Sean Penn stars in ‘The Gunman’ (Photo Courtesy of Open Road Films)
“You keep a diary of the horror we created…it never happened,” says Felix (Javier Bardem). “That’s the way you want to play it with me?!” replies Jim Terrier (Sean Penn), a former expert sniper and mercenary visiting an old colleague looking for information on who might be trying to have him killed in the action film The Gunman.
Eight years earlier, Terrier was part of an assassination team working for an unknown client charged with killing the minister of mining in the Congo. Tapped as the team member who pulls the trigger and successfully executes the minister, Terrier is forced to exit the country for his own safety, leaving the love of his life, Annie (Jasmine Trinca), behind. Annie has been kept in the dark and has no idea what Terrier does for a living or why he abruptly left the country without even saying goodbye.
The death of the minister leads to more chaos and deaths in an already violent and war-filled Congo. Fast forward eight years and Terrier returns to the war-torn Congo working for the NGO, striving to repent for his past sins.
On a routine mission to drill for water in a small community, Terrier barely survives an assassination attempt from a professional hit squad. Realizing the attempt on his life is connected to the murder of the minister, Terrier is forced to reconnect with his old colleague and now successful businessman, Felix, to see if he can find out who ordered the hit. To his unpleasant surprise, Terrier discovers that Felix is married to Annie. To make matters worse, Felix has led a hit squad right to Terrier, not realizing that the hired killers will kill all three of them. Still, in love with Annie, Terrier once again goes on the run, but this time Annie flees with him as they attempt to avoid the hit squad hunting them and discover who put the price on his head.
Tedious, boring, and lifeless, The Gunman is an action thriller with an implausible plot, one-dimensional characters, and uninspired action. Sean Penn gives an uneven, flat, and unbelievable performance as Terrier, a once-lethal killer who is trying to repent for his sins and is pulled back into the violent world of hired killers. Penn may be in fine physical shape (multiple shirtless scenes verify he worked out for the role). However, he’s no Liam Neeson and is not going to kickstart his career by transitioning into action-hero mode.
Javier Bardem delivers an over-the-top, laughable performance as Felix, the ex-handler of Terrier’s old mercenary crew who’s always been envious and jealous of the strong relationship between Terrier and Annie. It is almost as though his character belongs in a different film…perhaps a crime comedy? Ray Winstone’s talents are completely wasted as Terrier’s only loyal friend, Stanley, who’s nothing more than a convenient plot device for both the killers and Terrier.
The dialogue is riddled with ridiculous lines, and the shoot-outs are neither exciting nor realistic, with automatic handguns that never run out of ammo. Wait…it just might be possible Penn’s character, and a killer did finally reload during a firefight after shooting about 30 or 40 times… Oh, please.
With a ludicrous script, flat action scenes, and superficial characters, The Gunman is both one of the worst action thrillers and the worst Sean Penn film to hit the big screen in years.
GRADE: D-
MPAA rating: R for strong violence, language and some sexuality
Four (Theo James) and Tris (Shailene Woodley) in ‘The Divergent Series: Insurgent’ (Photo Credit: Andrew Cooper)
Throughout the screening of The Divergent Series: Insurgent I kept thinking to myself that either I hadn’t actually read the book after all (although I was 99.9% positive I had) or the movie and the book had little to do with each other. Since the screening, I’ve come to understand that it was the latter option and that the movie strayed in significant ways from Veronica Roth’s bestselling second book of the series.
Insurgent (and, no, I’m not going to keep calling it The Divergent Series: Insurgent because that simply is too cumbersome and unnecessary) is not only the second film of the series but it also ranks second to the first film in quality storytelling.
While Divergent was tasked with setting up the dystopian world in which citizens are divided into five factions based on personalities and aptitude, Insurgent isn’t saddled with that burden. However, much of this second film feels like filler material, and it doesn’t take full advantage of its freedom from the bonds of explaining this brave new world. The characters are no further developed by the end of Insurgent than they were at the end of Divergent, and in fact, some exhibit less personality in this sequel than they did in the first film.
The second film picks up very shortly after Divergent ended, with Tris (Shailene Woodley), Four (Theo James), Peter (Miles Teller), and Caleb (Ansel Elgort) hiding out with the Amity faction led by Johanna (Octavia Spencer). Jeanine (Kate Winslet) has spread the lie throughout the factions that Tris, Four, and the other Divergents were actually behind the attack on Abnegation. It seems she’s uncovered a mysterious box (that’s not in the books and is a major plot point in the film) and in order to open it she needs one pure Divergent to successfully pass each of the factions’ simulations.
