The mashup genre is nothing new, but burn bright gained a lot of attention for his uncompromising “horror superhero” portrayal. With a strict R rating, the film essentially begs the question: “What if Superman was the villain?” Without spoiling anything, the answer involves a lot of bloodshed and superpower horror.
burn bright The film was a box office success, grossing over $32 million worldwide on a budget of just $6 million. While cult fans of the movie have high hopes for a sequel, there’s been no official announcement yet, although the film’s young star, Jackson A. Dunn, has his own ideas on how to portray the iconic character right away.
While driving release home video burn brightJackson A. Dunn talks to Screen Rant about his work on the provocative thriller, his thoughts on future sequels, and his role in the film. Avengers: Game overand how he hopes to handle the casting of the new character is revealed at the end of the film.
You are a huge part of the success of this movie. You make this character very attractive. There’s a lot to read in there. If you look online, there are a lot of fan theories about whether he is truly evil, whether he can be redeemed, and the reasons for what he does in the movie. What instructions did you receive while filming this film? What does the script tell you? Is there any secret you know about this character? Or are you playing scene by scene?
Reading the script and going through the audition process, I tried to get the character to go in the direction I thought it should go, but with some of my own. I get some inspiration from horror movies and demonic or haunted characters. Movies like The Sixth Sense. I want it to be different from your everyday superhero/supervillain movie. I wish it had a bit of darker horror because that’s what this movie is all about.
Do you collaborate a lot with Gunns and David Yarovesky?
Correct! It’s really great to work with them. They are always on set. They are super creative and their energy flows through them all the time. It was interesting to see how David Jarowski created the stories in his head. Everything will turn up and he will know what he wants to see. It was really nice to be able to get away from him. I try to make his vision my own.
I know actors are usually the last to know, but did you know if there were rumors of a sequel, would you be willing to reprise the role?
I know there must have been some news about it in the media, but I don’t know more than the average person, but I would love to be a part of it. Of course, I’m curious to see where it can be carried.
If they put the producer’s name next to yours and gave you creative control over the direction of the episode, what would you like to see Brandon do in the future?
The directions a character can take are endless. There are many possibilities. When the movie is over… maybe he’ll be out there, conquering himself, facing what he might face and facing it, continuing as a character outside of his little home in Bradburn, Kansas. But perhaps there is also the potential to build a league. I have my own personal theory that Brandon wasn’t the only one who landed in the cabin that night, there were others around the world. I’d really like to see that possibility explored, whether it’s teaming up with Brightburn, or them against him, or them fighting each other, I think there’s a lot of avenues that can be taken and I’d certainly love to see that possibility explored.
That’s right, villains don’t get along well with others, so when they’re together, they’re easier to change than a team of heroes like the Avengers. Speaking of which, you’re in Endgame! You are the young Ant-Man! Is there a connection between you being hired for these two positions, or is it purely a coincidence?
No, it was purely a coincidence. I auditioned and filmed Endgame a few months before Brightburn, and I didn’t even know I was filming Endgame. Apparently, they’re really sneaky, they’re completely locked. I know I’m playing Ant-Man, but that’s it! A few months later, I shot Brabburn. But there is no correlation there.
Are there scenarios that you might have thought of or would like to include, such as the idea of a gruesome murder? There are some great murders in this movie, has your imagination ever gone crazy with what this character can do to people beyond what was shown in the movie?
I really like the direction we’re taking, like Killing Uncle Noah. The whole thing was staged. Vehicles, jaws, blood, etc., I like very much. But I also think it’s important not to oversaturate this type of murder, and there is some difference in that. I think what we did in the first movie was definitely delivered well, and that’s how I hope to see more in the future.
You mentioned earlier that you have to have an impact on the characters. Can you talk about how different the role was when you were cast, where did you take it, and how did that affect the portrayal of personality?
In the script, he’s probably a bit quieter and a bit more intellectual. I tried to capture Brandon’s quiet, shy qualities, but I tried to give him more character and more energy. I tried to make him more rounded and more aware of other personality types.
Is acting with a mask harder or easier? In the Blu-ray special, they mentioned that in a typical horror movie, someone is in the dark and they turn on the lights and the killer comes out and he kills them. But when the killer is a masked child, the person takes off the mask and says, “Get in the car!” And then the real horror began.
Wearing a mask is definitely a powerful feeling. It’s easier for me to think of myself as a killer when I wear a mask than when I wear a mask. Without the mask, everyone else in the Brightburn universe sees me as a weird, quiet kid with no real meaning. But after wearing the mask, I am a cold-blooded killer, a cold-blooded serial killer with superpowers! You will easily transform into a character with a mask and a full outfit.
The movie certainly plays up its influence in the horror and superhero atmosphere. No illusions about being influenced by Superman mythology. You say you study horror movies, but do you study Superman stories for inspiration?
Yes. I definitely think there are some suggestions Superman: Man of Steel, those character types. But I want it to be different from those, more of a horror element. I wanted to separate Brandon from your normal supervillain, making him more evil, more haunting.
The movie ends with a new supervillain based on Wonder Woman and Aquaman, and possibly even Martian Manhunter. Are there actors you’d like to see play these characters, with whom you might want to share the screen and fight, or become nasty allies with them?
The thing is, when I was cast for this role, I wasn’t one of the names that would say, “Oh yeah, he could play this.” I am the one who was found for this role. Through this role, I gained a lot. So if we keep doing this, I’d like to see more promising actors integrated into this universe.
Thank you so much for your time, I and many others can’t wait to see what you do next. Do you want to tease or scream about any upcoming projects?
Well, now I have nothing to say!
fair enough!
burn bright Available now digitally and on Blu-ray on August 20.