Q and A: Week of Aug. 26
Q: I think I’ve finally dealt with the death of Matthew Crawley on “Downton Abbey” and am now eager for more upstairs/downstairs drama. Can you tell me when new episodes will begin airing? — Frannie P., via e-mail A: Series four of “Downton Abbey,” which pick up in winter 1922, is scheduled to premiere Jan. 4, 2014, on PBS. Michelle Dockery, who plays the newly widowed Mary, assured fans at the Television Critics Association panel this year that as far as she knows, no other major characters are set to exit this season (referring to last season’s deaths of Matthew and Lady Sybil).
Michelle told the TCA panel: “As much as I think it was sad to see Dan (Stevens, who played Matthew) go, it opens up an opportunity for Julian (Fellowes, “Downton Abbey’s creator and head writer) to take the character in all new directions. The fourth (season) is about recovery. She’s starting a new life. There are various suitors who are being thrown in her direction. But she’s very reluctant to go through with any of it because she can’t stop thinking about Matthew.”
Q: I thought Jay Leno was going to retire and hand “The Tonight Show” reins over to Jimmy Fallon. Is that ever going to happen? — Brendan W., Spokane, Wash.
A: NBC officially announced that Jay Leno’s last day will be Feb. 6, 2014, with his staff of 170 getting paid through September as part of the agreement. Jimmy Fallon will take over hosting duties on Feb. 24, after the closing ceremonies of the Winter Olympics. “The Tonight Show” will relocate to New York City from Los Angeles for Jimmy’s tenure as host. Seth Meyers — writer, comedian and “Weekend Update” anchor on “Saturday Night Live” — will take over Jimmy’s position at “The Late Show.”
Q: Is it true that Lea Michele and Kate Hudson of “Glee” do not get along off-screen? — Bridget L., via e-mail
A: Chalk that rumor up to good acting — just because their characters didn’t get along doesn’t mean the actresses behind the characters don’t. In fact, Kate offered up her Los Angeles home to Lea so she could hide out for a few weeks after the death of her beau, Cory Monteith.
In other “Glee” news, NeNe Leakes is set to return for multiple episodes this season as Coach Roz. This makes me happy, because even though I love Coach Sylvester, there is always room for the hilarious Roz.
Q: I loved Showtime’s series “The Borgias” and was so bummed when it was canceled without a resolution. Any chance it’ll come back as a movie or something to wrap things up? — Jerry T., Montgomery, Ala.
A: The Jeremy Irons-starring period drama, which ended its third season this past June, has gotten a wrap-up — in e-book form. Mid-August saw the release of “The Borgia Apocalypse,” a book based on the intended two-hour series finale that never came to fruition.
Interview: Godfrey Gao, Thankful for His Breakout Role
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| Godfrey Gao as Magnus Bane in "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones" |
If you've read the books by Cassandra Clare, or if you saw the film last night, I think we all can agree on one thing: The 800-year-old powerful warlock Magnus Bane rocks. And so does the actor who portrays him, Godfrey Gao. I spoke with Godfrey by phone last month, which happened to be the weekend of his first Comic-Con ("Comic Con-was crazy," he told me. "I mean, I literally went through like 20 interviews on the red carpet. I about lost my voice by the end of it.") "City of Bones" is Godfrey's first English-language film, and before fans even saw a teaser poster of his Magnus Bane, he'd already gained an additional 20,000 Twitter followers. Ah ... the power of the YA supernatural/thriller/romance/adventure book.
Celebrity Extra: First off, tell me about Comic-Con. That must have been exciting.
Godfrey Gao: It was very exciting. It was my first time at Comic-Con. I saw some cool outfits. One of my favorite outfits was this guy dressed up as Batman, but he was topless. You know the Batman logo? He had that logo on his chest, but it wasn’t a costume; it was shaved into his chest hair. I thought that was the coolest thing ever. There were Ironmans, Supermans and Spider-Mans ...
It was surreal for me because I’ve never seen that before. I’ve heard a lot of stories about Comic-Con, and it was just too bad I didn’t get to step out on the floor and see all these people. I was just there, in and out. I did interviews, did my radio, did my TV, and did my panel. The panel was crazy. There were more than 6,000 people. I was so nervous. I have never spoken in front of 6,000 people before, and that was something surreal.
