James Marsters still game for Spike telepic.
"As long as I could do it within, say, the next four or five years; past that, I'm too old. Spike's a vampire, man, and I've got high standards".
I'm assuming there's been a press event for Cool Money. So expect to see in the next couple of weeks, a few websites running interviews with James. Kristen at E!Online is promising an interview with him on Friday/Saturday.
March 02 2005
You need to log in to be able to post comments.
About membership.
debw | March 02, 13:42 CET
I've always believed that James (and Spike) was the best bet for resurrecting the slayerverse sooner rather than later. He is, without a doubt, the most dedicated to his character at this point, not to mention argueably the most popular character outside of the big two.
Also, it's nice to know that he considers a four or five year window possible for returning to the role. It could easily take a few years to get this to happen so if James is currently okay with waiting that long then there is a much better chance of it going ahead when all the pieces fall into place. Looking forward to hearing more comments about this.
WhedonTrivia | March 02, 15:19 CET
The Do That Girl | March 02, 16:37 CET
Ausiello: Actually, I'm told that Jessica is actually producer Joel Silver's first choice not Joss's. I'm hearing Mr. Whedon's wish list looks a little different which would explain why he has yet to officially sign on as the pic's writer/director"
Surely if they want Joss badly enough they'll just let him have who he wants. Otherwise just pick someone less creative who they can control and be done with it.
Paul_Rocks | March 02, 16:39 CET
Still I am so happy that James remains interested. He really loves the character of Spike, and he knows the fans would love to see a movie or spinoff. Honestly, I think James is a gorgeous man and he had aged far more gracefully than most guys his age in Hollywood. I prefer him over all the 'A' list hunks. Sorry...you can have Brad Pitt, Colin Farrel, Affleck....and all the others...I'll take James anytime.....
kathylovesspike | March 02, 17:20 CET
[ edited by RavenU on 2005-03-02 15:47 ]
RavenU | March 02, 17:46 CET
Shade of Pale | March 02, 17:47 CET
killinj | March 02, 17:49 CET
Quite honestly, at the risk of cutting off my nose to spite my face, i really don't want the WB to benefit from a Spike movie at this point. I certainly wouldn't boycott it if they went ahead and made one but i really don't believe that they deserve it after the way they treated us last year. Besides, like you i don't believe they they really have the interest or the financial means right now regardless.
The TNT idea is very possible and, given the fact now that both Joss and James have recently stated an interest in doing more with Spike, now may be as good a time as idea to let TNT know that the interest is there. As you say, it worked for The Pretender.
WhedonTrivia | March 02, 18:02 CET
twiggy | March 02, 18:15 CET
And to all of those who love James....God I do too. He will always love Spike, and I know I'll always love them both.
Maybe if nothing else, the publicity and buzz this generates will get James noticed and hopefully we will see some more projects for him soon. I could look at that man all day......
kathylovesspike | March 02, 18:38 CET
RavenU | March 02, 18:47 CET
I want Spike or Faith..or, heck Mr. Pee-pee even, back on TV!!
Jonas | March 02, 19:10 CET
killinj | March 02, 19:23 CET
His post-Angel career so far has consisted of a guest spot on The Mountain and a made-for-TV movie on the USA network. His standards can't be *that* high. :}
PMMJ | March 02, 19:23 CET
I mean, they know there is fan support. They know the actor is willing. They know the creator is willing. And with as poorly as some of the writers are doing, I'd bet anything they are willing too. Does Joss need to start the process? And if he does, is he too busy right now?
I've always felt there was a time limit on this, and I'm not surprised to see James agrees. But in 2 years, will the enthusiasm wane for a Spike movie? Because, really, I don't think you can get fans more hyped for something than after the outrage of a premature cancellation. When there was desire and energy. And naturally, now the tide ebbs. A few groups are sending flowers and cards. In a year, that probably will trickle away. I just think the suits are waiting the fans out. If they really wanted to do this, something would be in the works. They don't. And not to be cynical, but maybe Joss and James aren't as enthusiastic as we'd like to think, but they say what they do because they know there isn't much of a chance. I don't think for a second either would back out if it were a go, but they're both moving on. James wants to get away from the typecasting, Joss is into comics and movies. I just wonder if this would be a step backwards in their careers(Not that James is doing that great, but still...)
