TMI with T-I-M
It’s ME, it’s HIM, it’s T-I-M.
Next year, things at the box office are gonna HEAT up when everyone’s favorite huge lizard GODZILLA returns to take it to some other classic baddies. The story synopsis online goes like this:
“The next chapter in Warner Bros. Pictures’ and Legendary Pictures’ cinematic MonsterVerse: an epic action-adventure that pits Godzilla against some of the most popular monsters in pop culture history. Humanity’s existence hangs in the balance when the mighty Godzilla collides with Mothra, Rodan and the three-headed monster King Ghidorah.”
I attended the LA premiere of the original remake, hung with Seth Green and others with film critic Chad-poop Gleason. I’ve been excited for the buildup to the King Kong vs Godzilla battle, so I’m hoping that’ll be next.
The only thing better than a series of monster movies I love would be in a friend was a part of them… oh, wait! My buddy, the creature FX actor ALAN MAXSON is playing 1/3 of KING GHIDORAH. Too cool for school daddy-o, I’m flippin my lid! I recently got to talk with him about this adventure: the process and what it means for him personally.
So I now give to you, Part ONE of my eventual THREE part chat with Alan “Monster Max” Maxson from Godzilla: King of the Monsters… ENJOY!
SO ACCORDING TO A REPORT ON THE BLOODY-DISGUSTING WEBSITE YOU ARE PLAYING KING GHIDORAH’S RIGHT HEAD, WHILE RICHARD DORTON PLAYS THE LEFT HEAD, AND JASON LILES PLAYS THE CENTER HEAD IN THE GODZILLA SEQUEL! IS THIS TRUE? ARE YOU FREAKING SERIOUS!?
Yes, it’s true! haha
WHAT DID YOU DO WHEN YOU FOUND OUT YOU GOT THE PART!?
When I first got the call from my agent, I re-watched all the classic Godzilla movies that had Ghidorah in it. I wanted to make sure I did justice for the hardcore fans of Godzilla. I studied Ghidorah’s movements, character moments and anything he did that a “die-hard fan” would want included. Being a die hard fan of franchises like Planet of the Apes and Star Wars. I know how exciting and happy I am when a beloved character is done “right” and I know how disappointing it is when it is done “wrong”. These types of franchises and characters mean a lot to people that spend countless hours and money on movies & memorabilia. My main goal was to make the life long fans of Ghidorah happy and excited for this movie. If it wasn’t for them, these types of movies wouldn’t continue to be made, so I owe it to them to do it “right”.
WERE YOU A FAN OF THE EARLY GODZILLA FILMS?
Yes! Godzilla, King Kong, Gamera. All the Kaiju. I even had a poster and Slurpee cup lid of the 1998 Godzilla when that movie came out. I know a lot of people laugh at the movie, but I like it. It’s like Godzilla and Jurassic Park all in one. haha
HOW IMPORTANT IS THIS FOR YOU PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY TO PLAY THE KING?
Extremely important. This is a big career move for me! I’m excited and honored to be in one of the worlds largest franchises!
I HEAR YOU DID NOT DO THE PART ALONE.. WHAT WAS IT LIKE SHARING THE CHARACTER WITH OTHER MOTION CAPTURE ACTORS? DID YOU KNOW THEM BEFOREHAND?
It was a blast sharing this with the other actors. Both Richard Dorton and Jason Liles are extremely talented actors. I couldn’t have had better partners in this character. There’s another actor I’d like to give a shout out to but I don’t know if it’s public knowledge yet so I don’t want to upset the Legendary NDA Gods. But currently unnamed actor, you know who you are, you are amazing as well and I hope all of us get to do it again soon! As soon as I know I’m not giving too much info away, I’ll give you a shout out, I promise!
I KNOW YOU CAN’T SPOIL MUCH BUT ANY HINTS? ANYTHING WE SHOULD BE LOOKING FOR?
Everything! The movie is going to be great! The best Godzilla movie to date!
AS A FAN OF YOUR EARLIER WORK INCLUDING THE “CHRISTMAS WITH COOKIE” FILMS, WHAT CAN YOU SAY IN REGARDS TO THEM? WILL WE SEE MORE OF COOKIE IN THE FUTURE?
haha Oh Cookie…. Never say never but I currently don’t have any plans to make another Cookie movie anytime soon.
I HAVE HAD THE PLEASURE OF HEARING YOU VOICE “THE CRYPT-KEEPER” AS PART OF TOM DEVLIN’S MONSTER MUSEUM IN VEGAS, WHERE ELSE WOULD FANS BE SURPRISED TO SEE YOU?
Oh good question! You can also hear my voice in the Netflix original film I Am Not An Easy Man. It’s a French film but I play numerous characters in the English dubs. My favorite line is when I voice an actor yelling at a bunch of men protesting on the street. I yell to them “Hussies! Stop ruining our image!” haha It makes me laugh every time I hear it.
WE BOTH WERE IN THE FULL MOON FEATURE “KILLJOY PSYCHO CIRCUS” HOW WOULD YOU COMPARE A BIG BUDGET PROJECT LIKE GODZILLA 2 TO A MORE INDIE FLICK?
As an actor, it’s the same. I do my job the best I can and try to bring the most entertaining character to life. As for the production it self, I would say the most noticeable difference is time. We have more time to perfect and perform our character on a bigger budget film. On Indie flicks, sometimes it’s a rush because of time and budget restraints. Catering is usually better on big budget films too haha.
TIPS FOR THOSE WANTING TO CROSS OVER INTO MONSTER ACTING?
Train, practice and just keep doing it! It’s the same as “human” acting except you’re a a monster. You have to be real and true to the mentality of that character. If your monster does not speak and only desires to rip the flesh off of humans, that’s your motivation. If your character is killing for hunger, revenge or sport. All options make the performance and decisions of the character different.
IS DOUG JONES A HERO OR INSPIRATION?
Doug is great! He’s such a talented, kind and hard working person. It’s great to see him do his thing! Everyone in the industry knows Doug and everyone loves him! It’s like he has his own cheer leader squad cheering him on from project to project! And it’s all well deserved. I was his creature stand in once on a film and it’s awesome to see him work. Talented as all hell!
WHAT WOULD A DREAM ROLE BE FOR YOU?
I’d love to be in both a Planet of the Apes movie and a Star Wars film. And at the rate Disney is making Star Wars films, the odds are in my favor! Jon Favreau, if you’re reading this, I’d make one hell of a male Twi’lek in your live action TV show! Wink wink, nudge nudge. Maybe a Bib Fortuna origin story?
THANK YOU ALAN.
I will be talking more with the main man, Hollywood’s best kept secret/monster artist in the lead up to GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS hitting theaters next year. On a personal level, Alan is a real pro both on screen and in life. He’s one of the best and I’ll always be rooting for him.
You can follow Alan on twitter @Monster_Maxson
or check him out at AlanMaxson.com
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