John Cusack On Playing The Original Man In Black In THE RAVEN

Shooting at nights and in Budafest also set the mood for his character, but he felt like a vampire. He wouldn't be surprised if anyone said he was "disagreeable" during production, he joked.  The 46-year old couldn't shake the character after production and "scared" his family when he returned home. He described the acting experience as a "cool bender."

In imagining the world of Edgar Allan Poe, Cusack felt black was the only color this "rogue genius" would wear.  The production team suggested other dark colors such as blue, green, or velvet black, but the RAVEN star insisted on wearing black.

"It's either go goth or go home. If your not going to be in black as Edgar Allan Poe- you're never going to wear the color."

RAVEN director James McTeigue responded that he tried to get John to consider a dark velvet color which Cusack contemplated but threw off to the side. The V for Vendetta and Ninja Assassin helmer did reveal John conceded to an alternative color for one particular scene in the movie.  To make some money, Cusack as Poe entertains debutantes and their mothers with a poetry reading of "The Raven" in a brightly lit room with light colors. John in that scene wore dark purple because his character at that point feels the desperation. For Cusack, it made sense to alter the colors.

One of the producers joked that Poe was the original man in black.

THE RAVEN hits theaters April 27, 2012.