Monday, 8 October 2018
The latest Walking Dead victim speaks out about death
Gregory’s equally cunning and cowardly ways to come to an end on Sunday’s season 9 premiere of The Walking Dead. Upset over being replaced by Maggie as leader of the Hilltop, Gregory sought his revenge in the grief of an alcoholic father who had just buried his son. Gregory manipulated Earl into attacking Maggie, and when Earl was foiled, Gregory attempted to finish the job on his own. He too failed, and the retaliation was swift and severe as Maggie hung him for his crimes.
While the man who played Gregory, Xander Berkeley, was happy to see Gregory go out in a similar fashion to his comic book counterpart, he also feels his exit was rushed and should have played out over a longer stretch of time — which he reveals was the initial plan. Read on as Berkeley discusses Gregory’s untimely demise and his feelings about why the character deserved more. (Also make sure to read our season premiere Q&As with showrunner Angela Kang and director Greg Nicotero.)
I’ve always been very philosophical because I’ve made my living dying. There’ll always be another job and there will always be a time in which you got to go, whether it’s with the show or prior to the show’s going in order to keep the show viable and vital. There’s only so long a douchebag like Gregory can stay alive, so I wasn’t shocked to find out, even though it was very much at the last minute and I had been a little bit set up to expect a very different journey. That was when [former showrunner] Scott Gimple was guiding it.
Last year, this assistant had given me ideas of where it was going to go and then he switched over to Fear the Walking Dead, and Angela [Kang] came in and she had her whole set of ideas — which is part of what Scott does and any good show writer will do when handing the reins over to the new showrunner is, let them run with it and go with their ideas. I know there was a certain amount of up-in-the-airiness about Lauren [Cohan], and then we all know about Andrew [Lincoln]. All that shuffling must be involved in the balancing out of storyline so, yeah, it was very last-minute for me, but I have no hard feelings about it.
That’s interesting to hear that there was originally a different plan for Gregory than what we saw, or at least a different timeline.
Well, what I had been led to believe at one point — not through Scott directly, but through an assistant — when I was stuck in that damn pen. I had so much fun on the show. I mean they gave me such great stuff right off the bat, and it was just so much fun no matter how unctuous or devious the character was. But the stuff in the pen last year in season 8, it got a little purged for me. It was just a long way to be away way from home at my stage of the game and to be away from the children.
That was the first time on the show that I was in conflict because I was like, “Kill me out.” You know, “Give me something exciting. Kill me out so I can get home to my children and/or other more interesting projects.” I’ve always got more interesting things to be doing than sitting around in a prison pen saying the same lines that I said more or less five times before. I’m like, “I don’t deserve this.” You know, how many times can you do that? And then they did come up with some cool stuff in getting out, and then when he gets hauled back in and the bumping of the head — I loved that episode. But I told Scott’s assistant, “I’m languishing a little long in the pen,” and he said, “We’ve brought Gregory down here, and the intent of course is to bring him back up into power before the inevitable demise”.
As for his actual demise, I had always hoped they were going to follow through with the hanging, because I’ve never been hung before and that would be good with all the death reels. I’ve got three falls from 30 floors. I’ve got three explosions in planes. I’ve got at least 15 stabbings and 25 gunshots. I needed a hanging. So I was counting on them following through on the comic book’s inevitable swinging from the tree at one time or another, but I just wasn’t sure it was gonna happen.
It felt a little bit jammed into an also-ran for a season premiere, but eh, it’s just me. It’s a bit mustache-twirly when I turned on her. They did as much as they could, but I think they just had so many stories that they were trying to juggle. Angela is a good writer and I think she knows what she’s doing, so I don’t really question it. I can’t imagine having her job with all those characters and then all the actors that go behind them.
What do you think it is that drives Gregory to this heinous act? Is it just his lust for power or is it revenge on the woman who took it away? A little bit of both? Something else? What is the ultimate thing that drives him to this?
