Derailed: Interview

Interview by Clint Morris

Interview with Tomas Arana
Starring in the forthcoming Derailed film.

In the upcoming Derailed, Tomas Arana plays adversary to Jean Claude Van Damme. Clint Morris talks to the man behind the villain in this exclusive interview.

Tomas Arana appears in Derailed

Clint: How was it working on Derailed?

Tomas: Derailed was a lot of fun -- I loved the crew and I had a wonderful time shooting in Bulgaria, a country that I had filmed in before. It is one of my favorite countries. I play Mason Storm, Van Damme's antagonist. A professional evil spy.

Clint: How was Jean-Claude?

Tomas: Jean Claude has a wonderful sense of humour and is the consummate pro. He taught me a lot about screen fighting. He also proved the famous saying: "Don't believe all the stuff you read." He is a very kind and sweet man. I worked with Laura (Harring) in only a few scenes.

Clint: So is Derailed going straight to video, as planned?

Tomas: I don't think they have decided anything regarding Derailed, I am under the impression that it will be decided once it is edited. I would always rather a movie be released in theatres.

Clint: And are you and Russell returning for a Gladiator prequel?

Tomas: There have been many rumours of prequels for Gladiator. I know nothing about anything concrete. I saw Russell a few months ago, when he and his band played in Hollywood at the House of Blues. He didn't mention anything to me about it. The only way it would make sense to do a prequel would be if Russell comes back to play the lead and that would be entirely up to him.

Tomas Arana dons battle gear in Gladiator

I know him well enough to say that he would never do it just for the money. If it happened, of course I would love to be a part of it. My favourite film I have made is Gladiator, followed by Last Temptation of Christ.

Clint: Least favourite?

Tomas: My least favourite film is one that I will not mention and that would be impossible for you to even find out I made. I have vanished if from my resume and my mind!

Clint: You're also starring in Outpatient. What's that about?

Tomas: Outpatient is a wonderful, strange thriller with Justin Kirk and Catherine Keener and is surprising and surreal. It was shot in High Definition, which was very unusual. See the website, www.outpatient-themovie.com.

I also just finished in Naples, Italy - a movie called Volpe A Tre Zampe (Three Legged Fox), which is a wonderful story set in the 1950's in Naples. I play an American Admiral married to Miranda Otto (another one of your wonderfully talented actors from Down Under that I have worked with). I am also producing a movie that will be shot in Venezuela, France and Italy. I am working right now to update my website, www.tomasarana.com as I have been traveling a lot and haven't had time.

Derailed is released later this year.

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