Whedonesque : Comments on 12057 : Nathan Fillion 'tapped' for Drive.

Merry Christmas, everybody!

=) =) =) =) =)

Can't wait...

This story just amuses the hell out of me. It hasn't been a rumor since Tim Minear mentioned recasting to an actor with tighter pants, but it took AICN to rumorize it and Hollywood Reporter to "confirm" it. Heh.

The One True b!X | December 15, 12:32 CET

Well I'm sure the Hollywood Reporter would have reported it sooner but those pesky contracts have to be signed to make it all official.

But anyhow, Fillion and Minear together again. Good times ahead.

Simon | December 15, 12:38 CET

*does best Audrey Hepburn voice*
This is going to make him a STAR!

Though Ivan Sergei is a hottie in my book. I don't think he has the pants for the job.

Congrats to Nathan and Tim! I'm really looking forward to this show.

Arabchick | December 15, 12:50 CET

Yes, Whedonesquers, there really is a Santa Claus!

Hey, I wonder if Santa is allowed on Mal's "boat."

[ edited by narnia on 2006-12-15 11:00 ]

[ edited by narnia on 2006-12-15 11:01 ]

narnia | December 15, 12:57 CET

Yay! I can't wait.

But wait ... he's a rogue landscaper? WTF is that? Does he bad mouth other landscapers? Use illegal grass seed?? Scout around for properties in desperate need of landscaping and stealthily do the job for free in the dead of night???

cabri | December 15, 13:01 CET

Hurray!

Jona | December 15, 13:06 CET

But wait ... he's a rogue landscaper? WTF is that?

It's a bit like a rogue demon hunter.

Simon | December 15, 13:08 CET

Ah, I see. He tracks down rogue land and then scapes it.

cabri | December 15, 13:11 CET

I can hear all the Fillionaires now, wondering if landscapers wear tight pants.

The One True b!X | December 15, 13:26 CET

Awesome news, can't wait.......

The Do That Girl | December 15, 13:28 CET

Instead of coming up with something intellectual to say, I'll just scream "wheeeeeeee!" instead!

Lucidmind | December 15, 13:29 CET

It's a bit like a rogue demon hunter.

Yeah but it sounds more like 'maverick accountant' ;).

"No-one files returns like ... The Tax-Killah ! Coming to a screen near you Spring 2007"

Not to send the Fillionaires into a pre-visualisation meltdown but I temped one summer as a landscaper/tree-surgeon and wore shorts for the most part, tightness varied.

(and is this conclusive proof that crossing fingers actually works or what ? We may need to reconsider the laws of physics as we know them)

Saje | December 15, 13:37 CET

Merry Christmas everyone!

sorchasilver | December 15, 14:42 CET

nananana, nanana! this news makes my day!

bookworm | December 15, 15:02 CET

Go Nathan.. Go Nathan... Go Nathan....

Now, I wonder if there'll be more changes in the cast from the original Pilot.

Numfar PTB | December 15, 15:46 CET

Now, I wonder if there'll be more changes in the cast from the original Pilot.

Bookmark this site to stay informed.

Simon | December 15, 15:52 CET

So are they going to reshoot scenes to work him into the pilot or just leave it as it is?...

Grounded | December 15, 16:10 CET

According to Allyson:

All of the scenes that were shot in the cars were in front of a green screen, so the racing scenes can be switched around. The pilot is getting reshot with the new actors/script.

Simon | December 15, 16:16 CET

woo hooooo! I'll watch Nathan in positively anything on TV. Big, big bonus points for a Minear show.

WhoIsOmega? | December 15, 16:20 CET

Now if Buddha will just bring me that pony, my list will be complete . . .

mockingbird | December 15, 16:40 CET

I'm so happy!

And it's Friday so double happy to you!

madmolly | December 15, 16:54 CET

Yaaaaay! This is so cool.

palehorse | December 15, 17:15 CET

Adding my HOOORAY!!!!!
:D

mifeng | December 15, 17:56 CET

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

MySerenity | December 15, 17:57 CET

Very excited indeed !!!

coolpeace | December 15, 18:06 CET

An eagerly awaited series, is now even more awaited. Can't wait.

Garim | December 15, 18:16 CET

But the question for me is, will this be available on iTunes?

MissKittysMom | December 15, 18:28 CET

Rogue landscaper??

Suddenly I feel a quote of "And I shall call it....This Land," coming on. ::dinosaur noises::

Is this different from guerilla landscaping where they of mow and run? Does a rogue landscaper stealthily plant trees? Recuse wilting jacarandas? Take on a shady job of mulching the hostas? Sorry, I could go with these all day.