Well, that’s the thing. I’m my mind, it did happen so abruptly and suddenly. I had hoped to see it played out a little bit. It felt like it was jammed into the first episode. If for the sake of the show to effectively begin the season off with a bang, then great! I’m happy if I could jump-start the season in that way, but… I would have really liked to have seen a little more depth go into it because, especially if you’ve waited a couple of years, where you’ve seen him humble himself and he’s gotten back. He’s gotten himself out of the pen. He’s gotten himself to become a member of the community enough to where he’s gotten the trust of his old compatriots back, and he’s humbled and working among them and he’s able to speak at the funeral — I would have liked to see that played out a little bit more.
I love that scene with Lauren where Gregory confronts Maggie outside. I love that scene, but then to send someone else into the fray… I would have liked to have been able to cover his tracks a little better and not just go straight away into pulling a knife on her. Because I felt like they needed me to actually try to stick a knife in her in order to justify her hanging me. So from a selfish point of view, I would have liked to have seen that played out in a little bit more elegant and interesting way, but if it works for the show, then that’s it.
Tell me about filming the execution scene. What was that like?
That was intense. It went on all night, and they shot if from every possible angle. That was my last day. I’ll tell you a little secret: They always save the killing of a character for the last scene, and in my experience because it’s usually dangerous, if they’re going to actually kill you they want to save it for the last day. [Laughs] They did ask me if I was willing to be blindfolded and have my hands tied behind my back on the horse, which was a little bit unruly, with a noose around my neck, but I thought at this point it’s the law of diminishing returns and I’ll get the stunt man to do that bit. That guy said, “Dude, I think you made the right call. That thing freaked me out!”
I wanted to get three or four different really strong choices to the editor and the director to have to play with and the context of the episode as they were editing it — to see what would play the best and in terms of the overall arc of the character. I wanted one for just to kind of break your heart a little bit, and one to just go, “Oh, you f—ing sniveling piece of s—, shut the f— up and die!” What I did in that last take was just beyond bizarre and disturbing because I didn’t have to stay straight with the script. I’ve done a whole lot of deaths — maybe 75 death scenes in my life. I usually try to air on the side of discretion, but I went for it, and because of being in the noose and everything I figured I could really go for it because it was so visceral.
For more Walking Dead scoop, follow Dalton on Twitter @DaltonRoss.
- Goodbye, Andy! Walking Dead actors past and present write tributes to Andrew Lincoln
- Here’s what happened on Andrew Lincoln’s last day on The Walking Dead
from Myspace - Editorial https://ift.tt/2OPS71s
Friday, 5 October 2018
Crazy Rich Asians' Constance Wu returns to Fresh Off the Boat after movie success
getting right back to work on Fresh Off the Boat.
“The scheduling has been challenging, to say the least, but the experience of going back, other than the scheduling, has been just great,” Wu tells EW of shooting her ABC family sitcom while doing press for her hit film.
“It’s kind of nice to have the stability and the family-like atmosphere of our show. Everyone there, we’ve known each other for over four years, most of the crew and all of the cast, so it’s very familiar,” Wu says of the comfort of returning to the Fresh Off the Boat for season 5, which premieres tonight at 8 p.m. ET. “We’ve done four seasons, so there’s not that much pressure. And when you don’t have pressure, you can be free and experiment with the characters and play around.”
In season 5 of the comedy, Wu‘s character, mom-of-three Jessica, is getting her own taste of the spotlight as her crime thriller, A Case of a Knife to the Brain, is published.
“You’re going to see her deal with the realities of publishing and putting her work out there, and what it means to her and how it will affect her whole family,” says Wu.
Plus, NBA superstar Scottie Pippen guest-stars as himself, Jessica and Louis’ (Randall Park) eldest son, Eddie (Hudson Yang), is learning to drive, and neighbors Honey (Chelsey Crisp) and Marvin (Ray Wise) bring home their baby.
“It’s interesting to see the different parenting styles,” says Wu, who adds that, of course, “Jessica has her opinions.”
As for the much-discussed Crazy Rich Asians sequel, which has been put into development by Warner Bros., Wu is waiting until the project has been officially greenlit to let herself get too excited.
