Warm Saturday afternoon in London.
Days dont get much better for me than that.
In fact, you could take out the last two.
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Likewise, interviewing Sam Raimi leaves you just as giddy.
Most important question first was that you hitting Bruce Campbell with a stick?
Ummm … that time it wasnt me.
Because, for some reason, I couldnt get to that position.
Which is really a bummer.
That actually was my actor, but usually its me.
How much do you get to be hands-on in a film of this size, then?
You seem like a director who likes to do as much as you’re able to on set.
And this is a very big production.
So I was hands-on when it was specific to the actors.
So my job becomes most importantly to have a vision and to communicate it to everyone.
Thats really it, the best way I can put it.
Versus grabbing the thing and actually making it with my own two hands.
Its interesting you say that because theres a great making-of on the Darkman VHS …
Really?
I didnt even know that.
No, the video cassette.
Im going back a while here.
Are you better at dealing with that trade-off now?
Ive learned how to work in that way now, yes.
And its a skill of communication.
And its about listening and making sure they understand what it is that youre asking them.
And its about having a clear vision to begin with, so theres something to communicate.
Did you want to delve into a bigger film again after that?
You were circlingWorld Of Warcraftfor a while, is that right?
Thats right; I was workingon World Of Warcraft.
So I said, Okay.
I said, Hmmm, be that way!
[laughs]
And theyve got Duncan Jones on that now.
Yeah, hes great.
I forget the name of it … Yeah, so Im sure hes going to do an excellent job on it.
Right, almost everything.
I dont want to claim credit when its not due.
But, yes, its much more hands on and much more invigorating and exciting.
But this is … oh I know what you asked!
Was I just set on making a big picture?
I lovedWorld Of Warcraftthe game, so I wanted to make that.
But this is something else I loved and happened to be big.
And I dont think of them as trying to make a bigger or a smaller picture.
I go for what excites me.
The game I loved, the characters were great, the landscapes exciting and incredible.
The dynamics of those forces battling … anyways, that movie, they kicked me.
[laughs]
But this one …
I loved the story, the sweetness of it.
I like making a movie for kids, which Id never done before.
And I remember being a kid and seeingThe Wizard Of Ozand having a wonderful feeling about it.
And when I read the screenplay it had a spirit of love in it.
I think it will really give something to the audience.
Youve got to be really open hearted, I think, to get into a picture like this.
Was that in the script, or did you bring a lot of that?
I may have brought some of it.
But I wanted a character who would surprise the audience a little bit, you know?
It would be most interesting if we didnt have another innocent, I didnt want another innocent.
I love the story of innocence inOz, thats whatThe Wizard Of Ozis, the movie.
So yes, we pushed it a little bit, James and I.
And you never know if you find that balance or not.
But it wouldnt be exciting for me if we didnt try and find the edge.
I dont even know what that means!
But in all your films your cameras been this incredible go-anywhere camera.
Was 3D a challenge for you?
I imagine thats what it felt like watching those early 50s and 60s film, the early 3D.
Were making a 3D movie.
And were going to do it right like they did in the 50s and 60s.
But theres so much backlash against us doing that, Bob and I.
Bob and I are of a similar mind.
yo let the depth play like inAvatar.
kindly, we handle it subtlely nowadays.
And Bob and I are like, You guys are out of your minds!
Were not going to do anything subtlely.
This is a gimmick!
And its a gimmick to be used, its a tool.
You know, what was that about?
So were going to give it to them guys, and its going to be ugly.
So all their good taste … they cringe, because its not considered good taste.
But the truth is, for me 3D is a tool, like a zoom lens is a tool.
Its a storytelling equipment, a gimmick as Bob says.
What, for good taste?
So its going to jump out the screen, of course.
Good taste is giving the audience what they want.
Sorry Im getting so excited but I really had to fight with these guys.
[laughs]
And same with a dialogue scene.
But theres no right and wrong for me.
And I didnt take one approach and just have the 3D be recessive or just gaudy.
Youre talking about wanting to go that way and the struggles you faced.
When you were making those early films it seemed like you had huge struggles then.
Are they different struggles now, then?
Because people will see you making billions of dollars at the box office with theSpider-Mantrilogy.
Is it still a fight?
Theres always a struggle to fight against what is the convention or common wisdom.
Which is how its been done before.
No, no, itll be like a thorn in our side in post-production.
We want to have the ability to change it.
I forget all the reasons, but primarily he didnt want it over-the-top, I think.
I want that moment where she reaches into the audience.
And I dont know if that was true or not.
I think it was a taste thing with him.
So now I have that shot and its very manipulatable but its not what I wanted.
And the themes can be the same old themes that have always carried our myths and stories.
That can be the same.
To make it seem fresh.
So I fight against convention a lot.
And when I dont listen to my instincts I lose those fights.
Are there things out there youre looking to do?
Or are you just really good at ducking IMDB?
No, Im not good at ducking IMDB.
I dont know, Im not sure how that works.
[laughs]
But no, I dont have any other feature films in the works right now.
Okay, very quick last question.
[affects over-enthusiastic voice] Come on Sam, you gotta do it!.
Yeah, okay I guess Im going to do it [laughs]
Can I ask quickly aboutThe Shadowthen?
I loveDarkman, and that seemed a response to your not being able to doThe Shadow.
Is that still something youd like to do?
One day Id love to.
I dont know if Ill ever get the chance but the characters so dynamic.
And hes such a great writer, its such a great character.
You know, he knew Houdini.
Anyways, they were apparently going to a Broadway show, Houdini and Maxwell Grant.
And Houdinis door didnt work.
And he couldnt get out of the car.
And he turned to Maxwell Grant and says If you ever tell anyone about this Ill kill you!.
[laughs]
Samuel M Raimi, thank you very much.
Oz The Great and Powerful is released in cinemas on Friday 8th March.
