In an exclusive interview, the 'Big Fish' and 'Matchstick Men' star dishes on her belief in curses, reveals why the news scares the bejesus out of her, and talks about the ups and downs of playing a woman cursed to burn in hell (working with Raimi is a plus, having maggots spewed into her mouth -- not so much). -- By Tom DiChiara
Alison Lohman Photos
In this film publicity image released by Universal Pictures, Alison Lohman is shown in a scene from, "Drag Me To Hell." (AP Photo/Universal Pictures, Melissa Moseley) ** NO SALES **
AP
In this film publicity image released by Universal Pictures, Alison Lohman, left, and Justin Long are shown in a scene from, "Drag Me To Hell." (AP Photo/Universal Pictures, Melissa Moseley) ** NO SALES **
AP
Alison Lohman and Justin Long attend the 'Drag Me To Hell' Photocall at the Grand Theatre Lumiere during the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2009 in Cannes, France. 2009 Cannes Film Festival - "Drag Me To Hell" Photo Call Cannes, France May 21, 2009 Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57507109), contact FilmMagic.com
Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic.com
Alison Lohman attends the 'Drag Me To Hell' Photocall at the Grand Theatre Lumiere during the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2009 in Cannes, France. 2009 Cannes Film Festival - "Drag Me To Hell" Photo Call Cannes, France May 21, 2009 Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57507061), contact FilmMagic.com
Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic.com
(L-R) Sam Raimi, Alison Lohman and Justin Long attend the 'Drag Me To Hell' Photocall at the Grand Theatre Lumiere during the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2009 in Cannes, France. 2009 Cannes Film Festival - "Drag Me To Hell" Photo Call Cannes, France May 21, 2009 Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57507131), contact FilmMagic.com
Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic.com
(L-R) Alison Lohman, Sam Raimi and Justin Long attend the 'Drag Me To Hell' Photocall at the Grand Theatre Lumiere during the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2009 in Cannes, France. 2009 Cannes Film Festival - "Drag Me To Hell" Photo Call Cannes, France May 21, 2009 Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57507104), contact FilmMagic.com
Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic.com
Alison Lohman (L) and Justin Long attend the 'Drag Me To Hell' Photocall at the Grand Theatre Lumiere during the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2009 in Cannes, France. 2009 Cannes Film Festival - "Drag Me To Hell" Photo Call Cannes, France May 21, 2009 Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57507162), contact FilmMagic.com
Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic.com
Alison Lohman (L) and Justin Long attend the 'Drag Me To Hell' Photocall at the Grand Theatre Lumiere during the 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 21, 2009 in Cannes, France. 2009 Cannes Film Festival - "Drag Me To Hell" Photo Call Cannes, France May 21, 2009 Photo by Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic.com To license this image (57507170), contact FilmMagic.com
Jean Baptiste Lacroix/FilmMagic.com
©AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival - "Drag Me to Hell" Photocall. Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France. May 21, 2009. Job: 90521A3. www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com Pictured: Alison Lohman, Sam Raimi and Justin Long.
AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM
©AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM 62nd Annual Cannes Film Festival - "Drag Me to Hell" Photocall. Palais des Festivals, Cannes, France. May 21, 2009. Job: 90521A3. www.bauergriffin.com www.bauergriffinonline.com Pictured: Alison Lohman, Sam Raimi and Justin Long.
AXELLE/BAUER-GRIFFIN.COM
1. In 'Drag Me to Hell,' you play a loan officer who's cursed to hell for refusing to give an old woman an extension on her home loan. Given the state of the economy, do you think it offers audiences a kind of wish fulfillment?True. Well, it's interesting, because I feel like that might be how we got in the mess in the first place [laughs]. Because we gave out too many extensions in the first place. Right? But people obviously make the correlation because of the economy right now, but it was a coincidence because Sam actually wrote this movie like 10 years ago. So good for him for making it now.
