No One Lives director Ryuhei Kitamura took part in our latest Q&A session, telling us about his love for Driver, working with Luke Evans and Robert Hall, and what's next:
Thank you very much for taking the time to talk with Daily Dead. What was it about the script for No One Lives that made you want to take on this project?
Ryuhei Kitamura: I loved the script because it was not just about blood and guts. I was fascinated by the character of Driver; a non-stop killing machine doing it all for love. To me this is a twisted love story.
When looking for your lead actor, was Luke Evans your first pick? What made him stand out from the pack and why was he perfect for this role?
Ryuhei Kitamura: Luke was the first and only candidate. I needed someone who was not only good looking and sexy but also has intelligence, madness, and a sense of humor. Luke gave life to the Driver character. He is an amazing actor.
When it came to the script, did you work with David Cohen to make any modifications? What are some of the changes that were put in when you boarded the project?
Ryuhei Kitamura: The script was very good already so there weren’t many big changes but yes I worked with David closely and added some ideas and developed characters and relationships. Most of the fun bloody killings and funny lines were already there.
Horror fans are really turned off by CGI effects and I was happy to see No One Lives use plenty of practical effects. Was that something you insisted on? What was your experience like working with Robert Hall?
Ryuhei Kitamura: I’m not a big fan of CGI blood so I was determined to go more analogue, in an ‘80s way and I’m glad that Robert Hall was able to help make it possible. Robert is not only the special effects artist but also a director himself and cares about the movie overall and not just the effects. It was pleasure working with him.
Were you happy with how the final movie turned out? Was there anything major from the movie that was changed or was cut out?
Ryuhei Kitamura: There are too many people involved in making movies and it’s very hard to fight through to protect my vision 100%. I did my best and I am proud of the movie.
Would you have any interest in working on a sequel to No One Lives? Is that something that has been actively discussed?
Ryuhei Kitamura: No. I did everything I can on No One Lives and there’s not much left I can do. I’m not that interested in creating a sequel to it… though I am working right now on the sequel to VERSUS2.
Can you tell us about the projects you have coming up next?
Ryuhei Kitamura: I can’t say much but I’m in pre-production on my new action movie which will be shot in Asia. I have projects on the docket but it’s movie business so you never what you will be doing next. Whatever it is that I do next, I’ll do my best to make it a fun movie with my style.
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"No One Lives, which stars Luke Evans (The Raven, Fast and Furious 6) and Adelaide Clemens (“Rectify,” Silent Hill: Revelation 3D, The Great Gatsby), is the story of a ruthless criminal gang that takes a young couple hostage and goes to ground in an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere. When the captive girl is killed, the tables are unexpectedly turned, and the gang finds themselves outsmarted by an urbane and seasoned killer determined to ensure that no one lives. The film co-stars Lee Tergesen (“Oz,” Monster), Derek Magyar (Train), Beau Knapp (Super 8), America Olivo (Friday the 13th), WWE Superstar Brodus Clay® (“WWE Monday Night Raw®,” “WWE Friday Night Smackdown®”) and Lindsay Shaw (“Pretty Little Liars”). No One Lives was directed by Ryûhei Kitamura (Midnight Meat Train, Versus) and written by David Cohen."
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