‘Cloverfield’ director sinks teeth into Swedish vampire tale

 

Mark Olsen – LA Times

   After having directed the “Godzilla”-for-the-Twitter-generation known as “Cloverfield,” Matt Reeves was in meetings in early 2008 trying to set up a small drama he had written.

   An executive at Overture Films asked him to take a look at a then-unreleased Swedish horror film, “Let the Right One In,” a hauntingly touching film about a lonely 12-year-old boy who realizes the kind girl who moved in next door is a vampire.

“I was just hooked,” Reeves recalled recently. “I was so taken with the story and I had a very personal reaction. It reminded me a lot of my childhood, with the metaphor that the hard times of your pre-adolescent, early adolescent moment, that painful experience is a horror.”

Reeves signed on to adapt and direct an American remake of the cult hit, now called “Let Me In,” the English translation of John Ajvide Lindqvist’s original novel. He recently finished a second draft of the script, currently set in Reagan-era Colorado, and is scouting locations, looking to maintain the original story’s chilly, snow-swept environs. The film is scheduled for a fall 2010 theatrical release.

   Reeves is also working with casting director Avy Kaufman — who previously found kids for “The Sixth Sense” and “The Ice Storm” — to find the two leads, which Reeves vows will not be aged-up to make the film more of a smoldering “Twilight”-style romance.
   “There’s definitely people who have a real bull’s-eye on the film,” Reeves said, “and I can understand because of people’s’ love of the [original] film that there’s this cynicism that I’ll come in and trash it, when in fact I have nothing but respect for the film. I’m so drawn to it for personal and not mercenary reasons, my feeling about it is if I didn’t feel a personal connection and feel it could be its own film, I wouldn’t be doing it. I hope people give us a chance.”

Amazon Specials!

American Werewolf in London redo in works

Rick Baker working on Griffin Dunne (Jack)

By Borys Kit – Hollywood Reporter

   Dimension Films has set its sights on remaking John Landis’ 1981 cult classic horror “An American Werewolf in London.”
   Dimension has picked up the rights from Landis in what was described as a competitive environment.
   Overture execs-turned-producers Sean and Bryan Furst are on board to produce.
   Landis wrote and directed the comedy-horror film, which starred David Naughton and Griffin Dunne as two American backpackers hiking in the Yorkshire moors attacked by a mysterious animal who turns out to be a werewolf. Naughton ends up terrorizing London while Dunne is a reanimated corpse suggesting ways for Naughton to kill himself and stop the curse.
  No writer or director is on board but Dimension and the producers hope to make an elevated genre picture that will keep the fun comedy elements of the original as it seeks to be relevant to contemporary audiences.

Landis, repped by Gersh, will act as an exec producer and possibly consult.
    The remake falls in line with Dimension’s penchant for picking up horror titles with hopes of relaunching money-making franchises. The company is releasing “Halloween II” at the end of August and is developing a remake of “Hellraiser.”
   The Fursts, who count “The Cooler” and “The Matador” among their credits, are developing a remake of the Icelandic thriller “Jar City,” which they hope to have before cameras by year’s end.

New concept art from Tim Burton’s upcoming Alice in Wonderland

Some more concept art from Tim Burton’s upcoming Alice in Wonderland film has arrived online, courtesy of the French website, The Art of Disney. Some of the art you’ll remember from the recent USA Today spread, but then there’s other stuff — like Alice’s trip through the giant mushroom patch — that we haven’t yet seen. I attempted to translate the French text on the site (if you speak French, feel free to correct me here), and I believe it talks about how this film will be a continuation of the classic novel, with Alice traveling back to Wonderland 10 years after her original trip.

Directed by Tim Burton, and starring folks like Johnny Depp, Anne Hathaway, Matt Lucas, Christopher Lee, Crispin Glover, Alan Rickman and newcomer Mia Wasikowska as Alice, the film will be a mixture of live-action and animation, and will arrive in theaters on March 5, 2010.

For more images, go to The Art of Disney.

