Matt Orlando gave us the run down on his first time in the directors chair and the casting process. Jamie Kennedy shed some light on why A Resurrection doesnt look like a first film and offered his critique on Scream 4. Kennedy also gave us an update on another film Jamie Kennedy Entertainment is producing, Kantemir, which stars Robert Englund.
A Resurrection stars Mischa Barton, Devon Sawa, J. Michael Trautman and the late Michael Clarke Duncan. Its the story of a down to earth school psychologist who tries to help a mentally ill student that actually believes his brother is coming back from the grave for revenge on the students that killed him.
The film will be in select theaters Friday, March 22nd.
Shock Till You Drop: What about A Resurrection made you want to get involved?
Jamie Kennedy: Im a big fan of horror movies from working in the Scream films. And I loved the script that Matt Orlando wrote. He had a very specific vision as a director. I thought that we had a great cast with Mischa [Barton] and Devon [Sawa] from Final Destination, and Michael Clark Duncan. At that point, I said This works.
Shock: At what point in the production process did Jamie Kennedy Entertainment come on board?
Kennedy: We came in during the middle of the process. They were already casting and getting ready to shoot. I was like Yeah, Id love to be a part of this.’ I loved the script and I loved Matts take on everything. Its a good scary movie.
Shock: In watching the film, the production value leads one to speculate that you guys spent more on the movie than what you actually did.
Kennedy: That was the director. He really knew what he wanted to do. Thats why I loved working with him. He really knew how to make the movie look bigger than what it was shot for. He just knew how to do it; he picked the best cameras, he got a great DP. He knew all about scoring the film. Hes great.
Shock: It struck me as very impressive that someone with no prior experience as a director was able to turn out a film that is put together as well as A Resurrection.
Kennedy: Yeah. There are just some people that have it. Hes done other stuff on his own, and hes worked in the industry for some time. But, he just had his own vision and a voice. Some people just know how to do it. Ive known him for years and I always knew he was going to do it. I was keeping my eye on him.
Shock: Jamie Kennedy Entertainment is reportedly attached to Kantemir. Can you give us any details on when that may be getting released?
Kennedy: We finished that in January. Its in post, right now. Im still waiting to see a first cut. But, Im really excited. I was on the set for about a week. Robert [Englund] is back in full form. Fans of Freddy are going to see him like he was back in the day. Its not Freddy, but its still encompassing the eeriness of Freddy. Its really good. There are a lot of twists and turns in Kantemir. Thats our next one coming out.
Kennedy: I thought it was very entertaining. I went to the premiere and I liked it a lot. I thought it was a lot of fun. I loved the cast. I love Rory [Culkin]. I love Emma [Roberts] I actually really liked it a lot. I thought it harkened back to the first film. I will say one thing, though. Its pretty bloody. When I was watching it, I was like ‘Man, this is bloody. They didnt hold back,’ Which I thought was good, but I realized that I must really be in my forties now, because I kept thinking, ‘Thats a lot of blood.’
Shock: Thanks for talking with us. I really enjoyed the film.
Kennedy: I appreciate it. Thank you.
