The murderous psychopath, Jacob Goodnight, returns to terrify audiences in the film See No Evil 2. The star, Glenn “Kane” Jacobs, chats with us in-depth about the blood-soaked sequel, the horror genre, and his amazing WWE career.
CraveOnline: You’re reprising your role as Jacob Goodnight in See No Evil 2 eight years later. What preparation did you go through to get back into your character after such a long period of time?
Kane: I had to shave my head and that was about it [laughs]. The deal with Jacob is, he’s pretty easy to understand as far as his mom messed him up and she’s used him for her perverted purposes. As far as doing a whole lot of preparation, I didn’t have to do that.
CraveOnline: Did you draw any elements from your Kane persona?
Kane: No, because they’re too separate characters. Kane does walk slower and is more ominous a la Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees. But Jacob is a little different too cause those guys are just killing machines whereas Jacob is an actual human being who has some emotions and a lot of conflicts going on inside. He’s different. He’s unique and I say that in a good way and a loving way, I guess.
CraveOnline: How exactly is Jacob Goodnight still alive? He seemed pretty dead at the end of See No Evil.
Kane: He’s pretty tough, man. [Laughs] Yeah, he’s just a pretty tough guy.
CraveOnline: Did you grow up a fan of the horror genre?
Kane: Yes, I did, actually. The horror genre is probably my favorite genre along with psychological thrillers. My favorite movie of all time is The Silence of the Lambs. I think Hannibal Lecter is the scariest movie monster ever because he’s smarter than you are. You might be able to get away from the rest of the guys but you won’t be able to get away from him. I also, loved the original Halloween and the first couple of Nightmare on Elm Street films.
The horror genre is real cathartic. It allows us to bring out the things that scare us and get it out and have an emotional release. Most people don’t know this but William Shakespeare’s most popular play during his time was Titus Andronicus, which is actually a slasher. It’s funny because the critics of that period didn’t like it but that’s what everyone wanted to see. Horror has been with us a long time.
CraveOnline: What were the main differences between the direction of Gregory Dark from the original film and the Soska sisters in the sequel?
Kane: The entire style is different. Jen and Sylvia are going to be unique no matter who you’re comparing them to because of the fact that you’re dealing with two people but it so often feels like you’re dealing with one mind. They compliment each other so well and they understand the art of making movies. I think one of the things that will really surprise people about See No Evil 2 is the fact that its so beautifully shot. It’s really a pretty movie. With Greg, we shot that film in Australia and I don’t think anyone knew what to expect because it was the first film from WWE studios. It was Greg’s first feature film. I’ve had the opportunity to work with directors who were doing their first studio movie but they’re both a great experience.
CraveOnline: What’s the mood on set when you have to film a brutal gory kill scene? I can’t just imagine someone chilling at craft services watching this unfold.
Kane: The thing is, it doesn’t look anything like it does when you see the finish product especially nowadays with the CGI and everything. It just doesn’t look like it does when people see the whole thing is done. You also, always have to keep a sense of humor.
CraveOnline: [Sarcastically] when you were doing the film, were you Glenn or were you a method actor?
Kane: [Laughs] I guess I’d have to be Glenn because I’m so big that I could actually really hurt someone. I have to be in control while I feel like I’m out of control.
CraveOnline: Working with a scream queen like Danielle Harris, what did you take away from that experience?
Kane: Danielle was great. Everyone I worked with on the movie was great. What was really cool is the fact that they treated me like I belong. I wasn’t just a wrestler doing a movie. Once they got to know me after the first day or so, they were like “This guy’s cool. He knows what’s he doing” so everything is good. It was wonderful working with all of those guys.
CraveOnline: Your character is wearing a mask the time around in See No Evil 2. You spent most of your career wearing a mask. Do you prefer to operate in the ring and act with or without a mask?
Kane: It all depends. The thing about the mask is that it hides your face on one hand it gives you an heir of mystery, which of course is interesting for the audience. On the other hand, most humans relay emotion is through their face. I actually can’t say that, it’s actually like your body language. Wearing a mask actually makes you a better performer in that you have to use your body to relay emotions but it becomes harder as well because all you have is your body. I don’t really care.