That the process of ferreting out the one Divergent capable of passing the tests leads to the deaths of all the Divergents who’ve been rounded up by Jeanine’s enforcers, Max (Mekhi Phifer) and Eric (Jai Courtney), doesn’t matter. The mystery box, which had been hidden away by Tris’ parents, was created by the founders of their society and may hold the key to their survival, and Jeanine will stop at nothing to unlock its secrets. And, as you have probably guessed, Tris is the one pure Divergent who possesses the ability to withstand all of the simulations.
Tris is the heart and soul of the uprising in the books and the films, and Shailene Woodley is a terrific actress who makes you feel for this young woman who’s been thrust into a leadership position. Woodley’s saddled with only being able to display a small range of emotions in this second film, but she does well portraying the reluctant hero. Theo James has even less of a range of emotions to explore, but he does fine within the constraints placed on him by the script.
Because Kate Winslet and Miles Teller have expanded roles, Maggie Q and Zoe Kravitz are given less screen time than you’d expect, given the battle between the Divergents and Winslet’s Erudite faction. Fortunately, Winslet and Teller’s increased presence on screen helps the film move along, with Teller providing comic relief during the otherwise bleak proceedings. Also impressive is Naomi Watts as Four’s mom, Evelyn, who’s back from the dead and hiding out as the leader of the factionless. Evelyn’s a badass with one objective: to kill Jeanine…something Tris can get behind and support.
Insurgent doesn’t pick up any real momentum until the final half hour, with the story sluggishly moving forward as it makes its way toward the moment when Tris and Jeanine square off and Tris is forced into attempting to open the box. From that point on, Insurgent transitions from plodding storytelling into a gripping sci-fi action film.
Does Roth’s final book of the series, Allegiant, deserve to be split into two films? If Insurgent is any indication of what’s in store with Allegiant Part 1, the answer is a firm no. In fact, the audience may have been better served if Insurgent had been trimmed to a swift 45 minutes and added to Allegiant Part 1. Dragging the story out into two more films seems pointless given the slow pace of this second movie.
GRADE: C-
MPAA rating: PG-13 for intense violence and action throughout, some sensuality, thematic elements and brief language
Amazon has greenlit a second season of the dramatic series Bosch based on Michael Connelly’s books and starring Titus Welliver. The series is the most-watched title on Prime Instant Video and, according to Amazon, the hour-long drama posted the biggest premiere numbers of any Amazon original series. Amazon also announced that season two will be drawn from Connelly’s Trunk Music and The Drop books.
The cast also includes Jamie Hector, Amy Aquino, Lance Reddick, and Sarah Clarke. Author Michael Connelly, Eric Overmyer, Henrik Bastin, and Pieter Jan Brugge are executive producers.
“We’re delighted to see that Amazon customers have immediately embraced Bosch,” stated Roy Price, Vice President, Amazon Studios. “Fans will soon be able to enjoy more of this inspired adaptation brought to life by a remarkably gifted cast.”
“I am very excited about continuing the Bosch story with season two,” added Michael Connelly. “I love what we started with and I think our plans for the second season will make the show even better and more exploratory of the character of Harry Bosch. We have a great cast and crew and we are all going to be one year better at this. I can’t wait.”
The Plot:
In the second season of Bosch, the relentless LAPD detective will investigate the murder of a Hollywood producer who laundered money for the mob. He will also pursue serial killer Chilton Hardy and the investigations take Bosch from the Hollywood Hills down through the gritty back streets of L.A. and Las Vegas, threatening those closest to him–his teenage daughter and ex-wife.
20th Century Fox has released the first trailer and poster for the teen drama Paper Towns, based on the bestselling book by John Green. Green also wrote The Fault in Our Stars which successfully made the transition to the big screen starring Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort. Directed by Jake Schreier and adapted for the screen by Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber, Paper Towns stars Cara Delevingne, Austin Abrams, Nat Wolff, Halston Sage, and Justice Smith.
20th Century Fox and Fox 2000 will release Paper Towns in theaters on July 24, 2015.
