supplied/Stuff
Cary Elwes, star of The Princess Bride (1987) is in Wellington this weekend for the Armageddon expo.
This December’s Armageddon Expo will be the first since 2019 to feature appearances by international celebrity guests in the flesh. Cary Elwes, who starred in The Princess Bride, Hot Shots, Stranger Things, Ella Enchanted, The X-Files, Saw, and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, talks to Stuff reporter Rachel Thomas.
Is this your first time in New Zealand?
I was here for a few years ago making a picture, so I’m very fond of New Zealand. I grew to love it. I was in Dunedin doing a film called Black Christmas. This is my second time here.
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What are you most looking forward to about Armageddon?
I like meeting the fans. I listen to them. I was asked them and I always ask them what they’d like me to do. So I use this as an opportunity to connect with them and find out what their interests are because that’s really who I have to listen to.
Kohika Creative/Stuff
Cosplay at previous Armageddon festivals. The expo is on Dec 3-4 at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.
Are there still scenes from Saw that make your skin crawl?
No, I didn’t watch the film really except it’s premiere. I’m not really into watching gory films, but I understand the fans love that kind of thing so that’s why I made the picture but for me personally, I’m not big on gore.
I mean, you’ve done quite few horror films, though?
Yeah – I mean I only have to watch them once, when they force me to. I try not to watch the work I’m in. I only see my mistakes really.
How many times have you watched The Princess Bride?
Three – once at the premiere, yes. I don’t need to, I’m in it! I don’t need to watch it.
Supplied
Cary Elwes has only watched the 1987 cult classic The Princess Bride three times.
On anime – you’ve been in Porco Rosso (1992), The Cat Returns (2002) – would you like to do more?
I would love that too. Again, it’s things I’m actively pursuing, but it really depends on whether or not people want me to.
Will we see you in more romantic leads again like A Castle for Christmas?
Thank you for asking. I loved doing that film. I hope so, I really had fun doing it and I think people enjoyed it.
For your role of Mayor Larry Kline in Stranger Things, did you draw some influences from some key political figures? And if so, who?
Ahh, you can draw your own inference from what political figures – but I’m not at liberty to discuss who inspired me (laughs).
supplied/Stuff
Cary Elwes in Robin Hood: Men in Tights.
You have been keen to avoid being typecast, so you play a bit of everything. What’s the most fun for you? Is it more fun to play a villain?
Y’know, if the part appeals to me on the page and it’s something that challenges me then that’s something that’s interesting to me.
You’re a big history fan. Will we see some period pieces with your name on them?
Hahaha. I don’t know – from your lips to God’s ears, Rachel. I’d like to. I’d like to and I’m actively always looking, but that decision is not up to me.
What has it been like navigating the pandemic as an actor on set?
Well, we have very strict protocols on the set, so I feel very, very confident that I’m not going to be put in a position to ever be around anybody who might be infected because they test us all the time. All the time. They have very strict protocols at work.
Kohika Creative
Cosplay at previous Armageddon festivals. The expo is on Dec 3-4 at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.
What else will you be doing while you’re in Wellington?
I’ll hopefully be able to do a bit of sightseeing and I will definitely make a point of touring the city. It’s so beautiful here, my gosh. Just the drive in was magnificent.
Cary Elwes will be on a panel at Armageddon on Saturday morning, followed by a signing session in the afternoon from 2.30pm. Armageddon 2022 is on from 9am-5pm December 3-4 at Wellington’s Sky Stadium.
