtis returns to her iconic role as Laurie Strode, who comes to her final confrontation with Michael Myers, the masked figure who has haunted her since she narrowly escaped his killing spree on Halloween night four decades ago.
Inspired by Master of horror John Carpenter’s classic, filmmakers David Gordon Green and Danny McBride crafted a story that carves a new path from the events in the landmark 1978 film, and Green also directs.
For Omar Dorsey, who’s best known for his role as Hollywood on OWN’s Queen Sugar, the Decatur, GA native gets to work with the legendary Jamie Lee Curtis and play a role different from what’s he played before. His previous film credits include Ava DuVernay’s Selma, The Blind Side with Sandra Bullock, Quentin Tarantino’s Django Unchained. Prior to Queen Sugar, he had roles on Eastbound & Down and Ray Donovan among his TV credits.
Blackfilm.com recently exclusively with Dorsey about his role in Halloween, if his character makes it out alive, and his upcoming project with Ava DuVernay.
How did the role come about for you?
Omar Dorsey: What happened is that I used to be in the show, “Eastbound and Down” with Danny McBride and David Gordon Green was one of the directors. They called me one day and told me they were doing “Halloween.” They were like, “We want you to come in and play the sheriff.” I was like, “man, what? Is it a comedy?” “No, it’s not a comedy, we want you to do it.” I said “Yeah, let me know man. I’m there, no problem, I will do whatever you guys need.” They just went from there, they asked me to do it and I said no problem.
Now, we know the story of Black folks in horror films, did you not ask if you were going to live or die?
Omar Dorsey: I did not ask if I was going to live or die. I did not because I automatically assumed I was going to die. The second they told me I was playing the sheriff I said, “well, I might be the first one that gets killed.” You have to see the film is the outcome is different or not.
How many of the Halloween films have you seen?
Omar Dorsey: Of course I’ve seen the original John Carpenter. I think I saw the second one, and I saw the one with LL Cool J that H2O in its title. I think those are the only three that I’ve seen. I like to do my research when I’m doing a film. This is my first time I’ve done a sequel like this. They told me all those other movies that came within those 40 years were being erased from that whole time line. From the 1970s, eight movies, straight to the 2018 movie. I needn’t concern myself with the other ones, I didn’t wanna put them in my mind. I just remember going to the movie theater watching LL Cool J in the “Halloween H20: 20 Years Later.” I remember seeing that one specifically.
Without giving out any spoilers, what can you say about your character?
Omar Dorsey: My character thinks he runs the world, I’ll say that. He comes in while this massacre is starting. I’m like, “look, we’re not going to shut down Halloween. We’re not going to shut down a whole day because you guys are scared of an old man in an insane asylum.” Then I said, as the story progresses and when my character realizes that Michael Meyers is the person out here cutting up. “Ok, look, we really got to figure some things out.” Then he gets a little bit power hungry, looking to make a name for himself. Just this egotistical sheriff is what he is. I really enjoyed playing it.
How was it working with Jamie Lee Curtis?
Omar Dorsey: I love Jamie Lee. We just sat down and just talked. We have mutual friends and she’s just a really, really cool woman, a really cool Cali beach girl. She’s just awesome! She still looks like she’s 18 or 19 years old. She’s running around with muscles and everything. I was like, “she’s what I want to be when I grow up.”
What’s your experience with horror films, are you a fan are you not a fan?
Omar Dorsey: My wife got me on horror films. I didn’t even like them. I liked “Halloween,” I like the “Shining,” I like the first “Nightmare on Elm Street,” and I like the originals. They just got a little too much, to gory for me. My wife is like, “No we watching these movies.” I like when she gets close to me and we throw popcorn in the air so that’s real fun, but yeah, I’m a big fan, especially with the ones that Blumhouse are doing and which I’m really happy “Halloween” is with Blumhouse. They’re making the best horror movies in the genre right now and I’m head over heels about that.
