Rob Zombie’s Halloween II picks up at the exact moment that the 2007’s box-office success Halloween stopped and follows the aftermath of Michael Myer’s (Tyler Mane) murderous rampage through the eyes of heroine Laurie Strode. Scout Taylor Compton returns in the role of Laurie to once again face the homicidal maniac.
How relieved where you when this was over that you wouldn't have to be covered with blood again?
Scout Taylor Compton returns in the role of Laurie © Dimension Films
[she laughs] It never goes away. I thought when I did the first one, it was going to go away and here I am again.
What are the weaknesses and strengths of the modern Laurie Stroad?
We're completely different from the original Laurie Stroad [played by Jamie Lee Curtis] and I think that's what shows in this one. In this one she's tougher and more vulnerable and kind of messed up and I guess that's a weakness because she's not the strong Laurie Stroad anymore, the bookwormish girl. She's kind of fallen apart. I guess that's a big weakness but she's still strong and definitely a survivor but you can definitely see that it's taken a toll on her. You can see that in the way she acts, the way she looks, the way she portrays herself.
What was it about her character in this movie that really resonated with you?
I guess where it led to. I know the original Halloween franchise, Laurie just stayed the same throughout the whole entire thing. That's why I loved Rob's take on it. She realistically changed the way someone would and it's something I created. It was all in my hands.
How hard was it to stay in the terrified zone? Do you take that intensity home at night?
Cutting edge drama for Laurie (Scout Taylor Compton) © Dimension Films
Oh no. If I took it home, I'd be the most oppressive person ever. I'm really easy at just going with it then cutting it off. There was an incident where I wad doing a really emotional scene with Danielle [Harris], and I couldn't get out of it and I ran downstairs and I was crying. That was the first time that's ever happened to me and I ran up to Tyler [Mane] and I was crying in front of him.
I was like 'I can't do this. It's so hard. Oh my God, I can't get out of it. Help me. Help me.’ He just looked down at me and was like, 'I need a van. I need to get out of here'. He said it to help me. It was funny. But that was the one time I couldn't get out of it and it was hard.
You are relentlessly screaming throughout this. Did you have any reservations about coming back and doing it again?
No because, the first experience was wonderful. It was great and I was comfortable. Rob never pushed me further than I could handle. This one, we were in the rain for eight hours, 10 rain machines at midnight and it was freezing cold and I was just wearing a nightgown and I had to go up to him at seven o'clock in the morning and go 'I can't do it anymore, Rob. My body is so numb, I can't.' And he said, 'Okay, dude. We're done.' It's good that you can go up to a director and tell him you're not comfortable.
What is Tyler really like?
He's very intimidating and makes you feel really small. No, he's a teddy bear. Don't tell him I said that because he got really pissed off the last time I said that, but he's a really gentle person. I roomed with him and his wife and his kids for the last week. I felt like his daughter, 'Hi dad. Good morning. How are you? You're grumpy. Okay. Are you ready for work? I'll see you on set'. We would see each other in the morning, at night, in between. It was great.
What was your favorite Horror film when you were growing up?
Honestly, I was a fan of Chucky. I am obsessed.
You were working in this with Brad (Dourif) in this, who was the voice of Chucky.
I know. How awful is this? I didn't know that Brad did the voice of Chucky while filming the first Halloween, then someone told me at the premiere and I was like 'No way!' I was goo-goo eyed.
So did you have a discussion about Chucky on this film?
No. But he did say that he would sign a Chucky doll of mine which is great. I'm going to bring that tonight to the premiere.
Why do you think teens and 20-somethings just flock to Horror films?
Everybody loves to be scared. Everybody likes to rebel against their parents. My parents were totally for it, but a lot of my friends' parents were like 'No. You can not see that. It's nudity. It's killing. It's a really bad movie.’ But it makes you feel so good. You feel like you're rebelling. Plus, I like to get scared. That's always fun.
So you liked Horror films when you are eight and nine?
I loved them. My dad's a mortician so I grew up in the real scene. Forget Horror movies. But I loved them and my mom loves Horror movies so I was raised watching them and I have a bunch of skulls and a Chucky [doll] and Freddie. Seriously, if you were to go to my house, you would probably get freaked out.
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