PARAMOUNT
SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW

Bai Ling & Jude Law captain the skies

A precedent achievement in filmmaking, Sky Captain was shot entirely in High-Def and 'green screen', and did not fall short to amaze the audience in not one but three preview clips of the film to be released this September. It boasts an impressive cast as well including Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Poltrow but on stage at Comic-Con to promote this masterful recreation of genre Sci-fi were actress Bai Ling, writer/director Kerry Conran, producer Jon Avnet, Giovanni Ribisi, producer Marsha Oglesby and in his first ever appearance at Comic-Con, Jude Law. Some of the highlights of the panel were various questions for Jon and Jude one asked what type of preparation material did Jude read for the film. "Film references, comic book references, and any other part I've played," he explained. "Taking all of those and engaging that world completely. You saw some of the older movies and influences such as Flash Gordon, Buck Rogers, plus going back and looking at Fritz Lang [director of Metropolis] movies, looking at movies like Citizen Kane and the way that was shot. Going through old comic books, comic strips, looking at relationships in movies of the 30's and 40's, films like as African Queen and really just trying to completely absorb yourself in the world that the director wants to set out for you and the world in which you are hoping to be a part of. Other than that, enjoying every day of shooting as it comes and learning your lines." Jon was asked about the original launch date for the film as it had been pushed back to not complete with Spider-man. "We didn't want to release it 1-week before Spider-man, very much so," he admitted. "We think it's a very special film and we're very happy when Paramount made what we thought was a great decision to give it a shot. September 17th, hopefully we'll have had enough time to screen it and let the film speak for itself." Also highly complimented by the audience was the quality of the score and Jon was eager to give the appropriate credit. "It's a young composer named Edward Shearmur. When Kerry cut the film he put together a temp track with the influence of the composers of the 30's, all the usual suspects Max Steiner, Bernard Herrmann and many others and then we showed that to Ed and he worked for 6 or 7 months and just gave a tremendous amount of himself. And we wanted something that was both honoring the past and also felt contemporary at the same time, so you're listening to the real thing there. It will be released on Sony Classical."

Between two of the previews Jon said, "I was always interested in seeing what robots looked like walking down Fifth Avenue." Jude was asked about the difficulty of filming without a set and having to leave everything up to the imagination and the ability of the director. "The action on this and amount of visuals that Kerry and Kevin had given us on top of which there was almost a complete animatic sort of a basic cartoon version of the film already made that we could follow. We all sort of knew and trusted the world that we were stepping into," he said, "so there were always specifics that we had to work by, and on a day to day level if was actually incredible freeing I found, working on a blue screen. I kind of enjoyed it because it took me back, in some ways, to being on a stage in the theatre working with an empty space. At the time it just felt like anything could happen. One of the most interesting processes in this film is Kerry knew exactly what he needed from us to go away and work the film, finish the film and what we hoped to do for him was also show him what we could do and how we could invent and expand certain moments and ideas. No one ever shut the other person down," complimented Jude, "he would never stop us doing stuff because he had already pre-shot it and say this was here and we couldn't do it there. We never felt hindered by that and never felt that we couldn't speak up and say let us improvise this or let me do a little more. The fight scenes between Bai Ling and I, we were rehearsing and coming up with stuff at the last minute and it was a perfect world when you get to invent and create and collaborate all the way through."

SONY
THE GRUDGE

In her first ever convention appearance Sarah Michelle Gellar with co-star Jason Behr followed a special preview of their upcoming film, The Grudge, to the most packed house of the weekend filling Hall H to capacity of 6,500+ before security closed the doors and would not allow anyone else in. The Grudge, the story of an American nurse living and working in Tokyo who is exposed to a mysterious supernatural curse, one that locks a person in a powerful rage before claiming their life and spreading to another victim. Written and directed by Takashi Shimizu, it is a remake of his original Japanese horror film, Ju-On: The Grudge. As they walked on stage to an amazing welcome Jason, being ever the gentleman pulled Sarah's chair out for her as they sat down at the dais. Sarah was the first to greet the roaring crowd, "Hey everybody. I just want to say before we start that we are really, really excited to be here. I'm actually a little nervous, but we're excited to bring you the film and so thank you so much." And adding to the sentiment Jason said, "Thank you for having us." It was very appropriate that the first question of the day was addressed to Sarah regarding why she had never attended a Comic-Con convention before.

