Exclusive: Stephen Lang Talks ‘Don’t Breathe’Posted by Wilson Morales
August 24, 2015
Coming out this week is the horror thriller Don’t Breathe, starring Jane Levy, Dylan Minnette, Daniel Zovatto and Stephen Lang.
Directed by Fede Alvarez (Evil Dead remake) from a screenplay by Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues, Don’t Breathe takes place in Detroit, centering on a group of friends who break into the house of a wealthy blind man (Lang), thinking they’ll get away with the perfect heist. They’re wrong.
For Lang, a veteran actor who’s appearance in various films, television programs and theater productions, taking on the role of a blind man was a new challenge for the New York City native. With roles in Tombstone, Gods and Generals, and Avatar, as well as his current TV role on AMC’s Into The Badlands, Lang has continued to work in different genres without being typecast.
Blackfilm.com recently spoke with Lang about his role in Don’t Breathe and working with Alvarez in this horror genre.
What was the attraction to doing the film?
Stephen Lang: It was a great challenge. First of all, playing a blind character, and such a quite character, I had to do a characterization virtually without words. Beyond that, I thought the script was very powerful, surprising. After talking with (director) Fede Alvarez, I was quite sure that dealing with a singular talent and that’s what proved to be the case.
How would you best describe your character?
SL: Being blind, he is a man who has retreated to the safety and the solitude of a very controlled environment that he feels he can exert some control over, that he can’t do on the outside. He’s a man who is petering on the abyss. He is very close to a state of total despair but is still striving to survive. He’s a quiet and almost stoically desperate man.
What was the preparation in playing a blind man?
SL: The preparation was done in a number of ways. Everything from performing mundane tasks of living, like making coffee or frying a couple of eggs without my site. Just seeing how I can get good at it. I tried to achieve some proficiency. What I found the most valuable thing to do was to spend as much time as possible haunting the set, the various rooms, stairs, and hallways of the house. What I realized is that if I could become intimately familiar with the geography. If I knew how many steps it took to get to the second floor, if I knew many rooms on the ladder to get down to the basement, if I knew when to put up my hands to touch a wall to tell me where I was, it would do two things. It would convey mastery over my environment and some power, which I think is important for that character. At the same time, it would go a long way in selling the blindness. I would say that of all the things I did, that was really key.
Are you a fan of these genres?
SL: I can’t say that I’m a student of horror films or thrillers. I enjoy them and some are my favorite movies like The Exorcist, which has to be characterize as a horror film. That’s one of my favorite movies and of course, Psycho is bit of a thriller but in the same vein as Don’t Breathe. Psycho a spectacular film. I don’t follow some of the franchise films like Saw, or Nightmare on Elm Street.
Did you watch any of Fede Alvarez’s previous films to get a take on his directing style?
SL: What I did watch was the film that established him. It was a four minute film that he made in Uruguay called ‘Panic.’ It’s really an extraordinary film. I had not seen the remake of ‘Evil Dead’ before I did this film but I had on good authority from both of my sons, who are fans of the genre and said it was a good reimagining of Sam Raimi’s classic. The most important thing was the quality of the script and the conversation I had with him. When I started working with him, it wasn’t like I was working with a new director. He’s seasoned and really knowledgeable in all aspects of directing; from working with the talent to the technology. He’s the real deal.
Although they have had a few films under their belt, did you dole out any advice to the young cast members?
SL: Occasionally. When we speak and if I lead at all, it will be by example. I’m not there to offer insights or to volunteer. Although they are young, each one has a fair amount of credits under their belts and they are all very fine actors. They all came at it in a way works well for me, which is to say that they gave their full attention. They worked really hard and they showed up on time. They did what they are supposed to do. Anytime they asked, I would share my opinion but it’s not like it happened that often on the set because we were all inhabiting our spaces and intense characters. What we did do was consulted and collaborated very carefully on all the physical stuff we had to do because you want the stuff to look as brutal as it needs to look, but at the same token, I have zero desire to hurt anyone or to be hurt.
How do you find time to do TV and film?
SL: It’s material driven to me. If something really fantastic comes along on television, I’m happy to do it and the same holds true for film, and for stage as well. There is no plan. It’s not like I have a five year plan. Somehow it all does seem to work out. At this time, I have a number of films in the can and I’m headed off to do another season of ‘Into The Badlands’ right now for AMC. Then I will follow that up with going back to do ‘Avatar.’ I’m very fortunate that I’m able to balance from one medium to another.
With the Avatar franchise set for at least 3 more films, it must be comforting to know you have great job security?
SL: Well, we’re actually doing four sequels and it’s really unusual to have knowledge of what you will be doing for so long in this business. There is a security in knowing that but I come from a place of doing the work and staying healthy and making sure you get everything done.
Don’t Breathe hits theaters on August 26.
