John Cusack, known for starring in beloved films such as “Say Anything,” “High Fidelity” and “Serendipity,” is opening up about why he’s no longer starring in major film projects to focus on writing novels. The 60-year-old actor cites creative freedom as a key driver of his transformation, revealing in an interview that his new graphic novel “Momo” represents the kind of artistic autonomy no longer allowed in studio filmmaking.According to Variety , Cusack discussed his artistic journey while promoting “Momo,” a genre-bending graphic novel drawn by Ignacio Noé. The publication notes that the project, which tells the story of two escapees who form an unlikely alliance in 1972 as they set out to recover an ancient artifact for TV legend Jackie Gleason, blends science fiction with political satire.
John Cusack praises graphic novels for cinematic narrative possibilities
When asked what got him interested in translating his ideas into graphic novel form, Cusack reflected on the medium’s visual storytelling potential. “I always thought they were the closest thing to movies, really,” he said. “You’re picking the shots and they’re so cinematic.”
Cusack praised the project for being created by him and illustrator Ignacio Noe alone, without committee editing or studio oversight. Image source (Instagram)
The actor elaborated on his creative process, noting that the format allowed him to tell stories without the constraints of traditional filmmaking. “I thought, I want to tell a story, but I didn’t really want to negotiate storytelling,” Cusack explains.
John Cusack prioritizes creative control over studio interference and committee decisions
The actor highlighted the financial and creative pressures that come with studio filmmaking. “When you ask someone to put $20 or $30 million into their bank account for a movie, they want to have an opinion, but they’re afraid and so on,” he said.Working with illustrator Ignacio Noé proved to be a liberating experience. “It’s like, I wrote it, I said, ‘I love this story,’ and then I had this beautiful and amazing artist Ignacio Noe come and illustrate it, so no one was editing anything I wrote or anything he drew. So it was really a two-person piece of work, and they did a great job.”
The actor said he would love to return to the screen if his graphic novel was adapted into a feature film. Image source (Instagram)
Cusack emphasized that the autonomy he experienced on “Momo” represents something increasingly rare in the contemporary entertainment industry. “There were no bulls and there were no committees. There were no computers in Seattle polling it,” he said, describing the project as an “anti-algorithmic thing.”
John Cusack to Star in Movie Adaptation “Momo”
Although Cusack retired from traditional filmmaking, he said he would be willing to return to acting if his graphic novel was given the green light to be adapted into a film. “If fans love ‘Momo’ enough that the studio is willing to make it into a movie, then he’d love to star in an adaptation,” he said.This marks Cusack’s graphic novel debut, although he previously co-wrote a collection of essays in 2016 titled Things Can and Can’t Be Said. The project illustrates his broader shift toward independent creative pursuits, prioritizing artistic vision over commercial considerations.
Sister Joan Cusack exits spotlight after 11-year hiatus
Cusack isn’t the only member of his family to step back from the entertainment industry spotlight. In May, his sister Joan Cusack made her first public red carpet appearance since September 2015, ending a more than decade-long hiatus. She attended the London premiere of Toy Story 5, marking her return to the public eye.
John Cusack dismisses most contemporary movies, doubts sequels
Earlier this year, during a December screening of his 1989 film Speak Out, Cusack candidly shared his thoughts on the current state of filmmaking when asked about the sequel. “I’m lucky that I never had the desire or the request for a sequel,” he laughs.However, he acknowledged one potential exception. “I thought it would be a fun movie to make, and that was ‘1408.’ Just because… I think today, you know, most movies are terrible,” the actor said, highlighting his broader criticism of contemporary cinema and his preference for more selective creative choices.“Momo” is expected to be released on September 29.