The Plot:
Paper Towns is a coming-of-age story centering on Quentin and his enigmatic neighbor Margo, who loved mysteries so much she became one. After taking him on an all-night adventure through their hometown, Margo suddenly disappears–leaving behind cryptic clues for Quentin to decipher. The search leads Quentin and his quick-witted friends on an exhilarating adventure that is equal parts hilarious and moving. Ultimately, to track down Margo, Quentin must find a deeper understanding of true friendship–and true love.
Stuart Townsend and Janet Montgomery in ‘Salem’ season 2 (Photo Courtesy of WGN America)
The full trailer for season two of WGN America’s supernatural series Salem is only a minute long, but nevertheless it manages to deliver a decent look at this upcoming season. Janet Montgomery and Shane West are back in starring roles in Salem: Epic War (the complete title for the second season), created and written by Brannon Braga and Adam Simon. The one-hour drama also stars Seth Gabel, Ashley Madekwe, Tamzin Merchant, Elise Eberle, Lucy Lawless, Stuart Townsend, Joe Doyle, and Oliver Bell.
Season two premieres on April 5, 2015 at 10pm ET/PT.
The Plot:
In Salem, witches are real – but they are not who or what they seem, and the stakes have never been higher in the struggle for the throne. Season two opens as Salem’s ruthless leading witch, Mary Sibley (Montgomery), has just completed a deadly supernatural ritual that unleashed a devastating plague on the town’s unsuspecting citizens. As death and disease continue to spread through the war-torn village, Mary must face off against adversaries old and new, from within Salem and beyond, who are angling to challenge her power and authority.
Left for dead physically and emotionally, former war hero John Alden (West) returns to Salem to take down the woman he loves, Mary, before she can destroy everything and everyone around her. The protector of the abused and Mary’s own creation, Mercy (Eberle) becomes the abuser as she seeks vengeance against the one who betrayed her – Mary. Haunted by guilt, Cotton Mather (Gabel) is on a path of redemption, determined to right the wrongs he left behind. Circling the fray is the deadly Countess Marburg (Lawless), one of the only remaining descendants of an ancient and legendary German line – and the last of the true witches – who descends on Salem to claim what’s hers, along with her charming, cultured and extremely loyal son, Baron Sebastian Marburg (Doyle).
Mary must also contend with threats emerging from within her own coven, including her mysterious servant Tituba (Madekwe), whose allegiances are slippery and motives unclear; as well as the arrival of a new visitor who may pose a threat to her uncontested control over the town – Dr. Samuel Wainwright (Townsend), an educated man of science who seeks to uncover the secrets of Salem and the plague that claimed Isaac Walton (Iddo Goldberg) as its first victim. As rivals circle her throne, Mary’s most vital task is shoring up support from Anne Hale (Merchant), whose newly discovered identity as a cradle witch can render her either a powerful ally or a deadly foe. Despite Mary’s ability to eliminate anything in her path, she does have one weakness that can be exploited – the sudden return of the son (Bell) she thought she gave up years ago.
“The Fire Will Burn Forever” – The Hunger Games franchise finishes up with The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 heading to theaters on November 20, 2015. Lionsgate revealed the first teaser poster for the final entry in the series and it features, as expected, a Mockingjay on fire.
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Sam Claflin, Jena Malone, Stanley Tucci, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jeffrey Wright, Willow Shields, Natalie Dormer, and Donald Sutherland reprise their roles for the fourth film, and Francis Lawrence (Catching Fire, Mockingjay Part 1) returns as director.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 Plot:
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 2 now brings the franchise to its powerful fourth chapter in which Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) now fully realizes the stakes are no longer just for survival — they are for the future.
With the nation of Panem in a full-scale war, Katniss confronts President Snow (Sutherland) in the final showdown. Teamed with a group of her closest friends – including Gale (Hemsworth), Finnick (Claflin), and Peeta (Hutcherson) – Katniss goes off on a mission with the unit from District 13 as they risk their lives to stage an assassination attempt on President Snow who has become increasingly obsessed with destroying her. The mortal traps, enemies, and moral choices that await Katniss will challenge her more than any arena she faced in The Hunger Games.
Marvel’s released the second TV spot for Avengers: Age of Ultron and this new teaser video features a little bit of each of the superheroes. The new footage shows the Avengers tossing around bad guys while throwing out witty one-liners. Written and directed by Joss Whedon, returning Avengers cast members include Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, Cobie Smulders, Paul Bettany, Stellan Skarsgård, and Samuel L. Jackson.
