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29th SATURN AWARDS
(The Interviews)
TR: Welcome to Part 2 of Saturn Awards Coverage. This is the part where we actually got to be professional journalists and interview some of our favorite actors and directors in television and film. We did our best to dig out what scoops we could, without devolving into obsessive fanboys.
UM: Well, at the very least, we kept the fanboyism to a minimum.
J.J. Abrams
TR: The creator of the acclaimed show Alias, and the better forgotten Felicity, found himself bombarded by questions regarding a different project. Namely, the screenplay for the Man of Steel - Superman himself. He states that he hasn't been bothered by any of the negative feedback that leaked onto the internet, and has actually been receiving some positive feedback for his latest adaptation.
In regards to a director for the film after Brett Ratner's departure, he stated that he expects an announcement in the coming weeks.
When asked why he wanted to take on such a daunting property, he stated that it was because of his disappointment in the big summer movies of late.
"I'm not saying I could have done a better job, just that I could have done a better job for myself. I've been left unfulfilled by a few of the big movies lately, so I decided it was time for me to stop complaining about them and actually do something about it."
In regards to Alias, he promises that they have some great things in store for the future.
"As for why things happened the way they did in the season finale, you'll see that they actually serve to enhance and build upon the story we've been telling. It also provides a natural jumping on point for people who have heard about Alias, but felt like in its continuity."
Adrian Paul
UM: The first person I spoke with was the Highlander himself, Adrian Paul. If ever there was an affable, easy to speak with celebrity, it was Paul. Unfortunately, he didn't have much to report on Highlander 5's status except that it's still in the script stage and he hasn't seen a page of it. He was pretty adamant, however, that whether or not the project moves forward will totally depend on the quality of the script. Without going into specifics, he said he was working on some other projects at the moment. In any case, it was quite obvious that he's staying in fantastic shape, and he said he still practices his swordplay regularly. He also seemed very pleased with yearly growth of the Saturn Awards and science fiction. "I'm proud to see that more attention is being paid to genre work. It's gratifying."
Andy Serkis (Gollum)
TR: One of the first people I was able to interview Andy Serkis who portrays Gollum in the Lord of the Rings series. Of course at first I didn't recognize him due to the fact that you never see his actual face in the films, it's a complete CGI overlay. But as I began to talk to the man, his mannerisms and facial features where uncannily similar to the creature seen on screen.
When initially hired to do Lord of the Rings, he thought he was simply going in to do three weeks of voice over work on the film. But when Peter Jackson met with the Serkis, Jackson realized that he wanted the actor to physically portray Gollum as well. Which is why the character never suffered from Jar Jar Binks Syndrome. Creating a suit which would map Serkis's physical movements and facial expressions and then overlay the CGI on top of him, Gollum became the breakaway character from The Two Towers.
This was in no small way due to Serkis' acting talent. He stated that he approached Gollum from the direction of an addict, one constantly consumed by his need for a fix. But it was the duality of the character that attracted Andy's attention, and the conflict between damnation and salvation that is reflected in all individuals. In that regard Gollum actually reminded Serkis of a Shakespearean tragic figure, and his epic monologue as Smeagol battles Gollum for control of his psyche was shot without pause.
The success of The Two Towers has opened up new doors in America for the European actor, who likes to split his time between live theatre and screen work. Besides doing last minute reshoots for The Return of the King, he is also working on a side Gollum project which we'll disclose more of in the future. Finally, he's also currently working with Jennifer Garner on the film Thirteen Going on Thirty, which is akin to Big from a woman's perspective.
Rob Zombie
UM: To be honest, I was more than a little surprised at how mellow and down-to-earth Rob Zombie is in person. I'm not sure what I expected really, but I wasn't frightened by him in any way. Anyhow, he said that the loves the fact that response to House of a 1000 Corpses has been so extreme. "Every review I read, it's either five stars or zero stars - which I think is great." For the time being, he's putting music on the backburner and will focus on other directorial projects, not excluding the possibility of a Corpses sequel.
