WORKING ON LEGEND: RON GARNEY GOES TO THE MOVIES

[MattBrady]

by Vaneta Rogers

As Hollywood continues to draw upon comic books – both the stories and the talent – there are more and more links between the movies we see and the behind-the-scenes work being done on them by artists and writers we know from the comic book world.

I Am Legend, the latest movie based on the 1954 novel of the same name by Richard Matheson that opens this weekend starring Will Smith, has several ties to the comics industry, but one that few people know about is that artist Ron Garney was among those illustrators influencing the way the humanoid creatures at the center of the story were created for film.

Garney, a Marvel-exclusive creator whose art was most recently seen on the “Back in Black” storyline in Amazing Spider-Man, was approached to work on the film specifically because of his work in comics. And as we found out while talking to him, a gig drawing a handful of costumes turned into much more, including a visit to the set and a possibility for more film work.

Newsarama: How did you hook up with the people making I Am Legend?

Ron Garney: The costume designer had worked with Moebius way back on Blade Runner, so he wanted to work with another comics artist on this movie because he wasn't getting the right feel for the characters. And I guess through word of mouth, somebody had mentioned my name. I had done sort of a Moebius riff on my Silver Surfer work for Marvel years ago. So that's how it came about. And I got an email and phone call from this guy who worked for their art department, and they asked me to send them some stuff, so I did. And I got a call from the costume designer, Michael Kaplan, who wanted to work with me right away. He's done movies like Se7en, Blade Runner, Miami Vice -- lots of big movies.

NRAMA: What exactly were you hired to do for the film?

RG: I was originally hired to do between four and 10 drawings. They weren't sure how many, but they said it would probably be no more than 10. But once I started drawing, they liked them enough that they wanted more. And it turned out to be about 45 illustrations. It turned into a fairly large contribution.

NRAMA: And it was just costumes? Or was there more to their desire to see your illustrations?

RG: Well, I guess they were having a tough time designing the look of the creatures. They were going to do it live action at first, with these creatures, and everything they filmed, they didn't like the way they looked. And once these illustrations started coming in, it kind of gave them the idea to go CGI with it.

NRAMA: So the way you designed the creatures who were wearing the costumes influenced the way they eventually looked in the movie?

RG: Yeah. I guess the look of these creatures once they were in costume just wasn't working, as far as the live action, and once they saw it illustrated by me and I think another guy, they decided to go computer generated with it so they could control the way they looked and get closer to what we were drawing. And that's why I ended up doing so many more drawings. So while I was hired to do the costume illustrations for the costume designer, he ended up telling me that he brought them to the director. And I ended up meeting the director and going on set and everything. And they told me my illustrations contributed to the final look of the creatures for the movie.

NRAMA: How did you come up with the look for the creatures you drew? Were you given art direction before sitting down to draw them?

RG: I just had pictures of people. It was just people with their heads shaved or what have you, so that I could see the body type and use them as a reference for my sketches of the costumes they would be wearing as live action actors in costume. But then, we were talking about what the creatures might look like, so I just started illustrating them so the costume designer would have a feel for their look -- their coloration, the way their veins might show in their skin, their teeth rotting -- and through that, we came up with a look for the illustrations. And with the movie, they went further and made them even more strange looking. And my illustrations helped get them started down that path.

NRAMA: What was the process like for you? Did you actually see the costumes you were drawing before you illustrated them? And how did you communicate with the costume designer?

RG: I would go into New York, and I would go in the studio with Michael. And he had racks of hundreds of costumes and accessories and things. And he had assistants who would call around to shops all over New York, and he had ideas about how he wanted costumes to look. He'd talk to me about what he wanted it to look like and pull something off his rack, and I'd start illustrating it. He would say something like, "What if we had a guy dressed in this?" or "A girl dressed in that?" And he'd mix and match things until he came up with what he wanted. So I would illustrate the creatures with these costumes on them.

NRAMA: You keep talking about illustrating the creatures, but did you do any illustrations of the costumes for Will Smith's character?

RG: I did. I did Will Smith's costumes and illustrated him. I illustrated Alice Braga too, who is also in the film. So I had illustrations of them. But primarily, it was the creatures.

NRAMA: You said you ended up meeting the director and going on set. What was that experience like, and did you meet any of the actors as well?

RG: I did. I met Will Smith. And actually, that was a great experience, getting to be on the set. I went to the movie set and got to sit behind the camera with the director, Francis Lawrence, who also directed Constantine. I talked to him, and I got to see the dailies. And I got to meet Will Smith, and he was great. He walked right over and shook my hand, and said welcome to the team. You know, I just sat there and watched the shoot. I also got to go to the wrap party, and I met Will's wife, and brought my wife there (my very pregnant wife at the time), and it was a great experience.

