Tim Daly Discusses Reprising Role Of Superman In “Justice League: Doom” Feature
The World’s Finest presents the latest in a series of studio-conducted interviews, provided by Warner Home Video, for the Justice League: Doom direct-to-video animated feature. Continue reading below for an interview with Tim Daly, who returns to the role of Superman in the upcoming DC Universe Animated Original Movie title. A new image and three interview clips are also included below, the three accessible through the first three thumbnails below. Justice League: Doom arrives February 28, 2012 from Warner Home Video as a Blu-Ray Combo Pack and DVD, On Demand and for Download.
Superman: The Animated Series star returns for key role in all-new DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movie available Feb. 28;
Daly to take part in Feb. 16 West Coast Premiere at Paley Center in Los Angeles
The quintessential voice of the Man of Steel primetime television star Tim Daly once again returns to his original animated role of Superman in Justice League: Doom, the next entry in the popular, ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original PG-13 Movies.
Daly set the standard as the voice behind the worlds ultimate super hero for Superman: The Animated Series as well as in several animated movies and video games. While fanboys hail his vocal performance as their point of recognition, the Emmy nominated actor is known well throughout the world for his primetime television series roles, including eight seasons on Wings, an intense recurring role on The Sopranos, a memorable turn on HBOs landmark mini-series From The Earth To The Moon, and his current ABC hit series, Private Practice.
Daly has joined the festivities surrounding the West Coast Premiere of Justice League: Doom on Thursday, February 16 at The Paley Center for Media in Beverly Hills. The actor will appear for red carpet interviews and take part in the panel discussion following the film alongside his co-stars Phil Morris (Seinfeld, Smallville), Paul Blackthorne (The River), Oliva d’Abo (The Wonder Years) and Susan Eisenberg (Justice League, Justice League Unlimited). Also confirmed to attend is director Lauren Montgomery and dialogue/casting director Andrea Romano.
Warner Home Video will distribute Justice League: Doom on Blu-Ray, DVD and for Download on February 28, 2012.
Daly took a few minutes to offer answers to some questions that havent been posed to him lately. Heres what Mr. Daly had to offer
QUESTION: Whats the crux of Justice League: Doom from Supermans perspective?
TIM DALY: Well, as usual, its all about saving the planet. But first, the Justice League has to save the Justice League. Batman disappoints his colleagues in the Justice League by having a plan to stop any rogue Justice League member, and by allowing those plans to be stolen. Superman understands Batman, though he really has created these contingency plans for a pretty noble reason. He’s trying to protect the world by inserting some checks and balances into this system, realizing that the Justice League has an incredible amount of power, and he wants to make sure that they always use that power in a way that’s not destructive.
QUESTION: Are you able to turn on and off the Superman voice without hesitation, or is there some sort of warm-up involved mentally or vocally?
TIM DALY: Theres just a lot of technical things to keep in mind. You get warmed up like you do with anything and, after a little rehearsing, its all second nature. That doesnt mean I didnt want to go back and do a few lines over again you want these things to be just right. But you dont necessarily jump straight back in. I mean, it’s not like I walk around being Superman in real life. But when you read the script and put yourself in the position that Superman is in I mean, he’s always saving the planet, for God’s sake. When you realize that, it’s not difficult to take the gravitas of the situation and make your voice do what it needs to do.
QUESTION: As well as you know this character after all of these years, are you ever shy to offer suggestions about how certain dialogue might be presented or altered?
TIM DALY: Usually the writing is pretty great, but then again, I can’t keep my mouth shut. If I think something can be better, I’ll speak up and say so. But I will explain why Im making the suggestion. I actually find that writers respond very well to being asked questions. Why would Superman say that? Would it be better if I said it this way? You dont just want to be critical that doesn’t benefit anyone. The best creative work usually comes from a collaboration.
QUESTION: Have you ever found yourself using the Superman attitude or voice in real life?
TIM DALY: I did a little bit when my kids were young. And I found that it worked much better on my daughter than my son. I would say to her, (beefs up his voice), Stop that right now. And she would be suitably taken aback. But my son, he didn’t really care.
QUESTION: Has providing the voice of Superman helped you learn anything about yourself or changed you in any way?
TIM DALY: Maybe a little bit. Maybe some of what gets you through your walks in the world is attitude. Certainly Superman has a lot of power and he doesn’t have to be showy, rather he carries that confidence quietly. He knows what he can do. I certainly am not capable of pulling that off in my own life. But knowing that, I can fake that attitude to help me out now and then.
QUESTION: What Superman memorabilia have you collected over the years?
TIM DALY: I have a beautiful wooden Superman statue with a removable cape I really love that piece. I have a cel from the original Superman series cartoons. And I have a gold Superman S pin. And then theres my tights, uh, but dont tell anymore.
QUESTION: TV and film is usually a one-way experience for you. You don’t really get to see the final product with an audience very often. But youre coming back to the Paley Center in Los Angeles for the premiere of Justice League: Doom and this will be your second time seeing one of the DC Universe animated movies alongside the fans. What was your experience like watching Superman/Batman: Apocalypse last time?
TIM DALY: It was really great because the fans were so into it. Fan reaction is really wonderful to experience in person, especially fans of this genre. Theyre so passionate. And it was also fun because it was just my voice and Superman’s image. Usually when I see myself in a film or on television, there’s about a six-month period where I can’t look at it because all Ill see are the mistakes. I’m just appalled by the person that I see. The camera sees me from angles that I’ve never seen myself, so I never think it’s me. I look at that and I think, My God, that’s me. But with these films, I can look up and it is Superman on the screen. So I don’t have to go through all that. He has no flaws.
QUESTION: What’s the magic of working with dialogue director Andrea Romano?
TIM DALY: The great thing about working with Andrea is that she loves it so much, and she’s so positive about it. You can’t fake that. Even after all this time, doing 41 shows at a time, all the series and films, shes right there with the same enthusiasm and love for the material. I dont know how she keeps it all straight. Plus, she really loves actors you always feel like shes rooting for you. And that makes it very easy.
The above interview is also available to view at the The World’s Finest Justice League: Doom subsite. Additional content features on the subsite includes videos, images, interviews, and more.
A co-production of Warner Premiere, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Group, DC Entertainment and Warner Bros. Animation, the direct-to-video Justice League: Doom animated feature debuts February 28th, 2012 on Blu-ray, DVD, OnDemand and for Download from Warner Home Video. Further details are available at the The World’s Finest Justice League: Doom subsite.
Similar to the Batman: Year One animated release, Warner Home Video will also allow a one week-early window to legally download Justice League: Doom starting February 21st, 2012.
Stay tuned for further updates here soon at The World’s Finest.
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