The World’s Finest presents the latest in a series of studio-conducted interviews, provided by Warner Home Video, for the All-Star Superman direct-to-video animated feature. Continue reading below for the latest installment featuring author Grant Morrison, discussing bringing his classic story to the animated life. A new video clip is also featured below the interview.

RENOWNED WRITER GRANT MORRISON DISCUSSES PAGE-TO-SCREEN TRANSITION OF HIS LANDMARK ALL-STAR SUPERMAN

Tenth DC Universe Animated Original Movie now available on Blu-ray, DVD, OnDemand and for Download from Warner Home Video

Renowned comics writer Grant Morrison has found a lot to like in the transfer from page-to-screen of his Eisner Award-winning All-Star Superman, the critically-acclaimed, hot-selling new entry in the ongoing series of DC Universe Animated Original Movies available now from Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video.

In All-Star Superman, the Man of Steel rescues an ill-fated mission to the Sun (sabotaged by Lex Luthor) and, in the process, is oversaturated by radiation which accelerates his cell degeneration. Sensing even he will be unable to cheat death, Superman ventures into new realms finally revealing his secret to Lois, confronting Lex Luthors perspective of humanity, and attempting to ensure Earths safety before his own impending end with one final, selfless act.

All-Star Superman is now available from Warner Home Video as a Blu-Ray Combo Pack and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD, as well as single disc DVD. The film will is also available On Demand and for Download.

Morrison had a few moments to chat from his home in Scotland last week about the all-new film based on his landmark comics series, and the late Dwayne McDuffies impressive job in re-imagining Morrisons words into animated glory. Heres what Mr. Morrison had to say

Question: Did you have, and did you want, creative input into the script?

Grant Morrison: Once I knew someone else was going to do it, I kind of wanted to let it happen and not interfere. Im always excited to see how others translate things from page to screen. I didnt even know Dwayne (McDuffie) was involved at first, but Im so glad he did it. I was happy to see what the story might look like from someone elses perspective and he did a fantastic job.

Question: Overall, how did you feel your story translated from page to screen?

Grant Morrison:
I really loved it, which was why I wound up raving about it on so many of the DVD extras! Dwayne worked in a staggering amount of story, and he was able to give it this wonderful, strange episodic flavor where it seemed as if every day could bring some incredible and unexpected new challenge into Supermans life. I didnt really expect half of the material from the book to be in there, and loved the way it was organized and edited because it made the whole thing a very different experience for me.

Question: Were you disappointed that anything was cut out?

Grant Morrison: Youre always a little disappointed when some favorite detail doesnt make the cut, but what did make it was so well-done and faithful to the source that I cant really say I was upset. Its a long book that could easily make a six-hour movie, so Im amazed All-Star incorporated as much of the story as it did, more than anything else.

Question: Were you particularly pleased with the way certain things were condensed?

Grant Morrison: It was impressive that Dwayne was able to condense entire issues of 22 to 24 pages into tight, satisfying eight- or ten-minute complete scenes. To take a whole issue and make it into an episode that felt complete in itself inside a larger narrative was ingenious and was a great way to translate the books serial structure into a feature film. I hope Dwayne knew how much I appreciated his work on this.

Question: Are you a fan of animation?

Grant Morrison: I couldnt say Im a giant animation fan, but I love the obvious stuff from around the world. I always liked the Fleischer animation, the Superman cartoons and the old features they did. Im not a major animation fan but I do think the good stuff in any field stands the test of time.

Question: Which of your stories do you think would best translate to animation next?

Grant Morrison: I dont really think of the stories being done as films. When Im writing them, Im focused on what makes a good comic rather than a potential movie. Having said that, seeing All-Star Superman left me quite keen to see some more! I think it would be fun to see what they could do with Final Crisis or one of the Batman stories, like Batman R.I.P. in that dark Bruce Timm style. Id love to see something done with Doom Patrol or Seven Soldiers. Go for it.

For more information please go to AllStarSuperman.com.

