The comedic duo of Will Ferrell and John C Reilly take on the iconic characters of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson in the 2018 comedy film Holmes & Watson. Etan Cohen wrote and directed the film, reuniting with his Get Hard star Will Ferrell for this new comedy.
Ferrell and Reilly previously starred in 2006’s Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and 2008’s Step Brothers. Talladega Nights raced to a $47 million domestic opening weekend. It went on to pull in $162 million worldwide before exiting theaters. Step Brothers followed in 2008, with Ferrell and Reilly playing grown men still leaving at home their parents. Step Brothers had a $30 million opening weekend and wound up grossing $128 worldwide before leaving theaters. Both films became massive hits on home video and provided some of the most memorable comedy film lines of the past 20 years.
In addition to Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly, the cast of the 2018 comedy includes Rebecca Hall (Professor Marston and the Wonder Women), Rob Brydon (The Trip), Kelly Macdonald (Goodbye Christopher Robin), and Ralph Fiennes (Lord Voldemort aka He Who Must Not Be Named in the Harry Potter films).
Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Jimmy Miller, and Clayton Townsend are the producers, and Chris Henchy, Jessica Elbaum, and M. Riley served as executive producers.
Columbia Pictures has set a December 21, 2018 theatrical release date.
The Holmes and Watson Plot:
Poster for the comedy film, ‘Holmes & Watson’
“The Step Brothers are reunited – this time playing the world’s greatest consulting detective and his loyal biographer – as Will Ferrell and John C. Reilly star as Holmes & Watson.”
God Friended Me is a high concept show, or rather a higher power concept. Atheist podcaster Miles (Brandon Micheal Hall) gets a friend request from an account called God. The God account suggests other friends for Miles who may need help.
Joe Morton plays Miles’ father Arthur. Arthur is a pastor so he’s been estranged from his atheist son, but this possible divine intervention reconnects them. Morton spoke with reporters after a TCA panel for God Friended Me, which airs Sundays at 8pm ET/PT on CBS.
Were you looking to play a preacher at any point in your career?
Joe Morton: “No, it wasn’t on the wish list. I was really just simply looking for a character that was nothing like Rowan.”
Is there a type of role on the wish list?
Joe Morton: “There is a book that I’ve read, written by Walter Mosley, that I’m hoping to do at some point. It’s a wonderful detective story. It’s not the Easy [Rawlins] character. It’s a completely different character. It’s a wonderfully written book and maybe I’ll get a chance to do that.”
What is your character’s take on God friending his son on Facebook?
Joe Morton: “Well, one, he says it’s not God. I have to sort of take him at his word. I also don’t believe that it’s God either. Why would God use social media? So, I think the struggle for Arthur is how do you deal with your atheist son when you’re a preacher? And how do you maintain the love between you and your son even though his belief is diametrically opposed to yours?”
How much have you thought about the period where they haven’t been talking? How many times do you think he’s almost attempted to contact Miles?
Joe Morton: “I think he thinks about it all the time. Part of him has to think what did I do wrong as a father? Because my wife died when he was a young boy. I’ve raised him pretty much on my own, so what did I do wrong? Same with my daughter. She’s gay and for all of wanting to be the dad that accepts everyone, at the same time it’s not what he would have wished. I think he has to deal with how do I reconcile who I am with who they are?”
Does he have an opinion about her working in psychotherapy?
Joe Morton: “I think he thinks that’s great. I think he thinks that’s wonderful. I think both he and Miles understand that she’s the glue that holds the family together because we are so separate in our beliefs, that she is the one who keeps bringing us back together.”
We’ve seen the pilot. What’s episode two and beyond like?
Joe Morton: “They will be the kinds of things you’ve heard. I think the idea of the show will always be about the idea of connecting to somebody else, that you’re doing something positive because he’s never going to believe that this account was sent to him by God. He’s always going to think someone is doing this to me, it’s a joke. After all, maybe it’s not a joke but it’s going to be irritating.
There’ll be times where he’s going to think I don’t want to do this anymore, but he always ends up helping someone. We’re all talking about social media and the idea is everyone walks around with their heads in their phones. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could pull your head up out of your phone and actually interact with someone and help them accomplish something.”
Does wanting to do something different from Rowan mean you’re opposed to reprising your role if there was a spinoff?
