The 1st of our 2-Part Exclusive Interview with Costas Mandylor ("Hoffman")

[Raybin Management, LLC]

This is John Raybin from officialsaw.com with the 1st of our 2-Part Exclusive Interview with Costas Mandylor ("Hoffman").


John: Costas, we first saw you in SAW III...it's now SAW 3D, what's it like playing "Hoffman" for the fifth time?

Costas: John...it doesn't get better than this!

John: What makes working on a SAW movie special?

Costas: It's everything. You can't just name one thing. We all work together, like a team. Many times in the movie business, you know, you do "your" thing on set, that guy does "his" thing... it's like that. When you're working on a SAW movie, it's different. I'll give you an example, many times Tobin [Bell] and I will take a walk together and talk...about the film, about our characters, how our characters relate to others and what we can do to make the story even better. Tobin really cares. I've said it before, but it's worth saying again....and again. The man cares. He works very hard and anyone who's ever watched a SAW movie can see that. The producers and writers and directors are the same way. Mark and Oren [the SAW producers] know the franchise better than anyone because they've been here since the beginning. They got SAW on its feet. They knew how special this thing was before anyone else, and they've stuck by it. I'm very appreciative that they picked me to be in the SAW films.

John: Do you like filming in Toronto?

Costas: I love it. Toronto is a lovely city. It's vibrant and alive. Great place. Great people.

John: The crew on every SAW film loves you. What's your unique bond with them?

Costas: I try and make them laugh. I work hard and I respect each and every one of them. They work so hard and they care. We have the best bunch of people behind the scenes.

John: It sounds like you're living a dream with the SAW films.

Costas: I am. I feel very fortunate that I was picked to be in these films. It's a dream come true.

John: Can we try some "word associations?" I'll say a word, and then you say the first word that pops into your head.

Costas: Okay, sure.

John: Blood.

Costas: Buckets.

John: Strahm.

Costas: Disturbed.

John: Jigsaw.

Costas: A character that has changed the horror world.

John: Sushi.

Costas: (laughing) Where?!

John: Describe the fans of SAW in two words.

Costas: Smart. Fantastic. I've been fortunate enough to meet many of them. Everyone involved with the movies knows how passionate and dedicated the fans are. We all know that we're dealing with a very special group of people. This isn't a group that's going to be entertained by seeing the same stuff twice. That's why each year we have to all work together to raise the bar higher. The fans support us, and we all owe it to them to do the very best we can.

John: What do you think the fans are going to say about SAW 3D?

Costas: I think they're going to be very pleased. Like I said, we know who we're dealing with....these are the fans of SAW, and they deserve the best. I think the film's story is very good, very clever, there's enough story, blood and traps to please the fans, and it's in 3D. I'm excited about this film.


Stay tuned for Part 2 of our Exclusive Costas Mandylor ("Hoffman") interview on officialsaw.com