Warner Home Video has also provided the following Quicktime video clip available below. The clip features a scene from the All-Star Superman animated feature, focusing on Lex Luthor and Clark Kent dealing with a power-hungry Parasite. Click on the thumbnail below to view the Quicktime clip.

The direct-to-video All-Star Superman animated feature from Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment 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. Click on the links below to discuss both the new All-Star Superman animated feature and its respective DVD and Blu-ray home video releases.

–All-Star Superman Feature Talkback (Spoilers)
–All-Star Superman DVD/Blu-ray Talkback (Spoilers)

Please continue to the The World’s Finest All-Star Superman subsite for further details on the newly-available direct-to-video animated feature release. Click here to view the trailer and other content from the All-Star Superman direct-to-video animated feature.

Follow The World’s Finest on Twitter and Facebook!

The World’s Finest presents the latest in a series of studio-conducted interviews, provided by Warner Home Video, for the All-Star Superman direct-to-video animated feature. Continue reading below for the latest installment featuring actress Christina Hendricks discussing her role in the recently-released animated feature. New video clips are also featured below the interview.

Mad Mens Christina Hendricks fits childhood dreams into a busy mainstream schedule as the voice of Lois Lane in All-Star Superman
DC Universe Animated Original Movie now on Blu-ray, DVD

Christina Hendricks is truly enjoying the best of both worlds.

While the Mad Men star is grabbing the spotlight for more mature mainstream opportunities as a judge on Bravos upcoming season of Top Chef and as the new face of designer Vivienne Westwoods Get a Life Palladium jewelry collection, Hendricks is also currently living her childhood dreams as the voice of Lois Lane in the all-new animated film All-Star Superman.

Hendricks stars alongside Desperate Housewives James Denton (Superman) and Without A Traces Anthony LaPaglia (Lex Luthor) in the critically-acclaimed, hot-selling DC Universe Animated Original Movie that poignantly captures Grant Morrisons beloved, Eisner Award-winning vision of Supermans heroic final days on Earth.

Along with husband Geoffrey Arend (500 Days of Summer), Hendricks was the featured attraction at the world premiere of All-Star Superman in New Yorks Paley Center for Media. The press corps and fans flocked to the event, lauding praise and adoration on the actress for her roles in everything from Mad Men to Firefly. Following the screening, the crowd gave Hendricks a resounding ovation for her performance as Lois Lane.

Hendricks is at the forefront of a stellar for All-Star Superman cast that includes Denton, LaPaglia, seven-time Emmy Award winner Ed Asner (Up), Golden Globe winner Frances Conroy (Six Feet Under), Matthew Gray Gubler (Criminal Minds) and Linda Cardellini (ER) as Nasty.

Produced by Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Animation and Warner Home Video, All-Star Superman is now available as a Blu-Ray Combo Pack and 2-Disc Special Edition DVD, as well as single disc DVD. The film is also available On Demand and for Download.

Hendricks sat for a few questions after her initial recording session for All-Star Superman, revealing her childhood adoration for the Superman characters, the trick to understanding the Lois Lane mindset, a penchant for playing Dungeons And Dragons, and the new street cred shes earned inside her own home. Heres what Christina Hendricks had to say

QUESTION: Did playing Lois Lane have a greater resonance for you than most characters?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: It’s incredibly special for me to get to play Lois Lane because when I was growing up in Oregon, the first movie I ever went to see at a drive-in movie theater and I think second overall — was Superman II. I can remember thinking, This is amazing. That was my first impression of what movies were the adventure and action and so this is me coming full circle. Now, I get to be Lois Lane. (laugh)

And I have been talking about playing Lois Lane for weeks now. I’ve been telling everyone that I get to be Lois Lane. It’s a big deal. There’s a few characters throughout your life that everyone knows and you’ve known your whole life. This is one of them. So to play Lois was really exciting.

