A representative for The Worlds Finest attended last weeks Superman/Batman: Apocalypse premiere at the Paley Center in New York City, held on Thursday, September 23rd, 2010. The event featured the New York debut of the animated feature plus an opportunity to talk to the cast and crew behind the new Superman/Batman: Apocalypse release. Despite only having a few brief moments with both participants, The Worlds Finest managed to ask Superman/Batman: Apocalypse voice director Andrea Romano and Kevin Conroy – the voice of Batman himself – a few quick questions before the premiere of the latest DC Universe Animated Original Movie.
Below is an edited transcript of both concise interview opportunities, exclusive to The World’s Finest, first with Superman/Batman: Apocalypse voice director Andrea Romano and second with Kevin Conroy.
Andrea Romano
The Worlds Finest: Darkseid has a new voice actor in this film – Was it difficult to have someone new to the role after Michael Ironside?
Andrea Romano: It’s difficult to find their voices because people get in their minds they connect an actor with a role. They just can’t help it. It’s like thinking of William Shatner as Captain Kirk, you just put that together – that’s who he is. But we kind of had a nice thing in this piece where we have Tim Daly as Superman and Kevin Conroy as Batman. So we kind of have that “everybody gets comfortable” zone. And then you have Darkseid, a new Darkseid, and I’d always wanted to work with Andre Brauer, I just enjoy the actor. Darkseid is one of those characters that he’s this big lethal walking rock, he just looks like that. And I thought you could play that with like a James Earl Jones voice, but let’s go elegant, lets try something a little different. Let’s not just do deep-voice-always-in your-face villain. I think Andre does a beautiful job of capturing this guy’s ego, cause that’s what Darkseid’s all about, it’s “ego”. Andre doesn’t have an ego but he acts it really well.
WF: Supergirl and Superman speak Kryptonian in this film. What went into that, and how did you go about creating the language?
AR: Totally made-up. When you listen to it, it sounds like a bunch of languages put together… French, a little Spanish, a little Middle European. It’s just gibberish. But in order to act it, regardless of what they’re saying, it has to make sense. You can actually tell “Oh I know what they’re saying. I have a sense of what it is they’re saying. It’s like when you watch a foreign film without looking at the subtitles you go. You get a sense of what it is they’re saying. It’s just another language.
WF: Wonder Woman plays more of a mentor role in this film as compared to Justice League. Did you have Susan Eisenberg approach the role differently?
AR: No. The thing thats a little bit different in this [movie] is that her will dominates Batman and Superman’s. It’s what she wants and she’s going to make sure she gets it, to take care of Kara and train her and bring her to Themyscira and not leave her in Metropolis or Gotham. And so it’s a much more aggressive Wonder Woman than in the Justice League world.
WF: All-Star Superman is kind of a quirky take on Superman and that whole world. Did that affect how you and the actors approached that film?
AR: We try to do each one differently, so that everything isn’t exactly the same. So we’re stimulated and also the actors are stimulated and the audience has something new to look at. We try to keep the quality at the same height but not always the same note.
Kevin Conroy
WF: Since each film is different, do you approach Batman differently each time? In this film?
Kevin Conroy: I think the important thing for me to do is to maintain the consistency of the character throughout all the films, because the audience has really grown to know him so well. The audience knows him probably better than the producers know him, you know what I mean? They would know in a second if I did something that was not Batman-like, so I can’t fool around with that too much. I’ve tried to be really loyal to the character and from what I’ve heard from the fans they get that, they like that so it works both ways I think.
WF: Did you record your part in the same room as the other actors for this film?
KC: Yeah. That’s the great thing about Warner Bros. and about Andrea Romano. She always insists on everyone being together, which is unique for the studios. A lot of the other studios like to have you record separately, because then the technicians have a completely clean take so, in post production, they have a lot more control. They like that. But in terms of performance quality, I think there’s no comparison. You just don’t get as good a performance, so Andrea likes to get everyone together. That affects the kind of actors she gets. She needs people who will work together well. So she loves theater people, she loves people with really strong acting chops, that can really play together well. They don’t want kids who are going to fight in kindergarten, you know what I mean?
