GB: The mermaids are pretty fascinating on, uh, several levels. Coming into the project, what was the vision as far what they could be and should be?
RM: They’re two things in a way, which is interesting. We found that they are incredibly beautiful women — incredibly seductive women — that lure men to their deaths, like the sirens. They are women but they are also animal. With our mermaids, the water line defines where they’re women and where they’re creatures. Under the water, they are creatures. They feed on pirates, the men, and that’s how they see men, as something that sustains them. In the story, a mermaid is captured because they need, specifically, a mermaid’s tear. That’s one of the things needed to make the Fountain of Youth work. There’s a series of things. It’s not easy for them, believe me, we’re making it tough.