Dark Knight Receives Five Saturn Awards, WALL-E Wins for Animation

Press Release from the Saturn Awards – 6/29/09

It was a stellar evening for “The Dark Knight” as the Christopher Nolan film garnered five Saturn Awards at the 35th Annual Saturn Awards. The film was named Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film. The Warner Bros. release also received awards for Best Writing: Christopher Nolan & Jonathan Nolan, Best Supporting Actor: Heath Ledger, Best Music: Hans Zimmer and James Newton Howard, and Best Special Effects.

Also receiving multiple Saturn Awards were “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Iron Man” which won three Saturn Awards apiece.

“Battlestar Galactica” proved to be the most decorated series of the evening with three Saturn Awards including Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series, Best Actor on Television: Edward James Olmos, and Best Actress on Television: Mary McDonnell. “Lost” received the Saturn Award for Best Network Series. Show co-creator, J.J. Abrams accepted the award on stage.

The highlight at the awards ceremony were the special awards presented throughout the evening. Actor Lance Henriksen received the Life Career Award for his strong body of work in film and television. Actor Ed Harris presented the award to Henriksen on stage.

DreamWorks Animation studio head, Jeffrey Katzenberg, was awarded the inaugural Visionary Award for his efforts in advancing 3D film presentation. Top filmmaker Jerry Bruckheimer presented this prestigious award to Mr. Katzenberg at the event.

Genre icon Leonard Nimoy was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in film and television which covers five decades. Mostly known for his portrayal of the Vulcan, Mr. Spock, Leonard’s accomplishment extend to many more projects including the series, Mission Impossible, Columbo, and the recent show, Fringe. Presenting the award was top filmmaker J.J. Abrams, who recently directed the hit film, Star Trek, for Paramount Pictures.

Many genre leaders were in attendance including: Michael Emerson and Mark Pellegrino (from Lost), Zachary Levi, Justin Hartley, Kevin Feige, Jack Coleman, Cristine Rose and Adrian Pasdar (from Heroes), Scott Porter, Ann Robinson, Sean Faris, Carlos Bernard (24), Kristin Bell, Andrea Roth, Casper Van Dien, Kevin Sorbo, Jim Parsons & Simon Helberg (from The Big Bang Theory), Larry Cohen, Frank Darabont, Greg Cannom, Michael Biehn, Jennifer Carpenter, Dean Devlin, Edward James Olmos, Tom DeSanto, Vince Gilligan, Aaron Paul (from Breaking Bad), James Newton Howard, and Hans Zimmer. This year’s reception was hosted by Entertainment Weekly. The Afterparty was sponsored by Highlander Films.

The 35th Annual Saturn Awards were presented by The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Horror Films, a non-profit organization created in 1972 to honor, recognize and promote genre entertainment. The Academy was founded by noted film historian, Dr. Donald A. Reed, who passed away in 2001. Robert Holguin currently serves as President of the Academy. Mark Altman is Co-President of the Saturn Awards.

Best Science Fiction Film:
IRON MAN

Best Fantasy Film:
THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON

Best Horror Film:
HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY

Best Action/Adventure/Thriller Film:
THE DARK KNIGHT

Best Actor:
ROBERT DOWNEY, JR.
(Iron Man)

Best Actress:
ANGELINA JOLIE
(Changeling)

Best Supporting Actor:
HEATH LEDGER
(The Dark Knight)

Best Supporting Actress:
TILDA SWINTON
(The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)
Best Performance by a Younger Actor:
JADEN CHRISTOPHER SMITH
(The Day the Earth Stood Still)

Best Director:
JON FAVREAU
(Iron Man)

Best Writer:
CHRISTOPHER NOLAN and JONATHAN NOLAN (The Dark Knight)

Best Music:
HANS ZIMMER and JAMES NEWTON HOWARD (The Dark Knight)

Best Costume:
MARY ZOPHRES
(Indiana Jones & the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull)

Best Make-Up:
GREG CANNOM
(The Curious Case of Benjamin Button)

Best Special Effects:
NICK DAVIS, CHRIS CORBOULD, TIMOTHY WEBBER, PAUL J. FRANKLIN
(The Dark Knight)

Best International Film:
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN

Best Animated Film:
WALL-E

Best Television Series:
LOST

Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA

Best Presentation on Television:
THE LIBRARIAN: THE CURSE OF THE JUDAS CHALICE

Best Actor on Television:
EDWARD JAMES OLMOS
(Battlestar Galactica)