“I’m just enormously grateful. But, I mean, I feel like we’re jumping the shark a little bit because it hasn’t been greenlit,” she says. “They’ve just been given the go-ahead to start writing it, and of course studios always have notes and want it to go a certain way, so I’m trying not to put the cart before the horse and [instead] be like, ‘Oh great, this gesture shows that they have interest and appreciate the work that we have done and are doing.’ And that is a win, but we don’t really know what’s going to happen.”
- Crazy Rich Asians: All the differences between the book and the movie
- Fresh Off the Boat adds Jimmy O. Yang, Ming-Na Wen for guest star roles
from Myspace - Editorial https://ift.tt/2NmYQex
Versailles stars Alexander Vlahos, Evan Williams on season 3 and saying goodbye to MonChevy
Without the foppish wigs and the frippery of their coats and high-heeled shoes, Alexander Vlahos and Evan Williams seem quite far — centuries, in fact — from the men of King Louis XIV’s court whom they bring to life on Ovation’s Versailles.
But there’s one key thing they share with Philippe (Vlahos) and Chevalier (Williams), the fan-favorite couple viewers have dubbed MonChevy: As intensely as Philippe and Chevalier love each other, so too do Williams and Vlahos share a deep bond of friendship, forged over four years of working together and frequently baring it all, both emotionally and physically.
“We would pull each other above water,” Vlahos tells EW. “We kept each other afloat, both of us holding each other up and going, ‘We’re doing this.’”
Williams adds, “We just lucked out with chemistry with each other from the beginning.” Indeed, the pair’s very first rehearsal involved a kissing scene, and things got more intimate from there.
Now having wrapped their third and final season, Williams and Vlahos are taking a victory-lap press tour before Versailles returns stateside Saturday on Ovation. Their bond is evident as they look to each other for assurance and jovially interrupt one another.
Fans should lap up the warmth and playfulness while they can because, as Vlahos teases, season 3 leaves “the relationship of the Chevalier by the wayside.” Williams adds, “We get to examine what happens when two men have wildly different experiences and then come back expecting it to be the same, and what do we do when it’s not the same relationship that has been the whole arc of the show.”
For Vlahos, that meant a chance to play Sherlock Holmes, as Philippe becomes obsessed with uncovering the identity of the Man in the Iron Mask alongside Fabien Marchel (Tygh Runyan). “Tygh would say it’s Sherlock and Batman,” Vlahos jokes. He also says the time away from Chevalier came as something as a relief after plumbing the emotional depths of that relationship in season 2. “We gave everything to that relationship, and I was fearful that me and Evan couldn’t do that again in season 3.”
Chevalier, meanwhile, will be trying (and failing) to land a wealthy widow, while also struggling to make sense of his identity without Philippe. “He’s a manipulator, and he’s always played Philippe like a fiddle.… When he’s a fish out of water trying to do tricks on a woman where none of his tricks will work, we get to see him flounder in a whole new way,” Williams teases. “He’s a very broken person, and he’s just looking for a place where he belongs. Over the course of season 3, we see him find his feet and truly find what his true identity is, which will give him a platform to really love Philippe the way that he deserves.”
So does that mean he will eventually be reunited with Philippe? Both Vlahos and Williams promise that fans will find closure. “It was cool to know we were going to be wrapping it up with a bow,” hints Williams, adding, “We know we’re playing real guys, and we know they stayed together in their lives for over 70 years. We know it’s true love.”
That closure also gave Vlahos and Williams a chance to delve even deeper into their characters, bridging historical fact and their own performances. “In season 3, we go deeper into the layers than we ever have before,” Williams says. “The character that is created is equal parts the historical person and the thing that’s come from inside me.” It’s for this reason that Vlahos says he didn’t do too much digging into the historical legend of the Man in the Iron Mask: “We’re not making a documentary; we’re making a drama, and there are moments where we are free and liberated and there is flexibility within that.”
While wrapping Versailles was bittersweet for Vlahos and Williams — bidding adieu to the family the cast and crew built together — they took home more than memories. Vlahos reveals that he kept Philippe’s shoes, which famously cost his character 50,000 French livres. “The memory of those shoes was the first script I ever read,” he says. “They now hold a pride of place as a doorstop in my house.” Williams also kept a wardrobe item, one of Chevalier’s beautiful coats, though he wishes he could have kept his wig: “As soon as I put that wig on, the character just jumped out, and it happened more and more strongly over the course of the three years.”