"You know, it's an interesting question," she replied, "and I figured I'd be asked that so last night I wrote a list. I figured I would give you a sort of David Letterman style, the top 10 reasons why I've never been here:

Picture it, first season of "Buffy" I'm asked to come and then I said, 'You know what? I'm still holding out for the last of the Image guys to return to Marvel.' I mean think about it, does Todd McFarlane really have anything else to do?

Next year, totally ready to come. Two words: Phantom Zone.

Another reason was that I never had a ride before. So if anyone is going back to Los Angeles and has an extra seat for me tonight, just let me know.

Next year, I was coming and then I missed it because I was sitting at home still trying to make sense of the Spider-Man clone story.

Next year, totally ready to come. And then after Dark Knight Strikes Again, I swore I am done with comics.

Next year, I said I was going to come and then, I'm gonna wait for the next real issue of Ben Edlund's Tick comic. And I'm still waiting.

Next year I thought, you know what, I'm going to hold out for a rematch in the Peter David/Todd McFarlane debate.

I was going to come but then I thought you know what, I am already married to the world's biggest comic geek so why do I need to come to San Diego for?

And the number one reason why I've never been here: There just is not enough merchandise with my damn face on it. And there you have it."

With such a wide variety of screen roles offered to any one actor, it was asked of Sarah and Jason, what motivates them to take the roles they do. Jason reflected upon his current role, "I think to be in Japan telling the story with the group of people involved. Shimizu, who directed the original Ju-On, it was a lot of different reasons, but I think mainly because of the story, it was very original." And Sarah agreed by adding, "Also just the excitement of being part of something that's a first. I was part of a television show that was incredibly groundbreaking. And that's really hard, if not impossible to top, so being able to be part of the first Japanese film ever remade for American audiences with the original Japanese director is truly a once in a lifetime chance and we both grabbed it and we are now part of history." There is much history to Ju-On and Sarah was asked if this version of The Grudge was going to be a trilogy. "Sort of," she replied, "I don't know how many of you are familiar with the original Ju-On, but originally Shimizu made them as two straight-to-video films and they were so successful and underground he got the opportunity to make the first Ju-On. When that was incredibly successful there was a second. Unfortunately in the original none of the people made it to the second, so I'm still waiting to find out." Having filmed The Grudge on location in Japan a fan wondered how the difference in lifestyle and the environment affected them. Jason laughed, "Well, if you've seen the movie Lost in Translation, that was pretty much our lives for three months. It was a great experience for us to go out and travel around Tokyo for the time that we were there and to experience that culture. It was a really beautiful." Sarah professed that she loved it, "I sort of loved every aspect of it, both personally and professionally. It was like learning ‘Filmmaking 101'. It was everything you learned, now throw it out the window and learn new customs. A culture so seeped in tradition and history and respect."

Jason Behr

Without forgetting her "Buffy" roots, Sarah took the opportunity during a 'thank you for seven amazing years' to return the compliment, "Thank all of you for seven amazing years. It's a show that I know in my heart, and I think all of you know, wouldn't have existed without the support of the fans as well as the magazines and the Internet. I always think of it as, ‘the little show that could' and so to be here and to be able to thank everybody for all that support we made the show for that reason and thank you." Being at Comic-Con eventually leads to the question of portraying super heroes on the big screen to which Sarah replied, "I'd love to play an original superhero. Buffy, when I came into it, was an existing character and Daphne was an existing character, and in a sense my character in Ju-On: The Grudge is also an existing character. I think if I was going to be a true superhero I'd love to create one so that all of the comics and the videogames that came after were based on an original concept that I got to shape and create versus somebody else's. Much less expectations that way." Although Jason deferred to the classic, "I think if I could be any superhero it'd probably be my Mom. But I don't think I'd look too good in high heels," he joked, "so it's not going to happen." Getting introspective, Sarah was asked if she ever turned to any of the characters she's played to solve any of your problems in everyday life. She was quick to joke, "You know they're not real right?" After the laughter died down she offered a more serious answer, "I'm sorry, you know what, the answer to that is, 'Yes.' Specifically for me, Buffy was an inspiration, to play teen years and early twenties it's so hard, and especially being a female. One of the things that I loved about Buffy was that she was okay with who she was and to me that's the most important lesson you can ever learn. Is that it's okay if you're not the smartest or the brightest or the most talented or the prettiest, but the most important thing is to be confident with who you are. I know I certainly could take a lot from that."

