Q&A Part 2: Wanting EGOTs and Missing BSG
Wednesday, April 15, 2015 at 8:00PM For this week's "Ask Nathaniel" party, I asked people to be inspired by the theater (Tony season is upon us) or by the science fiction genre. I promised 10 questions. 10 answers but that's too long. So in Part One yesterday I answered four of them (topics: Avatar, Streep, Instant Classics, and Sci-Fi on stage - why haven't you commented?) and here are the remaining chosen questions that ended up organizing themselves around me missing Battlestar Galactica somehow.
LADYEDITH: If you could put any actress in charge of a Starship in a movie (doesn't have to be Star Trek) which actress would you choose?
the answer and 5 more questions after the jump...
LADYEDITH: If you could put any actress in charge of a Starship in a movie (doesn't have to be Star Trek) which actress would you choose?
The second I read this question my heart filled with the missing of Mary McDonnell's "President Laura Roslyn" on Battlestar Galactica. Not that she drove the spaceship but it's the association. I don't like Star Trek very much (in any iteration) so I'm glad I'm not stuck with that franchise in this scenario. For this task you need an actress with gravitas who doesn't look down on genre acting and the fantastical. So let some sci-fi spectacle be Angelina Jolie's vehicle back to film stardom ten years from now or so when she starts missing acting. If you're casting this kind of role also take a meeting with Essie Davis (post Babadook aren't we all eager to see what her range is like?).
And Sigourney Weaver is always welcome back in any sci-fi leadership role as per her invisible contract with audiences for the past 36 years.
So say we all.
SVG: Combining Stage and Sci-Fi- Any stageplays/musicals you'd like to see Prometheused on the big screen? Like an in-universe prequel eg Witches of Macbeth: Origins.
The word "origin" in titles sends me into padded cells it makes me so crazy. I HATE BACKSTORY. Where is the mystery? You need mystery for true engagement in a world, real or fictional. That said, your example is wonderful and I'd see that! Truth: secondary or peripheral characters or new characters are the only proper way / artistically sound way to do prequels. Anything else is just pandering for more dollars for your original concept, an excuse to get cheaper actors to play the roles, or to fill in the blanks and thus kill the mystery. For examples see the awful Star Wars trilogy from the Aughts or the very concept of Bates Motel (sorry fans, I just don't wanna know why Norman is the way he is... or what his mother was like... and the weakest part of the classic movie is the finale's attempt to explain the inexplicable psychology: Psycho gives us the only story points that matter and the things you can imagine about the history are at least half of why it's so fucking creepy!)
This question is really hard. I could only think of two. I'd see The Baroness! (inspired by The Sound of Music) because one senses in Eleanor Powell's great performance that she wasn't always an ice queen and the typical narrative is the thaw of the ice queen -- what a challenge to make the reverse into a compelling narrative. I would also pay top dollar for a time-travelling Misadventures of Audrey I (inspired by Little Shop of Horrors) played by Ellen Greene again as she revisiting all of her disastrous romantic relationships. This would be heaven mostly because Ellen's Audrey is one of the greatest characters ever written / performed. I'm seeing Greene sing her star-making role at a two night only event here in Manhattan later this summer and basically my heart races every time I remember that I have a ticket. We bought them the day they went on sale.
UPDATE: Just after typing this up yesterday, it was announced that JAKE GYLLENHAAL will be playing Seymour to her Audrey. And I already had tickets! This is the universe rewarding me for my lifelong Ellen Greene fandom. And it's a nice bandaid on a gaping heart wound this week: There is no way to get tickets to the one time only and won't be recorded "Bombshell" concert staring the original cast of SMASH cast since all tickets were sold during the pre-sale for backers of the show.
3RTFUL: Is an actor worth their weight if they refuse to do theater work after breaking through in film and television?
Not every actor belongs in every medium. There are only a few actually, like The Lovely Laura Linney, that seem equally adept in all three playgrounds. For example...
JS: What classic stage revival would you like to see Kate Winslet in so she can get her EGOT?
There are certain actors whose primal emotional power comes directly from their face in closeup. Julianne Moore is a great example: I was so excited to see her on Broadway but when I did she read flat and dull. But her face is a thing of perfection and has rare intimate power on the big screen. There's always so much happening even when nothing appears to be happening. I feel the same about Kate. I think always of tiny shifts in their eyes or around their mouths, or something seismic in a facial expression that shifts something directly in your soul and you can't get that on stage. The screen actors I always think of as 'ooh, they'd be good on stage!' are the ones where their voice / body seem to actively contribute to their particular magic.