Best Actress on Television:
MARY MCDONNELL
(Battlestar Galactica)

Best Supporting Actor on Television:
ADRIAN PASDAR
(Heroes)

Best Supporting Actress on Televison:
JENNIFER CARPENTER
(Dexter)

Guest Starring Role on Television:
JIMMY SMITS
(Dexter)

Best DVD Release:
JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER

Best DVD Special Edition Release:
STEPHEN KING’S THE MIST (2 disc Special Edition)

Best DVD Classic Film Release:
PSYCHO (Universal Legacy Series)

Best DVD Collection:
THE GODFATHER-THE COPPOLA RESTORATION

Best Series on DVD:
MOONLIGHT

Best Retro Series on DVD:
THE INVADERS

The Life Career Award:
LANCE HENRIKSEN

The Lifetime Achievement Award:
LEONARD NIMOY

The Visionary Award:
JEFFREY KATZENBERG

Johnny Depp, Tim Burton on board for ‘Dark Shadows’

by Adam Markovitz

   At the LA premiere of Public Enemies, Johnny Depp confirmed that he’ll star in an upcoming big screen version of the cult 1960′s show Dark Shadows, directed by Tim Burton. Rumors of the project have circulated ever since Depp, an admitted fan of the gothic soap opera, acquired the rights to the series in 2007.

   Producer Richard D. Zanuck confirmed Depp and Burton’s involvement last December, but this marks the first time that Depp has publicly said that Burton will direct. “Dark Shadows with Tim will also be down the line,” Depp told EW June 23 in LA. “Tim has to finish [Alice in] Wonderland before he can start work on the next film. I love what he did with that. I think people are going to be so excited and satisfied when they see that film. Some of his best work.  And I will be thrilled to work with him again on Dark Shadows. I was a big fan of it when I was a kid and I think it is another of those perfect projects for Tim to reimagine.”

 

Sci-fi looks to the future

Jim Lowe – Times Argus Staff

   Science fiction has long attracted hordes of movie-goers, perhaps because it predicts the future.
   “People are interested in the future and what it holds,” explained Eric Reynolds, creator of the Savoy Theater’s Sci-Fi July film festival, now in its third year. “I’m fascinated by the future. I would love to see what the earth looks like in 500 years – if human beings are still around – and I enjoy a good action-adventure story, which a lot of science fiction has.”
   This year, Sci-Fi July will present nine science fiction films at the Montpelier art film theater, from the classic 1956 “Invasion of the Body Snatchers” to the 1986 thriller “Aliens.”
   “There are different kinds of science fiction,” Reynolds said. “There are very positive and negative science fiction stories. This summer, for instance, there are two vastly different science fiction films that have already come out, ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Terminator Salvation’ – they’re very different futures.”
   One of the attractions is certainly the technology.
   “Everything we do is centered around technology – the computers and the Internet,” Reynolds said. “I think we’re making our way to what science fiction has shown us already.”
   Science fiction has also helped mold the technology, particularly the original 1966 “Star Trek.”
   “Even scientists use that as a guide for technologies that they’d like to see,” Reynolds said. “I think we have those – the cell phone looks very much like the communicator from the original ‘Star Trek.’”
   Sci-fi also predicted the personal computer, among other things.
   “All sorts of things have grown out of what people imagine,” Reynolds said. “Science fiction more and more is becoming science reality.”
   Several of this year’s films were on Reynolds’ list from the beginning, but there wasn’t space to schedule them.
   “Films like ‘Close Encounters’ and ‘Brazil’ were on the list the very first year, but I just didn’t have room to show them,” he said. “They’re great films – ‘Close Encounters’ is a favorite of mine.”
   In Steven Spielberg’s 1977 Oscar-winner, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” follows a line worker who, after a encounter with UFOs, is drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen. In a very different vein, Terry Gilliam’s 1985 cult classic, “Brazil” pillories government bureaucracy with a tale of an unimportant civil servant drawn into the world of terrorists over a young woman he dreams of.
   Last year, “Barbarella,” Roger Vadim’s 1985 erotic sci-fi spoof starring Jane Fonda, was the most attended film the festival. Hence, “Logan’s Run” and “Flash Gordon,” in the same vein. An Academy Award winner for visual effects, Michael Anderson’s 1976 “Logan’s Run” chronicles a future society which maintains its equilibrium by killing anyone who reaches the age of 30. Mike Hodges’ campy 1980 “Flash Gordon” is based on the macho comic book super-hero of the same name.
   “I would love to have some classic films in there, so ‘Invasion of the Body Snatchers’ and “Dr. Strangelove’ certainly fit that bill,” Reynolds said. “They both happen to be about the Cold War. They’re sort of from the same era, showing different aspects of that.”
   In Don Siegel’s 1956 “Invasion of the Body Snatchers,” which was subjected to several remakes, a community finds that its citizens are being replaced by emotionless alien duplicates. “Dr. Stranglelove,” Stanley Kubrick’s black comedy starring Peter Sellars and George C. Scott, satirizes the nuclear scare.
   Another that Reynolds has wanted to present from the beginning is “Planet of the Apes,” Franklin Schaffner’s 1968 film based on the novel by Pierre Boulle in which apes rule and humans are subservient.
   “I actually read the book a couple of years ago,” Reynolds said. “I thought it was a great book. It’s very different from both movie versions.”
   Charlton Heston. starred, as he did in a number of sci-fi films, including “The Omega Man” (1971) and “Soylent Green” (1973).
   Sci-Fi July has been attracting a small but dedicated audience since its inception, one that is growing.
   “The same people who come again and again – but that group is slowly getting larger and larger,” Reynolds said. “It seems to be mainly younger people, people in their 20s and early 30s.”
   But, that is changing. After complaints about the original 11 p.m. screenings being too late for some “older” people, Reynolds added matinees.
   “And we got a much wider range of people,” he said. “I think it’s people who like seeing classic or even campy films, and films that they have heard of but not on a large screen. They love the fact that we’re still doing it.”

