Kevin Bacon’s Wild Plans to Terrify You in Season 2 of ‘The Bondsman’!

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❗️CAUTION: This conversation may reveal minor spoilers for the current season of “The Bondsman,” which is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

The Bondsman” introduces Kevin Bacon as Hub Halloran, a man who’s been resurrected by Satan following his murder, given a second chance in exchange for hunting down and exterminating demons that have broken free from the underworld. The concept is intriguing, but the show explores themes beyond mere monster-of-the-week storylines, delving into Hub’s complex relationships with his former wife and son, as well as his tumultuous connection to the country music industry.

The surprises unfold from the beginning. Initially, Bacon’s tough guy lead character appears to be just another typical tough guy: Full of one-liners, muscle, and swagger. However, this was merely one aspect of the role that appealed to the seasoned actor.

At first glance, he appears quite formidable, doesn’t he? Yet, Bacon points out, he’s also like an adult child. He resides in his mother’s garage. To me, this offers an intriguing perspective on manhood, as some may equate it with physical dominance or the ability to fight, while others might view it as independence from one’s parents. This character is obstinate, yet childlike in certain ways, and I find that duality captivating.

The blending of supernatural elements with domestic conflicts significantly enhanced this production for Bacon, given that he was not only the star but also a co-producer.

He notes that although the storyline includes chaos, supernatural elements like demons and devils, and intense violence, the characters’ reactions to these events and their interactions with one another remain down-to-earth. Despite the insanity surrounding them, the narrative maintains a sense of realism by focusing on intimate relationships and everyday struggles.

Erik Oleson, the head of “Bondsman” production along with being an executive producer and scribe, expressed delight in working on a show boasting well-developed characters while maintaining a less serious, more playful tone compared to certain past ventures.

As a movie enthusiast, I’ve tackled grand, glamorous productions and politically-charged series akin to ‘Daredevil’. But this time around, it was a thrill to work on something purely enjoyable – something that would be a joy to write, produce, and watch. In the initial stages of brainstorming for our new project, we envisioned creating a hilarious, heart-pounding blend that would be completely unexpected and unpredictable.

Since “The Bondsman” balances humor and terror, Ridley Scott understood the importance of striking the correct tone to satisfy horror enthusiasts. Indeed, it’s brimming with over-the-top scenarios and excessive gore that appeals to those craving a thrilling experience. Scott asserts that he achieved the perfect blend when the initial eight minutes of footage were presented at this year’s South by Southwest. The audience’s response, including that of his wife, Kyra Sedgwick, was overwhelmingly positive.

He explains that his wife hadn’t seen it before, so she didn’t know what to anticipate. When he got his throat slit on stage, the audience reacted with shock [mimics shocked expression]. After a moment of surprise, they laughed, which was precisely what they aimed for – lots of ‘Oh my goodness!’ reactions. His wife was in the audience and when she saw him, she mouthed ‘Oh my goodness!’. She enjoyed herself. So it was quite fulfilling. That’s the kind of horror that excites me, when it elicits such strong reactions.

As a passionate cinephile, I’ve always admired Kevin Bacon’s knack for nailing horror roles throughout his illustrious career. From meeting an untimely end in the 1980 “Friday the 13th” to spearheading the creation of the “Tremors” franchise in 1990, then gracing Paul Verhoeven’s “Hollow Man” in 2000 and last year’s conclusion of the “MaXXXine” trilogy. Not forgetting his upcoming role in the reboot of “The Toxic Avenger.” After decades of delivering memorable performances in this genre, I can’t help but wonder: what does horror truly represent to Kevin Bacon?

It’s a matter of survival and success. The risks are significant,” he points out. “As a viewer, I appreciate the opportunity to react collectively to these intense moments in a theater setting. When we all exclaim ‘Oh my!’ or jump at the same time, it creates an unforgettable bonding experience. It’s much like laughter in a comedy setting; it’s a genre that thrives on shared enjoyment.

The importance was equally significant as the series showcased several intense battle sequences, particularly one memorable scene where Hub engaged a menacing force within a swimming pool. Given the difficulties of filming underwater, both Bacon and Oleson were aware that it would prove to be a formidable task.

In a previous experience, I’ve engaged in underwater activities, but it wasn’t a full-blown fight like this one, Bacon admits. He hadn’t contemplated the fact that when your eyes are open underwater, everything becomes blurry. This means you’re punching and getting hit, yet you don’t feel the impact of losing air while doing so. By the end, I was utterly drained, but it was an absolute blast. I genuinely enjoy such challenges.

Oleson posed this unusual question to Mr. Bacon: “Would you like to hold your breath underwater while battling a demonic cheerleader?” He seemed ready to dismiss it as a crazy idea, but instead he embraced it, saying they were definitely filming that scene. When others suggested it might be too costly and they could find an alternative, Kevin and Oleson insisted that the scene would be exciting.

Based on the enjoyable experience they had during the initial season, Bacon and Oleson are hopeful that they can sustain “The Bondsman.

As a film enthusiast, I’ve been privy to discussions about potentially bringing back the series for another season, though no decisions have been made yet. If it does happen, I’m eager to delve deeper into Hub’s complexities, particularly his internal struggles. While the plot details are best left to the talented writers, as an actor, I crave fresh and challenging roles that push me to my emotional and physical limits – exploring themes such as loss, guilt, and redemption.

Oleson shares that he has cunning, challenging ideas for a potential second season, and he structured Season 1 in such a way as to make it as hard as possible for Amazon not to grant us another season. There’s plenty more story left to explore in this universe. We’re only at the beginning of our journey.

Watch a trailer for “The Bondsman” below.

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2025-04-04 02:21