Lexi Alexander Interview, Punisher War Zone

Does this movie take place in the Marvel universe?

Well in the sense of the other Marvel characters it definitely is its own world in terms of location. Although we call it Marvel New York because rather then setting it in real New York I wanted to have a surreal feeling.

What distinguishes your take on the film over the previous Punisher film?

The last Punisher movie really was not relevant to us. There is alot of comparison to it but not anyone on my team looked at it and said "how can we be different or better?". We just did our own film. I concentrated on really making it as close to the comic book series as possible. I think we really achieved it with the look and the tone. Looking at the dailies i think im looking at the comic books from the look and feel.

Will this be a hard R?  What sort of guide lines on the violence does the studio have for you?

It will definitely be a hard R and luckily LionsGate has been great about it in terms of guide lines on violence. They are a good studio to make a violent movie with and I really like a violent movie. Definitely going to be a Hard R rating.

Are the challenges of making Punisher more then doing Green Street Hooligans?

There are advantages and disadvantages. There are alot more toys on a big studio film, its a bigger crew and there are more resources. Disadvantages are the more money the more responsibility the more people you have to answer to. You have all kinds of people who have a say in how this movie should be and giving input on where you can and can't go with the movie. I was fortunate that the studio let me make the movie my way.

How will this film differ from the previous Punisher films?

I get this question alot. It is not relevant. The feeling of the new movie is much darker and one thing comic fans will realize immediately is the world we created feels like the comic book world. In terms of the look, I have not seen daylight I am like a vampire so you can imagine how the movie will look. Its all dark and cold.

What is the significance of War Zone in the Punisher title?

Well when we discussed titles Marvel had alot of input. We wanted to go with something fans would recognize and when they suggested a few War Zone seemed to fit this one in particular because of the ending, which will make more sense once you see the film. The ending justifies the title.

What is your feeling on the tone of your film and how far are you willing to push the character?

Well it is definitely Marvel Max and it's a vigilante story. It is dark and violent and the Punisher fans know there really is no boundaries to his darkness. I really tried to go there and hopefully I have achieved it.

How much hand to hand fighting does Fank Castle do vs gun play?

Who made the decision to bring in Jigsaw into this movie?

The first script I received from LionsGate had Jigasw in it. I was not familiar with where he was in the series. He was there and he was the antagonist and I fell in love with the character and think he is a great villiain. So I wanted to keep him but we didnt strictly go for one storyline in the comic books. We pulled parts from different stories to make the best movie possible.

Talk about Ray Stevenson and Dominque West and casting them.

Everyday we look at these guys and go holy sh*t how lucky did we get. Ray stevenson is incredibly intense and looks like the Punisher. His life is on his face and he is not a pretty boy. You definitely see he has had a life and he is really really skilled. He teaches us all about guns, machine guns and bullets. He is very phyiscal.

Dominque West is a very skilled actors actor and people will see a side of him people have not seen. This guy is a real British theatre actre with a huge range and he nails this part like no tomorrow. I think people will talk about this role. It is the best role he has done. When you have them at dinner privately you can see the essence of the characters is within them. We have two actors who really represent the essence.

What has been the most brutal scene so far and the favorite kill?

In terms of the most brutal thing it is the location. It is part of the finale and its a very cold and toxic  building where we all had to have masks on and we all got sick. It was toxic so we had to shoot the whole time with oxgen masks on accept for the actors ( laughs ) My favorite kill without giving to much away has to do with a head butt.

What sensibility do you bring to the film as a director?

My background is so related to this subject that it was not a far stretch for the studio or for Marvel to come to me. I do not think the fact that I am female was ever relevant. I like that everyone sees me as a director and compares me to others and it doesnt matter what gender. I think personnally I can totally relate to these stories. Green Street Hooligans was about vigilantes, honor and standing up. So I really relate to the story. There is alot of action and violence but the real essence is about Frank Castle with alot of quiet scenes.

Is this a complete reboot from the last Punisher movie?

I would say its a complete different reboot just because the previous films were not relevant to us at all. Castle is one story and the mythology stays the same, I just have a very different take on it. I was lucky enough to put it in the right environment which is very dark and cold.

Are you sticking to the iconic Punisher costume?

Yes I am but over the year there have been many different costumes and I think we have taken the elements we like best from each of those costumes. I think you will see the similarities to some of them but not specifically to one. I have taken the best elements from each of these costumes over the years.

Were there any stories you read that you enjoyed?

There have been so many. I feel I have read hundreds and hundreds since I first took on this job. Something that stayed in my mind but didnt make it in this film; I remember reading the episode where Frank Castle was still in his street clothes and his wife has just died. His nieghbour comes over and admits an affair with his secretary and Frank throws him through the window and basically trashes him for cheating on his wife. I tried to put it in the movie but it just didnt fit anywhere. I remember thinking that was great acting.

Microchip is he Frank's allie or enemy in this film?

He is his ally. Definitely.

What got you into fighting? Are you still involved?

I had to much energy so my mother signed me up for a class. Now i mainly make films I dont have time for martial arts. I did it for awhile professional, traveling the world and competing. I retired from that a long time ago and the legend of it seems to follow me. Once and awhile I show up at tournaments and hand out trophies but thats as much as I am involved now.

What are you doing next?

No Green Street Hooligans 2. Thats not in the future although I know your a big fan. Those are my kind of films I like mythologies so there might be something in that area coming.

Because action movies concentrate on one martial arts technique was there anything you wanted to emphasize?