The 2009 FANGORIA Chainsaw Awards Results

BEST WIDE-RELEASE FILM
HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY
CLOVERFIELD
THE STRANGERS
THE RUINS
QUARANTINE
Write-ins: FUNNY GAMES; DOOMSDAY; MIRRORS

BEST LIMITED-RELEASE/DIRECT-TO-VIDEO FILM
LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER
ROGUE
STUCK
THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
Write-ins: INSIDE; MACHINE GIRL; MOTHER OF TEARS

BEST ACTOR
Ron Perlman, HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY
Kare Hedebrant, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
Marc Senter, THE LOST
Trevor Matthews, JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER
Leo Bill, THE LIVING AND THE DEAD
Write-ins: Brian Cox, RED; Anthony Stewart Head, REPO! THE GENETIC OPERA; Jay Hernandez, QUARANTINE; Kiefer Sutherland, MIRRORS

BEST ACTRESS
Lina Leandersson, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
Naomi Watts, FUNNY GAMES
Eliza Dushku, THE ALPHABET KILLER
Jess Weixler, TEETH
Alysson Paradis, INSIDE
Write-ins: Asia Argento, MOTHER OF TEARS; Jennifer Carpenter, QUARANTINE; Liv Tyler, THE STRANGERS

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Doug Jones, HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY
TIE: Michael Pitt, FUNNY GAMES/Vinnie Jones, THE MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN
Robert Englund, JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER
A.J. Bowen, THE SIGNAL
Write-ins: Luke Goss, HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY; Jean-Pierre Jorris, FRONTIER(S); Noah Segan, DEADGIRL

BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Beatrice Dalle, INSIDE
Anna Walton, HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY
Lauren Roy, THE CHAIR
Jennifer Ellison, THE COTTAGE
Lou Doillon, SISTERS
Write-ins: Selma Blair, HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY; Megan Henning, THE LOST; Mylene Jampanoi, MARTYRS; Laura Ramsey, THE RUINS

BEST SCREENPLAY
John Ajvide Lindqvist, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
Guillermo del Toro, HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY
Mitchell Lichtenstein, TEETH
TIE: John Ainslie, Jon Knautz, JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER/John Strysik, STUCK
Write-in: Dario Argento, Adam Gierasch, Jace Anderson, MOTHER OF TEARS