Joe Morton: “I don’t think there’s going to be a spinoff. Shonda was pretty clear that she always had a beginning, middle and end to Scandal. When it ended, it was ended. We, the cast, was trying to say well, maybe there’s a movie, but I don’t think so.”
Have you kept in touch with the cast?
Joe Morton: “Yes, we have a group text called The Whistlepigs so we stay connected. Katie is going to be in New York. She and her husband are doing Waitress. Kerry’s coming into New York to do a play and we all keep in touch. I did a play out here, did Henry IV with Tom Hanks and they all contacted me and came to see the play.”
Who would you like to see make a cameo on God Friended Me?
Joe Morton: “All of them. All of them would be great, would be terrific.”
God Friended Me will premiere on Sunday, September 30, 2018.
The CW’s The Flash season five will feature Barry (Grant Gustin) and Iris (Candice Patton) having to wrap their heads around the fact their grown daughter has come to visit them from the future. Nora (Jessica Parker Kennedy) is a time-traveling speedster and her appearance will cause quite a stir among the Allen and West families.
Jessica Parker Kennedy took part in her first San Diego Comic Con as a member of The Flash cast in July 2018. During roundtable interviews, she spoke about being a regular on season five, the speedster costume, and her experiences with The Flash fandom.
The Flash season five premieres on October 9, 2018.
What can we expect to see from Nora in season five?
Jessica Parker Kennedy: “I can tell you that I’m going to be a big part of the season, which is awesome. I guess the one mysterious thing that happened in the last episode is that I’m so excited to see my dad, but I’m not stoked about my mom. There’s something going on there so that dynamic will be explored more and hopefully sorted out. But, you’ll find out why.”
In the comics The Flash eventually had twins. Are we going to see the twin brother show up?
Jessica Parker Kennedy: (Laughing) “What do you think?”
Jessica Parker Kennedy: “You know what’s really funny? I didn’t particularly try to do that. I thought it would be too overwhelming to come in and try to manipulate it too much. But what’s been great is that everyone…so far I’ve been getting this feedback that, ‘Wow, you really look like the both of them. You’re so much like Barry or at least how he used to be when he was klutzy and clumsy and silly and dorky and awkward.’ Which really wasn’t my intention; it’s just sort of how I read her to be. That’s how they’ve written her. You know, the sort of long, run-on sentences, enthusiasm, which hopefully comes across as charming and not annoying.”
How much time travel can you say is going to be involved in Nora’s storyline as well as Barry and Iris’s?
Jessica Parker Kennedy: “I mean, I don’t know a lot. I got kind of an overview of what this season might be. But they’re writing as we go. I would assume because they’re speedsters and they’re time travelers that that would be in there but I don’t know how much or when or where or how or why.”
How did it feel when you put on the full speedster costume and saw yourself in the mirror?
Jessica Parker Kennedy: “It’s cool because that was supposed to be such a secret. But because we shot on the street, all these photos came out of me in the suit.
Yeah, it’s incredible. I’m not like a massive…I like superhero movies, but I haven’t seen a lot of them. I was like, ‘Oh yeah, this is neat.’ And then as soon as I actually put the costume on, it was like, ‘Whoa, this is really cool!’ So, I just feel quite honored to be in it, to be honest.”
What do you nerd out about?
Jessica Parker Kennedy: “For me, Buffy the Vampire Slayer feels like it was yesterday to me. I’ve seen the series three times and every time I meet a cast member, I completely lose my mind. I don’t really get starstruck but when I’ve got things I like it’s ridiculous. I’ve become friends – like actual real-life friends – with Emma Caulfield. It’s just like bizarre to me because I see her as Emma now and not the character.”
What has it been like to experience The Flash fandom?
Jessica Parker Kennedy: “It’s interesting because I’ve been to Comic Con a few times with different shows but I was nervous coming this year because it’s The Flash and it’s a big deal. And, Grant’s on the cover of the bags again. So, more than anything it’s been exciting but also intimidating. I just want to do a really good job and not let the fans down.
There’s always an element I think when there’s a comic book attached to a television show there’s a heightened intensity and fan level. But, yeah, it’s been really nice. For the first time I have people on Instagram commenting on this and commenting on that, and they’re 99.99% The Flash fans so it’s great.”
