Posted in: Movies, TV | Tagged: brian bendis, eddie izzard, entertainment, playstation, powers, tv

Thoughts On The Powers Panel And Trailer, And Questions For The Cast

by Ray Flook

As he readily admitted at the very top of the panel, Brian Michael Bendis could easily understand the anxious anticipation many Powers were feeling towards finally seeing the book come to the screen. For fourteen years, he and co-creator Michael Avon Oeming sought out the right people and the right network to bring the story of Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim to life. Plans began to come together in 2009 when Bendis announced that Sony Pictures would be producing the television for the FX network; and over the course of the next two years, a pilot would be filmed with Jason Patric in the role of Walker and Lucy Punch as Pilgrim. But by early 2012, the network discussed re-shooting and retooling the series; and new scripts were ordered, leaving some with the assumption that the series was now stuck in "network limbo."

So it's easy to see why Bendis was so excited as he made his way onto the stage to kick-off the Powers: Bringing The Graphic Novels To Life Exclusively On Playstation panel at this year's New York Comic Con. Moderated by Geoff Keighlay (Gametrailers), the panel served as an exclamation point to the fact that a Powers television series was happening and that it would serve as the flagship original series for the Playstation Network beginning in December 2014. Joining Bendis on the panel would be: Susan Heyward (Deena Pilgrim); Eddie Izzard (Wolfe); Noah Taylor (Johnny Royalle); Olesya Rulin (Calista); Logan Browning (Zora); and later, Oeming. And although Sharlito Copley couldn't be there as he was still on set, he did send along a video message for those in attendance expressing his commitment to the role and to the series; as well as some additional footage exclusive to those attending the panel.

We'll take a look at the trailer later in this report; but first, here are some highlights from the panel discussion:

*David Slade directed the pilot; with Charlie Huston serving as the show-runner for what he envisions as a "ten chapter crime novel."

*The cast has been pretty much kept in the dark regarding where their characters an the show overall is going ("We know some of 'the fuck' but not all of 'the fuck.'" – Izzard)

*David Mack is supplying the '70's-style Retro Girl artwork used in the series; and Oeming is supplying the artwork used in the series to represent the Retro Girl cartoon and comic books in the "Powers universe," as well as the drawings done my a younger character who want to be an artist.

*Bendis told the crowd that the show would not follow the story chronology of the comic book, but that the first story arc would be one that fans of the comic book would be familiar with.

*Episode #5 will be be the first to include a flashback to Walker's past.

*When asked about the use of effects (in particular, super powers) in the series, Bendis emphasized that while there will be some viewers shouldn't expect anything too dramatic ("We stay on the ground.")

*When asked about his character Wolf, Izzard spoke of the appropriateness of the name since the character can be seen as "the big, bad wolf." Although he has only filmed two scenes so far, those scenes are essential to where the story is going and that Wolf's influence is felt even when he's not physically present ("I come in like a dragon…in tennis shoes."). In Izzard's view, the song that would best fit his portrayal of the character would be "Mona Lisa."

*Taylor's Johnny Royalle is seen as a "bad mother-fucker" who resents the celebrity status of other "powers" as he tries to manipulate his way into prominence once again; and also serves as a kind of "Fagin" to young, lost "powers" looking to make sense of the world and what they can do.

*Browning's Zora will be dramatically changed from the comic book: in the series, Zora will be a young woman just starting to realize the powerful potential she has within her and turns to Johnny Royalle for a sense of family and belonging. She wants to control her powers and have control over her life, not so that she can profit from her abilities but use them for a greater good.

*Huston wrote the first two episodes, and Bendis will be directly involved in the writing of the last two episodes of this season.

The Trailer

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1yNhPGrOFY[/youtube]

*At first, I was concerned with Copley's vocal portrayal of Walker during the trailer's voice-over because it reminded me slightly of Christan Bale's Batman in The Dark Knight Rises…and not in a good way. But listening to him speak in scenes later on put that concern to rest. I had the same issue with how Matt Ryan's Constantine sounded initially, too…assume it comes with getting used to the character (for both the actor and the audience).

*I wasn't sure what to make of Copley when I first read that he was cast: I consider him a quality actor, but never envisioned him as Walker. I definitely do now. While he may not be the Walker you would expect physically, his expressions and mannerisms give the viewer a sense of a once-powerful man brought low, on some level longing for the freedom and celebrity that being a "power" brought him yet primarily motivated to "save the day"…even if that means dealing with the rules and regulations of being "just a cop."

*Heyward's Pilgrim IS Deena Pilgrim, regardless of the physical differences between the series character and the comic book character. She doesn't appear to be too impressed by Walker, not to the point of conflict or hostility but in the sense that she will be his "devil's advocate," forcing Walker to question the decisions he makes. From the scene when she's starting work at the Powers Division, we can sense that this Pilgrim has made the rounds before within law enforcement and is looking to the Powers Division for a sense of personal and professional belonging. The chemistry between Heyward and Copley comes through in the scenes we're offered, which is key for the stories yet to come in subsequent seasons.

*Key lines:

– "You're all merely here…then gone." -Johnny Royalle (Taylor)

– "It's your own fault they're all dead." -Wolf (Izzard)

– "Being powerful makes you feel like you could save the whole world." -Walker (Copley)

– "How does it feel, Christian, to be powerless?" -Wolf

– "He has my fucking powers!" -Walker

– "It's unlocked." -Pilgrim (Heyward)

Post-Panel Interviews

A number of reporters were given the opportunity to meet with members of the Powers production after the panel presentation in a round-table interview set-up. I was able to speak with Oeming, Izzard and Heyward about the pressure that comes with being the Playstation Network's flagship original series; and find out from Taylor, Rulin and Browning how much they relied on Bendis when forming their characters.

While no pictures or video were allowed, reporters were able to audio record the sessions which you can listen to below:

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s67lkdKVZKc[/youtube]

INTERVIEW: Eddie Izzard / Michael Avon Oeming / Susan Heyward

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-i01ez5T3Y[/youtube]

INTERVIEW: Noah Taylor / Olesya Rulin / Logan Browning

Ray Flook has been a contributing writer to Bleeding Cool since October 2013. Follow him on Twitter: @oldmangeek88; "like" his Facebook page: Old Man Geek; and check-out his website:www.oldmangeek88.com)

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