Horror fans in India are very excited about the release of The Vatican Tapes in the sub continent. This high concept horror film features much celebrated star-cast of Michael Pena, Djimon Hounsou and Dougray Scott . Olivia Taylor Dudley, established television actress in the US will be seen as the leading lady in Vatican Tapes. The Fury, star Michael Pena is playing a pivotal role in the film and Pena’s role has been much more than just acting. The movie is all set to hit theatres across India on 31st July, 2015, only a week after its U.S. release.
Micheal Pena is essaying the role of Father Lorenzo, an ex- serviceman who has served two tours in Iraq and thereafter joined the local Church. The misery and horror of war lead him closer to god and he became a ‘Man of the cloth’.
Peña was initially drawn to the film by the uniqueness of the script as well as his relationship with producers, Tom Rosenberg and Gary Lucchesi. “I was initially interested in the script because it wasn’t written like a typical horror movie,” says Peña. “There were action sequences and unique elements to this thriller film, but they’re justified by the plot. I also have a longstanding relationship with Tom Rosenberg and Gary Lucchesi.”
Among all the characters, Father Lozano was the most layered and complex. His character needed the companion of a priest and the heart of a soldier. Father Lozano is the thread that binds all the characters and plot together. “The Vatican Tapes is brilliantly written screen play with multiple layers in storytelling and characters. I knew if I had to do justice to my part I would have to take some liberties and fine the character how I see. Of course, Mark is a dream director to have and he and I were on the same page. Before all scenes, we would have a chat and would always take my suggestions as to how to go about the scene. What’s even more rewarding was that, he would often just ask me to shoot directly. He wanted to see how I envisioned the sequence and he would okay the take without any changes”, added Pena.
Neveldine recalls Peña’s impromptu contributions to the screenplay on set: “He actually tweaked a lot of the script lines. He responded to the character’s layers and took it to the next level by really expanding upon the role of Father Lozano. I think there were some layers of the character that we did not know existed till Michael played them out for us. It’s inviting someone to your own house and they end up showing u a part of the house you yourself did not know existed”.