I don't know. For all the 'good news' on this front, I still see nothing happening. Wishing doesn't make it so.
Rogue Slayer | March 02, 19:28 CET
As you say, it will take more than just Joss and James' willingness to continue to make anything happen however. But ultimately any news at this point is good news and having the two most important people onboard is definately a plus for when and if things do go ahead.
The way i see it, these days the fan community is key to making anything happen. If there is no interest shown then there will most certainly be no future Spike movie happening. That goes without saying. I would have to imagine that Joss is the guy who will have to get the ball rolling, it's his slayerverse afterall. Until he has time to dedicate to this i would imagine nothing will happen. However, if we can lay the groundwork by getting the likes of TNT interested, hopefully this would facilitate things later down the line.
As for fan interest waning, for most shows i would agree, however there is something unique about Buffy and Angel that i would honestly say hasn't occured since Star Trek in the sixties. There is a dedication here that, i believe at least, will last for a very long time to come.
There are a lot of factors to this happening, we just need to play our part i guess, at least that way we know we did all we could.
WhedonTrivia | March 02, 19:49 CET
[ edited by BurkleFreak on 2005-03-02 17:59 ]
BurkleFreak | March 02, 19:58 CET
ringworm | March 02, 20:13 CET
Spike is not Angel and he is not seeking redemption so much as now choosing to do the right thing. He is not racked with guilt over his passed evil deeds, he has just decided to be a hero for it's own sake. Because of that he is not going to be following the same path as Angel.
Even if he was though, who is to say he would make the same choices that Angel made and where the choices he does decide to make will lead him to.
Beyond them both being vampires and both having had their souls restored they are incredibly different people. To think otherwise is the same as suggesting that just because you and i are both humans with souls then we are both going to make the same choices and have the same life story, which clearly is not the case. Give Spike, or more to the point the writers, a chance to surprise you because i think there is still a lot to tell regarding Spike and his development.
Boy, i'm posting a lot in this thread. Anyone get the feeling i'm really wanting a Spike project to happen?
WhedonTrivia | March 02, 20:17 CET
killinj | March 02, 20:18 CET
I've no doubt Joss and James would like to do a movie if a network would show interest and support for said project. What RavenU said earlier about TNT was a thought that didn't occur to me before. I think I would have more hope for that than the WB. But, in all honesty, I doubt a Spike movie will ever see the light of day.
Madhatter | March 02, 20:18 CET
His post-Angel career so far has consisted of a guest spot on The Mountain and a made-for-TV movie on the USA network. His standards can't be *that* high. :}
PMMJ | March 02, 17:23 CET "
Well I rather think his high standards are evidenced in the roles he's turning down rather than the roles he's accepting. He has said at cons that he's p*ssing off his management by turning down projects... we know he turned down "Point Pleasant" and he's said that he's not interested in playing vampires. rock stars or drug dealers . He's also said that he wants to take character roles for a couple of years to build a reputation outside the genre.
I presume that he saw something he liked in the roles he was offered on The Mountain and Cool Money and honestly , much as I want to see him on my screen I'd rather he was choosy and didn't just do stuff for the sake of working
but a Spike movie on whatever channel would be wonderful!
debw | March 02, 20:24 CET
Well, to my knowledge, they've been on board for a year now. And this is still where we're at. And just recently the big cheese was pretending he didn't know people were interested. Like I said, I think it's just not going to happen, as much as I wish it would.
I don't think Joss and James are leading fans on either. Leading us on would be saying, "It's probably going to happen soon." All they are saying is that they're up for it if it does happen. And I think they both know the odds of it happening are low, but they'd still do it. So they're not lying or anything, but I think it's really easy to pretend to be enthusiastic when you think something's not going to happen. BTW, enthusiastic may be the wrong word, all either one of them has said is that they'd like it to happen and they'd be involved.