BEST SCORE
John Soderqvist, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN
tomandandy, THE STRANGERS
TIE: Michael Giacchino, CLOVERFIELD/Ryan Shore, JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER
Robert Miller, TEETH
Write-ins: Danny Elfman, HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY; Claudio Simonetti, MOTHER OF TEARS

BEST MAKEUP/CREATURE FX
Mike Elizalde, Cliff Wallace, David Martí, Montse Ribé, HELLBOY II: THE GOLDEN ARMY
Robert Hall, QUARANTINE
David Scott, JACK BROOKS: MONSTER SLAYER
Jacques-Olivier Molon, INSIDE
Todd Tucker, Drac Studios, TRAILER PARK OF TERROR
Write-in: John Cox, ROGUE

WORST FILM
The top five vote-getters were:
PROM NIGHT
CLOVERFIELD
THE HAPPENING
SAW V
TWILIGHT

 With a tie for second place here, we’re inducting three new members into the FANGORIA HORROR HALL OF FAME:
Doug Jones, Forrest J Ackerman and Roger Corman.

‘Saw’ to scare Universal Studios

By Marc Graser – Variety

Lionsgate has inked a deal with Universal Studios to integrate its “Saw” franchise into the theme park’s annual “Halloween Horror Nights” event.

Pact makes “Saw” the latest horror franchise that wasn’t produced by Universal to be added to the event’s lineup. Last year, it introduced a haunted maze themed around New Line’s “A Nightmare on Elm Street” pics and featured “Friday the 13th.”

It also helps kill off competition created by a “Saw” haunted house that had been set up south of Los Angeles in Brea last year and scared visitors away from U’s park in Hollywood. An estimated 20,000 people visited the “Saw” house last year.

Lionsgate had officially backed the house, set in a shuttered movie theater and built by franchise fan Jeff Schiefelbein, with promos and other support to push the fifth installment. Schiefelbein has built more general-themed haunted houses there over the last several years.

Given its success, Lionsgate and “Saw’s” producers at Twisted Pictures had planned on moving the “Saw” house to a larger location closer to L.A. in order to accommodate more visitors this Halloween, but opted to broker the deal with Universal instead.

The theme park should guarantee not only a bigger budget to build the planned horror maze that will promote the sixth film, but also a considerably larger audience, considering the “Saw” attractions will appear at U’s parks in Hollywood and Orlando.

Combined, the parks attract hundreds of thousands of thrill-seekers each year for “Halloween Horror Nights.”

Universal plans to incorporate the “Saw” franchise’s characters and grisly traps in a maze and in the parks’ dedicated “scare zones,” as well as on the “Terror Tram,” a revamped version of its studio tram tour.

“This partnership represents a new landmark for the ‘Saw’ film franchise in that it allows us together with Twisted Pictures to further expand the brand and immerse fans in the horrifying world of ‘Saw,’ ” said Aubrey McClure, senior VP of promotions and licensing for Lionsgate.

Universal Studios Hollywood’s creative department will work with Lionsgate and Twisted Pictures to incorporate “Saw” into the parks. 

Ryan Reynolds in a Coffin?

Michael Fleming – Variety

After starring with Sandra Bullock in romantic comedy “The Proposal,” Ryan Reynolds has lined up a much grittier proposition for his next film.

Reynolds will star in “Buried,” playing a civilian contractor who’s kidnapped in Iraq and awakens buried in a coffin in the desert, armed only with a cell phone, a candle and a knife.

Rodrigo Cortes will direct a script by Chris Sparling; production will begin this month in Barcelona.

Peter Safran will produce through his Safran Co. banner with Adrian Guerra of Spain-based Versus Entertainment, which is financing the film. The picture will shoot entirely in Spain, which is home to Cortes, best known for directing “The Contestant.”

Reynolds takes the job after the showy role of Deadpool in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” and “The Proposal.”

He decided to go the indie route as a way to stretch his acting chops in a movie with a claustrophobic premise, and one in which he holds the screen through most of the picture.

