ZackTaylor.ca Interviews Betsy Russell from Zack Taylor on Vimeo.

To begin with, how is filming going on “Saw VII 3D?”

Betsy Russell: Well, so far so good. I’m in Canada. Yeah, today was my first day.

Can you tell us about your role in the film? Are you the new Jigsaw?

Betsy Russell: I play Jill Tuck and that’s about all I can tell you. I’m still the same person that I’ve always been. I can’t give anything away. I’m sorry.

Can you give us any plot details or tell us what’s happing with Jill in this movie?

Betsy Russell: I’m better than ever? I’m better than ever and the best Jill that you’ve seen so far.

In “Saw VI” Jill opened the Box that her husband had left her in the previous film before he died. It contained numbered instructions that she carried out with the final envelope holding a special fate for Hoffman, do you think Jill got some kind of satisfaction from seeing that character get what he deserved and will that be played out further in the new film?

Betsy Russell: That would tell you too much about my character and I don’t really want to go there quite yet. You’ll figure it out.

So are you saying that perhaps that is an aspect of your character that is explored further in “Saw VII 3D?”

Betsy Russell: Well … maybe … I just don’t want to take a chance. I don’t want to say too much about motivation right now, about the character or the personality but the action was pretty obvious for me why I was doing it.

One would think that the natural evolution for your character after the events of “SAW VI” would be to start to go even further and further over to the dark-side, will we see a progression of that evolution in this film?

Betsy Russell: You see a lot of Jill in this film … I’ll say that, you do which is great for me.

How does that feel to finally be the center of attention?

Betsy Russell: It feels natural. It feels good. Yeah, I don’t want to give anything away but it’s a good feeling to be around for a while, you know? To be here in Toronto for a little bit of time is nice and I like being back here. I like being back on the set. It’s a great crew and a lot of fun.

Will Tobin Bell return for “Saw VII 3D,” does his character appear again in flashback form?

Betsy Russell: Tobin is definitely in Saw VII 3D. Yes.

How do you feel about the movie being in 3D?

Betsy Russell: I think it’s exciting. It seems to be kind of the trend and to see the “Saw” franchise in 3D just obviously takes it to the next level. I’m mean why not, right? It’s pushing the envelope even farther.

Do you think fans will ultimately be pleased with this chapter of the franchise?

Betsy Russell: I hope so? We always try to please our fans, do the best work we can and make it the best movie

that we possibly can. Everyone is working around the clock as usual. You know, we’re just trying to make the fans happy and make something that everybody is proud of. I think the fans will be. I really loved SAW VI and I think this is just taking it one step further. We’re all pretty jazzed up about it. I’m excited.

What is your opinion on the controversy surrounding director Kevin Greutert contractually not being allowed to direct “Paranormal Activity 2,” which publicly he’s said he’d rather do and instead having to return and direct “Saw VII” indirectly firing “Saw V” director David Hacki who was scheduled to return and direct the film?

Betsy Russell: Yes, I do know what you’re talking about and I actually had a talk with Kevin today. It’s been rough for him because I think he was excited to kind of take on something new. You know, I believe coming from a spiritual psychology background that we just have to really focus on the positive and be grateful for what we have. Maybe we don’t understand right now why everything is happening but hey, he’s got a job and most people don’t. He’s in demand, he’s a hot director, and he has a lot to be grateful for and thankful for. Hey, he gets to be back here with us.

I’m sure something better is around the corner for David. I feel a little disappointed for him and what he’s feeling but I’m sure these producers wouldn’t have done it if they had another choice. I just feel like they probably did what they had to do and I’m hoping everything turns out the best for everybody. That’s all I can hope for.

Has there been any talk on the set by the producers or anyone else about the fact that both films are scheduled to open on the same day? Has that affected production at all as far as you know?

Betsy Russell: No, I haven’t heard anything about that. Really, I’ve been kind of away from all that stuff. I haven’t really seen the producers much and I know that they’re kind of doing their own thing so we haven’t heard about that. I just hope that we both have our own audiences and maybe we’ll get a lot more people because it’s in 3D. It’s supposedly our last movie so maybe that will bring some people out. I mean I don’t know? I hope its all for the best, that’s all I can say.

