The actor said that graphic novels are the closest medium to filmmaking, allowing him to tell stories with complete creative freedom.
John Cusack, known for starring in beloved films including “Say Anything,” “High Fidelity” and “Serendipity,” opened up about why he stepped back from starring in major films to focus on writing fiction.
The 60-year-old actor cited creative freedom as the primary driving force behind his transformation, revealing during an interview that his new graphic novel, Momo, represents a kind of artistic independence that studio filmmaking no longer allows.According to Variety, Cusack discussed his artistic journey while promoting “Momo,” a graphic novel of sorts illustrated by Ignacio Noe. The project follows two fugitives who form an unlikely alliance in 1972 during their quest to recover an ancient artifact for TV legend Jackie Gleason, blending science fiction with political satire, the publication noted.
John Cusack praises graphic novels for their cinematic storytelling possibilities
When asked what interested him about translating his ideas into the graphic novel format, Cusack reflected on the visual storytelling potential of the medium. “I always thought it was the closest thing to really photographing,” he said. “You choose the shots, they’re very cinematic.”
Cusack praised the project because it was created by him and illustrator Ignacio Noe without committee edits or studio supervision. Image credit (Instagram)
The actor spoke in detail about his creative process, noting that the format allowed him to tell stories without the constraints that come with traditional filmmaking.
“I thought I wanted to tell a story, but I didn’t want to negotiate really telling a story,” Cusack explained.
John Cusack prioritizes creative control over studio intervention and committee decisions
The actor highlighted the financial and creative pressures that come with studio filmmaking. “When you ask someone to put $20 or $30 million in a bank account for a movie, they want to have an opinion, they’re afraid and so on,” he said.Working with painter Ignacio Noe proved to be a liberating experience.
“It was as if I wrote it and said, ‘I loved the story,’ and then I asked this beautiful, wonderful artist, Ignacio Noe, to draw the illustrations, so no one edited or drew anything I wrote. And so it’s really a work of art that was just made by two people who did an amazing job directing it.”
The actor said he would be happy to return to the screen if his graphic novel was made into a feature film.
Cusack emphasized that the independence he experienced with “Momo” represented something increasingly rare in contemporary entertainment.
“There’s no bull, there’s no committee. There’s no computer in Seattle testing it for the poll,” he said, calling the project “an anti-algorithmic thing.”
John Cusack is open to starring in a Momo movie
Despite his retreat from traditional filmmaking, Cusack expressed his willingness to return to acting if his graphic novel received the green light for a cinematic adaptation. “If fans love Momo enough for the studio to greenlight him for film production, he would love to star in the film adaptation,” he said.This marks Cusack’s first graphic novel, although he previously co-wrote a 2016 collection of essays called Things That Can and Can’t Be Said. The project demonstrates his broader shift towards independent creative endeavors that prioritize artistic vision over commercial considerations.
Sister Joan Cusack is stepping out of the spotlight after an 11-year hiatus
Cusack isn’t the only member of his family to step back from the entertainment industry spotlight. In May, his older sister Joan Cusack made her first red carpet appearance since September 2015, ending a hiatus spanning more than a decade.
She attended the Toy Story 5 premiere in London, marking her big return to the public eye.
John Cusack dismisses most contemporary films, and expresses doubts about sequels
Earlier this year, Cusack shared candid thoughts on the current state of the film industry when asked about sequels during a December screening of his 1989 film “Say Anything.” “I was lucky because I never had the desire, or nobody asked me to do another part,” he said with a laugh.However, he acknowledged one possible exception. “There is a film that I think would be interesting to do, which is ‘1408.’ “Just because I think today, you know, most films are bad,” the actor commented, emphasizing his broader criticism of contemporary cinema and his preference for more eclectic creative choices.“Momo” is scheduled to be released on September 29.
