The Daywalker Speaks: Wesley Snipes Interview

by IGN Staff - IGN.com | 12 August 2011 12:00
 
IGN exclusively caught up with the incarcerated movie star to talk about his foray into mobile gaming.
 
IGN sat down and spoke exclusively with Wesley Snipes, currently serving time, about his game Julius Styles: The International for iPhone and iPad, which is out today.
 
IGN: Tell us where the character of Julius Styles comes from?
 
Wesley Snipes: The concept is an amalgamation of the "international spy, security specialist" characters I've played in a couple of films, a street novel that an early incarnation of my production company, Amen Ra Film, acquired back in the late '90's, and a persona played by Chow Yun Fat in a series of Asian films entitled "God of the Gamblers". I thought it would be fun to play a super-smart, cool, adventure-seeker, who uses his mind, a bit more than his muscle, to win. A Ronin, someone who lives by his own code of ethics, admired by men, loved by the ladies. I figured since I couldn't be a guy like that in real life, I darn sure could be one in a movie. Except, unlike previous characters, who often have a military special-ops/spy background, I needed a twist for this guy. Then after reading a book titled "Confession of an Economic Hit Man" it all clicked. Julius Styles would be an urban-born math wiz, a dot-com mega-millionaire, who loves the art of the deal. 'A facilitator': a man who gets his thrill from finding creative solutions to very, very difficult problems. A guy who uses his unique cache of skills and connections to get shit done... with 'style', hence the nom de guerre (which may or may not be his real name).
 
His motto is "always close the deal; always come home".
 

Julius Styles: The International

IGN: How involved have you been in the creation of Julius Styles: The International?
 
Wesley Snipes: I crafted the concept, character names and background stories, mixing and matching people I know with people I'd like to know... if they really existed. After writing out a treatment for his first mission, I pitched it to Alison Semenza, a producer I'd worked with in the past, with the goal of making a feature film. Months later she came back and said, "Hey, have you ever thought about making a game out of it?" Now here we are. Team members from our comic/animation division communicate frequently with the game developers, fleshing out the look, music and game challenges, particularly, the mind game elements. IGN: Do you have plans for the character?
 
Wesley Snipes: We most definitely want to make a super-cool feature film. Building on what is hoped to be a successful video game, featuring exotic locations, with a healthy blend of suspense, action and a clever plot twist. A franchise-able, cross platform entertainment property is the second goal, having fun is the first.
 

IGN: Do you have projects already lined up for your return?
 
Wesley Snipes: Yes, a fantastic animated project titled Omandi Mech 5, which is a futuristic sci-fi action adventure centered around a family of warrior scientist whose son is resurrected in the body of a giant hero robot, a MECH. Along with the allied freedom fighting forces of N.A.R.A., they battle pre-human evolution beings, who set out to reclaim the surface planet and reduce the earthlings to beasts of burden and FOOD. I screened about 18 minutes of footage, in motion graphic format, for exec at EA, who loved it. No firm deal as of yet, but prospects look great. There are also plans to build a feature and video game around the 'graphic novel' concept Antoine Fuqua and I created titled "After Dark". The graphic novel, produced in partnership with Radical Comics, is currently on the market. We were fortunate to have some real heavy weights join the team on this one, guys like Peter Milligan, Jeff Nentrup and Francesco 'Matt' Mattina. The book is released through Radical Publishing.
 
Truthfully, we have about 5 cross-platform, franchise-able products in different stages of development or production. Something for grown-ups, something for kids, and something for 'grown-up kids'. The martial arts gets a look in all of them. Young people will love the "Jaycen Wise" adventure series. IGN: As an accomplished actor and producer, do you think the movie industry understands gaming?
 
Wesley Snipes: Well, I think some do and a lot don't. The ones who have open imaginations and CEO 'get money' attitudes... get it. There is a bit of arrogance with "Hollywood" types that doesn't sit well with game developers. Kinda like... we make films. You guys make kiddie games...". Personally I find there is just as much if not more creativity among game makers as there is among feature filmmakers. I think the game developers ('GDs') win in the discipline department. It's ironic that the 'GDs', though maybe not as 'glamorous' as movie producers, actually make more money.
 
The worlds are merging, and mutual respect is growing. It takes a lot of technical skill, creative savvies to tell a good story, be entertaining and get people to pay for it, regardless of the format. Although it's kinda hard to imagine it would be easy to make a video game out of "Brian's Song" or "Terms of Endearment".
 

IGN: Having kickstarted the trend for superhero movies, would you ever make another Blade film?
 
Wesley Snipes:Thanks for saying that. Some people forget or overlook my/our contribution to this current trend. The 'Gaming' community knows and the streets give us credits, but the movie world frequently plays us like the 'ugly step child' or the 'kitchen help', especially when the conversation revolves around the 'boys in tights' or 'the bat'.
 
Getting asked this question all the time, my response is: "Under the right circumstances, with the right team, yes, I'd do another one." But don't get me wrong, I'm not waiting around for the opportunity. I've got plenty to do, plus an unravelled character in the works who I think will give Blade a helluva run for his money. It would be nice to fulfil some of the really cool plans we had for Blade, but didn't get the chance to go live with. IGN: Charlie Sheen says he's trying to get Major League 3 off the ground? Would you consider a return?
 
Wesley Snipes: I doubt that. But definitely, if it means multiple slides into home plate again. I left a piece of my left butt cheek in a Milwaukee stadium the last time. Still got the scars for that one.

IGN: How are you holding up? How are you filling your days?
 
Wesley Snipes: Well I think that I'm holding up pretty well... mind is right, spirit is strong, hope is high I'll get out soon. Until then, I spend my time reading, studying, staying fit, leading warrior yoga classes, collecting incredible stories and nodding my head each time someone says to me "for real, Snipes, I can't believe they sent you here for misdemeanors! I've never seen that before, they really screwed you!" Then, I'm like "yeah, tell me about it". Paraphrasing Shakespeare: "All the worlds a stage and men are merely players". I treat this like another role the good Lord wants me to play, in a movie I don't yet know the ending of. I'll perform my best and when they call "wrap", I'll return home to my family and friends to enjoy life. IGN: Do you have other game ideas?
 
Wesley Snipes: Do I? You ain't seen nothing yet. Global entertainment on the way. IGN: Why should people play the game?
 
Wesley Snipes: Addictive game play that challenges both your motor skills and your mental flexibility IGN: Do you have any messages for your fans?
 
Wesley Snipes: Thank you for the years of support, prayers and well wishes. Don't count the original Daywalker out just yet. Now that we have a bit more control, the quality of my work is going to improve ten-fold and the company's products are going to blow people's minds. Get ready because we are about to bring "nuttin but fiyar!"
 

Julius Styles: The International for iPhone and iPad from Lapland Studios, Elstree Studio Productions and Red 27 Films is out today, August 11.

 
Supplied by IGN.com