Bruce Ramsay | Phillip, John & Paul LeMarchand/Merchant – Exclusive Written Interview

Were you already familiar with Hellraiser before you were cast?

No, I wasn’t. And at the time, there were no streaming services or internet to help me quickly get up to speed, so I raced all over Los Angeles looking for a video store that carried the earlier films. I didn’t find one until after I had already been cast in the movie.

What was it like stepping into such an established horror franchise?

As I wasn’t familiar with the franchise, I had no idea what I was stepping into. It wasn’t until after we’d completed the film that I discovered just how passionate and devoted the fan base was.

What was your audition process like?

I don’t remember too much on my end about the audition process, but I do remember how passionate the director was. It was his film directorial debut, and he was incredibly excited about the entire project.

After I was cast, he took me to his famed effects studio, where he’d created those iconic horror characters like Freddy Krueger and Chucky. He also showed me some of the prosthetics that were being made for the Cenobites, so I had an idea of some of those supernatural beings I would be facing down the road.  

Were there any scenes that were particularly difficult to film, either physically or emotionally?

The most difficult scene for me had less to do with the physical or emotional demands of the role, and more to do with a lifelong phobia of snakes. I didn’t grow up terrified of them, but I certainly wasn’t comfortable being around them either.

I remember checking the call sheet one morning and seeing that in one particular scene, where I’m walking down a narrow, dimly lit corridor, there was a note saying that a snake would be crawling across my feet as I walked past.

Well, that immediately made me want to have a word with the director! So, the director introduced me to the snake wrangler, who was a very sweet, personable guy. He understood my fear, he’d encountered this situation many times on movie sets, and said he thought he might be able to help me get over it. He then took me over to his trailer, and with some hesitation I followed him inside. It was a bright, plain white room with nothing much in it except a single burlap sack sitting in the corner.

He told me there were two snakes inside, and said the best way to overcome a fear was to personalize it. So, he asked me to give one of the snakes a name. Thinking of a close friend of mine who’s one of the gentlest people I know, I said, “Let’s call him Frank.” The wrangler asked if I wanted to meet Frank, and I said sure. So he opened the sack and pulled out this writhing black rat snake, about five feet long. As silly as it sounds, giving him a name really did make a difference. Eventually, I let Frank rest on my arm, and then he slowly crawled up and coiled around my shoulder.

The wrangler, sensing I’d warmed up to Frank, asked if I wanted to meet his friend. I said sure, and named this one Johnny. A few minutes later I was standing there, holding Frank in one hand, and Johnny in the other, with both of their heads darting around, while their bodies wrapped around my arms.

For one brief moment, I felt like I was trapped in some sort of Medusa-like nightmare, and a wave of terror shot through me, it honestly felt like all my internal organs had rearranged themselves. But the feeling passed, and eventually Frank and Johnny were returned to their burlap home in the corner. Fast forward about four hours, and we’re on set. The lights are up, the cameras are ready to roll, and “Frank” is brought in to hit his mark by my feet. Thanks to that snake wrangler, working with Frank turned out to easier than working with some of my human co-stars over the years…  lol…

Which of the three Merchants did you find the most interesting to portray, and why?

I think I enjoyed playing Philip the most. I’d had quite a bit of classical training, so getting to put on the 18th-century costume and step into that time period was really a lot fun. We also had a really a talented cast in those period scenes, so there was a great energy on set.

Was there one version of the Merchant family story that you wish the audience had seen more of?

Honestly, my knowledge of the family story was limited to what was in the script. So, if there are any other versions out there, I’m not aware of them.

The Merchant family spans nearly 700 years, yet Bloodline only shows us Philip, John and Paul. Have you ever wondered what happened during all those missing generations? What kinds of Lament Configurations or other devices might have been created by the Merchants we never got to meet?

Similar to the previous question, my knowledge of the family’s story is really limited to what was in the script. But as the Merchants were always tinkering, I’m sure more than a few devices were created along the way.

Philip never intended to create a gateway to Hell. Do you see him as a tragic victim or someone burdened with guilt for something beyond his control?