Reynolds, the writer and director are repped by UTA.

Interview with a vampire: Bill Compton of ‘True Blood’

Bill Compton of True Blood

Whitney Matheson – USA Today

Viewers have been thirsty for the second season of HBO’s “True Blood.” The premiere attracted 3.7 million viewers, making it the cable channel’s most-watched program since The Sopranos series finale. Stephen Moyer, the British actor who plays handsome vampire Bill Compton, chatted with USA Today Pop Candy blogger Whitney Matheson.

Question:Now that “True Blood” has returned, what sort of reactions have you been hearing?

Answer: People seem genuinely excited by it. I think that our first two episodes are very much about setting up new ideas for the season, and Episode 3 is when it really starts to show something completely new. I’ve only seen up until Episode 3, but I was blown away by it. I think it’s really interesting television, and it breaks new ground.

Q: One thing we’re seeing is that Eric has a larger presence this season. What is that relationship between Bill and Eric going to be like?

A: Well, it starts off as one that is respectful, because he is Bill’s elder and because he’s a sheriff. Bill has to kowtow to him in many ways, which he doesn’t like. What’s really interesting, I think, is that Alan (Ball, the executive producer) and the writers have set up a modern-day feudal system, like a hierarchical kind of system where you’re not allowed to speak down to your elders or the person above you. It’s very old-fashioned, and I really like that. So even when Bill is incredibly (ticked) off with Eric’s behavior, he has to be very careful with how he voices that.

Q: Several readers sent questions for you. Annie M. asks: “I was wondering if Stephen’s life has gotten any crazier since becoming a vampire, like how Robert Pattinson’s life has gotten insane.”

A: It’s changed an awful lot. I don’t think it’s quite up to Pattinsonian standards, but it is lovely. (Laughs.) One thing about living in L.A. whilst I film this is that I think Los Angelenos have a very comfortable way, because they’re so used to being around people from the business. They’re very comfortable just coming up and saying, “Hey, man. I love your work.” And then they leave you alone. It’s really quite refreshing. You get the odd one who comes up and says “Bite me!” and I’ve literally met three people who’ve named their dog Sookie, and they’d like me to call after Sookie as Bill. But on the whole, it’s pretty much the same.

Q: Ksulycos asks, “What is really in the Tru Blood bottles?”

A: Last season, our set dresser and prop maker came up with a really fantastic blend. It took a while to get there, because obviously it had to be the deepest red. But what it ended up being is kind of like a raspberry puree. It’s like V8, but they put like 1,000 raspberries in a sieve, and they crush them and blend them. So it tastes pretty darn good, and it leaves a really great stain on your lips.

Q: Have you read the books, and, if so, how do you feel about the way the show is vastly different from the books? — Ashleigh P.

A: I have read the books, and I think Charlaine (Harris, the author) has done an amazing job of creating this world. Obviously, the books are told very much from Sookie’s point of view, but I think Alan has made a brilliant choice to extend Jason’s character, and to create the Tara character. Also, I think the relationship between Bill and Sookie is more loving than it is in the books, which I think is going to make it much more interesting when events occur that change that.

Q: Celia P. asks, “Do you feel your real-life relationship with Anna (Paquin) helps or hinders your performance on the set?”

A: We have now been together for nearly two years. Our relationship has grown with everybody watching us and knowing us, so we’re incredibly comfortable in front of (the crew). I actually think that it helps, because we are able to try things in the sex scenes — I think we’re able to do things that perhaps a couple that weren’t together would never dare try. It certainly makes those moments much easier on the crew knowing that we feel comfortable. I’m so used to having them on set when Anna and I are having a love scene that when we get home and we’re in bed by ourselves, I kind of miss them.

Q: Bill B. asks, “I’ve read a lot of criticism of how Southern culture and people are portrayed on the show. How did you prepare to portray a Southern character? What, if any, is your response to such criticism?”

A: I haven’t had any criticism at all of my stuff — I’ve been very lucky, I think. I love the South, I love Bill. I love the way he sounds, I love doing the accent. I prepared for it quite meticulously, and I work hard on making it correct, and we did try to make him very different-sounding from all the other characters, in that he’s 173 years old.