Click here to view the official trailer for the Superman/Batman: Apocalypse direct-to-video animated feature.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Superman/Batman: Apocalypse animated feature is now available to own on Blu-ray Combo Disc and DVD from Warner Home Video. Stay tuned for further updates here soon at The Worlds Finest. Click on the links below to discuss both the new Superman/Batman: Apocalypse animated feature, the respective DVD and Blu-ray home video releases and the DC Showcase: Green Arrow animated short.
START SPREADING THE NEWS WARNER BROS. TELEVISION AND WARNER BROS. ANIMATION TAKE MANHATTAN WITH SIX SERIES HEADING TO NEW YORK COMIC CON 2010
Stars and Producers from Nikita, V, The Vampire Diaries, Young Justice, MAD and Green Lantern: The Animated Series to Appear October 810
Warner Bros. Television (WBTV) and Warner Bros. Animation (WBA) are teaming up to take Manhattan, with six series from the Studio WBTVs Nikita, V and The Vampire Diaries, along with WBAs MAD as well as the upcoming Young Justice and Green Lantern: The Animated Series headed to New York Comic Con 2010.
Selected stars and producers from these programs will be on-hand for panel sessions, media appearances and autograph signings at the East Coasts biggest and most exciting popular culture convention from Friday, October 8Sunday, October 10.
Highlights include:
* Three generations of V queens series stars Morena Baccarin and Laura Vandervoort, and guest star Jane Badler (Diana on the original V) discuss their epic power struggle over the future of humanity in the forthcoming season two
* The Vampire Diaries executive producers Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec join series stars Steven R. McQueen, Sara Canning, Katerina Graham and Zach Roerig for their first New York Comic Con appearance (Note: Attendees are subject to change.)
* Nikita stars Maggie Q., Shane West and Lyndsy Fonseca team up with executive producer Craig Silverstein to give fans a peek a whats ahead in season one
* Warner Bros. Animation unveils exclusive new footage from the upcoming series Young Justice, and the creative team behind Green Lantern: The Animated Series talks about this new project
* The team behind DC Comics MAD Magazine and Warner Bros. Animations new MAD animated television series give fans a light-hearted look at the past, present and future of an American institution
For continuing information about the Studios plans at New York Comic Con, please follow us on Twitter @TheWBdotcom or search for news using the #WBNYCC hashtag.
Here is the complete WBTV and WBA New York Comic Con schedule:
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 8
* 3:154:15 p.m. Mad About MAD Presentation/Q&A MAD Magazine has established itself as the original, most imitated and influential satirical publication across generations. Recently, MAD made a triumphant return to TV on Cartoon Network with an all-new animated series from Warner Bros. Animation to corrupt the minds of the next generation! Come join MAD Magazine editor John Ficarra, MAD art director Sam Viviano, legendary MAD artist Mort Drucker and MAD television program producer Mark Marek, plus a few surprise guests for a light-hearted look at the past, present and future of an American institution. Room 1A06-7
* 4:305:30 p.m. MAD Signing at the DC Comics booth #2243
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 9
* 2:003:00 p.m. Young Justice Signing at the DC Comics booth #2243
* 2:303:30 p.m. Green Lantern: The Animated Series Presentation/Q&A Saturday will be NYCCs brightest day as Warner Bros. Animation proudly unveils this new series coming soon to Cartoon Network and based upon characters from DC Comics. Join series executive producer Bruce Timm (Batman: The Animated Series), producer Giancarlo Volpe (Star Wars: The Clone Wars) and producer/story editor Jim Krieg (Ben 10: Alien Swarm) as these creative forces reveal their plans for one of the most highly anticipated new animated series. Room 1A14
* 3:454:45 p.m. Young Justice Video Presentation and Q&A Join the league! Fans were given their first glimpse of Robin, Aqualad, Kid Flash, Superboy, Miss Martian and Artemis this past July at Comic-Con International: San Diego. But this panel will offer far more than just a glimpse, as producers Brandon Vietti (Batman: Under the Red Hood) and Greg Weisman (Gargoyles) answer questions from fans and show footage from this highly anticipated series. A one-hour special event of Young Justice will premiere in November 2010 on Cartoon Network, and the series begins in 2011. Young Justice is produced by Warner Bros. Animation and is based upon characters from DC Comics. Room 1A14