For me, it’s just a variety of being able to do both. Frankly, I wore a mask for a while and after years of that; I wanted to do something different. I’ve been very fortunate in WWE that I’ve been able to play different characters even though I’ve always been Kane; it’s been different. You can have Kane with the mask. You can have Kane without the mask. You have Kane with the mask with Daniel Bryan in Team Hell No. Then you have Kane with no mask wearing a suit. As a performer, that’s when it becomes really fun and do all sorts of stuff to challenge yourself so it doesn’t become stale.
Kane: I think the original. You asked me a loaded question because of course, because you’re talking about The Attitude Era and everything was bigger than life. I think the original because all the elements were there. You had The Undertaker and this epic rivalry almost between two mythological deities, if you will. Two larger than life characters and you throw in Paul Bearer into the mix and you have the history and all that sort of stuff, so that was definitely my favorite.
CraveOnline: What is your proudest moment of your career?
Kane: When I won the world championship, which of course, is what it’s all about. I won the WWE championship against Stone Cold Steve Austin at King of The Ring. What was amazing about that; it was a time when Austin…he hadn’t reached his peak but he was definitely on the way up. He was the hottest thing in entertainment. That was just awesome. People say “He only held it for a day.” Well, yeah, that’s a day longer than most people hold it so whatever.
The other one was in 2010 and that storyline with The Undertaker. Beating The Undertake in three straight pay per views for the World Heavyweight Championship is something I don’t think anyone else has ever done. When you have the world championship, that’s really important because you become one of the most important guys if not the most important guys in the company.
CraveOnline: Kane has been iconic and has had no shortage of memorable moments. Was there ever a specific moment where you thought, “I can’t believe they’re letting me do this?”
Kane: The Team Hell No angle, actually. It was really great. It was a lot of fun for me because for the first time Kane went from being really dark and mysterious and very serious to providing the comic relief for the show. If you would have asked people years ago “Would Kane be the guy that’s making me laugh?” the answer would be “no.” Of course, you had that Daniel Bryan guy, you know but whatever [laughs]. The Team Hell No stuff was some of my most favorite stuff. In all seriousness, being able to do it with Daniel Bryan; who is just a great performer and is one of those guys that can do anything; that was a time where I’d say “Man, I can’t believe we’re actually getting to do this.” It was so much fun.
CraveOnline: What’s left for Kane in the rest of your WWE career? What are your plans after you retire from WWE?
Kane: I don’t know, frankly. Hopefully, that’s still a ways down the pike. As long as I can perform at a high level and as long as I’m enjoying what I’m doing and as long as I’m a relevant part of our programming, you know WWE is home for me so I’ll stay.
CraveOnline: Who is an actor or actress you’d most like to work with and which one would you like to step into the ring with?
Kane: [Laughs] My answer is the same for both questions Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
CraveOnline: Are there any other WWE superstars you think should do a WWE film? Is there somebody that can hold his or her own with you?
Kane: [Laughs] Big Show just finished a film Vendetta which is with Dean Cain and I’m really looking forward to that because Show plays a different character and I know from talking to him that he was very happy with the outcome. Dean Ambrose just did one too. That’s the thing about WWE superstars; Chris Jericho always calls WWE “entertainment boot camp.” What we do, we go out there live every week and put on one of the greatest shows on the planet. There’s no letup. It’s week in and week out. We have to do all sorts of different things. I really do think we’re some of the greatest pros on the planet. So when we get the opportunity to do movies, of course I think the guys are going to do a great job.
CraveOnline: Any chance we get a See No Evil 3?
Kane: I don’t know. The Soska’s were just up at the Comic Con and they did a press screening for See No Evil 2 and they were being asked when the next one is going to come out so if I had the opportunity to work with Jen and Sylvia again, I would definitely do it.
SEE NO EVIL 2 (Lionsgate Home Entertainment) is available on digital HD and Video On Demand Oct. 17, and on Blu-ray and DVD Oct. 21.
Photos courtesy of WWE
Joshua Caudill is a writer for CraveOnline Sports, a surfing enthusiast, an unhealthy sports fanatic, and an expert on all things Patrick Swayze. You can follow him on Twitter @JoshuaCaudill85 or “like”CraveOnline Sports on Facebook.