Another thing they won’t let go of is the impact their onscreen relationship has had on viewers around the world, foregrounding an LGBTQ couple as a central love story in a historical drama. Both actors say they regularly receive messages from fans about how their relationship helped them find love or make strides in accepting their own identity. Vlahos’ character, for example, helped a young trans man in England come to terms with his femininity, and he even met Vlahos and thanked him in person.
Vlahos notes that the writers never explicitly used the word “gay,” choosing instead to normalize their characters’ relationship as a matter-of-fact couple at the court. Williams adds that he thinks the MonChevy pairing has spoken to people because the distance of time and space can be helpful. “It was this beautiful aesthetic in this sort of fantasy realm, even though it was historically accurate,” he says. “[We had] the opportunity to exist just as two men in love, so we really got to start from a heart place, and we didn’t have to worry about stereotype and expectation. That gave us the freedom to tell the story the way we did and give it the weight we feel we did.”
It’s a weight that has made an impact, one reflected in a nearly daily outpouring of love and inspiring stories. “People have found MonChevy as their way into the show — and maybe they didn’t expect to and they came with a lot of prejudice and their minds got changed,” Vlahos says. “That transcends ratings and success. That’s bigger than anything we could ever set out to accomplish when we started.”
- See how The Crown’s recast royal family compares to its predecessors
- Aidan Turner is shirtless and dripping wet in exclusive Poldark teaser
from Myspace - Editorial https://ift.tt/2Nq7oBj
Jay Z’s Roc Nation to produce TV adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s ‘Noughts and Crosses’
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation will produce an anticipated TV production of Malorie Blackman’s acclaimed novel Noughts & Crosses.
The YA book has remained consistently popular since its release in 2001 and tells the story of a world tipped on its head, where white people suffer widespread prejudice at the hands of a black ruling class.
It’s now been confirmed that Roc Nation will join Participant Media in executive producing the series. They’ll also handle the soundtrack for the anticipated adaptation.
Although specific details of the show are yet to emerge, it’s expected to follow the story of young friends Sephy and Callum, who are divided by their color. Sephy is a “Cross,” a prominent member of the black ruling class and the daughter of a powerful politician.
Jay-Z at the GrammysCallum, meanwhile, is a Nought and a member of the oppressed white class.
Describing the forthcoming BBC series, Participant Media’s Jonathan King told Variety: “When we saw ‘Noughts & Crosses,’ we were captivated immediately. Music and popular culture are huge parts of the fabric of the show, and we couldn’t be more excited that Roc Nation is joining the team.”
Roc Nation’s Patrick Reardon said: ““We are thrilled to partner with Mammoth Screen and Participant Media on this series, which explores issues of race and discrimination through such a provocative and unexpected lens”.
A release date is yet to be revealed.
Meanwhile, it was recently revealed that Malorie Blackman will become Doctor Who’s first black screenwriter, penning episodes for the 11th season which starts this Sunday.
The post Jay Z’s Roc Nation to produce TV adaptation of Malorie Blackman’s ‘Noughts and Crosses’ appeared first on NME.
from Myspace - Editorial https://ift.tt/2Oyf4X9
Nicki Minaj Takes Aim at Cardi B with a Merch Line Inspired by Their Infamous Fight
Nearly a month after the rappers got into a physical altercation at the Harper’s Bazaar ICONS party that left Cardi, 25, bruised — Nicki has released a collection of merchandise that poked fun at their ongoing feud.
On Thursday, the “Chun-Li” rapper, 35, shared a product image of a pink backpack with the phrase “Nicki Stopped My Bag” written across it.
The expression comes from Cardi herself. Following their fight, the “Bodak Yellow” rapper hopped on Instagram (after being escorted out of the event) to explain her reason for the clash. “I’ve let a lot of s— slide! I let you sneak diss me, I let you lie on me, I let you attempt to stop my bags, f— the way I eat!” Cardi wrote.
