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 main 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 allows.According to Variety, Cusack discussed her artistic journey while promoting ‘Momo’, a genre-bending graphic novel illustrated by Ignacio Noé. The publication notes that the project follows two fugitives who form an unlikely alliance in 1972 as they begin to recover an ancient artifact for television legend Jackie Gleason, mixing sci-fi with political satire.
John Cusack praised graphic novels for their cinematic storytelling possibilities
When asked what intrigued him about translating his ideas into the graphic novel format, Cusack reflected on the visual storytelling potential of the medium. “I always thought they were the most intimate things in the film, actually,” he said. “You choose shots, they are very cinematic.”
Cusack praised the project because it was created solely by him and illustrator Ignacio Noé without committee edits or studio management. Image credit (Instagram)
The actor explained his creative process, saying that the format allows him to tell stories without the constraints that come with traditional filmmaking. “I thought, I want to talk, but I don’t want to negotiate to talk, really,” Cusack explained.
John Cusack prioritized creative control over studio interference 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 film, they want to have an opinion, and they’re scared and all that stuff,” he said.Working with illustrator Ignacio Noé proved to be a liberating experience. “It’s just like, I wrote it, and I said, ‘I like the story,’ and then I got this beautiful, amazing artist, Ignacio Noé, to do the illustrations, and so nobody edited anything that I wrote or that he drew.
The actor said that he will happily return to the screen if his graphic novel is adapted into a feature film. Image credit (Instagram)
Cusack emphasizes that the autonomy she experienced in ‘Momo’ represents something very rare in contemporary entertainment. “There’s no bull, and there’s no committee. There’s no computer in Seattle testing it in the poll,” he said, describing the project as “an anti-algorithm thing.”
John Cusack is open to starring in the ‘Momo’ film adaptation
Despite her retreat from traditional filmmaking, Cusack has expressed a willingness to return to acting if her graphic novel receives the green light for a cinematic adaptation. “If fans love ‘Momo’ enough for a studio to greenlit it for making the film, he wants to star in the adaptation,” he said.This marks Cusack’s graphic novel debut, although he previously wrote a collection of essays in 2016 titled ‘Things That Can and Can’t Be Said’. The project reflects his wider shift towards independent creative activities that prioritize artistic vision over commercial considerations.
Sister Joan Cusack stepped out of the spotlight after an 11-year hiatus
Cusack isn’t the only member of her family to step back from the entertainment industry spotlight. In May, her older sister Joan Cusack made her first public red carpet appearance since September 2015, ending a long hiatus of more than a decade. He attended the premiere of ‘Toy Story 5’ in London, marking a significant return to the public eye.
John Cusack rejects most contemporary films, expressing skepticism about sequels
Earlier this year, Cusack shared candid thoughts about the current state of filmmaking when asked about sequels at a December screening of his 1989 film ‘Say Anything’. “I’m lucky that I never wanted, or nobody asked me to do any sequels,” he says, laughing.However, he identified 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,” said the actor, emphasizing his broader criticism of contemporary cinema and his preference for more selective creative choices.“Momo” is set to air on September 29.