Nicholas King has a successful career as a stuntman but it is his role as the evil, child-possessing Baghuul that he is most known. As Sinister 2 is released on Blu-ray and DVD, he took the mask off just long enough to tell us what it’s like to be the new face of horror.
STARBURST: I guess the first question has to be how does it feel to have become something of a horror icon?
Nicholas King: A lot of people have said that. Personally, I don’t think I’m anywhere close to being an icon like Freddie or Jason or Michael Myers. Those guys are the true icons, whereas I’m just getting started. Having said that, it’s still awesome!
How did you come to get the part of Bughuul?
My dad was the stunt co-ordinator for part of the first one and he found out there would be an audition. So myself, my brother, and few others went down for it and it turned out to be Scott Derrickson picking who he thought had the best body shape for the character, and luckily that was me. Not that glamourous, really.
How would you say Sinister 2 differs from the first film?
It goes much more in depth with my character. It shows where Bughuul comes from and why he’s doing what is doing which is really interesting. If we go to a Sinister 3, I would love it if we went back to the ‘60s or ‘70s era, like from the videos from the first film. Talking with people that seems to be what everyone wants to see so that would be cool.
How much of your day on set is spent getting into the makeup and then sitting around in it waiting for your scene?
For the first film, it took about 3 hours to put the makeup on; there would be up to 15-hour days and then another 2 hours to take it off. For this film, we came up with a different strategy. Thankfully, it was only an hour or so to put on and the same to take off so there was less hanging around which was great. We used gloves this time too which helped a lot.
Did you manage to keep any of the costume?
The only thing I own is the mask from the first film, which is pretty cool.
As a stuntman, was this a pretty safe role in your career?
It’s a completely different field from what I’m used to. This time, I’m actually acting rather than just being in and out of the film and doing stunts.
We believe your father and brothers are stuntmen too; kind of a pretty dangerous family business!
Yeah, it can be, although for the most part it’s pretty safe. It’s something I always wanted to do and I was raised surrounded by it. I did learn a trade before I went into it, but it was always there.
SINISTER 2 is out now on DVD and Blu-ray.