NRAMA: It's interesting to hear that you were hired for the movie specifically because of your comic book experience. What did other people on the film think when you told them you worked on comic books? Were Hollywood people like Will Smith pretty open to you when they found out what you do for a living?

RG: Oh yeah. Will Smith, I believe, had bought a couple comic book properties. I brought copies of comic books for his son – some Spider-Man work I'd done – and he was very grateful. And you know, it's such a big industry trend now for movies to tap into the comic book world, so everyone was pretty familiar with the industry and what my job was, especially since I was doing Spider-Man. It might have been a little different if I was on a comic they'd never heard of, but since I was doing Spider-Man at the time, they were probably a little more responsive to it.

NRAMA: Did you read the I Am Legend novel?

RG: Well, I haven't. I probably shouldn't admit that. But I know the story and that it was written by Richard Matheson, who had stories adapted for Twilight Zone. I know it has a strong cult following, that book. But I saw Omega Man years ago, starring Charlton Heston. It was also based on the book, so it was the same story, although it was a little hokier. [laughs] This is another version of that, but much better. I think people want to see a movie that is truer to the book than the Omega Man was, and I think those people will be pleasantly surprised.

NRAMA: Do you think you'll be doing more movie work down the road?

RG: Yeah. I was talking to the costume designer not long ago. It's difficult because he's primarily out in L.A., and I'm on the east coast. And you have to become part of a union wherever you go. And because of my Marvel work and everything else, it's just a matter of making time to work with him in person. It's tough to do over the internet because there's a real collaboration that has to happen there. So I'd have to fly out there, and it's tough to fit into my schedule. He's doing Star Trek now, I believe, and it just wouldn't have been feasible for me to work on that. But there is an opportunity for me to do more movies with him in the future, and I'd like to do it again. It was a great experience, creatively, but also just a lot of fun.

NRAMA: Before you go, can we talk comics? As we get closer to the beginning of your story arc on Wolverine with writer Jason Aaron, is there anything you can tell us about the story and your work on it?

RG: I can't say very much because it ties into some other things that are happening with Wolverine. But I can tell you that I'm really enjoying it. I'm on my third issue of a four-issue stint. I think people are going to really enjoy this story. Jason has an interesting way of writing. The story kind of jumps around a little, but it really works. I can't say much more that that right now, but people will definitely want to check it out.

[vjamesv]

First of all, I have to say I like Ron Garney. But I have to say that I am dissappointed that because of him we get another CGI movie instead of live action stuff.

[Darthphere]

Originally Posted by vjamesv

First of all, I have to say I like Ron Garney. But I have to say that I am dissappointed that because of him we get another CGI movie instead of live action stuff.

CGI isn't going anywhere.

[MattBrady]

Originally Posted by Darthphere

CGI isn't going anywhere.

Amen. Every film today has some level of CGI or digital animation in it. This guy here wrote an amazingly insightful article about it. It was a stunningly good article. I mean - I think he got shafted by the Pulitzer folks.

MattB

[chrishaley]

Originally Posted by Darthphere

CGI isn't going anywhere.

It is okay for someone to prefer practical effects to computer generated ones.

[Darthphere]

Originally Posted by chrishaley

It is okay for someone to prefer practical effects to computer generated ones.

Of course it is. But they also need to realize it's not going anywhere and is here to stay. So complaining about it really isn't going to do much.

[Jimmy Palmiotti]

Ron garney is an amazing artist and this only showcases his range. This is an extra treat to learn about and I think makes the movie even more cool for the comic fans that we got one of our own out there influencing other mediums.

congrats ron!

JIMMY PALMIOTTI

[pop monkey]

Originally Posted by chrishaley

It is okay for someone to prefer practical effects to computer generated ones.

Maybe, but don't blame Mr. Garney for it! He simply provided concept art that someone else decided would be easier to realize with CG. Should he have attached a note to his drawings stating "latex effects only, please"? I think it has more to do with the way the creatures MOVE than the way they LOOK. From the glimpses I've seen of them in the trailers, getting real folks to move like that would be impossible, or require obviously cheesy wirework. Let's wait until we see the movie to condemn its effects, eh?

[Doctor_Chronos]

I forgot how much I loved Garney's Silver Surfer. I may have to dig out those old issues now. Thanks for posting that image in the article

[Ravengregory]

Good for Ron. With that said, I'm really looking forward to seeing this movie. I'm also doing my best to put the book out of my head because there's no way hollywood would do the movie version of the book.

[pop monkey]

Originally Posted by Doctor_Chronos

I forgot how much I loved Garney's Silver Surfer. I may have to dig out those old issues now. Thanks for posting that image in the article

Yeah, that was a great little run on SS, and I came across those issues in my longboxes recently. Were those issues ever collected in a trade? If they were, it's long out of print.