Marvel’s releasing Avengers: Age of Ultron in theaters on May 1, 2015.
The Plot:
Marvel Studios presents Avengers: Age of Ultron, the epic follow-up to the biggest superhero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.
The team must reassemble to defeat James Spader as Ultron, a terrifying technological villain hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they confront two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Pietro Maximoff, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and meet an old friend in a new form when Paul Bettany becomes Vision.
Warner Bros Pictures and MGM released the first trailer and poster for the inspirational movie Max (not Mad Max – totally different film), and hopefully this isn’t one of those film’s where the dog dies in the end. The PG-rated movie follows the story of a military dog whose trainer dies in the war and returns stateside to live with his handler’s family. The trailer shows how affected Max was by being in Afghanistan under threat and how transitioning to civilian life isn’t just difficult for people but also for canines who served in the military.
Max was directed by Remember the Titans‘ Boaz Yakin from a script he co-wrote with Sheldon Lettich. The cast includes Josh Wiggins, Stephen Amell, Lauren Graham, and Thomas Haden Church. Max is set to open in theaters on June 26, 2015.
The Plot:
A precision-trained military dog, Max serves on the frontlines in Afghanistan alongside his handler, U.S. Marine Kyle Wincott. But when things go terribly wrong on maneuvers, Kyle is mortally wounded and Max, traumatized by the loss of his best friend, is unable to remain in service.
Shipped stateside, the only human he seems willing to connect with is Kyle’s teenage brother, Justin, so Max is adopted by Kyle’s family, essentially saving his life. But Justin has issues of his own, such as living up to his father’s expectations for him; he isn’t interested in taking responsibility for his brother’s troubled dog. However, Max may be Justin’s only chance to discover what really happened to his brother that day on the front, and with the help of a tough-talking young teen, Carmen, who has a way with dogs, Justin begins to appreciate his canine companion.
Justin’s growing trust in Max helps the four-legged veteran revert back to his heroic self, and as the pair race against time to unravel the mystery, they find more excitement—and danger—than they bargained for. But they each might also find an unlikely new best friend…in each other.
Oliver Queen had an enormous life-changing decision to make in Arrow‘s 16th episode of season three titled “The Offer.” The Arrow also had to help stop villains from targeting the police and come to terms with why he donned the Arrow suit in the first place. Here’s a look back at what went down in Arrow‘s March 18, 2015 episode:
Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) is kneeling in front of Ra’s al Ghul (Matt Nable), who asks Oliver to take his place as Ra’s al Ghul. He releases Oliver, and they observe a training session. Ra’s al Ghul explains what it means to be in this position. At dinner, Ra’s tells Oliver that he sees how Oliver struggles with his dual identity, and that’s why he has asked him.
In the basement lair under Verdant, Nyssa al Ghul (Katrina Law) doesn’t believe Thea Queen’s (Willa Holland) confession of killing Sara (Caity Lotz). Thea begs Nyssa to kill her to avenge Sara. Laurel Lance (Katie Cassidy) and Roy Harper (Colton Haynes) run into protect Thea. Nyssa fights, but Roy shoots her with a tranquilizer.
Ra’s al Ghul shows Oliver the fountain of youth. He explains that it’s not working on him anymore. He tells Oliver that it makes sense for Oliver to become Ra’s al Ghul because he has already come back from the dead once. Ra’s tells Oliver that if he decided to take his place, he can command his men not to kill anymore.
Oliver is incredulous and asks what will happen if he turns down his offer. Ra’s tells him that they will all be free to leave, with all debts forgiven. Oliver takes John Diggle (David Ramsey) and Malcolm Merlyn (John Barrowman) and leaves.
At the loft, Thea is happy to see Oliver, but she is unhappy when she sees that Malcolm is still alive. Oliver asks her to let Malcolm stay at the loft long enough to heal.
At Verdant, Diggle asks Oliver why they were able to bring Malcolm back alive, but Oliver dodges his question.
[Flashback] Oliver is walking through the marketplace with Akio Yamashiro (Brandon Nomura). When Oliver turns his back, Akio takes off. After Oliver finds him again, he warns him not to run away. Akio tells him they that have to go to the botanical gardens because his parents always told him to meet them there if they ever got separated.