Jared Padalecki and his fellow Supernatural cast members – Jensen Ackles, Alexander Calvert, and Misha Collins – made the trek to the San Diego Comic Con where the show and its cast have become ‘the’ panel to see on the Con’s closing day. Heading into season 14 big changes in store for the cast and fans as this season finds Dean taken over by Michael.
During our roundtable interview in support of season 14, Padalecki discussed Sam’s search for his brother, handling the new people from the apocalypse world, and Sam’s relationship with Jack. He also talked about shooting scenes without his partner in crime, Jensen Ackles.
Supernatural season 14 premieres on The CW on October 11, 2018.
Where do we catch up with Sam this season? What’s his mindset?
Jared Padalecki: ““I’m very proud of who Sam is this year. His loss is accentuated further and exacerbated by the fact that he also has 30 people living in the middle of his bunker that are from a different planet. All these people want to kill Michael. Not necessarily want to save Dean, they want to kill Michael. Michael destroyed their world. And not that he’s at odds with these guys, but he has to continue to guide these apocalypse world hunters that are now living with him and tell them how to use toilet paper. They’re on a new planet and they’re living under his leadership.
So, Sam can’t find his brother. He knows there’s a ticking clock. Sam also knows uniquely almost – it’s between Sam and Cas – they’re some of the few people who have been possessed by an archangel and lived to tell about it. So, Sam is trying to be as methodical as possible and as helpful as possible to find his brother and get him back safe and sound without just trying to destroy Michael and Michael’s vessel, Dean.”
Who does Sam lean on?
Jared Padalecki: “He leans on Cas a little bit. He leans on mom and Bobby a little bit, but not really. You know, he hasn’t really leaned on anybody yet. He accepts help from them as far as helping to find Dean, but he hasn’t yet really opened up. And, also, he’s taking care of Jack who’s now human.
Last year Sam took care of Jack and took a unique liking to him because he was a bit of an outsider. He was different. But he had a fear with Jack last year because he didn’t know..the kid yells and blows him across the room kind of thing. So, it was like a bit of trepidation. This year he’s just a broken kid, human. He’s one year old, you know?
Sam doesn’t have anyone to lean on just yet. He’s not against it; he hasn’t been able to take the time. He can’t even shave, so…”
Does Sam have a plan or are there any breadcrumbs to find Michael? Is Dean in any way communicating back?
Jared Padalecki: “He’s had no communication with Dean or Michael, but he certainly has leads. It’s all hands-on deck – apocalypse world hunters and Bobby and Cas and Mary and Charlie. They have some leads and they’re following each and every one. Even if that lead is a dead end, it’s still not a complete dead end. It will be like, ‘Okay, we’ve got to solve this problem.’”
Is it bizarre for you not to be having scenes with Jensen Ackles?
Jared Padalecki: (Laughing) “It’s so wonderful!”
You get more time off.
Jared Padalecki: “No, it’s the opposite. (Laughing) It’s all time on for me. God knows what he’s doing. But, it kind of helps. It’s different for Jared to act as Sam without Dean than with Dean, but Sam is also in a different place. So, it probably bleeds in. It’s like acting well by accident because it is different for Jared to get to work and there’s no Jensen. And it is weird for Sam to be in the bunker and there’s no Dean. So, it’s almost like he looks uncomfortable because he actually is kind of thing. I think life imitates art. It’s going to be a nice little extra flavor.”
Tracey Ullman as Angela Merkel in ‘Tracey Ullman’s Show’ (Photo: HBO)
HBO’s Tracey Ullman’s Show kicks off its third season on Friday, September 28, 2018 at midnight. The Emmy-nominated series’ third season will consist of six half-hour episodes starring Ullman as a variety of characters including German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Dame Judi Dench. Season three will also find her channeling British Prime Minister Theresa May and French First Lady Brigitte Macron.
The series is executive produced by Ullman and Gareth Edwards, with Caroline Norris producing.
The Plot: “More topical than ever before, Tracey Ullman’s Show satirizes today’s culture, including television’s latest obsession with strong but messy female characters, the future possibilities for smart-home devices, life in a post-Brexit world and the absurdity of the 24-hour news cycle.”