I always saw him as a tragic victim. He viewed de L’Isle’s commission as the opportunity of a lifetime, a chance to create the finest work of his career. He had no idea that what he was crafting would become a gateway to hell.

Angelique invades John’s dreams and seduces him as part of her manipulation. From John’s perspective, do you think he would have viewed that as a form of betrayal towards his wife, or as something entirely beyond his control?

I viewed it as something beyond his control. Once the box was created and it’s powers unleashed, I feel that everything that followed was happening outside of his control.

Because Angelique has pursued the Merchant bloodline for centuries, do you think there’s an eerie sense that she’s repeated the same manipulation with generations before John? Was that something you ever considered while playing the role?

If I can remember now, so many years later, I think I played it like there was always a sense that my character had faced off with this entity several times before.

John ultimately refuses Angelique’s temptations. What do you think gives him the strength to resist?

His loyalty was always to his wife and son. Ultimately, that’s where he drew his strength from.

Between Philip LeMarchand and John Merchant, there are almost 500 years of untold history. Do you imagine there were other Merchant descendants who unknowingly continued the family legacy, perhaps creating puzzle boxes that were successful, flawed, or even impossible to seal?

I’m sure there was… maybe one day they’ll make a film about those 500 years. I’m sure the fanbase would love that! Me too!

Paul to lures Pinhead aboard the space station is one of the boldest plans in the franchise. Did you think he was courageous, desperate, or simply out of options?

I think it’s a carefully planned sacrifice. Paul accepts that he may have to die if that’s what it takes that to end the family’s burden.

Paul essentially sacrifices himself to end his family’s curse. Do you see him as finally achieving what Philip set out to do centuries earlier?

So we are in agreement! It was a sacrifice on Paul’s end! In my mind, while playing those scenes, he was achieving what Philip had set out to do. That’s what gives him the strength to follow through.

Do you think John and Paul subconsciously carries echoes of the Merchant bloodline’s past, almost as though generations of trauma have been passed down, or is each Merchant destined to face Leviathan with no knowledge of what came before?

I believe very much in generational trauma, and I played all the characters as though they had been informed in one way or another, of what their ancestors had endured.

Did you get to spend much time working with Doug Bradley as Pinhead?

I spent a lot time with Doug, and he was great to work with, and fun to hang around with. Most importantly on set, he was very, very helpful. He was the one who helped ground me in the world.

What was your first impression of seeing Pinhead and the Cenobites in full costume and makeup?

I wondered what the hell I had just gotten myself into!

Did you have a favourite day on set or a favourite scene to shoot?

A single day or scene doesn’t really stand out, really… anything that was shot for the first part of the film was the most fun.

Do you have any stories from behind the scenes that fans would enjoy hearing?

I did spend a few hours with Clive Barker when he came to set, and that was fun, sort of picking his brain about some of the aspects of my character.  He was very kind, and accommodating.

Can you recall any interesting deleted or alternate scenes that you filmed, but weren’t used?

Can’t recall what scenes might have been deleted. We did quite a few reshoots over the following months, so I’m sure some material ended up on the cutting room floor, but I honestly don’t remember what made it into the final film and what didn’t.

One of the most intriguing omissions is the extended flashback involving John’s grandmother. Do you remember what was originally in those scenes, and what do you think audiences lost when they were removed?

From my recollection, there were never any scenes with John’s grandmother in the original script. I don’t remember filming any. But I could be wrong.

Bloodline had an ambitious production and famously went through major changes. Did those production issues affect your experience while filming?

Overall I had a great experience, the cast and crew were very talented and fun to work with, all the creative changes that were being made were out of my control.

Did you keep anything from the set after filming wrapped?

I may have taken one of the prop “boxes”, but if I did, I’ve lost it since.

More than 20 years later, how do you feel about Hellraiser: Bloodline in retrospect?

More than anything I remember it being a great challenge as an actor to play third different roles in one film. Peter Sellers I am not!  But all the same, I enjoyed the challenge.

Is there anything you appreciate about the film now that you didn’t when it first came out?

I guess I can appreciate now, that there is such a devoted fan base. We didn’t have a formal opening, or extended promotional tour, so the film was sort of released into the void.