CE: I saw how fans were lined up for 8 to 10 hours just to see you guys!
GG: I saw people camping outside. It was crazy. The lines were like mountains of people.
CE: Tell me about how you got this coveted role — Magnus is a breakout favorite character for most fans of the book series, myself included.
GG: Oh, I’m blessed and very thankful that I was cast in this role. At first, I didn’t know what "The Mortal Instruments" was until they were looking for an Asian character. So, I picked up the books myself, and I started reading them. I started reading about my character, and it was really, really interesting, and it kept me on my toes the whole time reading it. Obviously I’m a big fan as well. It was crazy how I was cast for the movie: There was a huge list of Asian top-tier celebrities who were trying out for this role, and at the end, I got it.
I’m still blown away by this cast, and it’s a great opportunity for me. I’ve always wanted to come to North America and start something. This is my first English feature. I’m just glad to be on this project with this beautiful cast and director.
CE: Just watching the different trailers for the movie, it looks pretty exciting. And I hear they gave the green light for the second book to be made into a movie.
GG: I can’t wait to see the movie myself. Just by reading the books — I've read the first three books so far — you can see it’s really exciting stuff, and I just can’t wait to hopefully be involved with every movie from now on.
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| (photo courtesy Jet Star Entertainment) |
GG: For Magnus there wasn’t really any training for fight scenes, whereas all the other cast had training to do. Which I was glad because they looked really tired (laughs). They'd have to shoot, and on their weekends, they'd have to go train. Or sometimes even after they shoot, they'd have to go train. It’s pretty crazy. They were just really tired on set.
But I’d love to do some training myself. I love action. I want to do everything myself, as well. Aside from the movements, preparing for Magnus was pretty stressful for me because this character is really mysterious. You don’t really know much about his background, at first. I didn’t even know how to bring this character to life, and that’s a bit strange. I had to talk to Cassie. I had to talk to (director) Harold (Zwart). I had to learn a lot from the fans and the Internet about this character. This is definitely something new for me. I’ve never done this before. I’ve always played the rich, handsome guy that’s from outside of China and has a good family background. He always wears suits. He has a company and stuff like that.
So, this is definitely one of the out-of-the-ordinary characters for me, where I get to put makeup on like glitter, nail polish, eye shadow, and wear crazy outfits. At first when I got the makeup on, I was just like, “Man, what have I gotten myself into?” But it was really enjoyable. At the end of the whole transformation, I felt like I literally had powers. The outfit was so cool; the look was one of a kind.
My first day on set, we shot the scenes where I was pantless. I was just wearing underwear. It was pretty crazy. I guess Magnus wore a lot of costumes when he partied so much, and when people arrived at his party, he didn’t care what he was wearing. He forgot to put his pants on to greet people. So the first day on set, I was in my underwear in front of like a hundred people. It was pretty exciting, but it was also very cold because we were shooting at night and we were shooting outside.
CE: This movie could be a wonderful jumping-off point for you to really make a name for yourself in Western movies. What opportunities do you hope this movie brings for you?
GG: Oh, man. I don’t even know what’s going to happen. I’m just enjoying myself. And I’m just very grateful that there are so many supporters and so many people who love this character. This is just the first one for me and hopefully there will be more — maybe more movies or other roles to come. You never know. This is just a first step. As this door opens, there are more opportunities for me, and I’m just really glad there is because I love to learn, and I’d love to move here.
I’d also love to go back to Asia and do another movie. Hopefully an East/West joint movie with a Hollywood actor and an Asian actor. I’m just excited. The industry is getting bigger and bigger, and the Chinese market is huge. A lot of production companies want to shoot in China as well. I just can’t wait to have a joint project like that. And hopefully there will be the next Chinese superhero, like a Chinese Superman, or something like that. I just can’t wait for that day to happen.
CE: What do you know about the sequel, "City of Ashes"?