Tyler Hoechlin
TR: This young man probably became the envy of every young actor in the world by landing the role of Tom Hanks' son in Road to Perdition. Getting to work with Tom, Jude Law, and Paul Newman would be a treat for any actor, but for a young man receiving his first acting role it was practically breathtaking. Already grateful for his luck, Tyler is trying to be careful about the next steps in his career. He's about to sign on for a second film and television show, but couldn't divulge any definite details at the time.
Ben Browder
UM: Okay, long time readers will no doubt recall this isn't my first run-in with Ben. I did get a chance to speak with him briefly backstage at the Farscape Convention 2001 but inexplicably failed to recognize him. (I was distracted, and he wasn't supposed to be there yet!) Anyway, on to the interview...
First of all, any female readers who were worried that Browder was getting a little overweight after seeing his guest spot on CSI: Miami have nothing to worry about. He obviously put on some pounds on purpose to be a more convincing bouncer, because he looked pretty much like he always did here. Speaking of that role, I asked him how he enjoyed finally being able to play a villain. He half-joked that "there aren't any villains, simply people with differing opinions about what's right." He said it's been hard, though, reading scripts for new parts after Farscape. Finding roles as well-written and with the emotional depth that he's become accustomed to has been challenging. I asked him if he was cautious about accepting a long term job on the off-chance that Farscape could return, but he said he wasn't. "I'm just an unemployed guy who needs a job, so if you hear anything, let me know." He did imply, though, that Farscape was still his priority, and that he'd come back immediately if given the chance.
Obviously Ben is one of my favorite actors, as I'm hopelessly biased when it comes to anything 'scape related, but he truly is a genuinely nice guy who is so easy to speak with I temporarily forgot I was actually interviewing him. He was also gracious enough to allow me a photo, so fanboy mission: accomplished.
Emma Caulfield
TR: Doing my best to not drool openly in front of her (you'd be surprised how many girls find that a turnoff), I was able to get a few minutes with the departing Buffy star. She expressed her gratitude at the devotion of the show's fan base, and takes away the best of memories from her experience. Emma stated that she has never worked with a more talented ensemble of actors and creators then she did on Buffy (Yes, that does include her stint on Beverly Hills 90210).
She was also stunned and grateful that Darkness Falls opened at #1 and performed well at the box office. It's given her the extra boost of confidence she needs to aggressively pursue her film work. She is currently at work on a romantic comedy by Steve Frears, the man behind High Fidelity. Though she couldn't give any definite plot details, she did say that the whole thing is incredibly twisted.
David Kemper
UM: Obviously the big question is, with Farscape done for the time being at least, what's up next for DK? Well, quite a bit apparently. He didn't divulge any specific details, but said he's working on "four to five different projects, all genre-related." He is confident that Farscape will continue in some form or another, but of course, which form is the big question.
Amy Acker
TR: Let me start off by saying that Amy Acker might just be the cutest person who has ever lived. You can't help but smile when you're talking to her. I don't even mean that in any kind of a lewd connotation, I save those for my Angel reviews. Amy was delighted with the recent announcement of Angel being picked up for a fifth season, but hasn't been able to get anything out of the writers about where they're going to be taking her character. Which is nothing new for her, as the writers like to keep their actors in their dark about upcoming plot twists. You can't even try to fool them.
As she put it, "Joss has a way of always doing the thing that you ask him not to do with the character. So me and J (J. August Richards who plays Charles Gunn) went to Joss and asked him to break up our characters, thinking that would mean they would stay together for sure. Of course the one time Joss listened to the actors is the one time we didn't want him to."
She's looking forward to working with James Marsters, who joins the cast next year as Spike, but admits that she has yet to meet the man. "Everybody speaks highly of him though," she added.
Her favorite Angel moments have actually been the Jasmine story arc, as it allowed her to grow Fred more then she had been able to do before.
As far as being the only female regular cast member next year, she stated that "there will be plenty of other women showing up, don't worry. I need somebody to girl talk with on set after all." She also confessed her hopes that Charisma Carpenter would be rejoining them at some point in the future.
