Jason X. What were you smoking to come up with the space idea?

Todd Farmer: I know, I know. Sadly I was only smoking Marlboros at the time. It was two things really. The first was that New Line was never going to okay another Jason movie in the woods. They had Freddie vs Jason to deal with and we really needed something different to get their attention. Second, I loved Aliens. One of the scariest movies of my youth. Just always thought space was a great setting for scary. Yeah, I know others had tried it and failed but I was young and naive and just assumed we would knock it out of the park. What I didn't count on was the countless rewrites and the butting of heads and the slow deterioration of what should have been. Shame really.

You're currently working on another Messengers film, what's the status? Any scoops?

Todd Farmer: I just finished the final draft on Friday. They brought the on-set producer from The Messengers back last week to start doing his magic so it looks like things are full steam ahead. It's been a pretty interesting journey. I wrote the script for the Messengers several years ago. When Ghost House grabbed the movie in turn-around it had been rewritten already, so Ghost House never actually saw what I wrote. Over the years the story continued to change until much of what I created had vanished. Then, as a fluke, one of the executives at Ghost House read my original draft. Funny how odd life can be. So now, Messengers II is based on that original script. One script enters, two scripts leave.

When reworking someone else's script do you tend to just do minor adjustments or page one rewrites?

Todd Farmer: It really depends on what the executives want. But many times I'll get a script that I don't think needs very much work at all. And I'll tell this fact to the powers that be. Oddly enough when I do this I don't get the job. I really do think executives look at a script so much that they forget what was wonderful about it in the first place and just start scrambling to change things.

How do you feel when the shoe is on the other foot and someone is rewriting your work?

Todd Farmer: I don't like it.

A lot of writers move into directing, is it something that you'd like to do in the future?

Todd Farmer: Not really. I think most writers make the move because they get tired of watching their stories get rewritten and changed. As the director you have a little more power to protect your vision. But I don't want to direct. Never have. I just want to find a director with whom I
share a vision. I want to write.

Are there any actors/producers or directors you'd like to work with in the future?

Todd Farmer: I want to work with all of them. I want to work with as many as it takes to find that team that clicks. Then I want to just make movies with them into our 80s.

Tell me a bit about Alien Pig farm?

Todd Farmer: We know what happens when Aliens attack the White House and we've a pretty good idea what happens when they attack Sigourney Weaver. Alien Pig Farm is the story of what happens when Aliens attack a Kentucky pig farming town.

Is there more freedom in writing a comic book knowing that whatever you can imagine can go on the page without having to worry about budgets and schedules?

Todd Farmer: It's like night and day. Alien Pig Farm is the first story I've written that when all was said and done remained exactly as I'd written it in the first place. Love it or hate it...it's mine. That feels really good. Although we did edit ourselves early because the whole idea was that one day we'd make a movie based on the story. And that will happen.

Considering that you're close with Thomas Jane, did you have a pass at the Punisher 2 script?

Todd Farmer: We talked about it some but for the most part we would keep our day jobs separate from our comic book stuff. I've talked to him about Messengers and others and he's talked to me about Dark Country and so forth. We're friends. He knows he can come to me with anything and I know I can go to him.

What's up next for you film wise?

Todd Farmer: I've a couple of projects with Comic Book Movies. They produced the Batman movies. Both are departures from horror and fall into the action genre. Sleepers is heavy in scifi. Skullman is in your face action/thriller. Psychopath... well... that announcement is coming. Tom, Tim and I are talking to producers about Pig Farm and that, of course, would be a dream project. Then I'm about to start a script for RKO Pictures but it's too early to talk specifics.

Are there any properties, comic, or novels that you like to write for the screen, maybe Alien Pig Farm, or is there a film you'd like to remake?

Todd Farmer: None. I love comics and novels but I'd really like to watch a trailer and have no fucking clue what the movie is about. These days I watch a trailer and I recognize it from the book, comic or video game. I don't hate making movies out of pre-existing properties. I think it's great but I'd like a bit more balance out there.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement?

Todd Farmer: My wife and daughter. Hands down. Hollywood can't compare.

In fifty years what would you like people to say about your career?

Todd Farmer: "Man, that bastard could tell a story."