IFFBoston Interview: Best Worst Movie

Bostonist: What was it like as a budding actor growing up in Salt Lake City?

Michael Paul Stephenson: Utah will always be my home even though I've lived off-and-on in L.A. for the past 20 years. I grew up in a beautiful small town just north of Salt Lake City and, unlike many of my "child actor" pals in L.A., I was fortunate to lead a normal and happy childhood. Believe me, I've seen some bad things happen to child actors. Yes, even worse than getting cast in the worst movie ever made.

I was ten-years old when I was cast in my first movie, as the child star in Troll 2. Although slightly traumatizing, Troll 2 did not ruin me, or my desire to be an actor. I spent most of my teenage years as punk-kid, making skateboarding videos with my pals and writing screenplays and short stories. I always wanted to be a filmmaker, and I continued to work as an actor into my early twenties, primarily in television and commercials.

Bostonist: How did you get word of the tryouts for Troll 2?

MPS: I had just signed with a talent agency and my parents received a call. My agent said, "We've got some great news! There is a really good horror movie coming into town, and we think Michael would be perfect for the part." This was it: the career-launcher I had been waiting for! I was going to be a movie star.

Bostonist: How did you catch wind of the growing cult status of Troll 2?

MPS: I didn't really "catch" anything, in fact, I ran from everything related to Troll 2. I shuddered every time I heard the name "Joshua." I was haunted by bologna sandwiches and I had sweaty, green, nightmares of vegan goblins eating me. On a brighter note, I did develop quite a penchant for spelling words backwards at a very young age.

After running from my bad movie legacy for so long, Troll 2 caught me. And there was no escaping it, really. However, instead of kicking me in the teeth, Troll 2 embraced me. Twenty-something Troll 2 "fans" started sending me emails with photos of their Troll 2 parties. Kids were dressing-up like goblins, eating green-food and even pissing on dinner tables. This was before it became a "cult phenomenon." Then, a complete stranger sent me a Myspace message that read, "Are you Joshua Waits? Please say it is so!"

Yes, I am Joshua Waits. And it was time for me to embrace Troll 2.

Bostonist: Aside from your personal involvement in Troll 2, what was the moment when you decided to make a documentary about the movie?

MPS: One morning after embracing Troll 2, I woke up and said to myself, "I'm the star of the worst movie ever made! I have to tell this story."

Three years later, Best Worst Movie and Troll 2 have taken us around the world. We've made new friends and met fans as far away as Budapest. We've filmed at over 12 sold-out screenings in major cities throughout the country. We've talked with Special Operations Soldiers during a Troll 2 party held in Iraq. We've picked the brain of Troll 2 mastermind and director, Claudio Fragasso, while dining on pizza in Rome. We've interviewed Troll 2 cast and crew, and I've re-united with my on-screen father, who happens to be one of the greatest people I've ever met.

Bostonist: Any word on the production of Troll 2: Part 2?

MPS: Sure. I'll give you a little taste:

After the gruesome death of his wife, George's character, "Farmer Waits," has become a back-woods recluse with a grisly beard and a rusty shotgun that has the word "Hospitality!" hand-carved into the gunstock. The only life left life in him is spent plotting revenge against the goblins that ruined his family's trip to the countryside.

It's in development. Claudio and Rossella (Drudi, the Troll 2 script writer) are penning the script. All of the original cast is returning, even the dead ones. Patton Oswalt is attached to play "Ancient Lord of Stonehenge Magic Stone."

Bostonist: Any thoughts on your next project?

When I'm done with Troll 2: Part 2? ;)

I've been recently asked to direct a film that takes place in Tokyo, titled KAIJU. It's a beautiful father-son "underdog" story that is charming, humorous, warm, and full of heart, yet dysfunctional enough to feel real and meaningful. Nothing is confirmed yet, it's still in the early stages of development, and I want to make sure that I'm the right-fit for this story as I keep my eyes open for "that next project."

Whether it's another documentary or a narrative, it's inconsequential to me. Simply, I'm interested in genuine and heartfelt stories that I feel have to be told. Stories that resonate with the human spirit. My next project has to grab hold of me and make it impossible for me not to want to put my heart into it.