As far as favorite movie and TV show genres that are appealing to both actors, Jason confessed, "I still love "The Simpsons". I could watch that for the rest of my life. I like cartoons. What can I say?" And Sarah admitted that Buffy spoiled her in a sense. "Because it's still hard to find really strong female characters where women can really be active. To me I would never specifically say it's one genre, but I just like doing things where women have a say and where women get to be a powerful character even if they're the victim, but where they really have three dimensional female characters." This prompted the question of how the transition from being a TV star to movie star has affected her. "I think the first thing was just sort of deep sadness," admitted Sarah, and went on to explain, "It was the only part of my adult life that I had known, was being on that show so leaving it was incredibly sad and emotional, but at the same time it was sort of that next step. And for me it was a transition I think that Buffy took also which was leaving something safe and trying something out. Now it's a little bit of freedom. I based all my movie choices for the last eight years on a two and a half month hiatus and that basically sort of determined what I did. Now I get to sit back a little bit and do things because they really interest me or because I think I can learn something or bring something. That's pretty much the only change, I try not to make distinctions between any film, television, theatre. I love to be a part of the entertainment industry and whatever form that takes I'll be happy just as long as I can continue to do what I love."

Sarah compared the action in The Grudge to the action in "Buffy", "In a sense for me it was actually harder. It's harder to not look like you don't know what you're doing." She recalled an incident during filming that best solidified the moment, "I remember one scene in particular, which was just a running scene, and I was just racing to get somewhere, for him, and they kept making me do the scene over and over and over again. I was getting really exhausted and finally I said, 'What am I doing wrong?' and they said, 'Because you're running like a superhero and if you could just flap your arms a little more.' They thought the more they kept making me do it, the more tired I would get and maybe the lamer I would look," she laughed. "She didn't know that Shimizu kept all those outtakes and showed everybody," Jason told the audience. "No, but I did know you paid him 20 bucks to keep me doing it," she informed Jason. "It was definitely physical," continued Sarah, "And I think one of the things about it too which is Japanese filmmaking is sort of a very different style. American films, and please don't let it out of this room of a few thousand people, but we cheat a lot. I don't really lift those guys. I've got wires, I've got stuntmen, I've got all sorts of help. And in Japanese films, you just kind of do it. They say, 'Go through that glass window,' and it's like how do I get through that? 'Well break it first and then go.' It was very eye opening for me. I'm not the lazy actor I once was."

"Mistake number one was watching the original Grudge at ten o'clock at night in a house by myself!" ~ Sarah on discovering the part

Vancouver and was a little disillusioned not reading anything that to me was really interesting and worthwhile," she confessed. "And I got a phone call on a Thursday night from a friend of mine and she said, 'I've read this script and you're going to love it, but here's the deal. You have to read it and watch this film tonight because you've got to go meet tomorrow because you've been gone for so long.' So, mistake number one was watching the original Grudge at ten o'clock at night in a house by myself. Not one of my brighter moments but I just loved it, I loved visually the shots, I loved the style. I loved the story. And I went in and met with them the next day and then I stalked Sam Raimi for some time. The restraining order should be lifted anytime soon. So, it was great and here I am." With Horror films come nightmares and the audience was happy to play off of Sarah's. "In this movie there's a particular scene where the woman that plays Kayako, who is the same woman from the original films, does this - we like to call it the 'cockroach crawl', and it was honestly one of the scariest things I've ever seen in my entire life." Jason admitted, "Yeah, it's one of those images that sticks with you." As Sarah continued, a member of the audience began a little croaking sound. "One of those ones that's embedded in your mind, burned there. Oh, I hear someone in the front row doing that and somebody better stop," she joked. "There is somebody in the front row doing the 'Kayako croak', which is different than the Kayako cockroach thing. It's not funny!"

Both actors were asked what their strongest memories from Japan were and if there was anything they learned about Japanese culture that they brought home. Sarah pointed to Jason and said, "Jason brought home half of Japan in a suitcase; just don't tell the customs officials. The man literally, on the airplane, had more bags than me. You better have some happy relatives with some presents." Reflecting on all the places they had a chance to visit, Jason said, "I think Kyoto was probably the best place that we went." Sarah also offered, "I think the amazing thing is just the experiences that we all had just collectively as a cast. If you run down the list of things that we did you'd be surprised to hear that we made a film as well. He dragged me to Sumo and I can honestly say..." Jason agreed, "She did not want to go." As Sarah clarified, "Can you say bitched? I bitched and moaned the whole way going. I did not want to go. And literally I was the one screaming at the players, 'Yeah, yeah!' You just learn so much and see so much." Jason recalled, "I think both of us pushed each other to kind of explore different sections. She brought me places that I probably wouldn't have gone to and I dragged her out to Sumo and she was the one screaming the loudest. I think the film afforded us the opportunity to not just work on a really ingenious movie format with a really gifted director, but it allowed us some free time to go and explore Japan. It's one of the most beautiful cultures and countryside I've ever set foot on. It was a really great experience."