Cardi then went on to explain that Nicki allegedly attacked her parenting skills, which is what ultimately pushed her over the edge.
View this post on Instagram
“But when you mention my child, you choose to like comments about me as a mother, make comments about my abilities to take care of my daughter is when all bets are f—– off!!” Cardi added.
Nicki addressed the fight a few days later during an episode of her Queen radio show on Apple Music’s Beats 1.
“I was in a Gaultier gown— off the motherf—— runway— and I could not believe how humiliated we all felt,” Nicki explained before denying that she ever spoke about Cardi’s 2-month-old daughter Kulture Kiari with husband Offset.
“I just want people to know that Onika Tanya Maraj has never, will never… speak ill on anyone’s child. I am not a clown. That’s clown s—.”
“You knew that when that footage came out, you were about to look dumb,” Nicki continued. “So your team, they hurry up and put out a statement. I didn’t stop anyone’s bags. She had to say that because she has built her career of sympathy and payola,” Nicki added, referring to the practice of paying radio stations to play a song.”
In addition to the backpack, Nicki is also selling t-shirts and jackets.
The merch reveal comes just a few days after Cardi was photographed hanging out with Nicki’s ex-boyfriend rapper Meek Mill.
The entertainers posed for photos together at the Billboard 2018 R&B Hip Hop Power Players event in New York City on Sept. 27.
Adding fuel to the fire, sources told TMZ that Meek Mill, 31, and Cardi recently teamed up to record a song together. However, the release date or whether or not it’s a diss track directed at Nicki remains unknown.
from Myspace - Editorial https://ift.tt/2y6o6Rz
Peaky Blinders season 5
As usual, Cillian Murphy’s gangster-turned-politician Tommy Shelby is not horsing around on Peaky Blinders — except in a first look image released to accompany the announcement that filming is underway on season 5 of the historical crime drama, which screens on Netflix.
Written by Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight, the new season finds the world thrown into turmoil by the financial crash of 1929. Opportunity and misfortune are everywhere. When Shelby is approached by a charismatic politician with a bold vision for Britain, he realizes that his response will affect not just his family’s future but that of the entire nation.
The season 5 cast also includes Helen McCrory, Paul Anderson, Finn Cole, Kate Phillips, Natasha O’Keefe, Aidan Gillen, Jack Rowan, Charlie Murphy, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Harry Kirton, Packy Lee, Ned Dennehy, Ian Peck, and Benjamin Zephaniah.
“The story of the Peaky Blinders and of the Shelby family gets woven into the political fabric of Britain and Europe as the 1920’s end and the thirties begin,” Knight says. “Tommy Shelby faces the darkest force he has ever faced and his struggle is as relevant today as it was then.”
from Myspace - Editorial https://ift.tt/2Ruhrc0
Thursday, 4 October 2018
Justin Timberlake, Jessica Biel Visit LeBron James's New School and the Kids Were 'Ecstatic!'
Justin Timberlake may be a renowned dancer, but he has a thing or two to learn from the students at the I Promise School.
The pop star, 37, and his wife, actress Jessica Biel, 36, stopped by the public institution founded by LeBron James during the Cleveland leg of Timberlake’s “Man of the Woods” tour. Representatives of school in the athlete’s hometown of Akron, Ohio, tweeted out pictures of the happy couple playing with the students, watching a dance performance and offering lots of hugs, handshakes and high fives.
RELATED: Jessica Biel Flirts with Husband Justin Timberlake on Instagram — See Her Saucy Comment
When @jtimberlake & @jessicabiel show up to @kingjames’ #IPROMISE school to surprise his kids…we show them ALL the moves! ???? #WeAreFamily #IPROMISE pic.twitter.com/63J4bSMqQm
— I PROMISE School (@IPROMISESchool) October 3, 2018
For the occasion, the “Cry Me a River” singer wore a grey knit cap and red and white striped collared shirt, while Biel sported a white sweatshirt, black jeans and sneakers.
James, 33, was quick to thank his friends for their visit. He even called Timberlake his “brother.”