But like I said, we're a full year away from the cancellation, and the suits are pretending the thought never occured to them. It's not a priority. And as far as it moving to TNT or something...I think that would have to be a big pitch undertaking by Joss(or someone on his behalf) and I don't see that happening. Joss is a busy man right now. A Spike movie doesn't seem like his priority, particularly if he has to invest even more time in it just finding an interested network. It would be one thing if a network was begging Joss for it, but it would be the other way around. I think maybe Joss is tired of begging networks to acknowlege his stuff. And I don't blame him.
Rogue Slayer | March 02, 20:26 CET
optimistic34 | March 02, 20:27 CET
Spike as a movie would work better than a Spin Off though. I always Spike as an 'on the road' type of character, instead of staying on one place. I can imagine that this would be too expensive for a Spin Off and therefore a movie would be better. And maybe his movie could be the start for another Spin-Off . . .
The only left is to have some interesting character to join his ride.
Koos | March 02, 20:29 CET
The thing that i liked most about James' comment, not to mention what Joss said recently, isn't that it suggests things are going to happen today, it's that they both still want to do more given the opportunity. I truly believe that if they, and Joss especially, thought that there was little or no chance of anything happening, they would make that abundently clear to us. The fact that they don't only tells me that they don't know either way yet, same as the rest of us.
Yes, we are a full year after the cancellation. What does that really mean though? Not much really. And yes, the WB execs are still talking their usual nonsense. Also not that big a deal as none of us want the WB involved anyway.
We have known for a while now that nothing would happen in the first year due to Joss' other commitments, among other obstacles. Don't let that dampen your spirits for the future though.
WhedonTrivia | March 02, 20:53 CET
jpr | March 02, 21:40 CET
So now he does comics and movies and who knows what'll happen in a few years. Scripted TV is on the way back, and Reality shows are finally slipping, so....who knows. But right now I wouldn't hold my breath. Just not gonna happen in the near future.
Although I would concede that if a network called Joss now and said they'd want a Spike movie, he'd still do it. Maybe not completely a write-and-direct, but maybe just write, or plot and have a Jane E or David F write it out. Something like that is possible, but since it involves INITIATIVE on the part of a network, I'm not exactly putting it high on the possibilities list.
For the record I agree with James that after a point he shouldn't be Spike anymore. And also on the 'let's come up with a reason why Spike looks old' stuff. Don't want to see it really. There are basic points about vamps and their eternal youth is one of them. Sure you can make a final story about a shanshued and now mortal old-man Spike, which could be an interesting project, but it's not really what I'm thinking of when I say 'I'd like to see a Spike TV movie'.
In Angel S5, Spike finally found purpose in his newly souled life outside of pleasing Buffy or some other woman. I'd love to see how that affects him and where he'd go next. That's the movie I'd want to see.
EdDantes | March 02, 22:01 CET
I loved Spike, donīt get me wrong. But i always will say, for me, Spike is done since Chosen.
I prefer something like "the Spike & Dru years".
Angel TheVampire | March 02, 22:56 CET
so I don't really thinks it matters if the rest of us can't imagine new adventures,
the point is that Joss can.
When he'll have the time to do another BtVS/Ats project,
and whether it will be on network TV, cable, and/or big screen,
doesn't matter to me.
It doesn't matter to me if Spike has Shanshued or not...
it only matters that Joss still has ideas in his head,
and I want to see them!
embers | March 02, 23:38 CET
And the movie has never been started either even though David Boreanaz said he would do one and Sarah probably would if it were B/A. The option has been on the table for a year. It's not going to happen.
The only thing I care is about is that Joss has ideas but he's not telling us and he probably never will.
charisma | March 03, 01:28 CET
I would love to see a movie. I'd be happy with a movie, whether David B and SMG were in it or not. I love the "secondary" characters, like Spike, Willow, Faith - every bit as much. James sounds sincere in his interest, but Joss! Will he get the time and level of interest needed?
sari | March 03, 02:08 CET
Of course, a Spike-centric telepic would be nice too. We'll take what we can get, I suppose.
ZachsMind | March 03, 02:20 CET
I would certainly hope that any Buffyverse movie would focus on the characters and a good plot rather than trying to resolve 'Who will she pick' because seriously, as much as I loved Bangel and Spuffy, our characters are bigger and richer than that the shipper wars. Here's hoping for a movie where Buffy has a mature relationship with both men, but doesn't end up with either one. Because our guys really need to find someone worthy of them. And someone who's fully baked.
