George A Romero's Land of the Dead Interview Dennis Hopper (Kaufman) INTERVIEWER Is it true you decided to do this because of George Romero? DENNIS HOPPER Yeah. INTERVIEWER For what reason? Are you a fan? DENNIS HOPPER Well, Easy Rider came out the same time as his first film. They both came out in '69. We both made them in '68 and we both wrote them in '67. They're the same sort of pattern. George is a historic figure in film in my mind, the whole genre of zombie movies. Also the political references that are always inherent in his work. INTERVIEWER When NightNight of the Living Dead came out, can you remember the impact it had? DENNIS HOPPER Yeah, well, I remember it.  It changed Halloween. INTERVIEWER Since George Romero's films have a political overtone, it has been said that Kaufman could be a representation of the Republican Party. What is your take on that? DENNIS HOPPER I think that's a little unfair because Kaufman does things that are immediately illegal and very vicious. I don't really see that as representing the Republican Party. INTERVIEWER Has George Romero talked about the allegory in this and all his films? DENNIS HOPPER Well, it's inherent in the script. INTERVIEWER All of the other George Romero zombie films do not have star names in it. Is that something that occurred to you when you took the role? DENNIS HOPPER Well, I don't think of myself as being a star. Really, very honestly I think of myself as a very fortunate person who's been able to make a living of sorts through acting and various other things through the years. But, I'm certainly not a star. I'm not on any A-list anywhere.  But I love what I'm doing, and I don't think of myself as a star. John Leguizamo, on the other hand, I think of him as one of the best young actors. I mean, he's just such a sensational actor. Not just because of the work he's doing in this, but just in his career, his one-man show, on and on. INTERVIEWER What has your experience been like working on this film? DENNIS HOPPER This is really something special. It's really special. I mean, the makeup. We have the best people in the world working on this, very honestly. So I know it's going to be really great. John is incredible in this movie. It's the best thing he's ever done. INTERVIEWER How is it working with George Romero? DENNIS HOPPER He's like a great father figure. He's a caretaker and he's very specific. George knows what he wants and it's a real pleasure working with him. INTERVIEWER How about the hours? Are you a night owl when you're not working? DENNIS HOPPER Well, I came here from ItalyItaly so I was screwed up to begin with. Then I got used to it here, and then, I was getting up at six in the morning. Now I'm getting back at six in the morning, so I'm not quite sure where I am or what time it is. I know that the work is good, and that's the focus right now. We just went from days to nights, and I think we're back. I'm going to work now and I think I got back at 4:00 or 5:00 AM. INTERVIEWER Do you find it harder to remember your lines? DENNIS HOPPER Not so far, but I've prepared myself pretty well. INTERVIEWER How are the other cast members enjoying the hours? How about Simon Baker? DENNIS HOPPER Simon's doing wonderful. We had a really good scene yesterday. They've been here a little bit longer than I have. I've actually come in and been doing this for about two and a half weeks. They've been shooting for almost a month and a half. INTERVIEWER What can you tell us about your character? DENNIS HOPPER My character lives in a city that he built, which he is totally responsible for. Everyone inside Fiddler's Green are living. Those outside the Green are not living so well. Then there are the zombies. My character, KaufmanKauffman, runs everything. He runs it all. It's totally his responsibility, and he tells them that someday they may earn responsibilities, but right now, they're all his. It's my ingenuity that built this place. I put up the fences to make it safe, I hired the army, I paid for their training, and I kept the people off the streets. By giving advices and gains, it cost me a lot of money, but I spent the money because it was my responsibility. So now maybe you know what the word responsibility means. Next		Home Interviews Antoine Fuqua Interview King Arthur Interview Arv Grewal Interview Asia Argento Interview Behind the Scenes of "War of the Worlds" Bernie Goldmann Interview Clive Owen Interview Dakota Fanning Interview Dennis Hopper Interview George A Romero Interview Greg Nicotero Interview The Hulk Press Conference Ang Lee Press Conference Ioan Gruffudd Interview John Leguizamo Interview Kathleen Kennedy Interview Keira Knightley Interview