Scified Interviews Movie Poster Mogul Matt Ferguson

I recently had the opportunity to pick the brain of one of Hollywood's go-to guys for movie posters - Matt Ferguson. Matt has been responsible for creating a plethora of iconic one-sheets for some of the most influential sci-fi films in recent years. From reboots to remakes, sequels and one-offs - Ferguson brings a unique style that feels both familiar and fresh to each of his projects. Read on to learn a little bit more about Matt, how he got started in the field, what his favourite creations are and more!

Scified: You’ve become the “Poster Boy” for Movie Posters – was making badass movie posters always what Matt Ferguson wanted to do? Or did you happen upon this career by accident?

Matt Ferguson: So I've always loved movies, and I have always loved to draw and be creative. For a long time I did videogame stuff, textures, addons and that kind of thing. And then a little later in my life I did a film degree, and the two loves kind of came together. Around about 2009 is when I really started to put a lot of effort in to making film posters. Lucky for me I got picked up pretty quickly by Marvel and did the artwork for the Avengers DVD box set. And then I was off and haven't looked back.

Creating movie posters by hand is a timeless tradition so, from the fans, thank you for contributing to this tradition and keeping it alive. In a progressively digitized world, it’s reassuring to see artists like yourself still creating authentic artwork for these projects.

Thanks. I do feel like it's more important than ever to be able to put a name, a human face, to artwork. The rise of generative AI is something that is currently only doing harm to creatives.

You’ve created some of the most iconic posters for some of our most favourite franchises in recent years – Alien: Romulus, Star Wars anniversaries, Blade Runner 2049, Tron, Prey, Predator: Killer of Killers and now Predator: Badlands. It’s like you can’t miss! Tell us a little about how you approach each project and how you come up with the artwork you create. What’s your creative process like?

I just try to do what I think is best for me. By that I mean I ask myself "am I excited about this?" "Do I want this up on my own wall?" if the answer is yes then I am away. I usually start by watching trailers or the film in question and will doodle quick thumbnails in my notebook. Then if I come up with a composition that I like I flesh it out digitally.

By now you’re likely on Studios’ speed dial, but tell us how you come to be involved with the projects you do. Do Studios reach out to you or do you actively select and apply to work for specific films?

It all depends, sometimes I actively go after films. Star Trek, Star Wars, Alien, all those kinds of sci-fi films I will be very proactive and loud about. Simply because I love genre flicks and I want to work in that space. Other times a client will come to me and say "Hey look at this, want to take a crack?" and I am in the very luck position to be able to go with my gut and say yes if something interests me or gets me excited.

How many projects do you work on simultaneously at any given time?

Anywhere between 2-3 at any one time. I'd like it to be just one at a time,... but there's so much cool stuff and I want to do it all.

We can’t pick a favourite poster, it’s impossible, but of all the posters you’ve created do you have a personal favourite you’re most proud of?

I think my favourite poster to work on was The Empire Strikes Back 40th. For a few reasons. It's Star Wars and one of the best films ever, so a dream job, also I think I came up with what was at the time quite fresh take on the film and finally it came right when Covid kicked off and it was a really good distraction/helped me through those tough years.

How many versions of a poster do you generally go through before a winner is selected or is it a one-and-done process?

I will go through multiple comps myself, but I like to whittle that down to just one that "final" comp that I submit for studio approval. I learnt long ago that it's best to only submit one comp because there's every chance someone at the other end will pick a comp you don't want to do if you submit multiple different takes.

One poster that stands out to us is your Predator: Badlands poster – how long did it take you to complete this one?

I was working on Badlands as project for about a month, but it took a while to get down to comp that everyone liked. The actual illustration time on it was a very tight 3-4 days. Lot's of late nights on that one.

You mentioned Bud is your favorite part of it, if you could describe Bud in a few words, how would you? We know very little about this odd little alien.

Bud is just a fun and crazy little bullet proof critter. That's all I can say on that.

We’ve seen a plethora of additional Badlands posters unveiled over the last couple weeks as well, did you create those ones too?

I only did the SDCC poster and the payoff poster.

Between the Tron: Ares poster and Predator: Badlands poster, which one are you most proud of? 

Gotta say Badlands. I love Predator films.

Are you excited for Predator: Badlands?

Yes. Yes I am.

Do you think Dan will outdo his work on Prey with this one?

That's for you to decide.

We’re almost certain an Alien vs. Predator reboot is on the horizon, do you have an idea of what an Alien vs. Predator poster would look like? Given your work on the Romulus poster and now Badlands, I assume you’d have a lot of fun creating an AvP poster.

I haven't given it any thought tbh.

What’s next for Matt Ferguson? Are there any major projects you’re currently working on you can tell us about? 

I just had a Running Man poster out and I am on two big projects for next year... that I can't talk about.

 

Big thanks to Matt for taking the time to speak to us about his work! You can see more of his portfolio on his official website and connect with him on Instagram and Facebook too! Which poster of Matt's is your favourite? Let us know in the comments!