Kevin Sorbo, the star of the sophomore syndicated SF series "Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda," is 6'3 tall, but not everybody else is. That was the problem facing James Marsters ("Buffy the Vampire Slayer" ), when he headed up to Vancouver, Canada, last May to film a guest appearance.
"When you're trying to be as tall as Kevin Sorbo," says Marsters, "you need a little help." "Into the Labyrinth," scheduled to air the week of Nov. 25, casts Marsters as the decadent but dangerous Archduke Charlemange Bolivar, part of a race of genetically engineered humans called Nietzcheans. He comes aboard the starship Andromeda, commanded by Capt. Dylan Hunt (Sorbo), to strike an alliance, part of Hunt's mission to restore order to a chaotic galaxy.
The role was originally conceived for actor/director Bruce Campbell ("The Adventures of Brisco County Jr." "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys," "Xena: Warrior Princess" ), who had to bow out because of a book tour for his autobiography, "If Chins Could Kill: Confessions of a B Movie Actor."
Along the way, Bolivar (mentioned but never seen in an episode last season called "The Honey Offering" ) meets up with Tyr Anasazi (Keith Hamilton Cobb), a fellow Nietzchean who is part of Hunt's crew. While most Nietzcheans are spartan and warlike (and very tall and bulkily muscled, like Cobb), Bolivar favors cunning, diplomacy, "proper table manners" and opulent outfits.
He also has boots -- very big boots. Lexa Doig, who plays Andromeda, the physical embodiment of the ship's computer brain, explains: "James was wearing what we call the KISS Army boots, these major platform boots. He comes in, and I'm laughing, saying, 'KISS Army boots.' He's like, 'Yeah, they rock.' It was so funny, because you see him walking around, and he's very lithe, then you see these galumphing, six-inch platform boots."
"They were KISS-like," says Marsters. "Hopefully they won't shoot them too many times."
Asked if a return appearance is likely, Marsters says, "They apparently want the character to come back for more. We'll see how that stacks up with 'Buffy,' because that's my first job."
He's also lavish in his praise for Sorbo, who came to "Andromeda" from a long run on "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys." "Sorbo's a great choice for it, obviously, with the numbers they've been getting -- and what a great person. If you're going to have a lead on a show, they set the tone for the whole thing."
"If they come in on time, with their lines done, have a good, professional, crisp, happy attitude, it just runs all through the set and makes the day go like butter. If the lead comes in freaked and pissy, then there's a tension that comes on the set, and the day gets twice as long."
"I'm very lucky to work with Sarah Michelle [Gellar], for one, who is the queen of greatness, and Kevin, who was just marvelous."
Sorbo learned a thing or two about being the lead on a series during his stint on "Hercules," which filmed in New Zealand. Also an executive producer on "Andromeda," he has definite ideas about where he'd like the show to go. Now, in the wake of the departure of series co-creator and executive producer Robert Hewitt Wolfe, who left the series in September due to "creative differences," Sorbo's vision comes to the forefront.
In season one, Hunt's mission was to restore the Commonwealth, a galaxy-wide government that fell while he and his ship were trapped inside a wormhole for three centuries. This ongoing quest meant ongoing storylines, which Sorbo felt was a weakness.
"We said, 'Look, the idea of the show is supposed to be like the original 'Star Trek,' where there's a beginning, middle and end, boom, you move on. If you come in as a casual viewer and watch one or two episodes a month, you have fun. You know what's going on, you're not confused.'"
"That was the biggest problem in season one. Season two is so much better, I think. At the end of this season, we're going to have Hunt basically say, not 'to Hell with the Commonwealth,' but he's going to say, 'You know what, I've got his ship, I've got you guys with me, why don't we just go out there and help people who need our help. Let's do some good.'"
"So the show's going to be become more of an adventure, come along for the ride."
In the meantime, Sorbo is enjoying his new role as the father of Braeden Cooper Sorbo, born to the actor and his wife, actress Sam Jenkins, this past August. "He's been great," says Sorbo. "It's the best thing I've ever done, by far."
He's also looking forward to a guest appearance by his old "Hercules" sidekick, New Zealand actor/director Michael Hurst.
And he's not too worried about the future for shows like "Andromeda," despite the ongoing success of unscripted "reality" shows. "People want escapism," he says. "They want to see the good guy beat the bad guy. We want to see triumphs that are good over evil, not see people talk about, 'Oh, she's such a bitch.' Oh god, so boring. It's amazing to me, 'Temptation Island III,' whatever."
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21.07.2008 в 21:45