Unlike the first movie, Anne Rice has absolutely NO involvement with this film. Apparently, she did talk with the studio in the beginning, but her opinions and suggestions were cast aside. In the end, Warner Brothers decided to work without her. Anne remains relatively quiet about her true thoughts concerning the project. This is probably a purposeful decision, as Anne is a most influential figure and her initially harsh comments about 'Interview With The Vampire' were not well received by those involved. Warner Brothers legally secured the film rights to 'Queen of the Damned'. The studio began filming before the deadline. Therefore, they were free to do just about whatever they pleased with the material in the making of this film.
Anne's feelings gradually begun to surface before filming began last year.
Generally, she is not pleased with what they are doing with this movie. Lately she has become more amicable, although she has not really spoken about the movie since October. Unlike 'Interview With The Vampire', where Anne was fully involved with the script and general production, Warner Brothers have chosen to adopt this project exclusively. Therefore, like the rest of us, the only thing Anne can really do is sit back, watch what happens, and hope for the best.
Anne's official statement on the movie: (July,
2000)
"I do not know anything secret or special about the
movie QUEEN OF THE DAMNED. I only know exactly what everyone else knows and you are likely
to find things out before I do."
Anne's official video message
concerning the film: (17th August, 2000)
"...The other question I want to answer is about 'The
Queen of the Damned', the film that was supposed to be being made in Hollywood. All I can
say again is that I'm not connected with the production, and I don't really know anything
about what's happening, except that Warner Brothers does seem to be very serious about
making this film, and they do seem to be very serious about starting in September. So it
looks like there will be a film called 'The Queen of the Damned', and you and I will have
to wait and see what this film is really about and what it's like. It's a great unknown in
my life and I wish I had more to tell you, and if you find out anything about it by all
means e-mail me on the website, or call me on the ringer line and tell me what you know.
You may find out something before I do."
Anne's statements taken from Pages
Magazine: (September/October edition)
(Please note - I was sent this article through e-mail - I never
actually saw it myself... Personally, I find it hard to believe that Anne would have
spoken out in this way so early on in the production (?)
Pages: How is the movie version of 'Queen of the Damned' coming along?
"Hello Guys,
this is Anne Rice. It is October 2, 2000 and I have news about THE QUEEN OF THE DAMNED.
The movie has begun. They began principal photography today in Australia. And I have the
names of the key crew members and cast members. I want to give that to you.
I got a very nice letter from Warner Bros. with this information. The young man who is
playing the Vampire Lestat is Stuart Townsend. Jesse is going to be played by Marguerite
Moreau. Akasha is played by Aaliyah. Maharet is played by Lena Olin. Marius is played by
Vincent Perez. I don't know a whole lot about all of these people. I can tell you that
Stuart Townsend is very highly praised for a stage production that he did in London. He
got wonderful praise from the New Yorker Magazine. Also, one person I know, who saw the
production, said he was fabulous. I don't, let's see, about the others, I do know about
Vincent Perez. I have seen him in a wonderful movie called QUEEN MARGOT. He was absolutely
terrific. I think he will make a very interesting Marius. I haven't seen Stuart Townsend,
but from all I have heard, I think he will make a very interesting Lestat. If I knew more
about the others, I would tell you. Oh, I have seen Lena Olin in a movie. She was very
impressive. I have seen her in two movies. She has quite a presence.
Now, the only other information I have here that I want to pass on is that the director of
photography is Ian Baker. The production designer is Graham "Grace" Walker and
the costume designer is Angus Strathie. That is all I have right now.
The movie is definitely happening, there is no question about that. The cameras are
apparently rolling. I can say now that I have seen some versions of the script - - over
the last, I guess would be over the past two years now, but not quite. I have given
comments back to Warner Bros. and frankly in my opinion, I think they have been sensitive
to my views and I appreciate that very, very much. I didn't speak about that before
because I felt that was confidential. That if you are looking at a script for a studio and
the studio was asking you for your opinion, you were obligated to give your comments back
in a professional way and not to make it public.
Let me say that I think they have worked very, very hard on the script and they have been
very nice inquiring about my reactions to it. So, I am finally able to say all of that.
And I am finally able to say that I hope this will be a wonderful production. I hope it
will be fantastic and I hope that the actors will really capture the personalities of the
characters in the books. That is really the extent of everything I know right now about
it. The letter from Warner's doesn't mention the director, but the director was Michael
Rymer and I am assuming that Michael Rymer is still the director. If I find out that it is
not the case, I will pass that on in the days to come."
(As from) Anne's phone message transcript: (27th January, 2001)
"QUEEN OF THE DAMNED - they are working on the director's cut. I don't know anything new on that except that it might be released during this year."
- Most of the above messages have
been posted at The Official Anne Rice Website -
