John Cusack, known for starring in beloved films including ‘Say Anything’, ‘High Fidelity’ and ‘Serendipity,’ has opened up about why he stepped back from starring in major film productions to focus on writing fiction. The 60-year-old actor cited creative freedom as the primary driving force behind his transition, revealing during an interview that his new graphic novel ‘Momo’ represents the kind of artistic autonomy that studio filmmaking no longer permits.According to Variety, Cusack discussed his artistic journey while promoting ‘Momo’, a genre-bending graphic novel illustrated by Ignacio Noé. The publication noted that the project follows two fugitives forming an unlikely alliance in 1972 as they set out to recover an ancient artefact for television legend Jackie Gleason, blending sci-fi with political satire.
John Cusack praises graphic novels for cinematic storytelling possibilities
When asked what intrigued him about translating his ideas into the graphic novel format, Cusack reflected on the medium’s visual storytelling potential. “I always thought they were the closest things to film, really,” he said. “You’re picking out shots, they’re so cinematic.”
Cusack praised the project for being created solely by him and illustrator Ignacio Noé without committee edits or studio oversight.Image credit (Instagram)
The actor elaborated on his creative process, noting that the format allowed him to tell stories without the constraints that come with traditional filmmaking. “I thought, I wanna tell a story, but I didn’t wanna negotiate telling a story, really,” Cusack explained.
John Cusack prioritises creative control over studio interference and committee decisions
The actor highlighted the financial and creative pressures that come with studio filmmaking. “When you ask somebody to put $20 or $30 million into a bank account for a film, they wanna have an opinion, and they’re afraid and all that stuff,” he said.Working with illustrator Ignacio Noé proved to be a liberating experience. “This was just like, I wrote it, and I said, ‘I like the story,’ and then I got this beautiful, wonderful artist, Ignacio Noé, to do the illustrations, and so nobody edited anything I wrote or that he drew. And so it’s really a piece of work that was just done by two people who did a great job putting it out.”
The actor said he would happily return to the screen if his graphic novel is adapted into a feature film.Image credit (Instagram)
Cusack emphasised that the autonomy he experienced with ‘Momo’ represents something increasingly rare in contemporary entertainment. “There’s no bull, and there’s no committee. There’s no computer up in Seattle that’s poll testing it,” he said, characterising the project as “an anti-algorithm thing.”
John Cusack open to starring in ‘Momo’ film adaptation
Despite his retreat from traditional filmmaking, Cusack expressed willingness to return to acting if his graphic novel receives the green light for a cinematic adaptation. “If fans loved ‘Momo’ enough for a studio to have it greenlit for film production, he would love to star in the adaptation,” he said.This marks Cusack’s graphic novel debut, though he previously co-wrote a 2016 collection of essays titled ‘Things that Can and Cannot Be Said’. The project demonstrates his broader shift toward independent creative pursuits that prioritise artistic vision over commercial considerations.
Sister Joan Cusack emerges from spotlight after 11-year hiatus
Cusack is not the only member of his family to have stepped back from the entertainment industry spotlight. In May, his older sister Joan Cusack made her first public red carpet appearance since September 2015, ending an extended hiatus of more than a decade. She attended the ‘Toy Story 5’ London premiere, marking a significant return to the public eye.
John Cusack dismisses most contemporary films, expresses scepticism about sequels
Earlier this year, Cusack shared candid thoughts about the current state of filmmaking when asked about sequels during a December screening of his 1989 film ‘Say Anything’. “I was lucky that I never had the desire, or no one asked me to do any sequels,” he said, laughing.However, he acknowledged one potential exception. “There’s one that I think would be interesting to do, which would be ‘1408’. Just because… I think today, you know, most movies suck,” the actor remarked, underscoring his broader critique of contemporary cinema and his preference for more selective creative choices.‘Momo’ is scheduled for release on September 29.
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