Scooby Doo: Interview

Review by By Clint Morris

Interview with Scriptwriter James Gunn
Wrote the script for the new movie Scooby Doo.

Just one big break, that's all someone needs to set them on the path of fame and fortune. For writer James Gunn, that break is Scooby Doo, Village Roadshow's new super-duper feature based on the classic cartoons. As Gunn explains to Clint Morris, it's been one wild ride in the Mystery Machine.

Clint: First of all James, I have to ask: what's the attraction with Scooby Doo?

James: I loved Scooby growing up. He's the inner goof and coward and all of us. I was also enchanted by the ability to bring these cartoon characters into the real world, and do it in a way that's different than how it's been done before in films like The Flintstones, Inspector Gadget, etc. Not that there's anything wrong with that style of filmmaking, just that we wanted to do something more unique.

Clint: So how does the film version differ from the cartoons?

James: It differs from the cartoons in a million different ways. We also get a chance to see what we don't see in cartoons -- the little fights and dramas Mystery Inc has in-between solving mysteries. There's romance, jealousy, bickering, and love. And there are also real supernatural forces at work -- this time there's no Old Man Smithers in a mask, but real monsters to contend with.

Clint: Can you give us a taste of the events in this movie?

James: At the beginning of the film Mystery Inc is getting fed up with the mundane aspects of their experiences -- their mysteries are pretty much the same over and over: Daphne gets captured, Velma and Fred have a plan, Shaggy and Scooby muck everything up, and, at the end, the 'supernatural phenomena' they've been fighting ends up being a man in a mask.

After the millionth time it gets pretty boring, and the gang starts to get on each other's nerves. So they break up. But, soon enough, they're called back together to solve a mystery. They go to Spooky Island, an amusement park on a tropical island, where mysterious things are happening. And this time, they have to face real demons -- and, in the end, save the world!

Clint: So is this the start of a Scooby franchise?

James: The movie's not done yet -- but I've seen it many times, and it keeps getting better and better. It's a lot of fun, and the cast (including the CGI Scooby) is great. We're already talking about the sequel, yes...

Clint: You seem to love Scooby Doo, do you plan on turning any other cartoon icons into big screen features?

James: Presently, no. I get offers to work with established characters almost every day, but, unless it's a character I have a deep love for, and also have a take that makes it interesting, I pass. There are still some characters out there I'd love to work with, but I'll be working on mostly original ideas over the next year. I've also had opportunities to write a comic book myself, which I definitely want to do, I just haven't had the time as of late.

Clint: One film on your schedule is a feature based on the comic Spy vs Spy. How close to going into production is Spy Vs Spy?

James: As of today, not so close.

Clint: How did working on small-budget films at Troma differ from the Hollywood matter you're now working on?

James: The battles are bigger. The problems are bigger. They money is bigger. The attention is more. In many ways, it's exactly the same, just on a different scale. But I'll always cherish the real nitty-gritty fun I had, as well as the freedom working at Troma. Not to mention the naked women and the exploding heads. There weren't as many of those around on the Scooby set. At least not that were filmed.

Clint: You've also done a spot of acting. Any more acting gigs lined up?

James: Yes. I'll be doing a couple things over the next year.

Clint: I see a film called "The Newlyweds" on your bio. Can you tell me about that?

James: It's a romantic comedy I'm doing for Warner Bros; tonally, it's an update of the old Preston Sturges screwball comedies from the '40's. It's about a young socialite who gets drunk and gets married to a con man two days before she's supposed to marry a surgeon, and how she and the con man fall in love on the way to getting a divorce. The movie also features basketball playing midgets and a pissed off pet ferret. It's a film about how sometimes the things in life that seem to be wrong end up being right, and vice versa.

Clint: And, as if you aren't busy enough, how likely is it that we will see your book "The Toy Collector" as a film?

James: Somewhat likely - I've had a lot of offers, but I don't feel like jumping into something that I spent so long on right now. I can't decide whether I'd want to write it, direct it, or what. I have a lot of tenderness for the project, and there's a lot of personal truth there for me, so I'm not going to jump into a film project without thinking. We'll see. I think it would make a great movie, though.

Clint: Finally, Did you get to visit our lovely Australia?

James: I spent a few months last year in Surfer's Paradise. I loved Australia -- it's people are the greatest and most hospitable in the world, and the land is gorgeous. I can't wait to shoot there again!

Scooby Doo commences in Australian theatres on June 14th.

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