Who plays Skeletor in the First Purge?
Interview: Rotimi Paul on playing Skeletor in THE FIRST PURGE. The bold marketing campaign for The First Purge, the fourth installment in the Purge franchise, satirizes the political climate in America, and has made it one of the most highly anticipated horror films of the summer.
Did the First Purge change Skeletor’s entire story arc?
Over two hours and many slices of pizza, Paul spoke about everything from the political message behind The First Purge to the deleted scene that could have changed Skeletor’s entire story arc. Warning: Spoilers for The First Purge ahead.
Does Skeletor do anything good in the purge?
As a team of ruthless soldiers closes in on the last remaining Purge survivors inside their apartment, Skeletor emerges from the shadows to cut down a few enemies, buying our heroes enough time to make their escape. He’s still a bloodthirsty killer, but for once he manages to do something good.
Who are the actors in the First Purge?
The First Purge is a 2018 American dystopian action horror film directed by Gerard McMurray and starring Y'lan Noel, Lex Scott Davis, Joivan Wade, and Steve Harris. Written and co-executive produced by James DeMonaco, it is first film of The Purge series not to be directed by him. It is the fourth installment in the Purge franchise.
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What is the Purge 4th installment?
The bold marketing campaign for The First Purge, the fourth installment in the Purge franchise, satirizes the political climate in America, and has made it one of the most highly anticipated horror films of the summer.
Is Skeletor a character?
Rotimi Paul: Skeletor is a character that I got into from the standpoint of opportunity. If we look at Staten Island, the people are like a marginalized population and he would be a marginalized individual in a marginalized population. I feel he’s someone on the outskirts who is presented the greatest opportunity, in his eyes, through Purge night. As soon as they extend the idea of what Purge night is going to be, he is interested, he’s intrigued. He sees an opportunity to better his circumstances and that’s kind of where we meet him.
Did Jonestown tell his story?
He was the pilot who was supposed to be flying that group out and he never has told his story. He’s never shared the ins and outs of his experiences and I would hear different pieces as a kid growing up, and then finally a couple of years ago he told me the whole thing. Basically I was like “I need to tell your story. I feel a responsibility to bring to light what you’ve experienced and how that fits the overall narrative of Jonestown.”
Who is the villain in The First Purge?
You probably wouldn’t recognize actor Rotimi Paul if you passed him on the street, and that shouldn’t come as a surprise. Paul’s biggest role yet has him covered in makeup, fake scars, and temporary tattoos as The First Purge ’s unforgettable villain Skeletor. But after sitting down with Paul for a few hours, his Skeletor side comes out in the best way possible — not the as bloodthirsty killer we see onscreen, but the self-aware observer lurking just beneath the surface.
Is Skeletor a villain?
For most of the movie, Skeletor is a villain. The first time we see him, he’s shaking down a young drug dealer for free crack. Later, he claims the first kill of Purge night and massacres an entire crowd of non-violent revelers. But in the film’s final moments, Skeletor gets a shot at redemption. Sort of.
Does the ending of Skeletor change?
Skeletor’s ending doesn’t actually change with that one deleted scene. He still gets to be a martyr of sorts, but by giving him one last villainous jump scare, The First Purge could have raised the stakes even higher for his last moments on camera.
How does Dmitri escape?
Realizing they were sent by the NFFA, who had also dumped weapons into the neighborhood to provoke participation, Dmitri and his crew decide to take a stand against them and protect the neighborhood. After saving local shop owner and friend Freddy and his associates, they go to Nya's apartment building to try and save her and her friends, but NFFA drones shoot and kill most of Dmitri's gang. Dmitri calls Nya and warns her of the mercenaries' invasion, but he is coming to help her. Dmitri successfully kills a number of mercenaries and helps Nya's group to hide in a safe space. A second group of mercenaries are about to shoot a rocket-propelled grenade into the apartments when a deranged Skeletor arrives and eliminates some mercenaries before he himself is killed. Dmitri grabs a piece of plastic explosive, throws it and shoots it repeatedly until it explodes, killing the remaining mercenaries. As sirens sound the end of the Purge, a wounded Dmitri is hailed as a hero, and he states that the survivors must somehow fight back.
Why did Sabian send mercenaries to the Purge?
Sabian explains that he sent the mercenaries to make the experiment look successful, and eventually to help balance the wealth disequilibrium amongst the rich and the poor. Updale protests this tampering, realizing that the NFFA only wants to eradicate the poor to save the expense of social programs. Knowing that his corruption has been exposed, Sabian has Updale taken to Staten Island and executed, before erasing all footage of the event.
What was the NFFA in 2014?
In an alternate 2014, rising unemployment, lack of jobs, rising inflation and a housing crisis leads to the New Founding Fathers of America (NFFA), led by U.S. president Bracken, to replace the Democrats and Republicans as the most powerful political party in the United States. A crazed drug addict named Skeletor discusses his dark thoughts, including his desire to "purge" and unleash his hatred on other people. An NFFA employee tells Skeletor that he can very soon.
How much does the NFFA give to residents?
The NFFA offers residents $5,000 to stay during the experiment, with additional compensation if they join the purge and survive. They also outfit the participants with contact lens cameras so that they can monitor all activity and put tracking devices in them so they will know if they try to leave the island.
How much did the first purge cost?
Box office. The First Purge grossed $69.5 million in the United States and Canada, and $67.5 million in other territories for a total worldwide gross of $137 million, against a production budget of $13 million.
Where is the NFFA experiment?
Two years later, in 2016, NFFA chief of staff Arlo Sabian and sociologist Dr. May Updale announce an experiment to take place on Staten Island where for 12 hours, citizens will be allowed to purge and release their inhibitions in any way they choose, including murder.
What does Dmitri do when he throws a piece of plastic explosive?
Dmitri grabs a piece of plastic explosive, throws it and shoots it repeatedly until it explodes, killing the remaining mercenaries. As sirens sound the end of the Purge, a wounded Dmitri is hailed as a hero, and he states that the survivors must somehow fight back.