* 4:005:00 p.m. Green Lantern: The Animated Series Signing at the DC Comics Booth #2243
* 5:156:15 p.m. V Special Video Presentation and Cast/Producer Q&A In the first season of V, the Visitors arrived. In the second, coming in November to ABC, three generations of V queens played by Morena Baccarin (Firefly), Laura Vandervoort (Smallville) and guest star Jane Badler (Diana on the original V) will engage in an epic power struggle over the future of humanity. Join them and a V executive producer for a panel that will feature Q&A as well as footage from the new season. V is produced by HDFilms in association with Warner Bros. Television. Become a fan of the series on Facebook at www.facebook.com/V. IGN Theater/Special Events Hall
* 6:30 7:30 p.m. V Signing in Room 1C05
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 10
* 10:3011:30 a.m. Nikita Video Presentation and Q&A Looks do kill! International action star Maggie Q (Mission: Impossible III) plays Nikita, the former spy and assassin determined to destroy the secretive and corrupt government agency that trained her. Join Maggie, Shane West (ER), Lyndsy Fonseca (Kick-Ass) and executive producer Craig Silverstein (Bones) as they answer questions and provide a sneak peek at what fans can expect in upcoming episodes. From Wonderland Sound and Vision in association with Warner Bros. Television, Nikita airs Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. Become a fan of the show on Facebook at www.facebook.com/nikita. IGN Theater/Special Events Hall
* 1:001:45 p.m. Nikita Signing in Room 1C05
* 11:30 a.m.12:30 p.m. The Vampire Diaries Special Video Presentation and Select Cast/Producer Q&A The Vampire Diaries sinks its teeth into the Big Apple today a New York Comic Con first! Join series stars Steven R. McQueen (character name: Jeremy), Sara Canning (Jenna), Katerina Graham (Bonnie) and Zach Roerig (Matt), and executive producers Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec for a discussion of all things Mystic Falls! NOTE: Attendees are subject to change. From Bonanza Productions Inc., Outerbanks Entertainment and Alloy Entertainment in association with Warner Bros. Television and CBS Television Studios, The Vampire Diaries airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. Become a fan on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thevampirediaries and follow the show on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CW_VampDiaries. IGN Theater/Special Events Hall
* 2:003:00 p.m. The Vampire Diaries Signing in Room 1C05
Stay tuned for further updates on Young Justice and Green Lantern: The Animated Series here soon at The World’s Finest.
Batman: The Brave and The Bold #21, the latest installment of the current DC Comics title based on the animated series airing on Cartoon Network, arrives in comic book and hobby stores today. Official details for this issue of the Batman: The Brave and The Bold comic series are available below.
BATMAN: THE BRAVE AND THE BOLD #21
Written by: Landry Walker Art by: Eric Jones Cover by: Eric Jones
Batman teams up with Green Lantern to combat an ancient alien menace from beyond the depths of time and space that radiates yellow energy and mutates living creatures at will!
Further details on both the Batman: The Brave and The Bold animated series and comic title are available at the Batman: The Brave and The Bold subsite here at The World’s Finest. The cover price for Batman: The Brave and The Bold #21 is $2.99US.
Stay tuned for further Batman: The Brave and The Bold updates, including exclusive content for the upcoming revamped All-New Batman: The Brave and The Bold comic series, here soon at The World’s Finest.
In further Batman: The Brave and The Bold animated series news, Toonzone News has recently conducted extensive interviews with Batman: The Brave and The Bold producers James Tucker and Michael Jelenic concerning the Batman: The Brave and The Bold second season two-part epic “The Siege of Starro!” Please click on the splash image below to view the interview.
The World’s Finest presents the latest in a series of studio-conducted interviews, provided by Warner Home Video, for the Superman/Batman: Apocalypse direct-to-video animated feature. Continue reading below for the latest installment featuring Summer Glau, the voice of Supergirl. Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is now available to own.
