Costas Mandylor interview
01/11/2007 . Source: Jessica Martin 
Costas Mandylor talks about working on movies such as Saw IV and Beowulf, how living in LA compares to Oz, and being named as one of the most beautiful people in the world. Buy Saw IV in the USA - or Buy Saw IV in the UK  I understand you've had a few problems with fires over there.
Yeah, a buddy of mine needed help last night so I'm sleepless. But it's just like hanging out in Melbourne, we never go to sleep anyway, the Greeks...
Saw IV - you had a part in Saw III, so did you know at that time you'd be coming back for this one?
There was a little threat that it was possible, that I was going to come through but the beauty of the Saw movies - or maybe the tragedy? - is that if you live through one you're probably going to be in the next one. If you die, you're never coming back. Actually, that's a lie as certain people died and come back, they've worked out a clever way to keep everything rolling.
We've not seen Saw IV yet, can you tell us anything about the story without giving anything away?
Well, you know, that's the hard part about talking about the story, I'm not supposed to give anything away, but part of the beauty is I'm not being in any way mischievous because I know how the movie begins - I think it's very clever - but I don't know how it ends. And I was in it. It's usually a pretty easy thing for an actor to say I know exactly what's going on, because you read the script and you go through the experience, but we shot a few different endings and I have no idea how it's going to finish. I'm happy about that, because I'm going to go and see it.
The beauty is that I don't know. So instead of me misleading anybody, I can honestly say that I'm looking forward to seeing it as much as the people who've been loyal fans.
When we first started shooting, they didn't give me the last 30 pages, but that was okay, because I'm a lazy reader anyway. I enjoyed that, the fact that I didn't know where it was going, it's more interesting that way.
So you could be back for Saw V and not know it yet?
If I said I was going to be in Saw V, I think that would be very presumptuous and the bosses would fire me. But there are a few possibilities they're looking at and I know if the people are pleased with IV then V will happen - and there must be a small spot in there for me somewhere...
There's been a bit of a backlash against 'gore-nography' but that seems to miss the point of the Saw movies.
As far as Saw goes, there are some wild scenes that we've all seen but there is one thing that's undeniable and that is it's clever. There are reasons for certain people being put in certain predicaments and because it's smart, I respect it. If it was just, like, slash-'em-up, that's a different level so I get why certain things are shown. There's a message somewhere in there.
We live in a a beautiful world but sometimes it's a sick one.
You've had a very long, busy career, and were once named as one of the most beautiful people in the world.
I still am. If you could see me... You know what's funny with the 'most beautiful people in the world' stuff? It's that one year you're in there, the next you're not, and you're thinking, well, I didn't change that much... I think it all depends on what's happening and how busy you are, but it's a compliment.
Was it a help or a hindrance to your career?
I don't know. I've never really thought about it but it probably doesn't hurt anybody's career to be called 'the most beautiful something in the world'. But I've never really thought about it. I've just got to stay beautiful so I can get one more shot at being in there...
You were born in Australia...
I grew up in St Kildare and South Melbourne.
Do you get back home often?
It's funny, by circumstance, I hadn't gone back for ten years, and went back to do a little movie - I think the name of it is Torn now. I saw high school friends, I went for a walk through the school, I walked around the neighbourhood and I miss it terribly. It's one of the great countries in the world and I'm looking forward to going back soon.
How does LA compare to Melbourne?
It's sunnier here a lot longer. I have some very good friends here but you know what? I just... if anyone relates to anything, it's the smell of the parks and the beaches that you can't deny you miss. It's definitely an exciting place to live. That's Australia. LA's not bad...
What's next for you?
The only thing I can tell you for sure is that two weeks after this movie comes out, I had the privilege of working with Ray Winstone, Brendan Gleason, Anthony Hopkins and John Malkovich in a movie called Beowulf. I'm excited to see what it looks like. I haven't seen any of it yet.
We got a sneak preview recently. It looks amazing.
Really? I'm excited to hear that. But I'll tell you this: Anthony Hopkins is a gentleman and he's hysterical, Brendan Gleason is one of the scariest individuals of a sweetheart that I've ever met, and Ray Winstone is probably the most unpretentious human being I've ever met in my life. And Malkovich is weird and funny. I got lucky and hung out with them for about ten weeks.
Is your character based on your own looks?
From what I'm told, it's me. The only thing is I've got a shaved head and a tattoo across half my face but apparently I do look a little like me. Or maybe even a little better looking than me because they've made Ray look a little better looking than he is as well! |
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