Rogue Slayer | March 03, 02:21 CET
And the movie has never been started either even though David Boreanaz said he would do one and Sarah probably would if it were B/A. The option has been on the table for a year. It's not going to happen."
No station wants another Jossverse show? I must have missed that press release because i don't remember there ever being a statement where every station dismissed Joss' shows for all time.
All we know is that they didn't want Angel, and given the fact that it had two seasons at best left to run, it is hardly surprising that they weren't all that interested. None of them (except the WB of course) have been asked about a new show or telemovie series though, at least as far as i'm aware.
What isn't in dispute is that the big four networks all demand ratings from their shows that a slayerverse show may not be able to muster. Having said that, seeing as how a slayerverse show has never had chance to prove itself on a network that has the kind of nationwide coverage that the big four can offer, who is to say how a show set in the slayerverse would do if given that kind of potential audience?
That is beside the point though because Fox, ABC, NBC and CBS aren't going to give Joss the chance, we all know this, and neither the WB nor UPN have the finance or desire to do so either.
However, as i've said before, and as RavenU stated earlier, there are other, much better options available. TNT, Sci Fi or HBO are all prospective homes for a new show, and none of them have turned Joss down so far. Who is to say what they would say if asked.
WhedonTrivia | March 03, 03:23 CET
Whedon mentions her briefly in the commentary on one of the Firefly discs, when he explains that one day he was watching the monitor during a take for Buffy, and found himself almost impulsively waving at the monitor in reaction to something Gellar had done in the performane. It was in that moment he realized Gellar was quite literally 'star quality' because she engenders that sort of reaction from the viewer. He had a similar moment with Nathan Fillion during the filming of the Firefly pilot.
However, there's a difference in performance 'muscles' between Star Quality and actual acting chops. Fillion's got both in spades. Gellar's a remarkable performer but not as convincing an actor. Granted, my theory doesn't hold up to close scrutiny. Gellar had seven years of moderate, favorable success taking point in a television series. Fillion couldn't take the same position for a whole season. In my defense, I say there were political issues with Firefly that even BtVS couldn't have survived.
ZachsMind | March 03, 03:29 CET
It was a different time then (like 10 months ago?). This was before scripted television started making a comeback. I expect that it may be possible the networks would be interested in something Joss would create now. I imagine that if Serenity does well in the box office (critically or monetarily) the general feeling will be the FOX screwed up, not Joss, and that will put him in very high demand.
Of course there's also the fact that he's busy with other projects.
ringworm | March 03, 03:30 CET
SoddingNancyTribe | March 03, 03:48 CET
killinj | March 03, 04:12 CET
Rogue Slayer | March 03, 04:47 CET
Although I love to wax rhapsodic about all Whedonhood, including any possible future incarnations, the realist in me sees the truth in what you say.
Willowy | March 03, 05:12 CET
killinj | March 03, 05:21 CET
Yeah, but now you're operating under the idea that Janollari *actually* had never thought about it, which I think is ridiculous. But you keep pushing, I'll keep wishing, and maybe something will come! If there were more indication that fan effort might make something more likely, I'd be right up there, sending postcards and whatnot. I guess I got burned by the whole Angel thing.
I like your jaundiced eye, Rogue Slayer
God, I hope jaundice of the eye isn't contagious! ; P
and as most of us know, there isn't a bigger fan of the 'verse around than yourself.
Well, I don't know how one measures 'fannyness', but if it's ranked on actual size of the fanny...yeah, I'm up there! :)
Rogue Slayer | March 03, 05:37 CET
Willowy | March 03, 05:52 CET
Paul_Rocks | March 03, 05:57 CET
Not really, I know better than that. I think the fans in question know better too. It was just a way to make him address the issue and give the idea some attention, if not by the WB then maybe having it in the press would catch the eye of someone else who could do something about it. Unlikely, I know. Worth a shot? Sure.