GG: I believe they are starting to shoot at the end of the year. I don’t know if I’m going to be in it because we haven’t really signed anything yet. But they’re really interested, I guess, just by the Comic-Con response, how the fans reacted. I guess I’ll be in the second one. I would love to shoot some more. I believe the second movie has a lot of Magnus stuff in it, as did the second book. I’m just looking forward to it, and hopefully I can be on set and be reunited with all the cast again, because they are really fun to work with.
CE: If you hadn't been cast as Magnus Bane, which other character would you have liked to have played?
GG: Honestly, for me, if I had to choose another character to play, I’d choose Valentine. He’s a bad-ass.
Q and A: Week of Aug. 19
A: You can catch Mary now in the independent film “Escape from Polygamy,” which premieres Saturday, Aug. 24 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Lifetime. Beginning Oct. 3, Mary returns to series television in the new NBC single-camera comedy “Welcome to the Family,” which also stars Mike O’Malley (“Glee”), Ella Rae Peck (“Deception”) and Ricardo Chavira (“Desperate Housewives”). “Family” gets a prime spot, airing after NBC comedy mainstay “Parks and Rec,” hopefully helping to fill the void that “The Office” has left in the network’s Thursday night comedy block.
Q: A while back you mentioned “Witches of East End” was going to be a series on Lifetime, and I wondered if you had any more information on it? I loved the book, so I am curious about the series. — Annette D. in Connecticut
A: Lifetime recently announced a premiere date for its newest drama, which features an all-star cast headlined by Emmy Award-winner Julia Ormond, Madchen Amick, Jenna Dewan Tatum and Rachel Boston as a family of witches living in the secluded seaside town of East Haven. “Witches of East End” will cast its spell beginning Sunday, Oct. 6, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Also set to star are Eric Winter, Daniel DiTomasso, Jason George and Academy Award and Golden Globe nominee Virginia Madsen.
As you mentioned, the series is inspired by Melissa de la Cruz’s best-selling novel “Witches of East End,” and centers on the mysterious Beauchamp family: Joanna (Ormond) and her two grown daughters: Freya (Dewan Tatum) and Ingrid (Boston), both of whom are unaware that they are witches. Freya is recently engaged to the man of her dreams, wealthy playboy Dash Gardiner (Winter), but when she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Dash’s troubled, enigmatic brother, Killian (DiTomasso), bizarre occurrences begin to manifest in her life. Joanna’s long-estranged sister Wendy (Amick) shows up, forcing Joanna to reveal to her daughters they are immortal witches who possess great untapped powers.
Q: I thought Tom Cruise was passing the “Mission: Impossible” mantle to Jeremy Renner. Now I hear Tom will star in the fifth movie. Is that true? — Gerald L., via e-mail
A: Yes and no. Tom will star in “Mission: Impossible 5,” which is scheduled for a 2015 release (most likely summer). Jeremy will be his co-star, but he was never brought on to replace Tom; he was added to the roster to partner with him. And as long as Tom keeps drinking from the Fountain of Youth, I say they should keep him on as long as they can.
Q: Is “Poltergeist” being remade? — Linley J., Harrisburg, Pa.
A: Details are sketchy about the new project, but I can tell you that an updated “Poltergeist” is in production, with Sam Rockwell in talks to co-star with Rosemarie DeWitt, according to “Variety.”
Q and A: Week of Aug. 12
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| Godfrey Gao, photo courtesy Jet Star Entertainment |
A: Godfrey Gao, who was born in Taiwan and grew up in Vancouver, Canada, is excited to be a part of this movie, although when he was cast, he didn’t know just how big the book series is. When we spoke recently, he told me: “At first I didn’t know what the movie was about, only they were looking for an Asian character. So, I picked up the books myself, and I started reading them. I started reading about my character and it was really, really interesting, and it kept me on my toes the whole time reading it. And now, obviously, I’m a big fan as well. This is my first English feature.”
Preparing for the role of Magnus — the cross-dressing, 800-year-old powerful warlock — was no easy task, as Godfrey revealed: “Preparing for Magnus was pretty stressful for me, because this character is really mysterious. This is definitely an out-of-the-ordinary character for me, where I get to put makeup on, and glitter and nail polish, and wear crazy outfits. When I first got the makeup on, I was just like, ’Man, what have I gotten myself into?’ But at the end of the whole transformation, I felt like I had powers.”
