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Conflicting schedules wouldn't permit Noah Segan to have a starring role in the upcoming “Fanboys,” but he was able to parlay his previous relationship with the film's producers into a cameo role.

“Fanboys,” which hits theaters nationwide on Friday, Jan. 18, centers on a group of “Star Wars” geeks who trek to Skywalker Ranch, with the hopes of stealing an early edition of “Episode I: The Phantom Menace” for their ailing friend. The film features cameos from celebrities Seth Rogen, William Shatner and Billy Dee Williams, while Segan has a comedic cameo as “Boba Fett #2.” Segan's chance to shine will come later in 2008, when “Cabin Fever 2: Spring Fever” — the sequel to the 2002 indie hit — rolls into theaters.

210SA caught up with Segan for a little back-and-forth on topics such as “Star Wars,” horror flicks and his rather interesting IMDB.com biography.
 

Some people worship “Star Wars,” %and others can't stand it.% Where do you stand?
I fall somewhere in the middle. I really dig “Star Wars,” and what George Lucas did was a very powerful achievement and a cultural achievement. I respect it for that reason alone.

What can you tell us about “Cabin Fever 2?”
The movie is obviously connected to “Cabin Fever,” but it's being referred to as “Spring Fever.” We're trying to continue a lot of the vibe and tone from the first, but make it something new. The director really wanted to make something subversive, in the vein or early Peter Jackson or Sam Raimi, and it came across as such. It pushes the envelope in terms of the horror genre and comedy and what you can do with both. It's a very tight genre ..... and we're trying to do something similar to that. It has the backdrop of a high school prom, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's (in theaters) around that time.

Do you think the original “Cabin Fever” really lent itself to a sequel?
If you watch the end of the first one, you see that questionable water traveling into town. Of course, that leaves the door open. Rider Strong (of “Boy Meets World” fame) does return for this one, but I can't tell you how or when or why. The fact of the matter is, the original “Cabin Fever” had great tone. It had satire, and it had that tongue-in-cheek nature that a lot of films today don't have.

The sequel also seems to be a lot more mainstream than the first.
That was a big selling point for me. At first, I was not particularly interested in it, based on the front cover. I made a mistake of judging the book on its cover. I cracked it open and spoke to the director about it, and I was beginning to open up to it ..... It's a film that has depth and comedy and farce and satire. In a lot of ways, it takes what the first one planted and really does push it forward.

Your IMDB.com biography talks of you being “sexually satisfied” since moving to L.A., being “too intelligent to graduate high school” and details your interests in smoking. Who wrote it?
A buddy of mine in New York who is a very funny writer ..... I love guys from the '60s and '70s who had fun with common showbiz stuff. One day it just popped up. It got beyond the IMDB censors and watchdogs, and it got stuck up there. I've been approached a lot about changing it, but I think it's a pretty funny thing. I like to keep it up there, and I like the idea of turning stuff on its head, trying to make people think and make them wonder. We're making movies, and it's a serious art, but it doesn't mean you can't have fun. It doesn't mean you can't push the envelope and laugh at yourself. That's what I try to do.

Your bio also says that you moved to L.A. from New York against your will. What's your beef with L.A.?
I grew up in New York, and my family has been there for generations. I love it, and it has a very special place in my heart. ..... It's a very diverse place. Coming out to L.A., millions of people in one way or another are working in the same business. I'm not used to driving. I'm used to taking the subway. There were all these little things that kind of put me on edge for a while. ..... I've been out here for about three years, and only in the last year have I planted my feet firmly and started to like L.A. I dig L.A. now.

CLINT HALE | 210SA