How was it working with David Gordon Green on this film as opposed to a series?
Omar Dorsey: One thing about David is he gives you space. I remember when we were talking and he’s like, “what do you want the character to look like? What do you think?” I was thinking of Sheriff Clark out of Milwaukee because he’s the biggest jerk sheriff I know so I want it to look like that guy. So we sent a bunch of pictures to him and this is what I want to look at. We got the time to get the set and put the wardrobe and all that stuff on, and it was specifically how I wanted it. He gives you room to improv, and I appreciate that, because that’s where we come from, “Eastbound and Down.”. So we’re just sitting there making up lines, and it might be funny or it might not be funny. It suppose to not be funny but it might be funny lines in that context. I just love working with David. I texted him the other day, I was like look, we need to do another movie together.
How good is it to be in a film having worked with David before and not having to audition? It doesn’t always happen for everybody.
Omar Dorsey: It doesn’t, I’ll tell you this though Wilson, I’ve been very lucky. I’ve been very blessed over the last few years. I do have friends who want to work with me, so Ava (DuVernay) called me, I want you to do “Central Park 5.” (Director) Charles Murray called me want me to do something, David Gordon Green and Danny McBride called and just wanted me in this. It’s been a real blessing over the last three or four years to be able to not have to audition for stuff anymore. I’m set for the next two or three months. I’ll be here doing this movie then I’ll drop and do that movie. That’s the thing I’ve always hoped for and it’s come to fruition at this point.
People watched that last episode of, “Queen Sugar”, in which your character got married, and for next season it’s assumed there’ll be a lot in store for you. Has the creative team already discussed what the next season will be like?
Omar Dorsey: I try my best to stay really close with all the writers. I’m like, “what will we be doing this year?” I’ve had discussions with a couple of the writers, and I told them what things I wanted to see. It’s ultimately in their hands, and they’re so prolific, they’re artisans. They’re some of the best in the business. I leave all that stuff up to them, and I’m just a vessel, for their words to come out of.
You’ve got the Netflix miniseries Central Park Five coming up. What role are you playing?
Omar Dorsey: I play the Harlem leader, Elombe Brath. He was there with those five young men from the beginning, knowing those kids from that neighborhood. He was one of their biggest champions. I’m playing it from the 80s all they way through the 90s. It’s a blessing to be playing that role and I’ve been on the phone with his family, trying to get as much insight as I can. He passed away ten years ago. Once again lucky to play another great man, like I was with “Selma” when I played James Orange.
You recently got cast in “Harriet.” What character do you have in that film?
Omar Dorsey: I can’t talk about the role I’m playing in that, but I am doing “Harriet.” I tell you this is another film I’m very excited, being able to be part of a film like Harriet Tubman biopic, that’s long overdue. I’m very excited to work with director Kasi Lemmons. I think she’s one of the greatest talents in the world. Just being able to work with those people and everyone else in the cast. It’s something that I can’t wait to go to Virginia next with the cast.
Eventually are we ever going to see Bolden, a film that was started many, many years ago?
Omar Dorsey: I very seriously doubt it. I was with Anthony Mackey last week laughing about that so hard. When we shot that movie, I might have been in my 20s. That’s how long ago that was. We’ve seen it, it looks beautiful. I think I might have been early 30s, I don’t know when it was, it was over a decade ago. I have no idea what they are going to do with it, it’s a beautiful looking film. I just don’t know what (director) Dan Pritzker has on his mind, he does what he wants to do. He doesn’t have to release it. He doesn’t have to if he doesn’t want to, it’s a beautiful film though.
What’s a good reason to see “Halloween”?
Omar Dorsey: Get ready to see “Halloween” and see the crazy, maniacal Michael Meyers. Just get ready to see Jamie Lee Curtis come in and save the day.
Universal Pictures will release Trancas International Films, Blumhouse Productions and Miramax’s Halloween on Friday, October 19, 2018.
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