Sci-Fi Fan Favorite Summer Glau is Supergirl in Superman/Batman: Apocalypse
Star of Serenity/Firefly and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles continues to entertain fanboys as voice of Supermans cousin in all-new DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movie available today, Sept. 28
Summer Glau knows her audience.
Whether as River Tam in Joss Whedons cult classic series and follow-up film, Firefly and Serenity, or as the indestructible android-from-the-future Cameron in Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles, Glau has cornered the market on playing attractive, demure young females with the controlled homicidal power to destroy an opposing legion of trained warriors.
So it was only natural that as her first-ever animated voiceover role, Glau would fit neatly into the role of an uber-powered Kryptonian who falls under the spell of one of Supermans greatest foes. Glau finds the perfect mix of youthful curiosity, teen angst and alien-turned-Earth-girl aggression as the voice of Kara, cousin of Superman (and ultimately destined to become Supergirl) in Superman/Batman: Apocalypse, the ninth entry in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movies arriving today, September 28 from Warner Home Video.
Based on the DC Comics series/graphic novel Superman/Batman: Supergirl by Jeph Loeb, Michael Turner & Peter Steigerwald, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is produced by animation legend Bruce Timm and directed by Lauren Montgomery (Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths) from a script by Academy Award-nominated screenwriter Tab Murphy (Gorillas in the Mist). Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, Superman/Batman: Apocalypse is now available as a Blu-ray Combo Pack, Special Edition DVD, On Demand and for Download.
Glaus career has been populated with frequent visits to the fanboy realm, adding regular roles on The 4400 and Dollhouse to her featured gigs on Firefly/Serenity and Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. The professionally trained ballerina had a seven-episode run on The Unit, and will appear in the upcoming NBC series, The Cape, as well as in the film Knights of Badassdom.
Following her recording session, Glau freely discussed a number of subjects from the acting strengths of the Whedon alumni association to her consistent on-set nerves to a strong desire to land more adult roles. Heres how that conversation went
QUESTION: Was it easy to find a way to relate to Kara?
SUMMER GLAU: Kara was a really comfortable fit for me because she’s sort of a girl coming into her own. A girl becoming a woman and finding out who she is, and so I felt like there were moments when it reminded me of River because she is so powerful, but also young and nave and a little bit lost. She has this underlying strength that comes from out of nowhere.
QUESTION: Whats special about voicing Supergirl?
SUMMER GLAU: I think everything about being Supergirl is special. When I saw the graphics for her, I thought I don’t think I’m ever gonna look that good again, so I’m going to soak it up and enjoy it. I feel like animated characters always have longer calves than they have thighs. They have these tiny little thighs and these big, wonderful calves and then these big hips, and this tiny little waist. I feel like it’d be hard to keep your balance, but it looks good. Plus I loved this script, and I loved the character. Who wouldn’t love to be Supergirl? So I had a great time.
QUESTION: As this was your first foray in voiceover for an animated character, what did you have in your head while you were recording to stay focused on your character?
SUMMER GLAU: Ive found that I do my best when I’m not afraid of being embarrassed in front of everyone. You have to just go there in your imagination. I tried to picture everything around me, seeing these other characters, and then I just put it out there and hoped that you all didn’t laugh at me. And you might have because I couldn’t hear you (she laughs) , but I just went for it.
QUESTION: Without any spoilers, do you have a favorite scene or a favorite line in the film?
SUMMER GLAU: I love that first scene when Superman comes to rescue Kara and she’s putting on this completely different persona. Playing that change was really fun. And I also really loved when Kara meets the Kents. I thought that was really funny.
As an actress, it’s very gratifying to have a character that has such a strong arc, so that you can do so many different things in one script with one character. She starts out speaking a different language and being very scared and not relating to anybody, and then realizing that she’s reconnected with a family member. Then she goes to school and learns how to hone her skills. She just goes through so many changes good, evil, scared, confidant and that variety in one script is fun to play.
QUESTION: You did have an added degree of difficulty for your first voiceover session speaking Kryptonian. How easy or difficult was that task?
