John Cusack, the acclaimed actor known for his roles in iconic films such as ‘Say Anything’, ‘High Fidelity’, and ‘Serendipity’, has recently shared insights into his decision to step back from major film productions in favor of writing fiction. At 60 years old, Cusack cited the pursuit of creative freedom as the primary motivation behind this transition. In a recent interview, he discussed his new graphic novel, ‘Momo’, which he believes embodies the artistic autonomy that traditional studio filmmaking often lacks.
During his conversation with Variety, Cusack elaborated on the themes of ‘Momo’, a genre-blending graphic novel illustrated by Ignacio Noé. The narrative follows two fugitives who form an unexpected alliance in 1972 as they embark on a quest to recover an ancient artifact for television icon Jackie Gleason. The project uniquely combines elements of science fiction with political satire, showcasing Cusack’s innovative storytelling approach.
When asked about his interest in the graphic novel format, Cusack praised its potential for visual storytelling. “I always thought they were the closest things to film, really,” he remarked, emphasizing the cinematic quality of graphic novels. He expressed a desire to tell stories without the constraints typically imposed by traditional filmmaking, stating, “I thought, I wanna tell a story, but I didn’t wanna negotiate telling a story, really.”
Highlighting the challenges of studio filmmaking, Cusack noted the financial and creative pressures that often accompany large productions. “When you ask somebody to put $20 or $30 million into a bank account for a film, they wanna have an opinion,” he explained. His collaboration with illustrator Ignacio Noé allowed for a liberating creative process, resulting in a work that reflects the vision of both artists without external interference. “There’s no bull, and there’s no committee,” he said, describing ‘Momo’ as “an anti-algorithm thing.”
Despite his shift away from traditional acting, Cusack remains open to the possibility of starring in a film adaptation of ‘Momo’ if it garners enough interest. “If fans loved ‘Momo’ enough for a studio to have it greenlit for film production, I would love to star in the adaptation,” he stated. This graphic novel marks Cusack’s debut in the medium, following his previous work co-authoring a collection of essays in 2016. His evolving focus on independent creative projects underscores a commitment to artistic vision over commercial pressures.