Great post supertom.
Nice interview too, great read. Do you think from that they are now trying to get as much television money as possible now rather than from DVD releases? He said they had to shoot it so it was safe for television.
That's possibly one point. I mean direct downloads are increasing in popularity, whilst DVD's sales are dwindling. It's possibly that they just wanted to reach a wider audience worldwide, not be too violent. Again, it's down to money.
But given the film was shot in 17 days, I thought it was very well made. Johnson is the sort of director SS needs to be working with.
That said, perhaps Seagal works with Waxman because it's easier. Seagal probably likes to run a set. He probably doesn't want to be put in his place or work with people who will question him if he wants to change his dialogue or take control of his fight scenes etc. Producers sometimes think like that when hiring directors. They don't want anyone who'll question their authority. Shoot on time, within budget, keep the star happy. Who knows?
But Johnson is very knowledgeable and considered in what he does, as well as being decent at working under the strict conditions of some films. I'm sure Waxman, given some more freedom might do something considerably better, but he's offered very little in the SS films he's done.
In fairness Seagal isn't the only actor known for putting in little effort. There are others known for just staying in their trailer and only coming out for their master shots and letting the double do the rest. Or being on the shoot for the bare minimum they can get away with. Wesley Snipes is known for that in some of his films, either when he takes a dislike to the director or the film itself (Blade 3) or some when he's just there for the money (most of his DTV work). He'll come for 2 weeks out of a 3 week shoot say, and do masters, little or none of the coverage, and often won't do the ADR.
It's not always entirely these guys. Sometimes the producers will work a deal in which the actor is there for as little time as needed, and then they don't have to pay as much as if they're there the for the entire shoot. Seagal puts little effort in, but in part it may be a symptom of having worked on these movies for too long. There's a big difference even from Into The Sun and Belly Of The Beast, to what he's been doing in the last couple of years when you think of how SS comes across on screen. The enthusiasm has completely gone, but if the producers aren't giving him any reason to be, or are seemingly happy for him to carry on as he is, then nothing will change. The sad fact is, Seagal can turn up, shoot his close ups and probably all told amount to about 15 minutes of actual Seagal screen-time as lead in a 90 minute picture and the producers firmly believe it's a sellable picture.
Seagy isn't alone. Over the last few years JCVD, Dolph, for example have had periods of being really fed up with the standard of their movies. The acted with more professionalism granted, but they've been burned. The difference though, is they made a concerted effort to alter things. They took good opportunities that Sly gave them, and made interesting decisions.
But still, in some respects I understand why Seagal has got to this point. I don't condone his behaviour but that he no longer seems at all interested in his film career is not much of a surprise.
If Seagal really wanted he could get Under Siege 3 off the ground. Someone, somewhere would make it. DTV it would sell twice as many copies as just a standard Seagal picture, because it's part of a known, more established franchise. Or Prince Of Pistols. That had an interesting concept but never came off the ground.
That said, when it comes down to it, there's one overriding factor against all these career turnaround arguments. Seagal is in his 60's now. Granted Sly and Arnie both came back in their 60's, but they always had more star power, more acting ability and have stayed in good shape (particularly Sly) but the interest in them is waning. Aside from any of their franchise stuff, they're not gonna do big business on the big screen. The Expendables will run out of steam after the third film. It won't sustain interest. The novelty of these guys, doing these things at their age is wearing off. I hate saying it, but in 2-3 years there'll be little interest left in these guys except for fans nostalgia.