VOLVAGIA: How many Emmy nods do you think the Netflix Daredevil show can manage?
0-3? It can probably be nominated for a few craft categories and is particularly deserving in those "only in your first year" categories like Outstanding Title Design and Outstanding Main Title Music. But will Netflix push hard? They have much bigger fish to fry with Orange is the New Black and House of Cards and what not. In fact, I suspect they'll push Bloodline harder than Daredevil with voters though I suppose Vincent D'Onofrio has a extreme longshot opportunity in Supporting Actor.
Why do I think big Emmys are out of reach? See the next question.
HEY: What is it about most science fiction films/performances that causes voters to flat out ignore their brilliance (technically and otherwise )?
I wish I could find the exact quote but Joss Whedon, in reference to Buffy the Vampire Slayer's pitiable annual awards showing, once said something like 'if I wanted to win Emmys I'd make a hospital or lawyer show' indicating that he truly gave no fucks. I'm not sure why it is other than genre bias that's always been there for "heightened" genres. Realism is often confused with Quality... as if it's silly to say something about the human condition through narrative filters like vampires or superheroes or the artifice of musical numbers. But it's not.
Sometimes when genre work is enormously popular it can escape this bias (like Game of Thrones) but not usually by enough of a margin to actually win "Best" prizes. Anyone who actively watched Battlestar Galactica when it was on, for example, surely understood that it was a more worthy and better acted show than any of the Emmy hogs during its run. Sometimes the filters of genre allow artists the distance they need to make really bold statements about the world as it actually is. This is why academics and critics tend to love genre movies, horror and sci-fi in particular; it's more fun to interpret them.
That was a lot of questions this week. Whew. Maybe I should just make Reader Question a daily series with only one question?
Do you agree that Daredevil will struggle in the Emmys and that not every actor should try and EGOT? Do you miss Buffy and BSG?
Reader Comments (31)
"Julianne Moore is a great example: I was so excited to see her on Broadway but when I did she read flat and dull."
I think after that Moore said she liked doing off-Broadway plays more. I think she did not enjoy that experience.
Nat: I'd guess 2-5, actually. Title Design and Main Title Music are pretty much givens because of that "only in your first year" rule. Cinematography for Episode 2 and Guest Actor for Scott Glenn in Episode 7 are possible but not absolutely secure. And, yes, D'Onofrio has an outside shot at supporting actor.
I loved BSG and the last season of Buffy was genius. Neither are my favorite genre, but when it is done well, I'm there.
Mary McDonnell is an actress I always look for as I find her so steady and strong in all her work. Passion Fish is still one of my favorite films and her performance (along with Woodard's) are so interesting.
Haven't seen the Babadook (and probably won't cuz I'm chicken) but not sure I buy Essie Davis as a starship captain. She's awesome in Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries so could be interesting and I like that you brought her up. This is a fun question, and could be divided into two parts: Captain--someone older w butt-kicking gravitas (Weaver, Mirren, O'Donnell, Sarandon, Gina Davis, Wen, Yeoh, Jolie--cuz she's no one's #1), and Number One/Away Team Leader--younger or youngish, also butt-kicking (Johansson, Blunt, Rodriguez, Gellar, Barrymore, Diaz, Saldana). Lots of possibilities.
"McDonnell"--love her in everything (esp Passionfish, Henry!), tho she may be lost to TV.
OMG you're seeing Jakeyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! That's so awesome! His foray into theater these last few years has been so interesting.
For some reason, when trying to think of actresses to lead a spaceship, my mind goes to the ladies of theater who have the gravitas and authority necessary for a role like that: Kathleen Turner, Phylicia Rashad, Cherry Jones (although she already played the President, right?), Amy Morton, etc.
I bet Michael Fassbender and Lupita Nyong'o would be great onstage (maybe together! in a romance!) and since we're curious about her range, why not Essie Davis?
I loved Buffy until at some point I didn't. Maybe when they introduced the younger sister? I just couldn't make that jump, but now I ALMOST wish I stuck with it since everyone seems to love a lot of the stories after that.
Pam - Michelle Yeoh is a great idea.
Michelle Forbes was terrific in her short turn as a captain on the BSG spin off.
I love Jake but he's too damn hot and dreamy to play Seymour! I picture him with glasses and a stutter and I get aroused!
I think that Kate Winslet has a really fantastic physicality that could translate beautifully to the stage (when the role allows her to use it -- a huge reason why she was so brilliant in Eternal Sunshine).
For years, I've been dreaming of her playing Anna in a stage production of Closer.