In the lair, everyone asks Oliver why Malcolm is alive. Oliver releases Nyssa from her cage and tells her to go home. Oliver keeps deflecting everyone’s questions about what happened with Ra’s al Ghul. He asks Felicity Smoak (Emily Bet Rickards) to find a crime in progress so they can get back to work.
A robbery is in progress. One of the criminals has his mouth sewn shut. The Arrow and Arsenal surprise them. Black Canary jumps into the fight in time to save Arsenal, but the criminals get away. The Arrow tells Black Canary she still needs training.
In the alley behind the police station, Captain Lance (Paul Blackthorne) finds a group of men who are tied up. The Arrow tells Lance that he needs a name from them. But Captain Lance tells him that he can read about it in the newspapers like everyone else. He’s angry because the Arrow didn’t tell him that Sara, his daughter, had died. Lance tells him that the Arrow broke his trust, and he realizes that the Arrow’s just a vigilante who feels no responsibility.
At Palmer Technologies, Felicity and Ray Palmer (Brandon Routh) are working and flirting when Oliver arrives. Oliver asks to speak with Felicity. She apologizes for not telling him about Ray, but he says she doesn’t owe him anything. He asks her to look into the criminal whose lips are sewn shut. She finds Michael Amar, a.k.a. Murmur. She notices Oliver isn’t feeling well, but he says that he’s bothered that Lance isn’t happy with him. She says it seems like there’s something more going on with him, but he leaves.
At the loft, Laurel stops by to see Thea. Thea tells Laurel that her life has been awful since she learned that Malcolm is her father. Laurel leaves as Malcolm is stirring. Thea tells him she’s not sorry for what she’s done. She also tells him that, thanks to him, she’s completely messed up. He tells her to kill him if that’s what’s best.
At Nanda Parbat, Nyssa returns and asks why Malcolm is still alive. Ra’s al Ghul explains that he let him go as a show of good faith to Oliver, who he has asked to take his place. Nyssa is angry that her legacy is being given away. When Nyssa asks if Ra’s is punishing her because of her love for Sara, he says that he never approved of her allowing weakness into her life. (Um, hello? You have a daughter, so there must have been someone, Ra’s. Hypocrite much?) Nyssa says that she would rather leave than watch him turn his legacy over to an outsider, and she leaves.
Back at the lair, Oliver, Diggle, and Roy discuss Michael Amar and why he’s stealing industrial-grade diamonds. Roy suggests that he can talk to some of his old contacts to find out what’s going on and leaves. Diggle asks Oliver what’s really going on. Oliver tells Diggle that everything Ra’s predicted is coming true: Lance hates him and his city is turning on him. He tells Diggle that Ra’s wants Oliver to take his place. Oliver asks Diggle what have they really accomplished? Feeling hopeless, Oliver seems to be considering becoming Ra’s al Ghul.
At the loft, Thea talks to Oliver about how she has changed since their mother’s death. She tells Oliver that the only reason she hasn’t killed Malcolm is because she knows their mother wouldn’t want her to be like him. She leaves, and Oliver tells Malcolm about Ra’s offer. Malcolm tells him that he doesn’t really have a choice, but just then Oliver receives a message from Felicity.
[Flashback] At the botanical gardens, Oliver and Akio are looking for his parents, but Oliver spots a handful of men watching them. He and Akio run.
Oliver returns to the lair. Felicity tells Oliver that she’s still committed to their mission. She argues with him about Ra’s offer. Oliver confesses that he doesn’t think that he’s made any difference in Starling City. She tells Oliver he needs to figure out why he’s really trying to help Starling City. Roy and Diggle come in with a theory as to why Amar is collecting industrial-grade diamonds: he’s going after the police; diamonds can pierce body armor.
At the station, Lance gets a call from Felicity, but he doesn’t answer. Laurel arrives and asks her father to just speak his mind so that they can move on. But he tells her that he just can’t forgive her for lying to him about Sara. Then they hear gunfire. Murmur and his men are moving in.
At the station, police are dropping everywhere. Laurel and her father take cover in his office. He covers her with his gun while she runs. Just as Laurel is about to be shot, Nyssa shoots her attacker. Amar gets to Lance, and Laurel asks Nyssa to save him. The Arrow and Arsenal break in and get to Lance in time. Laurel and Nyssa join the fight.
