We decided to skip the first and go straight to the sequel, because sequels always make more money.
No really, what happened to Hillbilly Hercules 1?
Really. You've already got the name recognition, a built in audience-base. You can't lose. It's a win-win situation.
Whatever.
We really want to do HH1, but it's hard to fake the rolling hills of West Virginia in Manhattan.
How did you fake that shot of Felipo Mangiamo running down Fifth Avenue?
That's a bona fide shot. We put him in costume and told him to get his ass out there or we'd call the INS. That's also Mangiamo really hanging on for dear life ten stories above a real New York City rat-infested alley. Mangiamo did all his own stunts, albeit some against his will.
What did the people in the cars say?
It's New York. They saw a guy running down the block in a skirt, and they didn't want to get involved.
What the hell did you think you were doing, making a movie like this?
Next question.
I've seen all his movies. What's Felipo Mangiamo really like?
Mangiamo is a professional. Not only is he one of the biggest movie stars in Italy, but he's one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet. He comes from a hardy peasant stock. He doesn't lie, cheat or steal, and he has a rascal's charm.
Once, on set, he actually rescued Grace when her trailer rolled down the hill and nearly ended up in the lake. Mangiamo caught hold of the trailer hitch, and with the strength of ten men, actually pulled Grace to safety. And we thought heroes were only in the movies!
Where have we seen Roberto Bebiamo before?
Roberto, or Bobo as his friends call him, has appeared in numerous films on the Continent. He and Roberto Benigni have been fighting over the coveted "Funniest Man In Italy" crown for several years. You may have seen him in such films as
Where does Kevin Sorbo fit in all this?
We're still trying to puzzle that one through, ourselves. Kevin is a fantastic actor and we wish him well, but he really has no business portraying a God. We are trying, however, to create a position for him in the front office, whenever he's ready to give up this pipe dream and concede that only Mangiamo can play Hercules!