QUESTION: Did you have any preconceptions about this role before entering the recording booth?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: I think I probably had preconceived ideas about the role because I grew up watching Margot Kidder. She’s my Lois Lane. So I wanted to make sure that I did some research to know as much as I could about the character and where she originated. I grew up on Superman and Lois Lane, so a lot of the questions were already answered in my head. But I just wanted to get a little bit more background, and think about the original Lois Lane, and the intention behind the character. I didnt want to be copying someone.

QUESTION: Did you have any favorite scenes or lines?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: I love the scene where they’re flying. I mean, everyone loves a Superman scene when they’re flying, and Lois Lane gets to fly. It was really fun to do something like this because anything can happen in animation. You can dance underwater or fly over Metropolis. And as the actress, you just are along for the ride. So that was exciting.

QUESTION: What it is about Christina Hendricks that made you the right choice for Lois?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: I think I’m a good Lois Lane because I think I’m tough, and I think I’m up for adventure and curious and spontaneous. And I’d like to think that Lois Lane is all those things.

QUESTION: Theres a lot of Lois in this film shes the emotional barometer of this film, and she gets to do a lot of things she’d never done before on film. How did you approach visualizing those emotional and surreal aspects of playing Lois?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: I think in order to play the emotions of Lois Lane in a situation where all sorts of fantastical things are happening, you really have to know that this is a world this woman already lives in. For Christina, these things are crazy flying and going under water and seeing the Titanic sitting there are foreign to me. But Lois Lane already lives in this world. So you have to be true to her and know that this isn’t her first time seeing all these things. And you have to keep reminding yourself of that.

QUESTION: When you were performing the role and going through these fantastical scenes and images, what are you envisioning to authentically act the role?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: The script is so descriptive its so beautifully written and the images are so perfect that it’s very easy to jump in and imagine. It’s like being a child and just going along with the flow. It’s very fun. And it’s all spelled out for you, so as long as you’re open to taking the trip, it’s quite easy.

I closed my eyes several times while I was doing the lines because I thought, Oh, I can’t think about these people looking in here at me. Let me imagine what this really would feel like. And you just have to feel the wind on your face. (laugh)

QUESTION: How does Lois Lane compare with other characters you’ve played?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: I identify with Lois Lane in other characters that I’ve played and, of course, in my own self. She is strong and determined, but she also has a vulnerable side. She’s a woman, so she can take care of herself, but every once in a while, you know, Superman’s got to come and save her. I currently play Joan on Mad Men, who some might say is an incredibly strong character, which is what’s so fun about her. But like Lois Lane, you see moments of vulnerability and a softness to her. She’s still a woman, but she’s a strong woman.

QUESTION: You didnt record with Anthony LaPaglia, but you have played opposite our Lex Luthor previously. How was that experience?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: I worked with Anthony LaPaglia some years back. I don’t know if he would remember me, but I did and episode of Without A Trace where I played an agoraphobic lesbian. Check it out. (she laughs) One of my better roles (laughs harder). I had scenes with Anthony LaPaglia where my character was stuck in a bowling alley. But not just stuck in the bowling alley, stuck underneath where they lift the pins. I had to lay under the machinery and Anthony’s character had to talk me out of it. Hopefully he’ll watch this and go, That was that girl? (laughs)

QUESTION: This was your maiden voyage in voiceovers for animation. Did it meet your expectations?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: It was kind of what I expected, and it was really fun. One thing you don’t get to do (in live-action) is say the line a couple different times with different ideas behind it. So it’s fun to actually get to experiment with all those choices all at once. I think it’s incredibly liberating to be able to go in and make three choices instead of one. And give them all equal time, and then let the director choose what they decide best suits the animation.

I think the enticement for voiceover is that you get to become a different person entirely. No one’s looking at your physicality, so you’re much more aware of your voice, and the power that your voice has. And it’s really learning to act in a very different way. If you love acting, which I do, it’s just another venue, another way to tell stories. And that’s exciting. I want to do more. This was fun. This was really fun.

