Interview conducted by Josh Costella and Sean Gerber.
“The Dark Knight Rises” is just over a month away and while fans do their best to manage the barely-tolerable anticipation, one of the film’s many stars has done his best to assure the audience that its enthusiasm is well placed. Matthew Modine has an unwavering confidence about the film in which he plays Deputy Commissioner Foley. He’s suggested that a certain Marvel team up film is in store for a butt-kicking while emphasizing that “The Dark Knight Rises” will indeed be the biggest film of 2012.
In this exclusive interview, Modine talks about his experience making the film, making that Marvel comparison, and more!
Based on the number of interactions we’ve seen you have with fans on Twitter, we assume you’re aware of the level of expectations people have for “The Dark Knight Rises.” Did that awareness affect your approach to this film compared to a project that did not already have such a large built-in fan base?
Nope. I came to the project with an open mind. I was like a new ballplayer on a veteran club. I was invited for a reason. For the game I would bring. My personal history. But it wasn’t my team. I was the “new guy” and I was patient and allowed the game and players to let me in at their rhythm.
Your character is one of the newcomers to this series. What was your experience like when working with Gotham veterans Christopher Nolan, Christian Bale, and Gary Oldman?
I think I covered that pretty well in my previous answer. I’ll add that it was a pleasure to spend time and work with my old friend, Gary. Not just a wonderful actor. A mensch.
Did you have any assumptions about this project based on what you’d seen from the first two films? Was there anything that surprised you?
I knew from the first two films, and Nolan’s other films, that he is a special director. He surprised me everyday I worked with him. He’s got so many great films in his future. I hope I can be a part of them.
In the footage that’s been released, we’ve seen your character leading his fellow officers into a massive battle. Can you describe what it’s like and perhaps how difficult it is to perform in a scene with so many other actors and moving parts?
Epic.
You’ve said that “The Dark Knight Rises” will deliver a butt-kicking to “The Avengers.” Why do you feel that way? Do you think these movies are really in competition with one another?
Not really any competition. Avengers, at its best, was a light comedy. I feel the humor of its characters was its strongest point. There was never any danger and no character development. No real arc to the story. Which is fine. And clearly millions of people love the film. It’s a very very successful popcorn movie. I would have loved it if I was a kid. The DKR is a whole different universe of storytelling. I feel it is more in the genre of classic, epic novels, The Odyssey, Moby Dick,The Iliad, or even Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. I love Batman because he is human and full of human problems.
Did you have a favorite superhero growing up? Who and why?
Batman. See above.
In your opinion, why has the superhero/comic book film genre become so popular and successful?
Oh, I don’t think this is a new trend. At all. One thing that has changed is the ability to create films in a way only once dreamed of. New lightweight cameras and vehicles and computer graphics technicians have the ability to create worlds only once imagined. Directors today are only limited by their imaginations.
You have expressed your affection for Christopher Nolan’s talent as a director several times. Despite his relatively small but massively successful body of work, he has been overlooked when it comes to awards, especially Academy Awards. In your opinion, why do you think this is happening? Do you feel that it is justified? Do the awards truly matter?
The Beatles never won a Grammy. Kubrick never won the Academy Award. The list of people not recognized is way more interesting than the list of “winners.”
Our thanks to Matthew Modine for taking the time to give us this exclusive interview and we look forward to seeing him in action when THE FIRE RISES on July 20th!
-Josh Costella & Sean Gerber
13 Responses to MMM Exclusive Interview with Matthew Modine from ‘The Dark Knight Rises’
Fine interview boys.
Well that turned out well. If you’re an Avengers fan, please don’t send me hate mail or angry tweets. It’s just my opinion. And opinions are like belly buttons. Everybody has one. Except maybe Superman and Thor. We’d have to check. Peace. M. Modine
Very nice and to the point ..but what do you expect from “Joker ” . Oh and cue Avenger defenders in 5..4…3…2…1…:)
Also played a helluva Joker himself.
Thank you Melvin
Wow. Modine ain’t never scared. Must be because he’s born on 03/22 like yours truly
Not to pick on Matthew Modine, but The Beatles have won 13 Grammy’s lol
The Beatles never won Best Record of the year. Elvis Presley never won either. The only Beatles tune to win a top Grammy was “Michele” – best song. In all, the Beatles only won seven Grammy’s – if you count Michele.
Did Matthew Modine respond to me??…Because that would be pretty awesome lol… BTW… That makes sense when you put it that way.
I was thinking the same thing. I was like “Wait. I’m pretty sure they won ‘Best New Artist’ and ‘Album Of The Year’.”
Great interview guys, I can’t wait to see Modine in The Dark Knight Rises. What an amazing cast and director/crew… world-class.
Great interview. I met Mr. Modine when I worked at the Pine Inn in Carmel, CA. Very cool guy.
[...] My friends Sean as good as Josh over at Modern Myth Media managed to measure an talk with Matthew Modine, who plays Gotham City Police emissary government official Peter Foley. Modine common his feelings about executive Christopher Nolan, a “competition” of sorts between Rises and The Avengers, as good as multiform alternative engaging topics. Check out a full interview here! [...]