New Joss Interview 11/8 - New Info - JoBlo.com

POSTED BY: dietcoke
UPDATED: Monday, November 8, 2004 18:26
VIEWED: 932
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DIETCOKE

Monday, November 8, 2004 1:31 PM

Part of the info we've heard before but there's some added stuff too:

Source: JoBlo.com by: Thomas Leupp

With his latest project, SERENITY, prolific writer/director Joss Whedon looks to prove he can achieve success outside the world of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Of course, Buffy isn't exactly the easiest act to follow. Adored by both critics and audiences alike, the show became the WB Network's centerpiece, made Sarah Michelle Gellar a star, and spawned a popular spin-off.

Whedon's next project, the sci-fi/western hybrid "Firefly", didn't fare as well, lasting only 11 episodes before Fox pulled the plug. When a defiant Whedon announced his intention to take Firefly to the big screen, even his most ardent fans couldn't help but be skeptical about the show's feature film prospects.

He found a believer in Universal. Encouraged by the show's strong DVD sales, the studio wrested the rights from Fox, gave Whedon the greenlight and Serenity was born. The film follows the same basic storyline as the series: 500 years in the future, the crew of a small but nimble spaceship travels through the universe, transporting dangerous cargo and not asking questions.

Recently, Universal invited JoBlo.com down to their studio lot to visit the set of Serenity and meet with the filmmakers. The scene being shot was a brief fight sequence in which female lead River Tam (played by Summer Glau) sweeps the leg a la The Karate Kid, knocking some unfortunate fool on his ass. Following that was another brief fight sequence set inside a bar, in which Summer, this time aided by some fancy wire work, takes out a few more guys.

Though not featured in any of the day's scenes, lead actor Nathan Fillion was on-hand in case Joss needed him for the occasional background shot. In the meantime, he demonstrated a skill that most working actors develop after spending many a month on a movie set: the ability to catch a nap amidst the noise and chaos.

In between camera setups, Whedon took a break to talk with us about his feature film directorial debut. Though tired and hoarse, he spoke at great length about his experience, providing glimpses of the trademark wit that distinguished his television work.

JOSS WHEDON

What are the challenges of adapting a TV series for the big screen?

It’s incredibly hard, building a story that doesn’t repeat or contradict what we’ve already done, that satisfies the fans and yet is really made for people who’ve never seen the show. There’s pitfalls everywhere. It’s the hardest story I’ve ever had to structure. Writing these people is the easiest thing in the world because I know them so well. The other thing is the TV show is built around slow development of character; movies are built around momentum. They’re very different things. So you have to sort of take things that you…you have to let some things drop and you have to speed some things up and you sort of have to know which ones are which.

Will you be providing some backstory for those who are unfamiliar with the series?

Yes, to an extent. It has a different way of telling the same story. We do River’s troubles with the Alliance and her integration into the group. We don’t repeat the first time they meet or anything like that, but we get the information in a new way. Again, like I said, that’s the trickiest part.

As a screenwriter, you’ve been known to have issues with the way directors have turned your words into film.

Well, after Alien Resurrection, I said, “The next person who ruins one of my scripts is going to be me.” And I think I’m doing a fine job of it. Actually, I think the director has on occasion could have used a little more imagination and the writer could have shut up occasionally. We fight, but we’re still getting along better than I usually do. (laughs) It’s been great, ‘cause unlike TV I have the time to really explore what it is I’m doing and go back and reassess every day. Every time you should a scene it affects 50 other scenes. It’s constantly shifting, hopefully not so much that it doesn’t know wh

BROWNCOAT1

Monday, November 8, 2004 1:53 PM

Thanks for posting this DC.

Definitely some positive vibes from Joss, though the interview has to be eight weeks old at least. He seems pretty psyched about the movie, though he seems hesitant to get his hopes up about sequels.

__________________________________________

"May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one."

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Meet Up:
http://firefly.meetup.com/9/boards/

ZOID

Monday, November 8, 2004 6:26 PM

Browncoat1 wrote:

Quote:
...though he seems hesitant to get his hopes up about sequels.

And rightly so. Joss has been kicked in the teeth enough times to merit his cynicism/'cautious pessimism'. But subsequent comments from AB and JS have indicated that Joss is hyper-excited by the results, as the movie's editing has progressed.

He's practically beside himself with Joy! (And she apparently really digs the movie.) Trill... Oh... Gee!

v/r,
zed