JOSEPH HARRIS is a filmmaker, screenwriter and comic book creator whose work spans motion pictures, publications and genres. He is also the creator of The Tooth Fairy, and co-writer of the hit film 'Darkness Falls'.  Joe was kind enough to take some time out of his busy schedule to let us grill him about himself, his work, and his inspirations.

MMN: Where did the inspiration for the Tooth Fairy come from?

JH: Well, I used to write comics for the most part and I had written a book for Marvel called the GENERATION X HOLIDAY SPECIAL in which we found out that, not only
does Santa Claus exist but he's also a 'mutant.'  And Marvel, at the time, used to actually joke with me and asked, "What's next from you... the goddamn Tooth Fairy??"  And I just smiled... yes, I thought... but not for YOU guys!

Honestly, I love myth and I love exploring myth and though I'd grown up on horror movies that included Silent Night, Deadly Night I'd never seen something like Tooth Fairy.  Given the reaction I've gotten from the day I started all this, I'd say most people agree it was a great idea for a horror franchise.

MMN: What was your "Big Break" if you will, that got you started writing professionally?

JH: Oh God... you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.  Or you might believe me and that’s probably worse.  So I’m going to skip the sordid details credited to an old pseudonym and instead I’ll go with the story of how I came to work at Marvel Comics.  I was in my early twenties and got out of film school here in New York City with a short film called RAPSCALLIONS that was about a group of young Long Island guys who go out ‘fag-bashing’ at the local Park & Ride.  I had been working as an office temp and script reader at Miramax/Dimension and, through my connections there, had a screening at the Tribeca Film Center for friends, family and some employees of the company.  My friend and then-X-Force penciler, Adam Pollina, brought X-Men editor Mark Powers to the screening and he dug the short and said I should be writing for Marvel.  So I did.  I launched a Spider-Man spin-off called SLINGERS about a group of young fuckups trying to be Spider-Man and failing every step of the way, soon I was on X-books and things were rolling.

MMN: What inspired you to start writing?

JH: Well, I was four when I first went to the movies with my dad to see STAR WARS.  My generation had the golden age of movie franchises with INDIANA JONES, horror like FRIDAY THE 13^th and HALLOWEEN and comics like the X-MEN.

I wanted to write comics since I was in junior high school.  Making movies evolved as a goal since, I guess, I got to college and wasn’t sure what the fuck to do because I didn’t want to struggle as a writer of short stories touting some useless degree.  The only other things I’ve ever wanted to do with my life is be a baseball player on the New York Yankees and play guitar in a rock and roll band (not my high school one).  I’m batting .500 right now.  I’ll get to Yankee Fantasy Camp and go for .750

MMN: How much of a role we’re you allowed to have in the making of “Darkness Falls”

JH: Well, I wrote the first few drafts of the screenplay but beyond that they kind of distanced me from the movie which is the way these things tend to go.  I stayed as close as I could though, writing the comic book that serves as a sort of 'prequel' and making sure that between my short film, which started all this, my involvement and crediting on the feature and just being a shameless self-promoter, everyone knew where this all came from...

MMN: How was the process of making a film of your creation, getting the deal, and then watching the studio remake it into a feature length film. 

JH: Well, it's all been surreal honestly.  I mean, I thought I was going to make my short, struggle to get it seen and hopefully get a job with that as my reel.  And all this has happened, wonderfully.  I ended up with produced screenplay credit and a great, great reputation for this stuff that I'm working all over the place and getting some great offers to do other horror franchises as a result.

Truthfully, I've been very lucky and blessed but it's all well-earned.

MMN: How different story-wise is the ‘Darkness Falls’, to your original independent?

JH: Well, it's much more elaborate in scope and size.  My short is only 5 minutes long and doesn't have a physical creature in it, per se.  We dealt with what you DON'T see in the short film, making do with a budget of next to nothing and throwing shadows and sound effects around to make you feel and think what the little boy hiding under the covers is experiencing.  The short film is a sort of cautionary tale or fable, which I love.  It's very complete in its five minutes and has a message that's still true to this day:  fuck with the Tooth Fairy at your own peril!
 