SUMMER GLAU: I still don’t know how that all turned out. It’s kind of a blur right now. I’m trying to remember what we actually ended up with because we tried a lot of different things. You can make it up because not many people know Kryptonian, so I don’t know exactly what I ended up saying. I am surprised that I’m not still working on my Kryptonian lines right now. I thought I was going to be doing the Kryptonian for a few hours (she laughs).
QUESTION: Youve played a lot of strong, powerful, quiet women. Are there similarities to Summer Glaus real-life persona?
SUMMER GLAU: Well, as far as my actual fighting abilities, I haven’t tried it out in real life. I don’t know what would happen. I did learn how to do some martial arts, but I can’t throw cars. I can’t bend metal like Cameron, and, I dont know if I’m as psychic as River. I’m definitely not as powerful as Supergirl but, you know, here I just have to use my imagination.
I was always very shy growing up, and I wasn’t really good at expressing myself in real life. And I don’t know why it is but when I’m playing someone else, it’s a really therapeutic thing for me. Being an actress has really opened up a lot of opportunity for me to see different sides of who I am. I think I’m still pretty shy in real life, but I just have to let go of that when I’m playing these characters. There were moments when I felt really scared to just let it out today, but it felt so good.
QUESTION: DC Universe films have been populated with Whedon alums. What is it about Joss Whedons actors that makes them so good with this material as well?
SUMMER GLAU: One thing that I recognized about the Firefly cast is that that group of people loves what they do and there’s an innocence and an excitement about just diving into a character and being part of this make-believe world. Some actors, I think, don’t like doing such fantastical characters. You have to just dive in and have that open heart to play these characters that are bigger than life, And that’s what Joss’ actors do pretty well.
I think that Joss writes characters that are so specific and rich and complicated. We had an ensemble cast for Firefly. It was a very big cast and we had to share story lines between a lot of people. But I felt like each person was so distinct that you found ways to relate to each. Joss does that so well. He has a way of writing characters that really fills them out and, as an actress, reading the material, you just lock into it right away. It’s so specific. It’s very inspiring.
QUESTION: So how did you find your very first voiceover/animation experience?
SUMMER GLAU: I’m very relieved today that everybody was nice to me at the end. I was very scared. I’ve never done any kind of straight voiceover work before. I’ve never done anything animated. I wasnt sure what the process was going to be. So I was worried about how I would do, but everyone was very accepting and I felt like it was a really creative environment. I felt very safe.
I felt a lot of freedom about trying different thing, and we got to try a lot of different things. And it surprised me that we were able to jump in and out of the scenes so easily, and I felt like I could stay focused. It helped me a lot to get the coaching and get ideas. And I was surprised that it went by so fast, too. We got through a whole script in a few hours. Amazing.
QUESTION: When was the last time you were this nervous on a set?
SUMMER GLAU: I was nervous this morning. But I get nervous every take. Every take, I feel butterflies. It never gets to the point where I feel like it’s easy. Not that it feels like I can’t do it, but there’s this thing about acting I feel like a little bit of magic always has to happen because you have to kind of leave yourself. You have to leave your reality and I think that it takes a little bit of magic to do that.
QUESTION: Why did it take so long for you to voice an animated character?
SUMMER GLAU: I never thought about doing animation before and this was the first time that anybody asked me to do it. I couldn’t think of an animated character that I would like to do more. Supergirl is amazing.
QUESTION: So youd like to do more?
SUMMER GLAU: Yes, please. More. (she giggles)
QUESTION: Do you stay mostly in the science fiction genre by choice?
SUMMER GLAU: I’m not going to question it because it’s been fantastic doing so much sci-fi. I think that maybe the reason why I have been able to do a lot of sci-fi is because I think that fans of science fiction are very loyal and they’re very nurturing and dedicated. They like to see their actors in other projects and they’ll follow you and support you and I think that’s why I’ve moved from one sci-fi job to the next. I’ve really enjoyed it. I think that science fiction gives actors some of the best opportunities thats where you find some of the most challenging, well written roles in TV and film.