Sarah Michelle Gellar

"And the people too," agreed Sarah, "It's always hard to be a tourist in a place where you don't speak the language and for me and my personal traveling experiences it was the most welcomed I've ever felt. Everybody was so kind and so helpful. We would go into restaurants where nobody spoke English and we'd be butchering their language to oblivion and instead of being angry at us they were so kind and very patient with us." Jason told about not being able to find their way back to their hotel, "We asked a police officer how to get back to the train when we were leaving the Sumo wrestling arena and the guy dropped what he was doing, got us a map and then took us by our hand and pointed us in the direction." As Sarah recalled, "The weird thing is that the murder rate went up in those five minutes something fierce in Tokyo." But all joking aside Jason agreed, they are, "Just a very generous society." Some times the mode of a film is counted by the mood of the cast and crew between takes, and The Grudge was no different as Sarah laughingly admitted, "Morale was good. Honestly, it was an amazing experience. It was the most jovial and the most fun." Jason explained what occurred most of the time, "We were trying to learn more about our Japanese counterparts and I think they were trying to learn more about us. In between takes I'd be trying to learn some sort of Japanese that I would butcher, and they'd correct me. I'd butcher it and they'd correct me. Then I'd butcher it and they'd leave me alone," he laughed. "And the same thing with their English, I have to say that most of the crew members got really, really good at English, and I just got progressively worse at Japanese. But that was the mood. It was just very playful."

Wrapping up the panel Sarah and Jason fielded a variety of questions and had a lot of fun in their responses. When asked if there was any truth to the "Buffy/Angel" movie rumor, Sarah replied, "I know there's been a lot of talk about it. For those of you who don't know this there was a "Buffy" movie originally and I spent the first two years of my show trying to explain to people, 'No, no, no, it's different than the movie.' And part of the reason the movie didn't work was because Buffy was a story, in my opinion, that needed to be told over a period of time." She explained, "To me it worked better when you spent time and it wasn't over so neatly. I wish the finale was two hours, it didn't seem long enough to me. And I would be really fearful of putting all of that heart and all of those characters into two hours because I know that at some point there would be a letdown, whether Xander didn't get featured enough or Willow or whatever it was. If someone came to me and it looked like just the perfect two hours that I thought wouldn't disappoint then it would absolutely be something that I would consider, but I haven't seen that yet." Jason was requested to please do commentaries for the upcoming "Roswell" DVDs to which he responded, "I think the second ones are coming out soon and I think they did the commentary for that when I was in Japan. But they got Sheri and Majandra to come back and do some more. I don't know what was said, but it's all lies," he joked. Bother were asked if they were ever going to work with Joss Whedon again, Sarah looked at Jason and asked, "I didn't get offered a role in Serenity. Did you?" With no hesitation in his reply, Jason laughed, "No, he wouldn't return my phone calls." A fan has heard that Jason was one of the actors considered for the new Superman film and Jason joked knowing where he was, "Who's Superman? I never heard of the guy." Then offered his serious thoughts on the matter, "I think that everybody is aware of the fact that they've been trying to redo that for a long, long time. Growing up I always looked at Chris Reeves and thought he was Superman. So until things happen, they happen but as of right now I think Chris Reeves will always be Superman in my mind." This brought on a warm round of applause. In closing as Sarah and Jason got up to leave the stage they both thanked the audience once again, "Well thank you guys very, very much," shouted Sarah, "Thank you guys for having us," Jason added. Finally, Sarah finished by stating, "Wait, one more thing. Every one of you here better see this damn movie opening weekend and tell all your friends or we're coming after every one of you here."

Written by CoA Writer, Kristy Bratton
Lost Boys Interview by, Darren Danforth

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CityofAngel.com would like to Graciously Thank David Glanzer and his incredible Staff at Comic-Con International.

Special Thanks to Robert Daugherty for the use of his photo: Christopher Judge.


If you have any comments regarding this CoA "Happenings" feature, we would love to hear from you. Just email us at: comments@CityofAngel.com