Claudia Black
UM: First off, I would be remiss to not point out that Claudia looked exquisite in her red outfit. Okay, having said that, I can move on. When asked if she would was done with the sci-fi genre, she replied, "Oh, absolutely not. Why would I turn my back on the genre that has given me so much?" She did, however, state that she would like to venture into other genres because "as an artist, you constantly have to challenge yourself."
Unfortunately, I was splitting my time there as a reporter and a photographer, so in order to get some quality pics of Ms. Black, I missed out on speaking with her longer in a press capacity. I did get to speak with her later, though, in a more casual atmosphere about Farscape and just how darn great it was towards the end, so that was fun.
Nathan Fillion
TR: The recipient of the Cinescape "Fresh Face of the Future" Award, Nathan could not have been in better spirits. And though the cancellation of Firefly was a bitter blow to the man, he takes away the best of memories from the show.
"I have never in my life worked with a more talented cast, better writers, or a greater crew then those that worked on Firefly. It is hands down the best job I have ever had," he stated.
But the cancellation of Firefly did open the door for him to play Caleb on Buffy, which is a role he has enjoyed immensely.
"I've never had the chance to play the villain before, just like I never had the chance to play the leading man before Firefly. But Caleb has been great fun for me to play. I enjoy the creepiness of the character, the fact that he does not see his own actions as wrong or evil. I enjoy the fact that he sees himself as truly righteous in his path, because that makes him all the more frightening and resonates on a deeper level. Couple that with the power the character possesses to reinforce that righteousness, and you have a villainous psyche that's been great to play with."
He's currently providing commentary tracks for the upcoming Firefly DVD release, which will feature three never before seen episodes. One of which, he ruefully states, features his bare ass.
"Yeah, I get to go from Captain Tight Pants to Captain No Pants."
After that, he's going to take a little a time off to enjoy the fruits of his recent success, perhaps doing some travelling in Europe.
As for what the future holds, he is definitely optimistic.
"I know Joss definitely wants to do a Firefly feature film. I don't believe the network would have the ability to cancel that."
Beyond that, he doesn't know.
"I was thinking of opening a coffee store, but the name I had picked out for it probably wouldn't work anymore."
What name, I asked.
"Osama Bin Latte."
Steven Spielberg
TR/UM: Arguably the most powerful man in Hollywood, Spielberg attended the Saturn Awards as a sign for his support of genre films in general.
"They were something I loved as a kid, and they (genre films) are something I continue to love until this day. I'm just glad that there's a place like the Academy where films like can receive the recognition they might otherwise be denied."
The director cleaned up at this Saturn Awards, winning for best director and best sci-fi film with Minority Report, in addition to a victory in best single program presentation for Taken. He believes that the popularity of UFO mythos might stem from the fact that, "It's confirmation that we're not alone in this universe. There's a comfort level in the thought that humanity might be part of something larger, and alien life is confirmation of that thought."
Spielberg is currently working on Terminal, a comedy/drama starring Tom Hanks. After that, Spielberg will begin work on Indiana Jones 4, which is slated to begin shooting in May of '04 with a hopeful release in the summer of 2005.
TR: All told I'd say it was a nice little shindig that the Academy threw. In the future you can expect to see more interviews and articles covering events like this. Also be sure to check out our pictorial, which features shots of those we interviewed as well as others like Victoria Pratt and Crispin Glover.
UM: Yeah, I had a blast. Aside from the official interviews, I got to speak briefly with quite a few others, including director Mick Garris (many a Stephen King adaptation), Victoria Pratt, Nathan Fillion and Andy Serkis. Everyone I spoke with was extremely personable and sincere. Nathan Fillion in particular was hysterical. It would be a shame if we don't see him in something comedic in the future.
So I guess that's it from the Saturn Awards 2003. Tim and I will be covering Comic Con this summer, so be sure to check back for that.
- Tim Ritenour & Rafael Pujals
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