QUESTION: Its obvious that you respect your fans. Do you have any unique fan experiences or antidotes?
SUMMER GLAU: I always keep my fan experiences very, very close to my heart. My favorite Comic-Con memory is the first one because I had no idea there’s no way to picture what it’s going to be like until you’re there. And being one of Joss’ actors is really special, because it’s like being part of a special family. Comic-Con was just beyond what I could’ve imagined. It’s an amazing experience for you to say thank you in person to the people that make it possible for you to do what you love.
I feel that our fans are so positive and so loving that I like to hear what they have to say. On Terminator, one thing that our cast liked to do was read if the fans noticed little things that we would put into the show. It became sort of a game. We loved to hear what they had to say and what they noticed or what they didn’t notice or if they liked choices that we made. It’s like a little love letter. You send it out and then you see what they say and it happens every week. I think they’re very thoughtful and so smart and, ultimately, we do it for them, so it’s great to hear what they think.
QUESTION: If you could wish for your next role, what would you want to play?
SUMMER GLAU: I think what I’m focusing on the most right now is just growing as an actress, and really being around actors that push me to be better. I’d like to grow and as I grow up, I’d like to play more adult roles. I’d like to play a woman. I’ve played a lot of girls and teenagers, but I’m not a teenager anymore. So I’d like to try to push myself in that direction. I want to keep doing TV; I love to do film; I should try to do comedy, even though I’m terrified of trying to be funny. I’ve always wanted to do a western and Id love to do a period film. Besides that, I just want to keep pushing myself.
For more information please go to SupermanBatmanApocalypse.com
Warner Home Video has also released three new videos to promote the release of the Superman/Batman: Apocalypse animated feature. Two clips feature actor Summer Glau discussing the role of Supergirl, and the other a clip from the actual animated feature. Click on the thumbnails below to view these three videos in the Quicktime format.
Click here to view the official trailer for the Superman/Batman: Apocalypse direct-to-video animated feature.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Superman/Batman: Apocalypse animated feature is now available to own on Blu-ray Combo Disc and DVD from Warner Home Video. Stay tuned for further updates here soon at The Worlds Finest. Click on the links below to discuss both the new Superman/Batman: Apocalypse animated feature, the respective DVD and Blu-ray home video releases and the DC Showcase: Green Arrow animated short.
The all-new direct-to-video Superman/Batman: Apocalypse animated feature from Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation is now available to own on Blu-ray, Two-Disc Special Edition DVD, and Single-Disc DVD. Warner Home Video distributes the direct-to-video animated feature, which is also available on Pay-Per-View, OnDemand and for legal day and date download. Also available exclusively on the Superman/Batman: Apocalypse Blu-ray and Two-Disc Special Edition DVD release is the latest animated short DC Showcase: Green Arrow. The cover artwork for the separate home video releases are available below.
Further information on this latest DC Universe Animated Original Movie title can be found by clicking the images above. Click on the links below to discuss both the new Superman/Batman: Apocalypse animated feature, the respective DVD and Blu-ray home video releases and the DC Showcase: Green Arrow animated short.
Continuing, the Superman/Batman: Apocalypse home video release also includes a look at the next DC Universe Animated Original Movie title, All-Star Superman. The All-Star Superman animated feature is slated to hit Blu-ray and DVD in February 2011.
In further related news, the new The Music of DC Comics: 75th Anniversary Collection soundtrack release is also now available from WaterTower Music. The soundtrack is available as both a digital download, through iTunes and other similar digital download outlets, and an Amazon-exclusive compact disc release. The release features a collection of popular theme songs and musical selections from different DC Comics-based properties, including live-action and animated features and series, from the past 75 years. A complete track listing for this release can be found here. Click on the link below to discuss this new soundtrack release.
Please continue to the The World’s Finest Superman/Batman: Apocalypse subsite for further details on the newly-available direct-to-video animated feature release. Click here to view the trailer and clips from the Superman/Batman: Apocalypse direct-to-video animated feature. A co-production of Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Superman/Batman: Apocalypse animated feature is now available from Warner Home Video.