[Whipsnakes]

and one of the great finds of the 90s. I have loved his work ever since I was a kid, during his Cap run. I was already going to see this movie, and now knowing Ron had a hand in it, I can't wait for friday.

[Joe Jusko]

Ron's one of the most talented guys working in comics! Great to see him get a break like this! Go, Ron!

[Jerry Fell]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Amen. Every film today has some level of CGI or digital animation in it. This guy here wrote an amazingly insightful article about it. It was a stunningly good article. I mean - I think he got shafted by the Pulitzer folks.

MattB

"This Guy Here". You crack me up. I fell right into it.



.

[kalorama]

Interesting interview. I hadn't realized I Am Legend was directed by the same guy who did Constantine. As, apparently, one of the 5 or 6 people who actually liked that movie, I find that a good sign with regards to my expectations for Legend.

Congrats to Garney on breaking into film. For my money he's one of the best artists doing mainstream superhero stuff right now. How good is he? Good enough that I'm actually considering buying a Wolverine comic. That's saying something.

[DarkNomis]

I love Ron Garney artwork on Spidey during the Civil war issues and the recent Black in back.

I didn't pick up a Spiderman issue till I saw his stuff. For me the he's the best regular artist Spidey had in a long time.

[Dalarsco2]

Ron Garney drew ASM #529, my first 616 comic. He's still one of my favorite artists. I'm majorly looking forward to his Wolverine work and hope he and Jason Aaron stick around for a while.

[Toneloak]

Originally Posted by kalorama

Interesting interview. I hadn't realized I Am Legend was directed by the same guy who did Constantine. As, apparently, one of the 5 or 6 people who actually liked that movie, I find that a good sign with regards to my expectations for Legend.

Congrats to Garney on breaking into film. For my money he's one of the best artists doing mainstream superhero stuff right now. How good is he? Good enough that I'm actually considering buying a Wolverine comic. That's saying something.

I guess I'm number seven.

Anyway, I already wanted to see this movie this is just another incentive. Good stuff.

[Cray_ws]

Never read Captain America until I saw preview pages of Garney's artwork online. Sold me on the spot, and that's extremely rare for me to fall for the art alone. Garney is an extremely versatile artist and always manages to influence the pages with his personal touch regardless of what style he's using.

I personally would love to see Garney do some creator-owned work, I'm curious to see what he could come up with.

[LunarDaydreamer]

Ron Garney's Silver Surfer is my favourite ever rendition of the character, bringing a wonderful grace to proceedings as well as Buscema's drama. In fact the run he did with DeMatteis was the last time I really enjoyed Surfer. The perfect team that folded way before it should have.

[eltopo]

love Graney but I am legend is going to terrible

[uscwamer]

Love Ron Garney, and i don't really mind CGI, but these CGI monsters...look like BAD CGI, which is not his fault. Give me the wierd Albino's of Omega Man anyday. Although i haven't seen omega man since i was like 11, weren't they albino vampires? can't remember..

Still, Will Smith can carry this type of film like nobody's business so i'm excited to see it.

[MValentin]

Well, I saw I Am Legend last night (I write film reviews for several sites) and unfortunately I can tell you that the CGI was nothing short of awful. From what Garney has said here (confirmed elsewhere), the director, Francis Lawrence, and the producers weren't happy going the prosthetics route for the Infected. From the results onscreen, that was a bad call on their part. The CGI for the Infected characters is really sub-par, an opinion shared by the other critics I talked to after the screening.

The film, on the other hand, had its moments. While I Am Legend departs significantly from the novel (no surprise there) and Mark Protosevich's script (easy to find online), the first half is (almost) worth the price of admission. It's the rushed second act and the even more rushed third act that really bring I Am Legend down. That and, of course, the poor, credibilty-stretching CGI.

[uscwamer]

Originally Posted by MValentin

The film, on the other hand, had its moments. While I Am Legend departs significantly from the novel (no surprise there) and Mark Protosevich's script (easy to find online), the first half is (almost) worth the price of admission. It's the rushed second act and the even more rushed third act that really bring I Am Legend down. That and, of course, the poor, credibilty-stretching CGI.

Thought so, but how's the ending..that seems to be the biggest issue in adapting it

[Bungle]

Originally Posted by Whipsnakes

and one of the great finds of the 90s. I have loved his work ever since I was a kid, during his Cap run. I was already going to see this movie, and now knowing Ron had a hand in it, I can't wait for friday.

I also have another reason to want to see this film, Mike Patton (Frontman of Faith No More fame, and the voice of The Darkness in the game) is doing the sounds of the creatures for the movie.

I'm seriously dorking out here.