Bringing an “Unforgettable Movie Monster” to Life in ‘Grendel’

Bringing an “Unforgettable Movie Monster” to Life in ‘Grendel’

As a film enthusiast with a deep appreciation for innovative storytelling and puppetry, I find the approach to creating Grendel truly captivating. It’s reminiscent of my own early days in animation, where I would sketch characters that came to life through the magic of stop-motion. The blend of practical effects, animatronics, and live-action performances sounds like a unique recipe for a visually stunning and immersive cinematic experience.


In the case of the live-action adaptation of “Grendel”, the term “epic” isn’t an exaggeration. This film is a modern reinterpretation of John Gardner’s 1971 novel by the same name, which offers a fresh perspective on the ancient epic poem “Beowulf”. In this tale, we delve into the story not from Beowulf’s point of view but from that of the monster, Grendel, who wreaks havoc in the kingdom of Hrothgar of the Danes for a full 12 years.

The star-studded cast is impressive indeed; it includes Jeff Bridges portraying the title character (the monster), Bryan Cranston as King Hrothgar, Dave Bautista in the role of warrior Beowulf, and T Bone Burnett as the visually impaired, harp-strumming Shaper.

Jim Henson’s Creature Workshop will handle the creation and design of creatures for the upcoming production. The filming is scheduled to start in Europe during the following year.

Picture Sales at Palisades Park is responsible for managing international distribution, while CAA Media Finance and UTA’s Independent Film Group jointly represent the rights for North America.

Recently, Krzykowski had a chat with The Hollywood Reporter regarding the complex perspective of Grendel and why the tale remains captivating over time.

It’s quite surprising that with all the movies set in mythological, fantasy, and comic-like universes, the tale of Grendel hasn’t received more attention on the big screen.

Absolutely! It seems to me that it’s deeply rooted in mythology, where comic books can be seen as our contemporary myths. Then, you have Beowulf who is like the first comic book hero, and Grendel is his original arch-nemesis in English literature. We’re delving right back into the origins of these stories.

You’ve been living with Grendel for a long time. Tell me about your relationship to the book. 

In high school, I found myself captivated by a particular subject matter, which included reading books like “To Kill a Mockingbird”, “Catcher in the Rye”, and “Death Be Not Proud”. However, it was the book “Grendel” that truly ignited our classroom discussions. Everyone had thoughts and theories about it, and these ideas clashed with their personal beliefs, religious views, and political leanings. It was fascinating to observe this dynamic exchange of ideas, and the experience left a lasting impression on me.

Bringing an “Unforgettable Movie Monster” to Life in ‘Grendel’

How well-versed were the main actors, including Jeff Bridges, Bryan Cranston, and T Bone Burnett, with the tale of Grendel?

In simpler terms, T-Bone was particularly knowledgeable about the world and philosophy, especially Sartre’s. While performing a dance piece inspired by Sartre in New York, he encountered the novel “Grendel.” This book presented a critique of overthinking and philosophizing, suggesting one might miss out on living a fulfilling life. Given his familiarity with the zeitgeist, T-Bone quickly grasped this message. Jeff, who has deep philosophical views on life, found Grendel’s struggle intriguing as he is a character in turmoil, and the novel serves as a warning against self-destruction, particularly for those dealing with their inner monsters. This perspective allows us to examine ourselves without being overly critical since we can view our struggles through the lens of this monster, acting as our proxy.

What’s the story behind choosing Burnett for the remarkable part of The Shaper, a figure who seems to possess nearly supernatural abilities through his music?

Jeff and I had a discussion, and he suggested I should meet T Bone promptly. He expressed his belief that I would find him quite appealing, as we were discussing potential musicians suitable for the Shaper project. Upon our Zoom call with T Bone, his voice was soft, whispery, and soothing, like it could narrate a novel beautifully. He then began to share some inspiring poems and recent compositions that perfectly matched our project’s essence. When T Bone read from ‘Grendel’, he mentioned that the themes resonated deeply with him and expressed his eagerness to express those thoughts through the music for this film.

Is Burnett writing the score? 

Joe Kraemer, known for composing the scores for Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation, Jack Reacher, and The Man Who Killed Hitler and Then the Bigfoot, will create the symphonic score for the film. On the other hand, T Bone will be responsible for all the mead hall music and the Shaper’s songs, contributing different musical elements to the movie.

Grendel, the book, is written in the first person. Will Grendel narrate the film?

we break them often, but always aware of what the audience will find acceptable psychologically.

Bringing an “Unforgettable Movie Monster” to Life in ‘Grendel’

Could you elaborate on the unique features of Grendel’s depiction in its appearance? This image differs significantly from the one commonly associated with the novel’s cover.

Initially, we aimed for a unique and terrifying design, ensuring our character wouldn’t resemble a flattened human face. We wanted to create an iconic movie monster that would instill fear and convey his formidable strength. One day, while doodling, I was struck by the round head shape of the Pink Panther, particularly its snout, which reminded me of the cunning way Grendel taunts Hrothgar in the epic. This led me to think about how this could be an exciting opportunity for a creature performance, as the head wouldn’t be attached to the actor, allowing for puppetry and animatronics. The eyes and mouth would be controlled offscreen, while the onscreen performer focused on dance-like movements synchronized with Jeff Bridges’ physical performance at Skywalker Ranch.

How much do you plan to shoot onstage with set builds as opposed to practical locations?

Approximately one-quarter to one-fifth of the film takes place on sets, crafted meticulously to evoke a fantastical atmosphere reminiscent of Ridley Scott’s “Legend” and Jim Henson Company’s 1987 TV series, “The StoryTeller.” The production employs every storytelling trick in the book, compellingly narrating the tale while consistently surprising viewers with new artistic elements. The movie is structured in chapters, each distinct from the others, providing ample opportunities to switch things up between these segments. Additionally, I aim to utilize as many actual outdoor locations as feasible, capturing the freedom and organic feel of Terrence Malick’s cinematography, allowing the camera to roam freely with Grendel, creating an immersive experience for the audience.

Grendel is a bloody story with some intense gore. How graphic will you get with the violence?

In our movie project, we’ve collectively decided to produce a film suitable for a PG-13 rating. This implies that we can’t include explicit violence like graphic bloodshed on screen. However, we can create some thrilling action sequences reminiscent of Hong Kong martial arts films, featuring stunts such as people flying through the air using wires, colliding with ceiling beams, crashing through tables, and even being hurled into a fireplace.

Grendel was raised witnessing humans brutally fight each other and devastate their surroundings. Deep down, he yearns for a more benign existence, but is consumed by anger and disillusionment. Given the current state of our world, it’s challenging not to empathize with some of his emotions. Have discussions about this topic been held among the cast members?

It seems to me that we’re all seeking a means of expressing our complex emotions, and Grendel serves as this outlet. He embodies anger, skepticism, and profound thought, struggling to navigate the world around him. In essence, I believe we’re all grappling with life’s significant questions, and Grendel merely amplifies these queries in approximately 20 unique and captivating ways. Engaging in discussions about it has proven quite rewarding for us. It’s a therapeutic experience. Thus, one of the advantages of this work is that as you delve deeper into its meaning, you gain insights into yourself, your shortcomings, or the world at large. Its courage to ask questions and trust the reader to find their own answers makes it true art and intelligent writing. I suspect this is why it continues to resonate with people. In my opinion, Grendel feels as relevant today as when it was first written.

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2024-11-06 20:25