A Conversation with Actor Trent Haaga, “Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula”

Trent Haaga is well-known in horror movie fandom, having written, directed, acted in, edited or produced (sometimes all of these) over 50 independent films, including the controversial zombie masterpiece Deadgirl. Some of his acting credits include Citizen Toxie: The Toxic Avenger IV, Easter Bunny, Kill! Kill! and Terror Firmer. You can see him now as Clyde Barrow in Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula, which makes its rental debut this month.

I was a big fan of your movie Deadgirl. It was such a dark and disturbing movie, cringe-worthy in the best possible way. You’re obviously still acting, but is there any chance we’ll see you doing more writing and directing?

Thanks, man. I can tell you that my acting “career” was more of an accident than anything, which is why you haven’t really been seeing me in as many movies lately. I always considered myself more of a filmmaker, so yes, you will be seeing me directing and writing a lot more than acting in the next few years.

Obviously we can’t talk about your film without mentioning Warren Beatty’s film Bonnie and Clyde. Did you take any leads from Beatty in your own performance?

I can’t say that I did … and I don’t think that the comparisons are likely to happen – my Clyde isn’t so “cool.” He’s more of a whipped clown acting like a tough guy than a genuine tough guy.

I see Bonnie & Clyde vs. Dracula as being part of the huge wave of mash-ups that we’ve been seeing over the last few years, starting in the literary world with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and bleeding through into movies like Cowboys and Aliens. Why do you think we’re so fascinated with these kinds of things now?

I really couldn’t begin to guess … I think it’s just the speed of information today and the way that everything just gets thrust in your face. Why read Pride & Prejudice and watch a zombie movie when you can have both at the same time? It’s like McDonald’s making a breakfast sandwich where the bun is made out of pancakes … you get all of the stuff in one hand and don’t have to sit down to eat a full breakfast … is that a shitty analogy or what?

You’ve made a name for yourself doing underground and edgy films. Any thoughts on moving into mainstream Hollywood roles? What kind of work would you like to do outside of horror?

I’m always attracted to weird, edgy stuff. Sure, I’d love the money from doing something more mainstream, but it’s not like the opportunities come for things like that. A story doesn’t have to be horror for me to be interested … but weird helps … comedies where people die or crime stories always appeal to me, too!