He did mention perhaps wanting to grow a handlebar mustache over on his blog, perhaps that's part of the rogue thingy. Maybe there will be hats, with feathers! Maybe it will be the Scarlet Pimpernel with weed wackers!

I'm pretty sure it's a chance for us to see the grittier side of Nathan, and that's he's sure to tear up the ground in his normal leave-no-stone-unturned portrayal. Never afraid to get his hands dirty, our fella.

I should really stop before I hurt something. Happy Casting Confirmation Day, everybody!!

beadtific | December 15, 18:38 CET

But the question for me is, will this be available on iTunes?

If not at iTunes, then hopefully at the Fox run Direct2Drive website.

Simon | December 15, 19:15 CET

GREAT news to wake up to! Now, quick find the people who cancel things at FOX and lock them in a root cellar with an angry dog.

Nebula1400 | December 15, 19:18 CET

First Lost, now a show about car racing...I wish I could get behind Nathan's latest projects. It's just...the cars...with the racing...I'm not sure there could be a less interesting topic for a tv show, IMO. And I wasn't crazy about Wonderfalls or The Inside, so unfortunately Tim isn't on my 'must watch' list by virtue of his name anymore.

BUT, I'll give the first episode a shot. It's the least I can do, because these two guys have brought me enjoyment in the past. I just really hope this doesn't turn into a dramatic 'Cannonball Run'. With landscaping.

Rogue Slayer | December 15, 19:18 CET

I'd like to tap Nathan Fillion.

Thank you and goodnight.

numbereleven | December 15, 19:35 CET

bix: I really hope a rogue landscaper has tight pants. That is what I know I am looking for.

I am so happy about this..Thank You Santa..Thank you Tim..and Thank you Nathan.

and Thanks to tight pants all around the world!!

SillyD | December 15, 20:16 CET

I'd like to tap Nathan Fillion.

Thank you and goodnight.

I guess we all have to wait in line until Tim is done tapping him. What would that ship be? Minillion? Fillionear?

Rogue Slayer | December 15, 20:39 CET

For some reason I just love that a trade publication like the Hollywood Reporter doesn't say, "Fillion, who starred in Firefly, which Minear executive produced" but instead "Fillion, who is friends with Minear."
:-)

Niels | December 15, 20:46 CET

I guess we all have to wait in line until Tim is done tapping him. What would that ship be? Minillion? Fillionear?

Hahah... Minillion is so much fun to say. *officially ships them*

numbereleven | December 15, 21:20 CET

I am so happy I just can't te...*explodes*

Charmuse | December 15, 21:53 CET

*gasp*

Tithan. Nateim. Never let it be said our shipping doesn't go strange places!

Dizzy | December 15, 21:58 CET

*snicker* Tim's tapping Nathan! Tim's tapping Nathan!

(I am twelve ;-)

OzLady | December 15, 22:00 CET

YAY!!! Well, with his wife missing, maybe she won't drug him and turn out to be a con woman this time -- maybe. ;-)

billz | December 15, 22:07 CET

Bookmark this site to stay informed.

Bookmarked. Thanks Simon.

Numfar PTB | December 15, 22:16 CET

Sweet.

So Tim cast Jewel in Wonderfalls.

Adam in The Inside.

And now Nathan in Drive.

I must say, it's great to see our BDHs - especially when the show has the writing talents of Tim Minear. When a show is written by him I don't judge it by its premise (after all, ordinarily I wouldn't care about a show about a race.) But his name means goodness. ... And... hopefully not premature cancellation... *crosses fingers*

AnotherFireflyfan | December 15, 22:21 CET

well I would imagine it doesnt have the baggage of sci fi that Firefly had... of course The Inside was cancelled :S well 3rd time is the charm right?

kurya | December 15, 22:39 CET

AnotherFireflyFan: lets not forget Tims work on Standoff and Gina is on that show. te hehehe

SillyD | December 15, 23:02 CET

Saje:(and is this conclusive proof that crossing fingers actually works or what ? We may need to reconsider the laws of physics as we know them)

I concur, although my fingers may be permenantly crossed after that last exercise in wishful thinking. Very exciting news, although my dance of joy was interupted as well when I read 'rogue landscaper'? Mmmm okay, makes me wonder a little bit, but in the end I'll watch Nathan being a rogue anything.

onthedrift | December 15, 23:15 CET

!!!oooh, nifty!!!

*crosses fingers again and closes eyes*

"I wish I had a million dollars. And a rogue landscaper, whateverthehell that is."

