SAN DIEGO (Reuters) - Since he first caught Hollywood's eye with his directorial debut, the Mexican vampire film "Cronos," writer/director Guillermo del Toro has pursued the types of fantasy and horror films he would watch as a fan.
His passion has led to the successful translation of the cult favorite "Hellboy" comic books into two blockbuster films and another comic book movie, Marvel's "Blade II." He had planned to work on the "Hobbit" movies, which he co-wrote with producer Peter Jackson, but delays forced him to shift his focus.
He spoke to Reuters at Comic Con about how he hopes to frighten audiences with "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark."
Q: What is it about Comic Con that you connect with?
A: "Comic-Con is a celebration of pop culture -- anime, sci-fi films, horror, anything that is within the scope of geek culture and is interesting for them. It's paradise. I normally try to travel with an empty suitcase, and then I end up coming home with a suitcase and four or five boxes filled with stuff."
Q: Why is "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" a passion project?
A: "This is a movie I've been dreaming of being involved with ever since I started making films professionally. It took me seven years to secure the rights and then another 13 years to get made. So it's been a 20-year journey altogether."
Q: What separates it from recent horror films?
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His passion has led to the successful translation of the cult favorite "Hellboy" comic books into two blockbuster films and another comic book movie, Marvel's "Blade II." He had planned to work on the "Hobbit" movies, which he co-wrote with producer Peter Jackson, but delays forced him to shift his focus.
He spoke to Reuters at Comic Con about how he hopes to frighten audiences with "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark."
Q: What is it about Comic Con that you connect with?
A: "Comic-Con is a celebration of pop culture -- anime, sci-fi films, horror, anything that is within the scope of geek culture and is interesting for them. It's paradise. I normally try to travel with an empty suitcase, and then I end up coming home with a suitcase and four or five boxes filled with stuff."
Q: Why is "Don't Be Afraid of the Dark" a passion project?
A: "This is a movie I've been dreaming of being involved with ever since I started making films professionally. It took me seven years to secure the rights and then another 13 years to get made. So it's been a 20-year journey altogether."
Q: What separates it from recent horror films?
� Continued...