Tracey Ullman’s Show September and October 2018 Episodes:
Episode #13 (season 3, episode 1) – FRIDAY, SEPT. 28 (midnight-12:30 a.m. ET/PT)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel works on her poker face; Jerry Hall-Murdoch looks to apply financial lessons from her previous marriage to her new one; British Prime Minister Theresa May struggles to have a stern conversation with President Trump via video chat; French First Lady Brigitte Macron recalls the good old days; Camilla Parker Bowles has unexpected adventures in babysitting; contestants from “The Great British Bake Off” get serious with cake creations based on their dreams; and the show looks at the latest, relatable virtual-assistant incarnations.
Guest stars include: Samantha Spiro (Birgit), Ben Miller (Rupert Murdoch), Ben Willbond (Emmanuel Macron) and Anthony Atamanuik (Donald Trump).
Written by Gemma Arrowsmith, Jeremy Dyson, Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley, Laurence Howarth, Giles Pilbrow, Laurence Rickard, Brona C. Titley & Tony Cooke; directed by Dominic Brigstocke.
Episode #14 (season 3, episode 2) – FRIDAY, OCT. 5 (midnight-12:30 a.m. ET/PT)
Jerry Hall and Rupert Murdoch look to the future; Angela Merkel tries to stay strong and professional in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron; Dame Judi Dench teaches fellow actor Mark Rylance the unexpected pleasures of being a national treasure; Tracey Ullman decides to confront a troll; the show reveals the dangers of hipster infestation.
Guest stars include: Samantha Spiro (Birgit), Ben Miller (Rupert Murdoch) and Ben Willbond (Emmanuel Macron).
Written by Gemma Arrowsmith, Brona C. Titley & Tony Cooke, Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley, Laurence Howarth, Mike Hayley, Liam Hourican, Lucy Montgomery, Giles Pilbrow, Laurence Rickard; directed by Dominic Brigstocke.
Episode #15 (season 3, episode 3) – FRIDAY, OCT. 12 (midnight-12:30 a.m.)
Angela Merkel worries about the gender pay gap; the Murdoch clan celebrates Father’s Day; the head of a modeling agency comes up with unconventional bookings; Hollywood studio execs discuss a sexual-harassment campaign; Russian hackers brainstorm new strategies to undermine democracy; a tense Theresa May struggles to stay focused.
Guest stars include: Ben Miller (Rupert Murdoch).
Written by Gemma Arrowsmith, Brona C. Titley & Tony Cooke, Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley, Laurence Howarth, Katherine Jakeways, Will Maclean, Lucy Montgomery, Georgia Pritchett, Laurence Rickard; directed by Dominic Brigstocke.
Episode #16 (season 3, episode 4) – FRIDAY, OCT. 19 (midnight-12:30 a.m.)
Dame Judi Dench visits a tattoo-themed reality show; Angela Merkel longs to be recognized for her looks; Jeremy Corbyn has an awkward encounter; desperate measures are taken when the Melania Bot malfunctions; a professor learns how the university system encourages student debt; Theresa May becomes paranoid.
Guest stars include: Carlotta Morelli (Melania Bot).
Written by Brona C. Titley & Tony Cooke, Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley, Laurence Howarth, Jeremy Dyson, Laurence Rickard; directed by Dominic Brigstocke.
Episode #17 (season 3, episode 5) – FRIDAY, OCT. 26 (midnight-12:30 a.m.)
Angela Merkel wonders how to reconnect with the German people; a woman in a male-dominated office struggles to explain workplace gender politics; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall gift shops for the new royal baby; a “smart” home goes bad; Theresa May gets a surprise visit.
Written by Gemma Arrowsmith, Brona C. Titley & Tony Cooke, Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley, Laurence Howarth, Jeremy Dyson, Giles Pilbrow, Georgia Pritchett, Laurence Rickard, Nico Tatarowicz; directed by Dominic Brigstocke.
Taron Egerton as Elton John in ‘Rocketman’ from Paramount Pictures.
Paramount Pictures has released the first full-body photo of Taron Egerton in Rocketman. Egerton, best known for the Kingsman films and starring in the titular role in Eddie the Eagle, channels Sir Elton John in what’s described as a fantasy musical rather than a musical biopic.
In the just-released photo, Egerton shows off his version of Elton John complete with John’s signature glitter glasses and unique footwear.