QuoterGal | December 15, 23:23 CET

Holy mother-frakking Browncoat in racecars! This is the AWESOMEST news that could ever be news, without Joss announcing a comeback to TV. OMG Nathan! OMG Tim Minear!

I'm all beside myself with the squeeing. Yippee!!!

electricspacegirl | December 15, 23:30 CET

Weekly Minear and Fillion? Hot damnarooney, Cricklemas came early!

(Rogue-landscaper-wise, I'm voting for well-worn jeans ('cause boy-knees make me giggle) and a well-hung, um, tool belt. :)

Wiseblood | December 16, 00:05 CET

It's just...the cars...with the racing...I'm not sure there could be a less interesting topic for a tv show, IMO.

That's how I feel, too, but I will give it a try, just in case Tim and Nathan manage to make it much more than that.

Nebula1400 | December 16, 00:13 CET

First Lost, now a show about car racing...I wish I could get behind Nathan's latest projects. It's just...the cars...with the racing...I'm not sure there could be a less interesting topic for a tv show, IMO.

Rogue Slayer, remember back when you thought a show about a vampire slayer was silly? Or a show about horses in space? I have faith that Tim can make a show about car races into something quite fascinating. I hear this show is going to be character "driven".

Hey, lookie there. I made a pun! ;)

electricspacegirl | December 16, 00:17 CET

Regarding the premise thing, all I'll say is this: watch zie pilot. I know a lot of Buffy fans (myself included, I seem to recall) were, like, "Wait... Space western? From Joss? Are you kidding me? That'll be well crap". It's all about the characters, actors and -- very importantly -- writers in these things.

As Joss had said before, without Tim Minear there would have been no Angel. Tim's the only person he'd trust Firefly/Serenity to.

Of course, peeps should watch for themselves and see. I'm sure it won't be for everybody. But I'm sure it's not going to be Fear Factor.

Now if like me you're, yeah, awesome, Tim Minear comes over for dinner and shows you the pilot of DRIVE. Which was, yeah, awesome. Tim described it to me as "'Magnolia' with cars", which I got 'cause the characters are great, but that didn't prepare me for the intense cool driving action or the gorgeous shooting. Plus you can just see how the show works, which is not always the case with pilots. (Of course, it helps to have Tim sit there and spell out the upcoming twists, which is akin to watching them, as he's ever the spellbinder). Also, ginormous props to my old pal Melanie Lynskey, who's magical in it. It sould be on TV; TV would be grateful. I'm just sayin'. -j.

joss | October 03, 01:31 CET

gossi | December 16, 00:28 CET

Do people still say woot? This seems woot-worthy.

betwixt | December 16, 01:11 CET

Rogue Slayer, remember back when you thought a show about a vampire slayer was silly? Or a show about horses in space? I have faith that Tim can make a show about car races into something quite fascinating. I hear this show is going to be character "driven".

It's true, the title of Buffy didn't appeal to me. And the 'space western' idea just seemed 'meh'. But Joss made them both great. And Joss is the only creator/writer that has consistently gotten and kept my attention with everything he's done tv and movie-wise. So in Joss' work I trust. No other writer that has come from Buffy/Angel/Firefly has impressed me too much with their non-Jossian work. But I will watch the pilot now that Nathan will be in it. I just don't have high hopes. Maybe I'll be surprised.

Rogue Slayer | December 16, 01:32 CET

"I just don't have high hopes. Maybe I'll be surprised."

I am one of those people who believes in not having high hopes or expectaions about art or entertainment while also always giving things a chance. Too high a hopes can disappoint whereas going in expectationless and just riding with it can be wonderful...or not. But it floats or sinks on its own merits that way.

Bottom line: I was always going to give this a look, so no change other than I am glad Nathan Fillion is getting work. He seems like a good guy. (ETA: Besides which, he is my only friend according to MySpace. )

[ edited by newcj on 2006-12-16 00:26 ]

newcj | December 16, 01:51 CET

Woooo Hoooo! Tightpants Ahoy! Can't wait to see Nathan on the small screen again! Not only that, but he's a rogue landscaper! Where I come from we call that lagniappe!

batmarlowe | December 16, 03:16 CET

"I just don't have high hopes. Maybe I'll be surprised."

I didn't have high hopes for The Inside. I should have. One of the most gripping dramas of the last few years. Amazing television. As far as I am concerned, at the moment Tim Minear is the best director/writer currently working in US television.

Simon | December 16, 03:23 CET

December 15 2006