Stop by later this week to read my entire interview with Godfrey, where he tells me more about "City of Bones," working with the cast, and his enlightening experience at this summer's Comic-Con.
Q: I’ve recently started watching the Glenn Close series “Damages,” and I was wondering where I could go to catch up on previous seasons that I missed. — Priscilla J., via e-mail
A: Crackle, the relatively new entertainment network, has added the critically acclaimed legal thriller to its lineup. Through 2014, you can watch the first four seasons at crackle.com/c/damages. Crackle offers hundreds of full-length, unedited, on-demand movies and TV series, and is completely free across multiple platforms and services.
Q: Whatever happened to plans to make a “Beverly Hills Cop” TV series? — Doug F. in Virginia
A: CBS passed on the “Beverly Hills Cop” pilot; however, the interest surrounding the pilot has made Paramount consider a fourth “BHC” movie. According to “Deadline,” Eddie Murphy already is attached to reprise the role of detective Axel Foley, and Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec are writing the script.
Q: Is it true that Johnny Depp is going to retire soon from making movies? What a loss that would be! — Bea W., via e-mail
A: In an interview with the BBC, Johnny told reporter Susanna Reid: “I wouldn’t say I am dropping out any second, but I would say it’s probably not too far away.” In June, he told “Rolling Stone” magazine: “I can’t say that I’d want to be doing this for another 10 years.” Let’s hope he changes his mind as the time gets closer.
Q and A: Week of Aug. 5
Q: I am just heartbroken over the death of Cory Monteith; I still find it difficult believe. Do you know what will come of “Glee” in the wake of his death? — Diana P., via e-mail A: Fox has decided to delay the fall premiere of season five of “Glee” from Sept. 19 to Sept. 26. The show’s creator, Ryan Murphy, has said: “When you’re faced with something so sad and so shocking, what do you do?”
He said that a big part of the decision to go forth with the show’s production came from talking with the show’s star, and Cory’s real-life girlfriend, Lea Michele, saying that Lea felt “the best thing for the cast and crew was to get back to work and be together every day and talk about our memories of him. So we decided to do that with Lea’s blessing, and we’re going to go back to work and have grief counselors on the set for two weeks because people are really hurting.”
“Glee”’s first two episodes already have been planned out as a Beatles’ tribute, and that is still the plan but, of course, they will have to make a few changes. The third episode will be a tribute episode for Cory, and then after that, the show will go on hiatus for a while to regroup.
Ryan revealed there are no plans to recast the role of Finn, saying: “The right thing to do for the show, at least at this point, is to have that character pass. When we do the tribute episode to that character, we’ll have to do it in a way where the cast members will not have to re-create [their own] feelings of grief, but do it in an upbeat way.”
Q: Will Masterpiece Classic’s “Mr. Selfridge” return for another season? — Janet R., Rochester, N.Y.
A: Following its ratings success earlier this year, Masterpiece and PBS have announced that there will indeed be a second season of “Mr. Selfridge” — which stars Jeremy Piven as the flamboyant American entrepreneur who founded the famous Selfridge’s department store — with plans to air in 2014.
Q: Will Jeremy Renner be in the new “Avengers” movie? — James H., via email
A: Director and writer Joss Whedon told convention-goers at Comic-Con that he is looking forward to writing the character of Hawkeye for the sequel, “The Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Joss said: “He did get possessed pretty early by a bad guy and had to walk around scowl-y for most of the last movie. Now it’s nice to actually have the character there and really see him interact with the other guys.”
Q: Did Penelope Cruz have her baby yet? — Leila W., St. Louis, Mo.
A: Penelope and husband Javier Bardem — who celebrated their third wedding anniversary last month — welcomed a daughter on July 22 in Madrid. She joins big brother Leonardo, who turns 3 in January. The day of her daughter's birth was particularly fortuitous for the notoriously private couple, as a certain prince was born that day as well, which took up all the media's attention.
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