Last week I had the pleasure of attending the always wonderful Baltimore Comic Con. While there I was lucky enough to interview esteemed comic book artist JG Jones (interview coming soon) and I was also lucky enough to get a few quick updates from Steve Niles on the current status of the 30 Days of Night sequel. If you’re a fan of 30 Days of Night, which I am, then you may be happy to hear that the sequel is currently prepping to shoot. Here’s what Steve had to say about the upcoming sequel, Freaks of the Heartland, and working with John Carpenter.
Can you talk about what’s going on with the sequel? Its starting to shoot soon right?
Steve Niles: Yeah its starting to shoot, we’re shooting it in about two weeks. The script was written by Ben Ketai and myself, Ben is directing and right now we’re trying to figure out casting. Its all happening and wait and see what happens next.
Are we going to see the Vampire’s origins in this one?
Steve Niles: Um, probably not in this one, but if we get around to a third one… There’ll be some.
Can you talk about how the sequel is going to remain fresh and different?
Steve Niles: It takes place in Los Angeles for one, it follows Stella’s story after what happens in the first movie. She decides its time to take out vampires and she knows their weakness now and they do not want to be exposed.
Is Melissa George coming back?
Steve Niles: We are waiting to hear back right now. I have my figures crossed, but we’ll keep doing it regardless.
I heard last year you were writing something for John Carpenter, is that still going?
Steve Niles: The movie fell through, but we’re working on a new project… Actually two new projects that we’ll be announcing in the next couple of months.
You can’t tell me about them?
Steve Niles: I can’t.
Can you say how happy you are to be working with Carpenter?
Steve Niles: Its like a dream come true, I worked with Bernie Wrightson and John Carpenter and I could just die now. Carpenter is like the nicest guy I’ve ever met and he’s such a great guy.
Is that going to be an action movie or like a ghost story?
Steve Niles: We’re doing some multimedia stuff.
What else is happening movie wise?
Steve Niles: Freaks of the Heartland is happening with David Gordon Green.
Oh, I haven’t heard that.
Steve Niles: Yeah! He’s working on it and he’s wanted it for years, but he’s mainly know for doing his smaller independent movies then he did Pineapple Express and bang!
He’s also doing Your Highness.
Steve Niles: Yeah, exactly. That gave him the freedom to do what he wants now and he’s been wanting to do Freaks of the Heartland since it came out.
I haven’t read it before so is it a horror comedy?
Steve Niles: Yeah, its definitely a horror comedy.
