The Irish monster movie captured our hearts last year, and weve beensinging its praisesever since.
If you have seen it, or if youre just cavalier about spoilers, though, read on.
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So, wait, does the Marmite thing work?
Did you try it out?
I was shocked that it had never been done before.
How did that idea evolve into the script forGrabbers?
I thought, what am I doing?
Im putting all this effort into a script that I have no interest in watching.
I wasnt really sure Id continue on as a screenwriter, to be honest with you.
When the idea for Grabbers came, it just sort of flew out of me.
How much was changed between your initial script and the finished film?
Not a lot, to be honest with you.
And we got rid of some of the bigger set pieces.
It was over the top, really fun, but it was almost half our budget!
The creatures were originally buried in cement at the end.
Were you involved throughout the whole production, then?
It was a lot of fun.
Ive probably been spoiled and itll never happen again!
I think the important thing is that you all care about what youre doing, really.
We had to, because none of us were getting paid very much!
It was all done for love, not money.
It was a really difficult shoot, dont get me wrong.
I felt really guilty.
I felt quite evil.
Will everything you write from now on be set indoors or in beautiful sunshine, then?
It can be impossible as long as I dont have to do it!
Yeah, the main creatures look really similar to what I had in my head.
But it just sort of felt like they were different creatures completely, rather than the same species.
So we made them like a coiled spring, and the jumpers became grabblings.
Do you still feel that way, and wish it had been kept a secret?
I wouldnt say hate…
I was very sceptical about giving that away.
Id never tell people that.
If you dont, youre with them.
but if you already know that, youre just thinking why arent they drunk yet?
I guess it comes down to whether its a twist or a hook.
And I think a lot of people went to see it because of the hook of the alcohol.
Weve been really lucky, no ones said any nasty things to us.
For us, Twitter has been our biggest marketing tool.
Yes, but I think thats something you think a lot when youve not gone through it yourself.
There are a lot of films that I love the concept of and was frustrated by the film.
But I love films that get it right a lot more than I used to.
So what are you working on next?
Ive got about three or four things on the go, so Im hoping one of them will happen.
Okay, final question: whats your favourite Jason Statham movie?
I guess it would beCellular.
Because it was nice and high concept.
Kevin Lehane, thank you very much!
Grabbersis out on DVD and Blu-ray now.
You canread our interview with Jon Wright here.