QUESTION: Did you grow up with comic books or any of the current fanboy fascinations?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: I grew up with my brother being a huge fan of comic books fan and sci-fi and fantasy. So even though I wasn’t fully aware of what was going on, it was always on the peripheral, just around the corner (laughs). I don’t know that I did sneak a look at my brother’s comic books. I don’t know that he would have let me. He was very protective of those.

But we played everything. My brother wants to be a director, and I’m an actress. So we played Dungeons And Dragons and Top Secret and all those things. We would get up and act everything out. We were oftentimes spies. There was a lot of James Bond spy stuff going on, and a lot of Dungeons And Dragons fantasy. To this day, I’m surrounded by the people who watch these things. My husband watches films like this. (laughs) You kidding me? This is my life. (laughs)

QUESTION: What is your impression of comic books?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: I think not only are comic books incredible entertainment, but theyre great art. I got some comic books for my husband for Christmas during the first year we were together, and when you open the page you really have to retrain your mind to read a story in that format. It took me a few pages to sort of be able to look at the grand picture, and see this story and read in that style, and in the order that you’re supposed to read it. Youve got to really train your mind to see everything. And it’s amazing, beautiful art.

QUESTION: With your days as Saffron on Firefly, you are obviously no stranger to the fanboys. Whats your best anecdote dealing with the fans?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: I have been to many, many Cons over the years, and it really has been one of the most incredible experiences of my life. Firefly opened up this world to me and it’s been absolutely amazing. Not only have I been able to travel to all these incredible places, but Ive met people who are just so devoted and so excited about these projects, and really unite together. I like the Cons because theyre places where everyone is into the same thing it’s this family of people who completely understand one another, and a lot of them know each other because they’ll go from one Con to the other. I’ve been amazed that I’ll see someone in Scotland, and then I’ll see them in Texas. These people are passionate about it, and you don’t see that very many places. It’s really nice.

I’ve had a lot of weird questions (laughs), but for the most part everyone’s just incredibly respectful and really nice. I had someone make a Barbie of me from Firefly, and dressed it up and sent it to me. The most fun was a contest to see who could write the best song about Saffron — and they asked me to be one of the judges. You could not believe how talented these people were. It was really fun to listen to I still have the CD at home. Every once in a while I’ll put it in and be amazed. That was really cool.

QUESTION: Youre impressed with playing Lois Lane. How are those fanboy friends of yours reacting to you playing the role?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: During the recording session, my husband was sending me text messages all afternoon saying, I love you, Lois Lane. It’s so fun. My father, my brother, my husband, so many of my friends are gamers and into animation and comic books. So I’m going to be the most popular kid in town for at least a week. (laughs)

QUESTION: Weve got you as Lois Lane. What do you think of casting Jon Hamm as Superman and John Slattery as Lex Luthor?

CHRISTINA HENDRICKS: Awesome. Fantastic. Jon Hamm would be good as any superhero. He’s kind of a superhero now, right? Everyone wants to be Jon Hamm right now. (laughs) Don Draper is like a superhero gone bad. (laughs) And John Slattery would be a great Lex Luthor. He’s just an incredible actor that guy can do anything. And he’s got a great voice. He’d be wonderful.

For more information please go to AllStarSuperman.com.

Warner Home Video has also provided the four following video clips, in the Quicktime format, available below. The first clip features a scene from the All-Star Superman animated feature, and the remaining three are interview pieces featuring Hendricks discussing her experience with All-Star Superman. Click on the thumbnails below to view each of the four Quicktime clips.

The direct-to-video All-Star Superman animated feature from Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment 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. Click on the links below to discuss both the new All-Star Superman animated feature and its respective DVD and Blu-ray home video releases.

–All-Star Superman Feature Talkback (Spoilers)
–All-Star Superman DVD/Blu-ray Talkback (Spoilers)

Please continue to the The World’s Finest All-Star Superman subsite for further details on the newly-available direct-to-video animated feature release. Click here to view the trailer and other content from the All-Star Superman direct-to-video animated feature.

Follow The World’s Finest on Twitter and Facebook!