with Bloodrayne 2
The film is said to take place in the Old West, what can you tell readers about the plot of the film and playing Billy?
Zack: Plot? There’s a Plot? No one told me there was a plot! Well, you know vampires, always wanting to take over the world and now with the invention of the railroad anything is possible. “Billy the kid” is a 357 year old Transylvanian vampire using the name of the real “Billy the Kid” to draw miscreants and ruffians to his banner so he can turn them into vampires to do his bidding, which is to use the railroad to take over the country and make himself it’s devil King.
Playing a character based upon an actual historical person must have some challenges that do not come with a non historical character. In what ways did you approach the character and look to bring some of your own personality to Billy?
Zack: Like Van Helsing, Bloodrayne 2 is a reality whole unto itself and therefore no connections to historical events were required. Uwe wanted Billy to be 357 years old, so I asked “where did he come from”. Uwe said, “Transylvania, like all vampires”. So I did my best to borrow Gary Oldman’s accent from “Bram Stroker’s Dracula”.
To me, Transylvania meant ancient royalty and that defined my clothes, hair-length and fighting style.
My friends at Drac studios (dracstudios.com) were kind enough to make me some fantastic teeth, very original. My eyes were hand painted bright green contacts and, once they were in, were hypnotic. When I put that whole package together and walked on set it was a powerful feeling, like being a jungle cat, sleek and strong. I must admit, the ladies treated me differently, as if it was expected that I was a predator and they the prey. Funny, they don’t treat me that way when I’m out of make-up, dammit.
Would you say you are a bigger fan of Westerns or Horror films and what are some of your favorites in the genres?
Zack: Westerns: Tombstone, The Unforgiven, 7 Samurai, Pale Rider, Once Upon a time in the West, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly, Monte Walsh.
Horror: Pumpkin Head, Phantom of the Rock Opera, Evil Dead 1,2,3. Black Christmas, Lost Boys, Bram Strokers Dracula, Needful Things, Basket Case, Rosemary’s Baby, Re-animator, The Possession of Emily Rose
I am sure fans are going to love seeing Vampires in the Old west as the dramatic possibilities are endless. What were some of your favorite moments in the film and are there any scenes that stand out for you?
Zack: One of my favorite scenes is when I first come to town and get shot by the sheriff, my arms flying out in a crucifix position as I walk forward and bite him. I’m hoping it’ll look really cool. I liked my death scene except for the fact that all the blood ran down my neck, into my wetsuit, down my back, between my butt cheeks and into my boots. Of course the blood was NOT heated as it’s an Uwe Boll film, even though we shot at 4am in minus 12 degree weather with 80 mph winds whipping around. My favorite part of that was when it ENDED!
As a follow up, which performers are your favorites and if you could select anyone to be your co-star whom would it be and why?
Zack: I got to work with Chris Coppola again and it was a ball. We play very well off of each other and I’d love to do another comedy with him. He’s very talented and funny.
With old west technology obviously being inferior to what you had access to as the Postal Dude, did you change your style of film combat in Bloodrayne 2 compared to Postal? Also what can you tell readers about the action sequences of the film and the challenges of taking on Vampires with a Six Shooter?
Zack: Yes, the fighting style was very different. Postal dude was NOT a trained fighter. He was raw and angry and held his gun the way he saw it done on The A-Team. His hand to hand combat style was like a young cage-fighter, brutal but defensive, worried about being hurt so wanting to end it quick. Billy the Kid had been a warrior with a sword and wasn’t afraid of being hurt as he was already undead. So his fighting style was big heavy movements, a bowie knife in each hand, large powerful slashing moves, leaving himself open, unafraid, his teeth extensions of his menace.
The physical language of each characters fighting style was very important in defining their personalities. Each character walked differently, held their head differently, made or avoided eye contact during conversation differently.
The physical movement of a character can express as much if not more than his dialogue. You should know he’s a killer when he enters the room, long before he ever speaks. And if he’s pussy whipped like the Postal Dude, you should see that by the way avoids eye contact. All those things make the moments between the words hold story. I hope I conveyed them in the film.