RELATED: LeBron James, Lakers, Play Eminem on ‘White Boy’ Wednesdays: ‘It’s Like Taco Tuesday!’
“I SINCERELY Thank and Appreciate my brother @justintimberlake and his beautiful wife @jessicabiel on visiting my kids @ipromiseschool!!” the NBA star wrote on Instagram. “I bet they were so ecstatic to see you guys!! Well I bet the teachers and faculty was too! Ha! Looked like a great time. Means a lot to me for you guys to take time out of y’all busy schedule and I know it meant a lot to my kids too! THANK YOU GUYS AGAIN SO MUCH!!!! 🙌🏾🙏🏾?? #JustKidsFromAkron👑#WeAreFamily”
View this post on Instagram
On Twitter, he added, “Thank you so much!! My kids was ecstatic!!”
???????? to @jtimberlake @JessicaBiel!! Thank you so much!! My kids was ecstatic!! ???????????????? https://t.co/XQwA5T5Dis
— LeBron James (@KingJames) October 3, 2018
The I Promise School, established through the LeBron James Family Foundation as part of the Akron public school system, welcomed its inaugural class of 240 students in grades three and four on July 30, 2018. It will grow to serve grades one through eight in the next four years.
According to ESPN, James has poured millions of dollars into the school — which took nearly 10 years to create.
RELATED: LeBron James on His Enduring Relationship with His Wife: ‘She Was There with Me’ Before Anything
The I Promise School was built to serve at-risk children, but also offers their parents an opportunity to finish high school, and even further promises free tuition to the University of Akron upon graduation, ESPN said.
RELATED: Justin Timberlake Reveals He Weighs in on Jessica Biel’s Footwear Purchases: ‘I Love Women’s Shoes’
In addition, attendees will receive free breakfast, lunch and snacks, as well as a free bike, reported TIME. Students will also have access to a fitness trainer.
from Myspace - Editorial https://ift.tt/2zSyVrU
The Big Bang Theory's Kaley Cuoco Will Play DC Comics Villain Harley Quinn!
Cuoco will lend her voice to DC and Warner Bros. villain Harley Quinn in an upcoming adult animated series — appropriately titled Harley Quinn.
The actress announced the news Wednesday during the Titans world premiere event at New York Comic-Con. Along with voicing the titular character, Cuoco will serve as an executive producer on the show.
Harley Quinn appears as the Joker’s girlfriend in the Batman universe. And while she and the criminal clown are the perfect evil pair, she often breaks away from her man to wreak havoc of her own.
“I’ve always loved animation. I did it years ago, and I haven’t been in the animation world in a while,” Cuoco told Entertainment Weekly. “[Harley Quinn] is so edgy, it’s obviously a very adult comedy, and with such a world-renowned character, it’s been a blast to record.”
RELATED VIDEO: Johnny Galecki Says ‘Everybody’s Very Comfortable’ with The Big Bang Theory Ending in Season 12
According to Cuoco, the series begins with Quinn breaking up with the Joker after he betrays her.
“She just doesn’t want to be Joker’s girlfriend anymore,” Cuoco said. “She wants to lead the pack, which I find very appropriate for this kind of day and age and vibe that we’re in.”
Cuoco joins the already star-studded cast, which includes Lake Bell, Ron Funches, Jason Alexander, Wanda Sykes, Natalie Morales and Tony Hale.
Harley Quinn is expected debut in 2019.
from Myspace - Editorial https://ift.tt/2y9XePG
Daredevil struggles to save himself in first season 3 trailer
In the first trailer for season 3 of Daredevil, Charlie Cox’s titular vigilante — a.k.a. Matt Murdock when he’s not suited up — struggles to move on after nearly dying at the end of The Defenders. His abilities aren’t up to par, he’s unsure of what to do next, and he’s presumed dead by those closest to him, including Foggy (Elden Henson) and Karen (Deborah Ann Woll).