I understand though. The efforts to save Angel were extraordinary and I'm still a bit shellshocked a year later that we didn't get the result we wanted. It was one of our finest hours though wasn't it? I'm so proud to be a part of this fandom. I'm glad we were able to lift the spirits of all those great people who brought the show to us each week. We did good. We can do good still.
killinj | March 03, 05:57 CET
Willowy & Rogue Slayer - you need to know that 'size of fannyness' is definitely an adult topic in Australia!
catalyst2 | March 03, 06:14 CET
Cuz if not? Oh. My. Goddess. *rolls eyes*
Willowy | March 03, 06:45 CET
It is one of the sources of amusement here when American tourists refer to their fanny packs - "What, you Americans get everything to go , now you pack your ..... to go? I mean, doesn't it sort of go with you anyway?"
catalyst2 | March 03, 07:14 CET
Please don't try to tell me that this is all of a sudden a G-rated board? We throw out a cuss here and there, and talk about very adult themes. Catalyst2, you know this. What are you doing?
Willowy | March 03, 07:32 CET
Not for long. Check out this article. They want to put the chains on Cable too.
eddy | March 03, 08:00 CET
For me, Gellar's style of acting is more of a star quality thing. She generally needs more outside help to get her where other actors can go without. That's all. Marlon Brando had the same problem. Star Quality most definitely, but his actual 'acting' was more external and pretentious, i.e., 'performing' rather than acting. Nothing to be ashamed of, certainly.
As for this fanny pack argument? You guys lost me awhile back. No profanity? What? Not sure what your gorram problem is.
ZachsMind | March 03, 08:00 CET
[ edited by catalyst2 on 2005-03-03 06:15 ]
catalyst2 | March 03, 08:10 CET
I'd love to see Spike again. I really miss him. In fact, I think I miss him more than any of the other Jossverse characters. I don't much care when or how it happens (this alleged movie), so long as Spike is played by James Marsters and written by Joss Whedon (or, possibly, Jane Espenson.)
If it doesn't happen.. well, I'll just have to fanfic my fandom away. Forever. For the rest of my life. Until I die. (Note to Whedon: I am tripping the guilt. Can you tell?)
I wonder how much I'd have to pay JM to come to my house and just stalk around my living room in the coat, swearing in an English accent? He wouldn't have to do it for long.. just until the batteries ran out. (In my CAMCORDER, you pervert.)
Bad Kitty | March 03, 08:22 CET
SMG never fails to give me a moving and flawless performance.
If Joss wants a show on the networks, he'll do it. Getting a show on the network is one thing, keeping it on is another.
Harmalicious | March 03, 08:36 CET
ROTFLMAO! Oh that's priceless. Loved that!
Personally I wish I had gazillions of dollars and a time machine, so I could hire James Marsters to go back in time, beat the ever lovin' crap out of Keanu Reeves, and take his place in the movie Constantine! Then I'd offer Amber Benson gazillions of dollars to wear a corset and float over my bed.
ZachsMind | March 03, 08:48 CET
However, it is worth us statesiders bearing in mind that "fanny" in the UK and Australia is pretty much analogous to a certain 4-letter C word, so it is a bit disconcerting for Brits and Aussies to hear the term thrown about with such abandon. 'Course, our Brit and Aussie members need to bear in mind that it is a perfectly normal everyday word for the Americanos, and that taking offense is a little bit OTT.
So that's all clear then.
(Added) Ah, ZM, I think I see what you're saying with the acting/performing thing. I don't think I have the vocabulary, or perhaps the perception, necessary to really tease out the difference between the two. For me, I guess it just comes down to how an actor makes me *feel.* On that score, I rate SMG as highly as ASH or JM. But you may well be right about internal v. external acting chops . . .
SoddingNancyTribe | March 03, 08:53 CET
Harmalicious | March 03, 09:08 CET
Sorry guys. It just means tooshie over here. Didn't mean to start an international conflict. : P
Rogue Slayer | March 03, 09:13 CET
Rogue Slayer - I think it was more me than you - apologies all around!
*slinks off to the corner to lick wounds*
catalyst2 | March 03, 09:15 CET
eddy | March 03, 09:59 CET
To me most actors fall in two basic categories (Just talking about GOOD ones btw. Bad actors are just a category apart):
1- The ones that can convincingly act the *emotion* of the character in the story.
