If Whedon had originally intended Mal to be more dark....
POSTED BY: lightinthebrainpan
UPDATED: Monday, August 9, 2004 10:55
VIEWED: 15790
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I can't imagine anyone else playing Mal than Nathan. I know that Nathan has it in him to play a darker Mal if the script calls for it. We saw a bit of that darkness in War Stories when Mal finally broke free of Niska's torture. We have also seen a darker side of Mal in his dealings w/ Jayne at the end of Ariel and his shooting Dobson in Serenity.
I was kind of hesitant to see Nathan play Caleb in the BtVS, but was impressed w/ how easily the sadistic bad guy role seemed to come to Nathan. Kind of creepifying watch our favorite captain play the warped servant of The First.
From what we have heard, Mal is supposed to be a bit darker in the movie. I know Nathan can pull it off, so I am not too concerned. I am sure it will fit right into Joss's script.
"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."
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And David Boraneaz is afraid of chickens...
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Makes sense to me that he'll be darker in the movie. I was watching the commentary on Train Job the other day, and it's all about how they had to bend over backward with the story and the characters to make it how F*X wanted it. Makes perfect sense to me that having broken free of the demon's bonds, they'll go in their own direction a bit.
Now the question is, are people going to like it? I'm guessing we're all capable of appreciating both sides of Firefly, but we've certainly gotten to know the Captain as... well, kind of a wacky guy sometimes. Train job especially. One hopes that "darker" does not mean it'll lack the humor to which we've grown accustomed.
Of course, that would astonish me, and the fact is, it would *still* be good.
*sits down and waits for BDM, fidgeting every month or so*
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"You're mean. Firefly's making me reconsider my lifelong devotion to Star Trek." --My mother
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Quote:
Originally posted by lightinthebrainpan:
....why did he decide to cast Nathan Fillion?
Joss said, in the commentaries on one of the DVDs ...or maybe it was in an interview format...
that Nathan Fillon is one of only two actors he knows who can change on a dime from angry to funny, and that this is an ability that Joss really likes.
[The other one is James Marsters (Spike) who Joss said could go from Dracula to Jack Benny in a heart beat....]
So anyway, I think when Joss says 'dark' he means in addition to being funny...because he is never willing to give up the humor!
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Joss and Tim also mentioned in the commentaries that they didnt know if things would have ended up they way they did in the show had they not turned Mal into a friendlier person. I believe Joss is bringing back the darker Mal in the movie (ie. the bank robbery in the trailer) and I cannot wait to see what Joss truly intended for Mal.
"I got my hands on a pair...of invites!!"
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I didn't like Mal!
When I first watched the complete series, I had an intense dislike for Malcome Reynolds. Upon this realization, I KNEW Fillion was the perfect choice for the role. He actually made me NOT like the character.
Playing Mal with a kind of "screw everone" attitude (especially the Alliance) was offputting by comparison with the kind of Captains I'm used to seeing on Star Drek, B5, etc. He keeps most of his thoughts and emotions to himself. Only allowing a rare glimpse into his real self. Mal is the type of character that you have to grow to like over time.
I don't think Fillion was a long shot or a dark horse choice for playing Mal. I can't imagine anyone else being able to pull off the part convincingly. There is such a believability to Mal's portrayal by Fillion. I find myself wondering how much the two are really alike.
I look forward to seeing what Joss and Nathan do with Mal's evolution as time goes on. Maybe back on the little screen again?
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Frankly, I though Nathan was miss-cast in his role on Two Guys and a Girl - just a little too hunky (not that I'm any judge of hunkieness) and not goofy enough. As Mal, he plays the dark captain well in the first episode, and adapts well to the 'lighter' directive from FOX in later shows. Yes, his hair is a little too perfect, but this is just a TV show! 
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How close was the Mal of "Serenity" to the one Joss originally intended. My impression from listening to the commentaries was pretty close.
I mean there's a big transition between that and "The Train Job" but he does turn a baddy into a red mist.
Dan
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Quote:
Originally posted by RAISTLYNNE:
I find myself wondering how much the two are really alike.
Fillion to Whedon (reported in DVD extras) I am so much not this guy
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I came to Firefly seeing Nathan first as the dark and evil character Caleb in BtvS. So seeing him as a heartbroken hero in FF was a big change, but I liked Mal right away. I like him dark, but I also enjoy the playfulness we see in him in scenes with Kaylee. I've always thought of him as the type of guy who believes in righteousness, but get him pissed off enough and you see his darker side.
As for the dialogue, don't forget Nathan is from Alberta, Canada, land of wide-open prairie, farmland, ranches, and, I think, pretty close to what Mal would have experienced growing up.
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"Revenge!"
Vince in Rex the Runt
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