Interview: Wesley Campbell

For the latest edition of Interview, Last Resort Films president Phil Dolan sits down with rookie screenwriter Wesley Campbell to discuss his debut film, an adaptation of the acclaimed comic series, Saga.

PD: What made you decide to write an adaptation of the comic series Saga as your debut for the studio?

WC: Well, the fact this hasn't been mad yet drove me... With a blend of the possibilities and story needs to be told. It's a great story and it's reasonable to see why there's a huge fan base for it. Saga is something I saw and thought this could be the next big film franchise and those feelings don't come to you unless you can feel it in your bones.

PD: What made you decide to go with an animated adaptation of Saga rather than writing the film as a live-action film?

WC:Well as the creator of the series, Brian K. Vaughn, has said so many times... It's a comic book series that would be impossible to be done live action. And I gotta say I can see it. The makeup would have to be perfect along with having to make sure the CGI is top notch. That can too overwhelming for a director where only someone like James Cameron could do it. Since he's busy with Avatar, I thought there's not enough animation movies but take that thought further and do the first motion capture movie would be a step in the right direction. If the live action was gonna be costly, why not do it where there could be more space and freedom to do it? I knew if I did it this way, I could break new ground while also being faithful to Vaughn's vision.

PD: What types of films can the audience expect to see from you going forward?

WC:Well for the most part, I'd like to do bigger films along with remaking bad films into better versions. I don't know really... I think if an idea hits me I'll just do it really. There so much options out there I don't think I'll be away for too long of I decide to be off of a season...

PD: What's more important to you as a writer, critical or box office success?

WC: I'd say critical success would be nice but I'd more like to have my films make money overall. In case I'd like to make a sequel in the future like I want to do with Saga.

PD: What are some of your favorite LRF releases?

WC: Well it goes like this... 10. Flicker/Dark Places, 9. Ghost Town, 8. Into Thin Air, 7. Crowley, 6. Batman 2, 5. The Question series , 4. Deprogramming, 3. Death Dream, 2. To the Moon, 1. The Prisoner.