Of course, crime doesn’t wait for the Man Without Fear to mend — and from the look of it, with Wilson Fisk (Vincent D’Onofrio) back in the ring after a season away, Daredevil will have more to face than just his own demons. As new showrunner Erik Oleson told EW in August, “Matt starts the season broken physically, broken emotionally, and broken spiritually.” How long will it take for him to heal?
- Gossip Girl alum joins Daredevil season 3 as Sister Maggie
- Daredevil returns in season 3 teaser at the end of Iron Fist
from Myspace - Editorial https://ift.tt/2ydfZ56
Norman Reedus says 'big deaths' are coming on The Walking Dead
says Norman Reedus about the upcoming season 9 of The Walking Dead. And he’s not alone. While there is a definite sadness among the cast and crew over the departure of series star Andrew Lincoln, they also can’t contain their excitement about what is about to unspool on screen, an arc that even has the exiting Lincoln excited. We spoke to Reedus to get the scoop on all the big changes both in front of and behind the camera, and to find out what’s in store for Daryl in season 9, which kicks off Oct. 7 on AMC.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: This is the first time you all have entered a season with such a hard end to a story before and picking things up in such an abruptly different fashion. What did that feel like?
NORMAN REEDUS: It’s exciting for us. I mean, we’ve been there a little while, so it’s exciting to have this new, fresh take on things. In some ways, it defines the future more. There are a lot of times when we only knew what was happening episode-to-episode, so we’d hear rumors on set where we’re headed and so forth. But to have a defined horizon view kind of helps us to make our characters and the storylines more defined. There’s no patchwork trying to connect the dots when we can see the next dot in the future.
It kind of helps us, to be honest. It’s been exciting for us to tell different types of stories and merge the characters into different directions, whether it be allies or enemies. So, it’s been very beneficial to us, but also very helpful and a lot of fun. It keeps it exciting on this end, so I’m sure it keeps it exciting on both ends, you know?
What’s the show feel like tonally in season 9?
It feels very much like a western this year, the best parts of a western. In a good western, you’ll see Clint Eastwood have to deal with something and then you see everything rest on Clint Eastwood’s face. You get involved with the character on that western like you can get involved off of the characters on this show. We have that heavy impact weight upon us right now. There are some big deaths and some big things happening, and some super big things on the horizon as well, so it feels very much like the best parts of a western to me. I’ve always wanted this show to go in that direction, and it’s definitely headed in that direction right now. And it’s heavy. There’s a very heavy weight in the air while we’re filming. With the announcement of the Whisperers in the future there’s a lot of weight on our shoulders, and you feel it.
You mentioned The Whisperers, and those of us that read the comics know about Alpha and that group. What’s that been like?
It’s big. Given the certain thing that happens in the comics where we don’t get hit with one thing, we get hit with multiple things at once. And everybody knows that’s coming, and everybody can feel that coming. And that actress [Samantha Morton, playing Alpha] is such a good actress, and we’re so excited to have her on the show. And I can’t wait to do scenes with her, but she’s bringing a heavy army behind her. We’re excited to work with her. It’s a lot to live up to, and everyone’s excited for the challenge. So the stories this year are great, the scripts this year are better than they’ve ever been. And we’re excited to see it through, and we’re having a good time doing it.
This is gonna be one of our best seasons of all-time, without a doubt. I mean Andy said the same thing, he’s like, “This season feels like season 1 right now.” And I understand the reasons that he left, and it makes complete sense to me, but this is the show he liked being a part of, the one we’re shooting right now. So it’s exciting.
So clearly Daryl wasn’t too thrilled at the end of last season about the decision to keep Negan alive. How is he feeling about that decision when we pick things up after the time jump?
So many things happen right off the bat. There are so many things to deal with. That happens, and then another thing happens immediately after it, and then another thing happens immediately after that. He’s dealing with a whole bunch of stuff right now, and I’m loving where my character’s going this year. He’s been given a lot to do this season, and I like the challenge, and I’m up for it. But as far as Daryl, he’s family first always with that guy. And he’ll do anything and everything it takes. He’s been given a lot to do. His battles are being thrown at him left and right in all directions. So it’s not just where we left off last year, there are a dozen more things that are happening that he’s having to deal with all at once. So you’re gonna see many faces of Daryl for sure.
