Movieline

Tommy Wiseau on Comic-Con, The Room 3D, and His Bloody New Project

Did Movieline interview Tommy Wiseau at Comic-Con? How could we not! The enigmatic auteur behind the cult sensation The Room was there promoting his new project, an Atom.com short called The House That Drips Blood on Alex, and though Wiseau has a tendency to speak in riddles and koans (in endearing broken English), he dished a little on being an actor for hire, converting The Room into 3D, and whether he wants to do a film about Heath Ledger.

I've seen the teaser for The House That Drips Blood on Alex, and since you've got blood all over you in it, I take it you're the titular Alex?

Yes, that's correct. Yes. I play only the role Alex. I'm not directing, I'm not producing, I'm just acting.

So how did they come to you for this?

Well you know, you have audition, they contact us, and "We have a project." To me, it's a very spectacular project and they should continue doing it once a month, but it's up to them.

Is it a horror comedy?

You may say a horror-slash-comedy. It could be also vampire, because Alex, the main character, may become vampire but I'm not sure yet. I think that may be questionable.

What can you tell me about the plot? It seems very mysterious.

Very mysterious. You have to see it, but you'll be surprised. The bottom line is that you have to see it. You go to places maybe you've never been before. That's the story of that.

How do you like being an actor for hire?

Oh, I love it. As you know, I've done a few shows for different people, et cetera, and it's very interesting. I want to be always actor. I like acting better than anything else, but you know, directing's good. I don't discriminate, let me tell you. I'm inspired by entertainment and I like to provoke people, and I think that's the idea behind it. As well, you know, expression for me is very important, and as you guys probably know -- especially you guys, media, misleading certain stuff, but I'm not saying per se you, OK?

Well, we've just met.

I'm just telling you as a general speaking. I think it's a spectacular project. I like vampires. You probably know there were many, many different movies related to vampires, and this is one that is very experimental, but at the same time, I personally think they should have a show once a month.

Now, are you going up for roles as an actor, or do you wait for people to contact you?

Well you know, all things. Basically, I'm very busy, but I'm very open for any project right now.

Let's talk about your directing projects, because I think everyone is waiting to see what your next project will be. There were rumors that there was maybe going to be a 3D conversion of The Room. Is that the case?

That's correct, but before that, we are doing actually a Blu-ray of The Room before Christmas, and then we're doing the 3D next year. We'll see how this going, the vampire. I call the short Alex Blood, that's my title, but the true title is The House That Drips Blood on Alex. Basically, it all depends on the fans. By the way, I want to say to all the fans who may be listening to this interview, thank you for your support. We have really groovy time at Comic-Con. We have a premiere, and my understanding is that we'll actually be airing Alex Blood -- that's my title, and that's what I call it -- but the fact is that they'll probably be airing it before Halloween. That's my understanding. That will actually be aired on TV, and then we'll see what happens.

I've read that at one point in your life, you wanted to be a rock star. Do you feel like a rock star with your fans when you come to Comic-Con?

Yeah, you know what, yes. I like to interact with people. Again, you see that there's nothing wrong with criticizing. You can have a sincere approach, you have something back, that's the idea behind it. You always have something back with the fans, like now they discover this new project, and we see if they like it. They don't have to like it! But they're excited about it, and that makes me really happy about it.

There was another rumor that you were going to do direct something about Heath Ledger. Is that still the case?

You know, I am not sure at this time. I don't know what will happen, to be honest with you -- right now, it's questionable. I'm not trying to gossip like people do, we have a serious thing. I'm hoping for any project, from little person, to big person! But guess what, I am little person! No, I'm just teasing you guys, OK? Everybody is the same level. Creativity, that's what counts. Creation, some original thing, that's what I like to be attached to. Small project today could be very big hit tomorrow.

As you know very well.

Absolutely.

If you were going to do something about Heath Ledger, what is it about him or his life story that interests you?

You know, generally speaking, I have so many different interests. We can go on for two years and we can not finish interview. So, let's move on. Next question.

What's going on with The Neighbors, your TV pilot?

Oh, that's good question! Thank you for asking that. The Neighbors, we're open with MTV, Cartoon Network, it's up to them. I think it's a good story. It's related to relationships, as you know. It's no fantasy. I'm very open about it. I mean, we got approval from one of the networks for one episode. I'm really against one episode, to be honest with you. It's original stuff, you know what I'm saying? This isn't like writing. If you write a book, or Picasso, let's say you do the pictures or painting, it takes a lot from it. People don't realize that, you know? I don't want they realize. About The Neighbors, again, I suggest they give us some kind of cooperation with the network, because I'm open for it. I'd like to have at least five episodes before I start working, to be honest with you.

You screened The Room yesterday in San Diego. What was that like?

We have great impact. San Diego, I don't know what this comes from, the reaction from people has just been spectacular. Keep in mind, we've been screening in San Diego for a few months already. People have such great questions, I really enjoy it.

Are there still questions you haven't already answered about The Room?

You know, I will say it again: You can ask a hundred questions, but you still find something that is unique about The Room. If you ask me, it is not just about the relationships, but it relates to the symbolism within the project. I always say that you don't have to like The Room, but you will discover something -- maybe a tiny little thing -- and say, "Wait a minute, maybe I want to see more." That's the idea behind it. I always want people to enjoy it, so I say, "You can laugh, you can cry, you can express yourself, but please don't hurt each other. That's basically The Room... I always say, "Pro-freedom!" but at the same time, have respect for another person. That's the bottom line.