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| Articles & Interviews with Shuler | |
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This Frankenstein's Monster isn't just a grunting idiot, is he? He actually can speak quite articulately. It’s very important in this storyline that he’s able to talk. I really think it does get more back to the novel in that he’s made of different body parts and he’s able to communicate. Universal do own the rights to Frankenstein and the Wolfman, so you do have the bolts. So I’m really excited to see what people think when they first see him. The trailers and promotional materials have obscured what he looks like. They did that on purpose because the other monsters were CG and with Frankenstein there’s really nothing CG apart from one bit where his head splits open or something. When the monster’s revealed in the movie it’s such a cool moment that I don’t think they wanted to give that away so they’ve what you do see in the trailer is the monster maybe has a cloth over his face or something and it’s really quick. So you don’t get to see the monster in full force, which I’m really glad they did. When you see the film it’s really shocking. How was the make-up procedure? Well actually just lip gloss and I was good to go. (laughs) I guess it started at about 6 hours for the make up for the face and then we got it down to about 4 and a half. But it’s interesting. I don’t know what the material was that they used for the skin. It was about 9 pieces that they glued on but the amazing thing about it is that as it sat on your skin it began to soak in and take on your characteristics like dimples and stuff. So while you can see the monster more and more I could see myself in it so it was a bit freaky. I think if you met me you would recognise that I played him but it’s obviously a gross distortion of what I look like but it’s kind of cool. And it was full body make-up, too? Yeah, because the monster in the script is referred to as about 7 to 8 feet tall and I’m 6’3", so we had the face and then there was a body suit and then leg extensions which made me about 7’3" or so. The leg extensions were developed by this guy who works with amputees and he gives them artificial limbs and it’s this incredible cast that they mould to your feet, and then there’s these feet that go on the bottom of them that are like robotic feet, although there’s no remote control involved. There are hinges and gears and it’s very high tech. It took me about three weeks to learn to walk and be comfortable in them. The last part of the costume were these giant shoes. I think they were like size 23, slightly larger than Shaquille O’Neal. (laughs) Sounds like fun… I’d have to be in them for 8 hours at a time and you feet are in a point. So you’re basically in the highest heels you can imagine for 8 hours. It’s like a transvestite Frankenstein. Initially, we thought he was a villain, but it's not that simple, is it? Absolutely not in this storyline. Frankenstein’s Monster is a monster but what makes this so much more interesting is that he's going to show redeeming qualities. There’s going to be a huge difference in how people view him as a monster. All of the monsters in it are part of this new story so they have to step outside of what we know them as being in the originals. And you're involved in a lot of action. I’m very much a part of it. I spent a lot of time on the wire work and stunts and everything. Pretty much everyone involved is in action sequences and I would say of the three monsters I’m in the most. Flying through the air, exploding, fighting, jumping, falling off cliffs you name it. There’s a section in the movie that’s pretty much a half hour roller coaster ride and it’s all done in the costume. I’m not gonna kid you, it was extraordinarily difficult and hard to move in because it ended up being about 70lb. |
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