After spending some time in the Marvel universe with Spider-Man, you’re making the jump to DC, where we’ll see a preview of your character in Justice League before getting to know him better in Aquaman. What appealed to you about that universe and the character that you’re playing?
DAFOE: I don’t see the universes. Of course, there are differences, but it’s project by project. I haven’t wrapped my brain around the difference. From the outside, maybe that’s interesting, but I’m dealing with a specific character and director. I’m not thinking so much about the selling, the business, the corporate stuff or the franchise stuff. I am very weak in thinking about those things. In some ways, I’m like a child. I only look for interesting things to do and interesting people to play with.
I love the enthusiasm of James Wan and the love of films that he clearly has. Was working with him part of the appeal?
DAFOE: You know what? I think I may have even signed on before James Wan was on board, but he’s great. I agree, his enthusiasm is fantastic. In fact, his enthusiasm reminds me, very much, of Sam Raimi’s enthusiasm, to make a connection there. When I made Spider-Man with Sam Raimi, one of the most impressive things was that it didn’t feel like an industry film. It felt like a personal film. It felt like Sam Raimi was getting to fulfill a fantasy of his. He was so connected to that Spider-Man mythology that he really infused it with great love and great playfulness, and I love that. James Wan is very similar. The other thing about James Wan that’s so impressive, and I think you can see it in his movies, is that he’s very precise. He really knows exactly what he wants, which is particularly a great asset when you’re making a movie that’s so technologically complicated. He can be very clear, and it’s fun to play the game of having him give you an ask and trying to satisfy that ask. He gives you some things to play with and a good story. I’m on a little break right now, but I go back to Australia tonight (August 18th) to finish the movie, and I’ll work for another month.
Would be cool if Dolph could talk Dafoe into playing a role in one of his personal projects...