2- The ones that can do that, but can also convincingly be a completely different type of person.
Now most decent to good actors fall into the first category. The latter is the rarest. It takes acting down to the smallest details of your body language and voice. Take Sean Connery. I enjoy seeing him in movies, but he's more about charisma than acting. He can do emotions when pressed, but he's always pretty much the same type of person to me. Same goes for a George Clooney, Bruce Willis, etc.
(And again, these are all actors I like. Not dissing anyone)
Then there's guys who *can* do it, like Brando, Pacino or DeNiro, Olivier, but who are so charismatic and become so big, that they don't always have to. They get away with being on autopilot. All of these guys have made stinkers where they just phoned it in. (And were sometimes still great fun to watch) But they can do it. Compare Brando's Streetcar to his Godfather to his Last Tango. Or Pacino's Dog Day, Godfather and Scent of a Woman. (And please ignore Missouri Breaks, Island of Dr Moreau, Simone and the Recruit.....really.) Jack Nicholson can do it (look at Hoffa) but hardly EVER does because he's fun enough for most movies as just good 'ole Jack. (Hey, I'd do it)
Others that can do it are Kevin Spacey, Ed Norton, Meryl Streep, Tony Hopkins, Kathy Bates...With the Buffy actors I have to say I don't really know yet because with most of them I've never seen them do anything else. I have to give it to James, who's had to act very different personalities just in the show, and seeing him in real life, as well as in Chance, I'd have to say he might be a contenda there (pun intended). Tony Head, yeah quite possibly. He is excellent with the use of body language. Alexis, maybe... David, don't think so...
With SMG, I don't know. She sure can act the emotion (and specializes in heartbreak and sadness which must've been really helpful in this particular show...) but from what I've seen of her in other things, she usually appears as to me the same old Sarah in many ways of 'type'. The Grudge wasn't a good way to tell because there wasn't much to do for her but be worried and scared, but...I don't know.
Hard to say because most of these guys don't get the opportunity and even then they often are just typecast.
EdDantes | March 03, 10:09 CET
SoddingNancyTribe | March 03, 10:21 CET
On the SMG acting debate, I have to agree with SNT, the difference in SMG as the Buffybot and Faith-in-Buffy was a sign of the 2nd of Ed's catagories. I thought she mimicked Eliza perfectly, which is maybe not quite the same as out and out acting as different charcaters, but throw in Cruel Intentions and Harvard Man and I'm convinced.
Paul_Rocks | March 03, 16:30 CET
Again, like Paul_Rocks, words don't offend me in the least but i like to at least try consider other peoples feelings on the matter. I don't think i swear a great deal but when neccessary i am known to use whatever bad language seems appropriate for the given situation. There are times when you REALLY need to swear, let's be honest. Having said that, personally i don't see the need to swear on a posting board. To me it's acceptable in the heat of the moment or between friends who share your "language limitations" but there is little or no need when you are typing something on to a computer screen that anyone of any age has access to.
There again, the word "fanny" is hardly the most offensive word in the world so i don't see that it was ever such a big deal, but again, that is just about individual opinions on swearing i guess.
WhedonTrivia | March 03, 17:23 CET
Firefly Flanatic | March 03, 17:55 CET
I agree that Sarah is a fantastic actress. Okay, maybe not the best the world has ever seen yet but she is still young, give her time! ;)
WhedonTrivia | March 03, 18:12 CET
Ok I guess everyone wanted to pick up Joss's show. They just forgot to call. And UPN wouldn't want a show with 2 years left. No way.
Joss Whedon said he thought about his next series and couldn't think of an idea. I don't remember reading anyone volunteered to pick it up though.
charisma | March 05, 20:06 CET
However, at the time Buffy was coming to an end, UPN did give Joss the opportunity to create a new show for them, at the time it was to be a Faith spinoff. As you no doubt know though Eliza turned down the opportunity for Tru Calling. Since that time Joss has indeed said that he has not come up with a decent idea for a new show. That being the case it is hardly surprising that no network has offered to pick it up, there is nothing to pick up yet.
Technopagan | March 05, 20:54 CET