How is he feeling about the Saviors?
He’s definitely not welcomed there. And to be honest, he doesn’t even give a s—. He’s got other fish to fry.
How’s his relationship with Rick? Rick made that decision that Daryl wasn’t on board with, so how are those two getting along?
They go through so much this season. I love the episodes where those two characters go at it. Because they don’t just go at it with their fists, they really get real with each other. And it’s the first time we’ve seen those characters really talk it out, you know? Fight it out we’ve seen, and you’re gonna see some more fighting it out. But those two characters mean so much to each other, and they really are brothers. I know everybody knows that. But there becomes a real heart-to-heart couple moments this season that I just love those episodes. They’re great.
Scott Gimple is still around, but Angela Kang is the new showrunner. Have you noticed any differences just in terms of your day-to-day work environment there?
As far as keeping things close to the chest with us actors on the show, and as far as scripts and things like that, we still have that to a certain degree. But then there’s also a lot of freedom with explaining what’s happening on the show, not just to us, but to the media, to the press. There’s sort of an open dialogue this year, I’ve noticed. And it’s not anything I’ve spoken with anyone about, but I just kind of noticed as a fan. I noticed on Talking Dead there were a lot of story points being talked about on the show, which is something we didn’t really do before. There used to a lot of questions asked, and then, “Well, you’ll just have to tune in and see.” Now I know they talked about Ezekiel and Carol having a relationship, and a time jump, and certain things like that. So I think the set demeanor is a little less heavy, and it’s a little more directed towards fun.
Make sure to read our collection of cast tributes to Andrew Lincoln, and for more Walking Dead intel, follow Dalton on Twitter @DaltonRoss.
from Myspace - Editorial https://ift.tt/2xYOuN0
Wednesday, 3 October 2018
Sylvester Stallone Reveals Rambo's Shocking & Surprising New Look for the Film's 5th Installment
Sylvester Stallone shared the first images of his iconic character of Rambo on Instagram Tuesday in which he surprised fans with his latest look.
The 72-year-old actor shared the photo of himself and excitedly told fans filming for the fifth film in the franchise began on Tuesday.
“Tonight we start filming…!” he wrote in the first post.
Wearing a gray plaid shirt, a cowboy hat, tan gloves and chaps, fans of the film can clearly expect Rambo to be living in a very different world these days.
View this post on Instagram
In a second post, the actor sat on a horse on set wearing a black cloak and a black brimmed hat that covered half of his face.
“… Comes a Horseman Wild and Free. @rambomovie #rambo5,” Stallone wrote in the caption.
RELATED: Sylvester Stallone Is Alive and ‘Still Punching’ Despite Death Hoax
The actor has been sharing frequent Instagram videos of himself getting into shape for the role. In late September, he shared a video in which he did curl-ups while throwing a ball at a target.
View this post on Instagram
“Leaving to start Rambo in about five days!! Even though I hate it, all Serious and balanced strength starts with the abs…Fire in the gut! @rambomovie @slystalloneshop@bradsiskind @gunnarfitness,” he wrote.
Stallone first portrayed John Rambo, a troubled Vietnam War veteran, in the 1982 film First Blood. He reprised his role in 1985’s Rambo: First Blood Part II, 1988’s Rambo III and 2008’s Rambo.
The actor is also showing off his strength in Creed 2, which he began filming in April and is scheduled for a Nov. 21 release.
View this post on Instagram
RELATED: Watch Sylvester Stallone Take You Backstage on Set of Creed 2: ‘Keep Punching’
He isn’t the first actor reprise an iconic role. Former California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is coming back as the Terminator in the sixth film of the franchise.
Schwarzenegger, 71, recently shared a photograph of himself and Linda Hamilton — who played Sarah Connor in the first two films — last month in which he wished her a happy birthday.
“Happy birthday to my dear friend Linda Hamilton,” the actor captioned the side-by-side shots. “One of my favorite co-stars, a true badass, and a wonderful human being. I’m pumped to be back together again.”
from Myspace - Editorial https://ift.tt/2O0BBMx