During an interview with Collider, Egerton shared that the film will concentrate on Elton John’s breakthrough years. “[…] It’s actually his songs used to express important beats in his life at emotional moments. He’s not the only character that sings. It’s going to be fun,” explained Egerton.
Egerton also revealed he took singing lessons to prepare for the role and will be performing all the songs on set. “We’re going to use a variety of techniques but I will always be singing on set. No miming. I’m just not interested in doing it that way,” said Egerton.
In a March 2018 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Elton John’s husband, producer David Furnish, discussed Elton’s advice to Egerton. “Elton has told Taron, ‘Don’t copy me. Don’t think you have to sing it exactly the way that I sang it. Don’t think you have to perform it the way I performed it.’ I think it’s the challenge for the actor to embody the spirit and not get into thinking they have to do an impersonation,” said Furnish.
Songwriter Bernie Taupin provided the details on the story behind Elton John’s hit “Rocket Man,” the song that inspired the film’s title, in an interview with the Wall Street Journal. Taupin had been driving to his parents’ home at night when he thought about Ray Bradbury’s “The Rocket Man” short story.
“In ’71, the future of space flight was exhilarating. America was putting astronauts on the moon. Yet 20 years earlier, Bradbury had envisioned future astronauts as little more than intergalactic truck drivers, burning themselves out alone far from home,” revealed Taupin. “Driving the back roads, I began writing a song in my head about the drudgery of being an astronaut. As I thought about how to start the song, the first verse came to me at once: ‘She packed my bags last night pre-flight / Zero hour 9 a.m. / And I’m gonna be high as a kite by then.'”
Paramount Pictures’ Rocketman is targeting a May 17, 2019 theatrical release date.
In addition to Taron Egerton, the cast includes TURN‘s Jamie Bell, Game of Thrones‘ Richard Madden, and Jurassic World‘s Bryce Dallas Howard. The film is currently in production and is being directed by Dexter Fletcher. Fletcher recently completed work on the Freddie Mercury biopic, Bohemian Rhapsody.
“So what is it you said you do?” asks Jewel (Sissy Spacek). “Oh, that’s a secret,” answers Forrest Tucker (Robert Redford). “Why is that?” asks Jewel, curiosity piqued. “Because if I told you, you probably wouldn’t want to see me again,” replies Tucker, a career bank robber, in Redford’s final film as an actor, The Old Man & the Gun.
The 2018 film follows the crimes of Forrest Tucker, a life-long bank robber now in his 70s who still lives for the thrill and fun of planning, casing, and robbing banks. While attempting to avoid the police after a heist, Tucker comes across Jewel stranded on the side of the freeway with her broken-down car.
Tucker pulls over and offers to help, using the guise of pretending to be a good Samaritan to blend in. It works as he’s bending over, looking at her engine, while three police cars speed by. Afterward, Tucker gives Jewel a lift to get her car taken care of and the two new friends have lunch together at a nearby diner.
Tucker has two partners he works with on certain robberies (usually bigger ones) named Teddy (Danny Glover) and Waller (Tom Waits). The police have fittingly nicknamed the elderly bank-robbing trio the “Over the Hill Gang.” One detective in particular, John Hunt (Casey Affleck), becomes caught up in the hunt for Tucker. He almost admires the senior for the way he methodically plans out the heists and how he’s so pleasant and reassuring to those he robs. The bank managers and tellers all describe to the authorities how nice and charming he is during robberies. He even comforted one young teller when she started to cry, telling her she didn’t need to be scared and praising her for being good at her job.
Determined to bring Tucker to justice, Hunt spends all of his time researching and talking to anyone who ever had contact with the robber. After one of the bank heists, the press interviews Hunt, who admits that although they have a whole department on the case, he would like to put the cuffs on Tucker himself. Tucker watches the interview on TV in his motel room and accepts the challenge. On his next successful bank heist, he leaves a note for Hunt: “To John Hunt – Good Luck – The Over the Hill Gang.”
Based mostly on a true story, The Old Man & the Gun is a charming, laid-back, and leisurely-paced film with a great cast and strong writing. Robert Redford delivers another memorable performance as Forrest Tucker, the smart, cocky, and likable career bank robber who, even in his 70s, still craves the thrill and danger of pulling off heists. Redford displays perfectly the amiable nature of Tucker, completely selling the idea that all of his “victims” compliment him to the police and rave about his pleasant personality. If this is Redford’s final performance in films, it’s a worthy ending to a great career.