MMN: I know there was talk at one point of making your film available for others to see. Can we maybe expect to see it on the DVD?

JH: I've been asked to record a commentary track for it on the DVD, but it's not a done deal.  I suggest you call Columbia/Tri-Star and Sony and demand it!  Honestly,
it's a no-brainer but we'll see what happens.  I'm going to make sure you guys can see it, either way.
 

MMN: Tell us a little bit about the experience of attending the premiere?

JH: Again, surreal.  This is my first time for all of this stuff (as it is for most of the producers, beside John Fasano, and the director) so it's all a trip.  The movie was sold, made and released in about two years' time and I've been walking on air for the majority of that span.  I got to bring my LA posse with me, sit in a reserved row at the Mann Theater in Westwood and just soak it in... but I'm most looking forward to seeing it opening night back in New York City with my friends.
 

MMN: What are your thoughts on the look of the Tooth Fairy  in ‘Darkness Falls’

JH: I think she looks fine, though I'll always be partial to the original Steve Wang design.  Having Stan Winston on board this movie is a plus though that cannot be disputed.

MMN: Can you tell us a little about what was altered or changed?

JH: Well, she doesn't have wings anymore.  That's a big one.  Matilda Dixon, the Tooth Fairy, is now looking more like the hideously burned woman she is... but you've got to see the movie to understand.

MMN: Were you familiar with the Movie Maniacs Series of figures before The Tooth Fairy was inducted into it? 

JH: I've been familiar with Todd McFarlane's shit since I was in fucking high school and he's been a big influence on me as a comic creator and inspiration.  I love those toys, bought the first round of Spawn figures way back when and, honestly, felt very, very validated when I saw the finished Tooth Fairy figure.
 

MMN: What are your thoughts on the figure?

JH: Killer.  How fucking cool is she?  I think the mystique is only greater since she's NOT the creature in the movie anymore.  It's like owning the original Boba Fett figure with the detachable rocket on the back that they were afraid kids might choke on... they re-do these sorts of toys all the time.  It's almost a sci-fi and horror merchandising right of passage and tradition.
 

MMN: How has this whole experience altered your life so far?

JH: Well, the chicks are great.
 

MMN: Now that you have an even bigger taste of filmmaking, is it something you are going to keep pursuing?

JH: Yeah... I'm actually in the process of a signing a big deal with a particular studio to take the reins of a classic horror franchise, writing and directing, and that's just the beginning.

MMN: What's your favorite Horror Movie and your favorite slasher/creature
 

JH: My favorite movies include TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, PHANTASM and THE OMEN... Favorite Slasher has got to be Leatherface (although Jason with the potato sack on his head in 13^th Part 2 is a close runner up).  My favorite creatures include FRANKENSTEIN’S MONSTER and Harryhausen’s SINBAD monsters.

MMN: As a Horror Fan, what films have you been impressed by in the last 5 or 10 years.

JH: THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, probably above and beyond everything else.

MMN: So just like any good Horror franchise, it sounds like The Tooth Fairy may be back.  Are you looking forward to more sequels, and will you be involved if approached.

JH: It’s something I’d consider if asked.  Back when we first started developing this and I was writing, we used to talk about the sequel.  I think, like any good sequel, you have to focus on the villain.  EMPIRE STRIKES BACK was all Darth Vader.  Even AUSTIN POWERS followed the trend.  I wrote a lot more ‘fantastic’ stuff for the TOOTH FAIRY that ended up not making it to film, like where she went when the sun was up, what she did with all the teeth she took, etc.   Anyway, that was then... we’ll see what happens, but I’m so busy with other things right now I can’t even think about it honestly.

MMN: Ok, it’s self pimping time, what kind of projects do you have coming up.

JH: Ah... well, I've got a bunch of new movie projects in the works but I can't talk about them yet... I'm also writing a Hellboy special for Dark Horse comics and have some new creator-owned comic projects coming out later this year.

Check out my website for the sordid details as they become available:

www.josephharris.com
 

MMN: Thanks for taking the time Joe, I greatly appreciate it and can't wait to see more from you.