2. A lot of gross things end up in your mouth over the course of the film -- flies, maggots, embalming fluid, eyeballs, the toothless gums of an old woman: What was up with that?I know, I know! [Laughs] I think it was just for shock value. But the embalming fluid was CGI, the maggots were pasta and the blood I think was just corn syrup.
3. Do you believe in curses?
Maybe. I think so ... even if it's to a lesser degree. Maybe negative energy could be a curse in a way [laughs]. Sometimes I feel that there is [something] supernatural out there, and then other times I think no. It just depends on my experience in the moment.
4. Since filming, do you ever hear noises late at night and completely freak out?
Actually, the other night I did. But I only feel that way because I watch the news. Sometimes when I watch the news it's just so awful. I hear of these mass murderers killing women in the night while they're sleeping. So I get more nervous from real-life stuff.
5. The end sorta leaves things open for a sequel. Did you get that feeling, too? And, without giving anything away, think you'd come back if there is one?
I don't think there's any chance in hell [laughs]. No, I would come back to do a Sam Raimi movie, but I don't think a 'Drag Me to Hell.'
Summer 2009 Horror Movies
Summer Horror Movies
Do creepy kids and psychopaths fill you with joy? If so, this could be the summer for you.
There may not be a ton of horrror movies in the coming months, but they sure do pack a punch. Not only will Michael Myers resurface and the 'Final Destination' kids die grisly deaths in eye-popping 3D, but 'Evil Dead' director Sam Raimi will tear himself away from the 'Spider-Man' flicks to return to his roots with 'Drag Me to Hell.'
Hang onto your armrests and prepare yourself for the horror movies of summer.
The Weinstein Company/ Universal
'Drag Me to Hell'
Opening: May 29
Starring: Alison Lohman, Justin Long, Lorna Raver
What It's About: 'Spider-Man' director Sam Raimi makes a welcome return to his B-movie horror roots -- you know you love 'Evil Dead' -- with the tale of a loan officer (Lohman) who's targeted by a deadly curse after refusing to give an appropriately witchy-looking old woman (Raver) an extension on her house loan. Depending on your point of view, it's great escapist entertainment or an awesome form of wish fulfillment for the hordes of Americans currently over-extended on their mortgages. Genius.
More on 'Drag Me to Hell':
Get 'The Evil Dead':
Universal
'Orphan'
Opening: July 24
Starring: Peter Sarsgaard, Vera Farmiga, Isabelle Fuhrman
What It's About:Creepy kid movies just never go out of style. In the latest, as the tagline promises, there's something wrong with Esther (Furhman). Something very, very wrong. Not only does the newly adopted daughter of Sarsgaard and Farmiga throw girls off jungle gyms and set tree houses ablaze, she speaks with a slight Eastern European accent. Extra creepy.
More on 'Orphan':
Warner Bros.
'H2: Halloween 2'
Opening: Aug. 28
Starring: Tyler Mane, Danielle Harris, Ezra Buzzington
What It's About: Only Rob Zombie would have the audacity to remake a classic like 'Halloween' -- and after the success of his 2007 "reimagining," why not do another? Tyler Mane returns as Michael Myers in a sequel that takes up where the '07 movie left off; and given Zombie's interest in Myers' back story, expect to learn even more about the legendary psychopath ... if you find that kind of thing, you know, appealing.
More on 'H2: Halloween 2':
Get 'Halloween' (1978):
Check this out:
Weinstein Company LLC, The
'Final Destination: Death Trip 3D'
Opening: Aug. 28
Starring: Shantel VanSanten, Bobby Campo, Haley Webb
What It's About: Thought the filmmakers behind the $150-million-grossing 'FD' franchise had finally run out of ideas on how to craftily and cleverly kill off teens trying to cheat fate? Wrong. This time they're doing it in multiple dimensions. Expect most of the unknown actors listed above to suffer grisly deaths -- in 3D!
More on 'Final Destination: Death Trip 3D':
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New Line
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