Casey Affleck delivers an effective, low-key performance as Hunt, the detective chasing Tucker who finds himself inspired, motivated, and captivated for the first time in his career by the old outlaw. He’s a cop caught up in the thrill of the chase and almost doesn’t want it to end.
Sissy Spacek is solid as Jewel, Tucker’s new lady friend who finds him so interesting that when she finally discovers the truth about Tucker, she finds herself conflicted about what to do.
The Old Man & the Gun is an engaging, satisfyingly mellow, and entertaining movie sure to make the list of Redford’s best films.
The film doesn’t have an official title yet but it does have an official first photo. TriStar Pictures has released the first picture of two-time Oscar winner Tom Hanks (Forrest Gump, Philadelphia) in character as Mister Rogers, complete with red sweater vest and tennis shoes.
The film’s being directed by Marielle Heller (The Diary of a Teenage Girl) from a script by Noah Harpster & Micah Fitzerman-Blue. Tom Junod’s “Can You Say…Hero?” article originally published in the November 1998 issue of Esquire serves as the inspiration for the film.
In addition to Tom Hanks as Fred Rogers, the cast includes Matthew Rhys (The Americans, The Bastard Executioner), Susan Kelechi Watson (This Is Us), and Chris Cooper (The Company You Keep). Youree Henley, Marc Turtletaub, and Peter Saraf are on board as producers.
TriStar Pictures is targeting an October 2019 theatrical release.
The Plot: “Two-time Oscar®-winner Tom Hanks portrays Mister Rogers in Untitled Mr. Rogers/ Tom Hanks Project, a timely story of kindness triumphing over cynicism, based on the true story of a real-life friendship between Fred Rogers and journalist Tom Junod. After a jaded magazine writer (Emmy winner Matthew Rhys) is assigned a profile of Fred Rogers, he overcomes his skepticism, learning about empathy, kindness, and decency from America’s most beloved neighbor.”
The first three hosts and musical guests have been announced for the upcoming 44th season of NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Adam Driver will kick off the season on September 29, 2018, hosting SNL for his second time. Adam Driver’s been busy out doing promotional rounds for his recently released Spike Lee film, BlacKkKlansman, and is currently working on Star Wars: Episode IX.
The musical guest for the season opener will be Kanye West. West will be returning to the SNL stage for his seventh time as musical guest. His new album Ye hit the #1 spot on the Billboard 200 list, marking his eighth consecutive appearance at the top of the chart with an album release.
Awkwafina has been named the host of the October 6th show. Her debut as a host on the long-running series comes as Crazy Rich Asians continues to perform well at the box office. Joining Awkwafina for the October 6th episode will be Grammy Award nominee Travis Scott. Scott is also a Saturday Night Live newbie. Astroworld, Scott’s third album, dropped in August and occupied the #1 spot on the Billboard’s 200 album chart. He’ll be out on tour beginning in November.
Saturday Night Live veteran Seth Meyers will take to the SNL stage at Studio 8H for the October 13, 2018 show. The episode will mark his SNL hosting debut after 13 years on the series in multiple capacities including as a Weekend Update anchor.
The musical guest on October 13th will be Paul Simon, also a veteran of the Saturday Night Live stage. Simon’s October 13th appearance will be his 15th time as the show’s musical guest. His 14th studio album In the Blue Light was recently released and he just finished up his sold-out “Homeward Bound – The Farewell Tour.”
Paul Simon will be turning 77 on the same date he performs on the SNL stage.
What’s going to happen with Jack in season 14 of The CW’s Supernatural? Alexander Calvert hopes he continues to dedicate himself to helping people. However, as he pointed out in our interview, in the world of Supernatural anyone can flip at any time. Case in point: in season 14 Dean (Jensen Ackles) has been taken over by Michael. Calvert also joked about characters being able to die multiple times and still be brought back to life in the series.
Alexander Calvert discussed season 14, who Jack will be teaming up with, and what’s in store for fans of the long-running series during our interview at the San Diego Comic-Con. Supernatural season 14 will premiere on October 11, 2018.
Where do we pick up with Jack? What’s his state of mind?
