Q&A: Bruce Campbell

Bruce Campbell may be the most popular actor you don’t know. The star of the “Evil Dead” horror trilogy has developed a rabid fanbase over the years—mostly males, as we discovered—thanks in part to his on-screen, over-the-top machismo and devilish sarcastic tone. The Michigan native may look like the ultimate action star, but his roles (from recurring gigs on shows like “Xena” and “Burn Season” to cameos in all three “Spider-Man” flicks) show off Campbell’s self-depreciating sense of humor.

The actor’s cult of personality takes center stage in his new film, “My Name is Bruce.” The horror-comedy flick, directed by Campbell, stars Campbell as a trashy version of himself. He's forced to fight a demon after being mistaken for the kind of heroic figure he usually plays in real-life action flicks. It’s very meta. We spoke with Bruce about, well, playing Bruce.

You’re personally attending all the premiere screenings of “My Name is Bruce.” How did the first few go?
Pretty good. They’re paying customers, and they reacted well. If you’re getting something for free, it’s easy to laugh or have a good time. For ten bucks, people want results.

Who’s your average fan?
Mostly males. Women have come in since I wrote the books, because they like the warm and fuzzy stuff about my difficult past – you know, that I’m not an asshole. But the guys…they range from college students to people my age. It creeps me out at a signing when somebody my age comes up for an autograph. “So you’re me…wanting me?” Disturbing.

Any particularly creepy fans?
There was a guy who had the entire “Army of Darkness” poster tattooed on his back. That was impressive. He must have gone through a lot of pain for that. Tom Cruise ain’t gonna get that. He has the money—I have the crazy-ass fans.

From what I can tell, you and John Malkovich are the only two actors to get their names in the title of a movie…
Actually, Jean Claude Van Damme has one. I think it’s called “JCVD.” Bastard. He’s riding our coattails.

But is it hard to play yourself, or a version of you?
Well, I’m not really playing myself. Only I know what I’m really like. But here I’m just a character named Bruce Campbell. And, unlike him, I do not live in a trailer or feed my dogs whiskey.

You also produced and directed the film. Being behind the scenes, did you learn anything?
Well, I was pretty active in producing the “Evil Dead” films, and I’ve directed myself on TV shows, so I’m not a total stranger to it. Actually…it’s liberating. As a producer of my own stuff, I can get out of bed and do whatever I want that day. I’m the boss. In the film business, that’s what you live for. I’d do that until the day I die.

Do you have high hopes for a “Juno”-like indie breakout success for this?
The film was actually originally supposed to go straight to DVD, but the investors liked what they saw. We got to add some stuff by going theatrical, but that also delayed the release a little bit. Actually, low-budget films don’t really have release dates. It’s more like they escape.

You’ve done well in your mainstream work (“Burn Notice,” cameos in several Coen Bros. films and the “Spider-Man” franchise, etc.). Why not go more that route?
I’m not a mainstream guy. It doesn’t appeal to me. I mean, I like going to [“Spider-Man” director] Sam Raimi’s set, cracking some jokes, and getting the hell out of there after a day of work. Studio films are a heavy load. I don’t need all those chefs, all those 25-year olds telling me what to do. I’ll find a budget level for my stuff where I can be my own boss. But also, I don’t have to be that involved; on “Burn Notice,” I never tell people what to do. They direct. I act and try not to sweat too much.

Do you regret any of your movie roles?
Never. If I took a film for the wrong reason, I’ll pay for it. Fans will blog all over it. But I’ve also done some work for the money, because I fucking needed the money. I’m a working actor! Fortunately, my coke habit is less than it used to be. Same with the meth.

Any update on “Evil Dead 4”?
Well, there’s talk of that or doing a remake. I’m less interested in a remake, because…why do that? But that’s a personal thing. The investors of the original—they got us started, gave us money when no one else would, and it might be nice to do a remake and please them. And make our fans happy, of course.

Then again, there’s a reason nothing’s happening right now. Sam just signed on for two more “Spider-Man” films, and I have a five-year TV contract. When we finally get back to “Evil Dead,” we’ll be 70. It’ll be like watching Harrison Ford now: “I’m too old for this!”

You wrote a book called “Make Love the Bruce Campbell Way.” What lessons can we take from that?
That you will not learn anything from me.

[Photo: Jeffrey Mayer/WireImage.com]