WAMG Interview: FRIGHT NIGHT Writer Marti Noxon

Director Craig Gillepsie’s FRIGHT NIGHT is a modern take on Tom Holland’s 1985 horror classic and another scary addition to the canon of vampire movies. I recently had the honor of interviewing one of my idols, the film’s screenwriter Marti Noxon.

Known as a writer and executive producer on TV’s “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” series, Noxon most recently wrote the script for DreamWorks Studios’ I AM NUMBER FOUR. She has also served as consulting producer of TV’s “Mad Men,” “Prison Break,” and “Angel” and is currently a consulting writer and producer on this season’s “Glee.” Besides her TV work, Noxon is currently writing and producing BAD BABY for DreamWorks.

While keeping my hero-worship in check, as well as being an ethusiastic FRIGHT NIGHT fan, I spoke with the affable Noxon by phone about the film, the surprise cameo and her favorite horror movies.

MM: What drew you to this vampire project  – a reimagining of Tom Holland’s film?

MN: I’ve spent a long time in the Vampire world. After many years in the Buffy universe, I had the appetite to visit it again. I’m very fond of the original film and I wanted to hold true to Tom Holland’s premise and the characters. So I went more with an emotional tone and really wanted to make it very scary and funny at the same time.

MM: There’s become a romantic element to vampires in today’s pop culture – thankfully missing from Colin Farrell’s Jerry and his rows of fangs.

MN: Yes, I agree.

MM: It’s almost as if they’ve been dumbed down. What’s happened to make them go from the well-known predators, (buring in the sun, no reflection in mirrors, stake to the heart), to these conflicted beings with such drama?

MN: Well there’s always been a precedent that they’re tortured souls. I loved reading Anne Rice’s novels characterizations of the vampires. But it’s become so over-saturated with romanticized vamps. Some of the mystery and shock value surrounding them is gone in today’s TV and films. So yes they’ve become love-sick vampires. We went away from that and made Jerry very scary and sexual.

MM: At the screenings a few weeks ago, I could tell there were people in the theater that hadn’t a clue who Chris Sarandon was when he popped up. Meanwhile, the rest of us went beserk – clapping and howling by the surprise. What would you say to all the naysayers of the remake?

MN: People have a real affection for the original. I wanted to combine old aspects of the original with new elements to make a fresh film. It had to be a film that reflects the affection for the 1985 film while giving everyone a new experience. 

MM: There are more than a few nods to the original 1985 film and Sarandon’s cameo was genius. Was all this part of your original screenplay?

MN: Actually Chris Sarandon’s reps contacted us. He wanted to be a part of the film. He really wanted in. You know Chris was a moderator on the FRIGHT NIGHT Comic-Con panel this year. He was so nice to everyone – very easy to talk to.

MM: I was really glad to see how you stepped up Imogen Poots’ and Toni Collette’s characters in this new version. They’re not running around screaming in hysterics. These two stand their ground in many scenes during the movie.

MN: (Laughs) Yes, yes. It takes another woman to notice that. I appreciate that! There’s a pivotal scene in the original where Mrs. Brewster is having a meltdown and I wanted to get away from that. I stayed away from having these characters being afraid. I wanted to make sure these women where smart and creative and resourceful. They don’t take any guff.

MM: On women and horror, what are your thoughts on how far women have come since the days of Buffy? You’re the screenwriter on FRIGHT NIGHT. There’s Gale Anne Hurd’s AMC zombie show Walking Dead. Many of us genuinely like to watch horror-themed movies and TV.

MN: Today, women are more widely seen as really liking horror. There are more women writers in the genre now than ever before…its little victories. Young women are writing it and watching what’s out there – True Blood, Twilight and Walking Dead – while acknowledging the dudes.

MM: On the topic of dudes, my favorite – the great Peter Vincent. Can you tell me how you revamped the immortal Roddy McDowall’s turn as the late-night TV slayer into David Tennant’s cheeky Vegas magician with all the leather.

MN: (Laughs) Yes!

MM: He’s sporting a silk robe, living in a penthouse with the women and the booze. By the end he’s in a short leather coat, sneakers and jeans. It has a 1980’s revisionist feel to it.

MN: Right, right. Well, it’s late in his career to have this success and in the end he’s really a fraud and a coward. In the spirit of the character he’s disappointed in himself and it’s not kosher. He’s loathes himself and has gone down this self-destructive path. In the end, Vincent is colored by fear.

MM: I have to ask – what’s your favorite scary movie?

MN: I had to make up a list of ten on my all-time scary films for an article. But if I had to pick one, I’d have to say POLTERGEIST. It’s really scary and I love the characters.

MM: It still plays well today, doesn’t it?

MN: Very much so – the build up to the ending is great. There’s two other films I’d add to that list. I also like the EXORCIST. I’m still terrified by it…it holds up even today. Lastly, the BLAIR WITCH PROJECT. That film messed…me…up. What makes it really scary is that they found that footage of what happened – very unexpected horror film!

FRIGHT NIGHT is in theaters now!