@SanDiego-ooooooh, I love that idea. I can barely imagine Kate as Anna, which makes me want to see it all the more.
"It tastes like you but sweeter!"
Kate Winslet as Blanche DuBois, Anna Christie or the Duchess of Malfi for the EGOT.
In a movie: Captains Kate Winslet, Geena Davis, Alfre Woodard, Angela Bassett, Jodie Foster, Diane Lane or Reese Witherspoon.
Peggy Sue-that was awesome, funny, and so so true.
I don't know if I can see Winslet winning a Tony. To me she's very much of the medium of film. Anyway, for the time being, she definitely has an EGO!
Thanks for answering my question Nathaniel, and we agree on one of my choices.
Essie Davis was 1 of my top 3 contenders for Starship Captain. (Yay)
While I concede that Angelina Jolie is a worthy candidate, I prefer Rosamund Pike because she inspires awe & fear in you. I just love seeing her in charge.
Audra Macdonald has such a commanding aura that I could not resist her as a possible choice. Her voice has so much range even when she isn't singing.
@Pam, yes let's go with everyone's favourite "full metal bitch" - Emily Blunt, as second in command for obvious reasons. How much more fun it would be if this were really happening instead of yet another Marvel /X Men/ Star Wars adaptation with 10 male roles & 1 female.
If "The Baroness" is ever going to get her own play/movie she should be played by Laura Benanti who proved to be so interesting in the Live Sound of Music. Remember she looked great in those pants.
Re: Essie Davis' range: she's been acting in movies and TV since the mid-90s, and she's been impressive right from the beginning, so there are plenty of things you could hunt down now to be impressed with. Pam is correct with the television series "Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries" (a favourite with baby boomers here in Australia). Other movies worth seeing for small but impressive roles (if you can hunt them down, even though they are only five years old or less) are BURNING MAN (also featuring TFE favourite Matthew Goode, so what is stopping you?) and SOUTH SOLITARY. Trailer links below (although Essie is only glimpsed in both):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EMOW1auvZw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eGL2O1feOYg
I worked with an actress who really likes Julianne Moore and as we were chit chatting about theater she told me that watching Moore on Broadway was an APPALLING experience! She said Julianne was one of greatest disappointments of her career as a theater goer. Not only that but she later attended a Julianne Moore Masterclass and when the Broadway experience was brought up by a student Moore couldn't stop complaining and bringing up excuses about how and why it didn't work. She told me it made her look exceptionally unprofessional.
Paul Outlaw: great suggestion as soon as I read the question I thought of how great Alfre Woodard was in Star Trek: First Contact! I want to see her driving her own big ass space ship! I want Radha Mitchell, Robin Tunney & Carla Gugino on board too... Hot bitches fighting aliens.
I love all of your additions and wish I had thought of most of them! Particularly Rosamund Pike and Emily Blunt
I can't believe you hate Star Trek.
Opening with Battlestar Galactica and ending with Buffy. Be still my heart!
Well, I am obsessed with Star Trek and will defend it until my last breath. Kate Mulgrew made a great Captain on the Voyager series. I wonder if the next Guardians movie will do more with Glen Close?
i'd like to see the lovely laura linney as a take no prisoners captain of a starship
[and, obviously, ruffy as her rebellious second in command]
3rtful -- Believe it.
Par -- I will buy a ticket. Even better if they're sibling leaders!
Ryan T -- all the best people love both :)
O/T, but Nathaniel, are you calling yourself "Charlie" and writing letters to Vulture now?
http://www.vulture.com/2015/04/stay-tuned-smash-comedies.html
Suzanne -- LOL. That is not me but I think SMASH has had that effect on many. I wish we could get another musical show. even if it's also a mix of amazing/terrible.
I do miss BSG and agree that daredevil will struggle. Also DONT make reader question posts just 1 question a post - I prefer them in bulk :).
Wasn't "Angel" a lawyer show?
Oh and was I the only one disturbed that Glenn Close's last scene in Guardians had her all smiley? The entire fleet of spaceships and the people in them who are supposed to protect your planet just ALL DIED!
@Dusty & Santy C. - totally agree with you both re: Glenn Close & GOTG, I was expecting so much more. Kate Mulgrew was every inch a Starship Captain, no apologies necessary about being a fan of STV.
With so many strong women to choose from maybe there could be an all female "Amazon Starship" from an Amazon planet. ?
Santy C -- that points to one of my main problems with Guardians of the Galaxy -- it's just so weightless. It means nothing. I consider it the Shrek of this decade. People might be embarrassed later on at how much they loved it.