Production is underway on Rob Zombie’s new take onThe Munsters, and actor Dan Roebuck has opened up on what it’s like to step in as the new Grandpa Munster. Originally played by Al Lewis on the classic television series, Grandpa is a version of Count Dracula, having since settled down with his family of various monsters. It’s apparently a role Roebuck has been waiting his whole life to play and his experience in joiningThe Munstersappears to be a dream come true.
In a new interview with Horror Geek Life, Roebuck has a lot to say aboutThe Munsters Movie. He obviously can’t indulge any specific information about the plot, or anything else not yet confirmed by Rob Zombie. Roebuck can talk about what it feels like to play such an iconic character, however. Detailing how he got the offer personally from Zombie one day out of the blue, the actor describes how accepting was a no-brainer as he’s basically been working toward this role ever since he was a child.
“After it sank in, I had the epiphany that I’d beenpreparing for this role my whole life. I’m in this movie because it’s God’s will, it’s where he wants me to be. I created a character when I was twelve years old and I named him The Count. Rob told me the character in the script was named The Count. It’s a funny vampire named The Count and when I was twelve, I was a funny vampire named The Count.”
Dan Roebuckgoes on to speak about Al Lewis, the original Grandpa Munster. As Roebuck and other fans ofThe Munsterscan agree upon, there will never be any replacing Lewis. Fans should also not expect to go into this new movie expecting a carbon copy of the original incarnation with Lewis in the role, as while Roebuck is looking to honor the original actor, he’ll still be playing a different version of the character, and it’s important for people to understand that from the outset.
“There’s been several other actors who have played the character in between Al Lewis, and now me. All were good actors, but having the opportunity to do it in a feature film will be good for me because I’ll have longer to work on it. The fact is, you can’t get toGrandpawithout going to Al Lewis. He and I are both similar, we both have this East Coast sound, and I don’t know. Since I’ve been preparing my whole life for this, I think I’ll do a pretty good job. Let me put it like this, Jeff, Sheri and I are not playing Fred Gwynne, Yvonne De Carlo, or Al Lewis. We are playing Herman, Lily, and The Count, which is an easier way for us to approach it.”
The Munstersdoesn’t yet have an official release date, but production is underway with Rob Zombie consistently providing new updates. In his new interview, Dan Roebuck also discusses what it was like to work with Fred Gwynne, the original Herman Munster, onDisorganized Crime. He also talks more at length about this new version ofThe Munstershe is starring in. you’re able to read the full interview atHorror Geek Life.