What’s the most memorable interaction you’ve had with a Hellraiser fan?

Well… one morning I was in my trailer during the shoot, getting into costume when I heard a tap, tap, tap on the door. I asked who it was, but instead of an answer, I heard another tap, tap, tap. This time, through the frosted glass in the door, I could make out what looked like the curled top of a wooden staff.

So I walked over, and opened the door. Standing outside my trailer was a rather imposing figure, a woman, I would guess at least six feet tall, holding a thick wooden staff, dressed all in black, long skirt, cape over her shoulders, tall boots, and what looked to me like a witch’s hat. I smiled and asked if I could help her, and she said that she was… “looking for the Toymaker.”

Now, I have no idea how she got past security or managed to find my particular trailer, but she seemed very nice, so I never felt threatened.

It’s been many years, so I can’t remember exactly what happened next, but I think I told her that I was, in fact, the toymaker, but that I was expected on set soon, and would it be ok if I got back to getting into costume.

She said she understood, and wondered if we could talk later. I never saw her again, but I certainly never forgot her. So… she’s defiantly the most memorable interaction I’ve ever had with a Hellraiser fan.

Have you ever rewatched Bloodline?

No, I have not. I don’t really re-watch any of the films I’ve made. I think a lot of actors are like that.

Have you ever seen the workprint or longer cuts of Bloodline, and if so, what moments were you happiest to see restored?

I have not seen any workprints, or longer cuts. Only what was shown in the theatres upon its original release.

Bloodline has been re-evaluated over the years, with many fans now appreciating its ambition. Have you noticed attitudes toward the film changing?

I haven’t really kept up with how attitudes toward the film have changed over the years, but I’m happy to hear that fans appreciate its ambition. We certainly felt like we were telling a grande story, so it’s gratifying to know people recognize the hard work and effort that went into making it.

Have you seen all eleven of the Hellraiser movies and which one is your favourite and why?

I have not seen all eleven, but from what I have seen, I think the first film is my favourite. It established the world so brilliantly, and there was something genuinely original and unsettling about it.

All the Cenobites from across the franchise are in a boxing-ring, who comes out on top and why?       

Hahahaha… great question!!  Wish I could give a well educated answer. I don’t know them all… but I will tell you, after working with some of them, I’d not want to step into the ring with any of them!

Hellraiser has been experiencing a real renaissance, with the 2022 reboot and the upcoming Hellraiser: Revival, introducing the franchise to a whole new generation of fans. Does it bring you joy to see the series continue to thrive, and how does it feel to know you are now part of such an enduring and fascinating legacy? 

I’m proud and happy to be a small part of the Hellraiser legacy, and to be remembered as the Toymaker who created the box.  

Are you a gamer? If not, will you experience Hellraiser: Revival hands-on yourself?

Not a gamer.  But maybe I will re-consider now…

Can you share your thoughts on the upcoming video game? Anything in particular you’d like to see?

If any of my characters are in the video game, I’d like to see them equipped with as many abilities and powers as possible!

What can fans look forward to seeing from you next – any exciting upcoming projects?

I’m excited about my upcoming film “Unabomber”, it’s the story of Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, and stars Russell Crowe.  I have a minor role, but I think the film will be an interesting one.

We can’t let you go without mentioning ‘Texting with a Gorilla’. What inspired your first novel, and how different was the experience compared to acting? We’ll definitely have to pick up copies for our team!

Hahaha – you discovered my other passion!

The inspiration for the novel was really twofold. First, I wanted to explore the way we communicate with each other through texting. The entire book is told through text messages, and can be downloaded to your phone, and read like one long text thread. Second, I just wanted to make people laugh. I think we could all use a good laugh these days.

Compared to acting, writing is a much freer experience because you’re in complete control of the creative process from beginning to end. With my novel, I was able to fully indulge my absurd sense of humor, heavily inspired by such great writers as Vonnegut, Heller, Borges, and John Kennedy Toole. (if people haven’t read these writers, go and buy their books!)

Thank you all for your great questions!

All the best,

Bruce