As part of a new partnership between Amazon Studios and Blumhouse TV, the house of horror are launching four new films this October under their new "Welcome to Blumhouse" campaign: Veena Sud's The Lie, Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour's Black Box, Zu Quirke's Nocturne, and Elan Dassani and Rajeev Dassani's Evil Eye.
The Lie and Black Box are now available to stream while Nocturne and Evil Eye will debut on Monday, and ahead of this week's initial launch, we were able to sit down with star Mamoudou Athie and delve deep into his process to play his very duplicitous character in Black Box.
Along with his lead role in Black Box, we also spoke at length about his role in Universal's highly anticipated Jurassic World: Dominion, and while he was understandably not allowed to say too much, he did touch on resuming filming with COVID safety measures in place, reuniting with Justice Smith, and working with the original Jurassic Park trio of Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum.
EDITOR'S NOTE: The following interview was conducted prior to film's recent move to June 2022 and ahead of the second production shut down due to a small coronavirus outbreak on set, which resulted in filming being temporarily halted for two weeks.
Check out the full interview below:
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ROHAN PATEL: You're currently working on the biggest film of your career, Jurassic World: Dominion, are you allowed to say anything about your character yet?
MAMOUDOU ATHIE: *laughs* All I can tell you is that it’s going great, everyone is in great spirits and they have some really incredible stuff going on here. Colin Trevorrow and our DP are really doing some incredible stuff.
ROHAN: I believe Jurassic World: Dominion was the first major blockbuster to resume filming this year after the shut down. What's that experience been like for you? Working on a film set again with all these COVID restrictions now in place?
MAMOUDOU: As bizarre as it is, after the first day, you don’t really think about it because when it comes down to the work, it doesn’t change. That never changes, it was one of my first comforts getting back on set - after, of course, everything being safe - but just to see that it didn’t affect the work was very comforting as well. It gave me a lot of hope for other productions as well.
ROHAN: Yeah, I really think Universal and the Jurassic team have done a good job keeping things contained. [This interview was conducted prior to the recent second shut down.]
MAMOUDOU: Yeah, these producers aren’t playing any games. Patrick Crowley and Alex Derbyshire have really, really stepped up and I have no idea how they did it so quickly, but they’ve been great.
ROHAN: How much filming is left? Few more weeks? [This interview was conducted prior to the recent second shut down and the move to 2022]
MAMOUDOU: Yeah, I think so, just a couple more weeks left. I don’t know though. *laughs* Not sure if it’s my place to talk about that. *laughs*
ROHAN: I'm sure you were a fan of the original Jurassic Park, just like me, and I know you probably can't say too much, but what's it been like working with the original cast?
MAMOUDOU: It’s great, man, lot of laughs. It’s so fun, I’m trying to move in with Sam Neill in New Zealand. It’s been great, and a whole lot of fun. - I’m going to have to wait to tell you about some of that stuff.
ROHAN: Those three have really been keeping us Jurassic fans entertained throughout the year... every time they post a photo together, I think everyone collectively jumps for joy.
MAMOUDOU: Oh yeah, we love it too and they’re in the movie, in the movie, they have big parts, so that’s been cool. Just watching them work, all three of them are so different, but they have this decades-long friendship that’s beautiful.
ROHAN: I’d love to just be a fly on the wall and hear all their stories.
MAMOUDOU: It’s the best, it’s the [frick]ing best, man. Yeah, definitely hit me up when that movie comes out, I’d love to tell you so much more.
ROHAN: You're also working with Justice Smith again on this after The Get Down, was that a fun reunion? Did you guys have any discussions before you signed on for the project?
MAMOUDOU: I love that kid so much, yeah, we talked a little bit about that before I signed on. He’s the best, I met him when he was like 19, so it’s great to see him just grow up and be so dedicated to his craft and become such a great actor. I just love that kid and am always happy for him whenever I see his name pop up somewhere. To be in something together again, it’s really special.
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