Scott Thomas [Interview]

Welcome to Day 8 of Trainwreck’d Society’s Month of Horror Showcase. Every day during the month of October, we will have a horror related interview and/or film review for your fright-filled reading pleasure! The set up will be the same as usual, but the topics will be far more terrifying. Enjoy!

Today’s interview subject is a brilliant man who I have been wanting to have on the site for quite a while, and honestly not for anything horror related. It just so happens that he is the creator of a truly fine piece of horror, Flight of the Living Dead, which we will discuss. But, I was originally interested in hearing about some insight into the world the animated series for X-Men that still holds a very dear place in my heart. I can remember a time as a youth in the mid-90’s where my world revolved around taking a chunk of weekly allowance down to the  Hastings in southern New Mexico, and picking up the latest copy of the X-Men comic run of the time, devouring it quickly, and then waiting until Saturday when the cartoon would come on. This went on for months, and it was a major part of my childhood that I will always hold fondly. And the great Scott Thomas was one of the brilliant minds that made that happen for me.

But, this is the Week of Horror after all, so the focus is on some of his other works, especially in the world of horror. And Scott gave us some very nice answers about both of these worlds and more in this truly outstanding interview. So without further babbling, please enjoy some words from the great Scott Thomas!

When did you first become interested in the world of film and television? And when did you decide it was something you wanted to do for a living?

My grandfather started in the film business when they were hand-cranking cameras. He pushed me around on a film cart on studio lots when I was a baby in the 1950’s. I guess it stuck with me. I have always been fascinated with film, especially horror and science fiction films. One film that I still love is the 1953 film by William Cameron Menzies, Invaders From Mars. I started trying to make super 8mm films when I was around 10 years old and went on from there.

As a kid growing up in the 90’s, The animated series of X-Men which you were a producer on was absolutely crucial to my existence. I never missed a week! I know why it was special to me, but in your own personal opinion what do you think history will show as your contribution to the acclaimed Marvel Universe?

I’m not sure how much of my contribution will show. The story editors just completed a book on the animated series, entitled: X-MEN:TAS. I did take over the series on the second episode from Will Meugniot and worked on every episode until the final episode. I supervised every aspect of the series, so much so that the president of Marvel at the time suggested that I take the credit as Director of each episode! I didn’t take it, but it was a very nice gesture and I did work tirelessly with the Fox executive, Sidney Iwanter, and the artists, writers and actors to achieve a fun and exciting animated series.

In 2007, you co-wrote and directed the delightful addition to the “of the Living Dead” world known as Flight of the Living Dead, which stars our dear friend Laura Cayouette. I found the film to be a metric shit ton of fun. What made you decide to join the world of zombies? Was it a subject matter you had always be interested in?

The script of Flight actually started out as a story of an alien craft colliding mid-air with a 747– with alien parasites attaching themselves to passengers, I eventually, over many drafts changed it into a zombie story. I had worked with Laura on another film which I wrote/directed and produced called Anacardium now titled Deranged and loved working with her. I wanted to work with her again and always had her in mind for the film. Laura called me after the film was released on DVD to tell me that Quentin Tarantino had called her twice to say how cool he thought Flight of the Living Dead was!

What is your favorite scary movie?

The Exorcist by far, it blew me away when I saw it when it first came out in the theaters. It scared the crap out of me! I later was lucky enough to have lunch with the producer Noel Marshall and got some fun inside scoop on the film, and then years later I worked on a film project with Linda Blair. She turned to me one time and out of the blue and she screeched, “THE SOW IS MINE!!!!” in a creepy, raspy voice. Very freaky!!

What are your plans for this coming Halloween? Any traditions you try to stick to each year?

Yes, I actually do, something new! My girlfriend and I are going to Cancun, Mexico and we are going to celebrate the Day of the Dead Festival for a week with friends!

What does the future hold for you? Anything you’d like to plug to our readers?

I’m working on a television series based on a book series about alien abductions and Native Americans, their ancient stories of encounters as well as current abduction events here in North America as well as South America. The temp title is: The Indigenous and the Aliens: Tales of the Star People.

Also, I’ve been working on a documentary on Mars, the anomalies that I have found and others have discovered. There is something very strange on Mars and NASA has been trying to hide it for years. It’s really fascinating.  I’m planning to meet with Buzz Aldrin after finishing his recent books on space and Mars and discuss what I have found and get his take on it.

What was the last thing that made you smile?

Great question! Wow, I’m for the most part a happy guy, almost anything will make me smile. I am an artist, and as a writer/producer/director, I get to deal with amazing artistic and creative challenges daily, and it’s a blast. There are many strange things that life holds and many stories to tell, that makes me smile…