Actor Bill Pullman loves making movies in Oklahoma
Actor Bill Pullman speaks at the Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club in southwest Oklahoma City, Wednesday, August 4, 2010. Pullman is in town working on the movie "Bringing Up Bobby". Photo by David McDaniel, The Oklahoman
This story ran in Thursday’s edition of The Oklahoman.
Bill Pullman is in love.
It’s not with actress Mary McDonnell who played alongside Pullman, 56, as the first lady in “Independence Day,” or Sandra Bullock’s character from the romantic comedy “While You Were Sleeping.”
He’s infatuated with Oklahoma.
Why else would the New York native actor take a break from his role in the Oklahoma film project “Bringing Up Bobby” on Wednesday morning to discuss his movie career with about 60 young listeners, ages 5 to 18, inside the boiling hot gymnasium at The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Club in southeast Oklahoma City?
Pullman answered dozens of questions ranging from his role as the space captain Lone Starr in “Spaceballs” to what it’s like to know Will Smith.
Pullman said production for the film wraps up on Aug. 14, but he’s eager to spend more time in Oklahoma.
“We’ve had good luck with lots of different locations,” Pullman said. “The great thing about Oklahoma City is that it’s a big city but it’s also kind of a small town, and you get to meet a lot of interesting people that have been very supportive of the movie.”
Pullman visited the Boys & Girls Club at the invitation of club program director Shaun Hunt, 28, who met Pullman at a house party in Nichols Hills last weekend.
Pullman said he doesn’t normally visit with new people when he’s busy making a movie.
“This is an interesting city… that has a great community spirit,” Pullman said. “And I thought that’s the kind of thing I only would hear about. I wondered if I would ever get the chance to see it.”
Besides visiting the south side of Oklahoma City, Pullman and the “Bringing Up Bobby” movie crew enjoyed a visit to Pops on Route 66, spent time inside the Round Barn in Arcadia and filmed near the twisted red sculpture in Leadership Square in downtown Oklahoma City.
In “Bringing Up Bobby,” Pullman plays an Oklahoman named Kent who accidentally hits Bobby (Spencer List) with a car and brings the child back to health with the help of Mary (Marcia Cross). Pullman said the inspiration to write the film came to director Famke Janssen after she spent time in Oklahoma visiting the family of her boyfriend at the time.
The film is the first directing job for Janssen. She is best known for her performances as the psychic mutant Jean Grey in the “X-Men” trilogy.
Pullman previously visited the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum to receive the Wrangler Award for his 2000 television movie “The Virginian.”
Last year at this time, Pullman was wrapping up his acting role in the film “The Killer Inside Me,” which was based on a novel penned by pulp writer and Anadarko native Jim Thompson.
Pullman said he thought Thompson was a very important writer and “The Killer Inside Me” was interesting because of its merciless and unnerving portrayal of a serial killer dealing with psychosis. The film has received backlash for its graphic violence toward its female characters.
Pullman said he remembered seeing the film for the first time at the Sundance Film Festival when it received boos.
“There are certain movies you do that just aren’t gabfests right away,” Pullman said. “I think it’s not good for everyone’s experience to immediately have to give back. You’re in turmoil, emotionally.”
Pullman was still processing what he saw on-screen and didn’t discuss the movie with the crowd after the film.
“I wish I hadn’t been there,” Pullman said.
But as the negative buzz relaxed, Pullman said he was glad to hear the film fared well at Tribeca Film Festival in New York.
“I was glad I was part of it,” Pullman said. “And I was glad Oklahoma made the movie.”
-Poppe
New film starts production in Oklahoma
Famke Janssen wrote and directs the upcoming film "Bringing Up Bobby," which will be filmed in Oklahoma. (AP Photo)
This story ran on the front page of The Oklahoman today.
Filming for the motion picture “Bringing Up Bobby” began this week in Oklahoma.
Milla Jovovich, Marcia Cross and Bill Pullman star in the film written and directed by Famke Janssen.
Newcomer Spencer List, 12, plays Bobby.
“Bringing Up Bobby” follows a European con-artist named Olive (Jovovich) and her son, Bobby (List), who find themselves in Oklahoma after an escape effort. Cross plays the role of Bobby’s foster mother.
On Tuesday afternoon, Jovovich wrote about her participation on Twitter, “Hey guys! Been crazy! Came home 4 a day 2 get ready 2 go 2 oklahoma tonite 2 start my new film ‘bringing up bobby’! will keep u updated!”
First-time executive producers are Edmond native David Johndrow, 42, and his wife, Maryann Johndrow, of Johndrow Vineyards in Napa Valley. The couple join several executive producers. David Johndrow said the entire movie will be filmed throughout Oklahoma City and metro areas such as Edmond, Guthrie and Luther.
David Johndrow said the budget for the independent film hasn’t been finalized. He estimated the movie will create roughly 60 jobs for Oklahomans.
“The one thing about bringing a film to Oklahoma is that Oklahomans are so gracious to the arts,” David Johndrow said. “It’s a fun, interesting proposition.”
List’s publicist Kelly-Marie Smith said in an e-mail that Monday is List’s first day on “Bringing Up Bobby.”
The film is the first directing role for Janssen. She is best known for her performances as the psychic mutant Jean Grey in the “X-Men” trilogy.
David Johndrow said filming in Oklahoma is to conclude in late August.
-Poppe