Finally, to follow up on what you just said, co-writer Patrick Melton has said publicly that he feels the “story is over” after “Saw VII 3D” and that this will be the final film. Is that how everyone is going into this, like this is the final film? Do you agree with that or do you think that the franchise can continue on?

Betsy Russell: Everyone is pretty much saying that this is it. However, you know that in “movie-land” if a movie does really, really well there is always a good chance that they could do more. But everyone is sort of feeling that this is the last one and I’m definitely feeling that way. It’s kind of sad and it’s been a really great run. I think that it might just have run its course and I guess we’ll find out.

How did you first get involved with the franchise?

Well, Mark Burg is my fiancé. That’s a very easy way to get into it! [laughs] But I’d been retired from acting for about ten years to raise my kids and so one day Mark said “You know there’s a couple of small parts going, so do you want to do get involved?” and I said, “Well I guess if you have to pay somebody, it might as well be me!”, so I had a tiny part in 3 and then writers wrote me a huge part in 4 and I was just kind of suddenly involved! [laughs]

You’re now a part of the Saw family as well as his actual family…

Exactly! So I guess I have Mark and Oren (Koules – also producer of all the Saw movies to date) to thank for the first one and then Patrick (Melton) and Marcus (Dunstan – writers of Saws 4-7, as well as the fantastic Feast) to thank for the next one.

It’s strange for me because I’m a big horror fan, that the Saw movies even managed  to hook people like my sister, who doesn’t sit still during films, but was gripped by the first film when it came out. I was amazed by the widespread appeal of Saw – it’s like a phenomenon really.

I know! We’re in shock ourselves because I was with Mark, our first date practically, at the Sundance film festival where they screened Saw, the first one, and we weren’t really sure as we weren’t huge horror fans then – we are now! – but thought this (film) is really cool, but we don’t know what’s  going to happen with it and then it kind of blew up. So now to be here at the theme park and the Saw ride, I mean we’re just in shock. And for me to be acting again and part of this huge franchise is really just amazing and I think people love Saw because it is a little bit different than just killing people, it has a good message, it’s more like a thriller, with gore, so makes you think and it’s just very hip and cool and edgy and shot really, really well and I think it’s just a great thing to be a part of.

I think another great thing to come out of the Saw films that I noticed, is that people like Mark Burg are helping to set up all these directors (I was full of love for Darren Lynn Bousman’s Repo! The Genetic Opera at the time), as they all get to start as part of the franchise, then push out on their own and it’s great that the franchise allows for that.

I think they’re very entrepreneurial and giving in that way. You know, David Hackl, who was the art director for all the Saws, had his first debut directing in Saw 5 and did an amazing job, and then Kevin Greutert, the editor, is now getting a chance to direct. Was Darren Boussman – had he directed before? I don’t think so [he seems to have done two shorts, but that's it], but he did the scripts for Saw 2 and I think Saw 3, so, yeah, they’re good at giving everyone all these opportunities. It’s pretty incredible and they’ve used the same crew over and over and over, and yeah, they’re just a great group; they’re very giving and understanding and they know what they’re doing! For sure!

Her father Richard Russell is a famous stock analyst.

She has 3 sisters and a brother.

Has a famous grandfather: Max Lerner.

Measurements: 34C-22-34 (on the set of Private School (1983)).

Attended Mission Bay High School and graduated in 1981.

Ex-daughter-in-law of Dick Van Patten and Pat Van Patten.

Ex-sister-in-law of James Van Patten and Nels Van Patten.

BetsyRussell.org is a fan site and has numerous Betsy Russell galleries, videos, and more! Betsy Russell is truly a great actor.

Filmography:
Chain Letter (2010) – Sergeant Hamill
Saw VI (2009) – Jill
Saw V (2008) – Jill
Saw IV (2007) – Jill
Saw III (2006) – Jill
The Millennium Countdown (1998)
Amore! (1993)
Delta Heat (1992) – Vicky Forbes
Trapper County War (1989) – Lacey Luddigger
Cheerleader Camp (1988) – Alison Wentworth
Avenging Angel (1985) – Angel/ Molly
Out of Control (1985) – Chrissie
Tomboy (1985) – Tommy Boyd
Private School (1983) – Jordan Leigh-Jensen

Misc Facts:
Birth: 6 September 1963, San Diego, California, USA

Birth Name: Elizabeth Russell

Height: 5′ 5″ (1.65 m)