Alexander Calvert: “Definitely with the loss of his powers, the state of loss. I think Supernatural deals with loss a lot, and Jack is definitely in the middle of that especially losing his powers.”
How is Jack handling life in the bunker with all the new people?
Alexander Calvert: “He’s really good-natured. He’s always been very pro about helping people, so when we brought those people back from the apocalypse world, he’s really happy to help out. Especially Jack’s relationship with those people being that he helped save them and get them away from Michael and protect them. So, having those people is Jack’s way of trying to help out.”
Do we see much of the Jack and Mary relationship now since they really bonded on the other side?
Alexander Calvert: (Smiling and shrugging) “She’s my apocalypse mom. I think what’s cool about the show is no one’s really gone for that amount of time. We’re definitely going to see fan favorites. We have mom back. Obviously, Bobby came back as well. So, we get to see these characters back in our regular world which is kind of crazy considering how long they’ve been gone, and their relationships for that time period.”
We saw that Jack turned against his father last season when he realized who he was. Is he feeling any sort of conflict or guilt about what’s happened to Dean or any lingering feelings towards Lucifer?
Alexander Calvert: “It’s going to be interesting to see how he feels about Lucifer and about Mark Pellegrino’s character. We spent a lot of last season building toward that moment, and then for Jack to deal with the fallout of that relationship is going to be something that we’re going to explore this season.”
And he’s only one year old.
Alexander Calvert: “To be fair, the guy’s dealing with a lot for his first year of life.”
Including guilt as far as not being able to save everybody from the apocalypse world. Will that guilt continue into this season?
Alexander Calvert: “Yeah. I mean, he feels responsible for trying to do his best. Unfortunately, with the Supernatural universe, you learn very quickly that people are going to die and you can’t save them all. And that’s something these characters have carried with them from day one. He’s kind of learning about the family business and learning you can’t save everyone. It’s going to weigh on these characters.”
We saw a really nice friendship develop between Jack and Sam last season. How will Jack interact with Sam this coming season?
Alexander Calvert: “At this point in time the focus is trying to get Dean back. So, both of our characters are doing our best to kind of get that task done. (Laughing) I feel like there’s not like friendly dinners for Supernatural characters. No one’s like, ‘We should catch up!’ Everyone’s like, ‘We’ve got to save this person or the universe will end.’ So now they’re definitely focused on getting Dean back.”
With Jack missing his powers, how is he handling that and how will he stay in the fight?
Alexander Calvert: “I don’t think he’s coping well with the loss. What was interesting about Jack’s arc last season is that he found that he could be helpful. He found that he really could save people, help out Bobby and Mary and the apocalypse people. And then to lose all that I think is really crushing to what he considers his role of saving people.”
Who is he leaning on or relying on the most in the early episodes?
Alexander Calvert: “Everyone is trying to look out for him. Everyone is trying their best to look out for Jack. But it’s pretty devastating what he’s going through. No days off for Supernatural characters. Everything’s like always bad.”
Did you have to do any additional training for stunts now that Jack doesn’t have powers?
Alexander Calvert: “That’s been an aspect that I’ve been really looking forward to. Last season Jack was so powerful that he could just move his hand and things would go everywhere. Whereas this season I’m hoping to get a little more down and dirty. Fingers crossed.”
Do you think you’ll get to drive Baby at any point?
Alexander Calvert: “That would be very cool for Jack to be able to do that. You know what? I don’t care about Jack. It would be cool for me to do that, so we’ll see.”
Has he totally decided what his role is and what his motivation is looking forward into the future?
Alexander Calvert: “I think he considers himself part of the family and he knows his role is to protect people and save people as much as he can. But, with the Supernatural universe, especially with his lineage being what it is, there’s always the possibility Jack can turn and flip just because of his nature, I think. For me I’m always like, ‘I hope he stays good.’ But I think the show has shown that anybody can be anything. We have a Dean Michael right now so who knows where I’ll be by the end of the season.”
Is there a possibility he can get his powers back? Is that a quest that he can try and turn them back on?
Alexander Calvert: “It’s a slow regenerative process, from what I understand about the Super-Wiki universe. Yes, I looked it up. But it takes time. Jack being half angel, half human it’s different than if he’s just human or if he’s just an angel. So, it’s going to be a different process than for someone to get their grace back.”