In the alley, Amar is shooting his way free. The Arrow takes him down. Captain Lance comes out and asks, “What, are you waiting for me to say,’Thank you’?” but the Arrow assures him that he doesn’t do “this” for the thanks.
At the lair, the team regroups. Oliver tells Felicity she was right, that he became the Arrow to help people. Felicity tells Oliver that she’s happy he’s still in her life, but then she receives a call from Ray.
[Flashback] Akio and Oliver are running away in the marketplace when they run into Shado (Celina Jade). She’s alive!
Laurel is leaving the police station and runs into Nyssa. Nyssa offers Laurel friendship, saying that she misses Sara. She offers to train Laurel.
Oliver meets Maseo Yamashiro (Karl Yune) to tell him that he’s not accepting Ra’s offer. Maseo argues with him, warning Oliver that there will be consequences.
Thea arrives at Roy’s apartment. She breaks down and asks if she can stay with him. They kiss.
At a hideout, the criminals who escaped from the robbery are laughing about how they’re going to take out more cops when the Arrow arrives and starts killing them. But we see it’s actually Ra’s al Ghul under the green hood.
Morena Baccarin had guest-starring roles on Stargate-SG1, The Mentalist, The O.C., Las Vegas, and was a regular on the short-lived medical drama Heartland before landing V, a remake of the 1983 mini-series and subsequent short-lived TV series of the same name. On V, Baccarin played Anna, the cold, cunning leader of an alien race of lizard-like humanoids that come to Earth in peace. However, the true intention of the aliens – called the Visitors – is conquering Earth.
When V was cancelled after its second season, Morena Baccarin went to play Jessica Brody – another highlight of her career and arguably her best-known role – on Showtime’s Homeland. Based on the Israeli TV series Hatufim (English translation: Prisoners of War) Jessica is the wife of Nicholas Brody (Damian Lewis), a U.S. Marine who’s been a prisoner of al-Queada for several years.
When he’s released, Brody returns home to Jessica and their two children Dana (Morgan Saylor) and Chris (Jackson Pace), but he’s badly traumatized. During his absence and believing him dead, Jessica finally moved on and began a relationship with Maj. Mike Faber (Diego Klattenhoff), Brody’s best friend. Upon Brody’s return, she breaks up with Mike and tries to make her marriage work again. Further, bipolar CIA operative Carrie Mathison (Claire Danes) believes Brody’s been turned. She’s right, but Brody – who’s climbing the political ladder – undermines her credibility at every step.
“I felt that her journey was so fascinating. Here’s this woman who’d given up everything – the military wife. He comes home finally. She’s buried him in many ways and she’d had to put aside herself and the love that she found to put her family back together. And it turns out he’s become completely unavailable and crazy. There’s so much to be played and such a great story to be told,” said Baccarin.
She even spoke candidly about doing nude scenes on Homeland.
“It was incredibly difficult to do those scenes, but I felt they were necessary for the character’s journey. It was not a pleasant experience for me, but it revealed a vulnerability that really allowed me to tap into this character,” explained Baccarin. “Although I didn’t love doing it, I felt it was necessary. Those scenes aren’t fun to shoot, but you get through them and everyone’s professional about it and you do your best.”
“When you work with such amazing people, you’re forced to raise your game in such a way,” said Baccarin. “I was challenged by the material, my fellow actors, and the situation my character was put in. It forces you to grow and go to places that you’re afraid of and don’t think you can do.”
Her co-star Mandy Patinkin agreed.
“The company of the actors and the writing staff is of the highest caliber I have ever had the privilege to be involved with. I am invigorated by it beyond all words; I’m just thrilled to be a part of it. It is one of the great experiences of my professional life,” he said. “I’m thrilled that it’s become an overnight success. When we were making it, everybody in the first few days from the crew to the staff – the truck drivers, the people who make the coffee – everyone realized instantly we were involved in something that was most unique and unusual before anybody had seen one single show.”
Patinkin continued: “We were just thrilled to be a part of it. Nobody knew if it would be successful or not, but we all knew that doesn’t come everyday, so we better enjoy yourself because you don’t get an opportunity like this to do this kind of material with this company of people all the way around – it doesn’t happen everyday. We were well aware that we were in a unique situation, everyone involved. The fact that it came to fruition and has been appreciated by others the way we were appreciating it is just extremely rewarding.”
Patinkin praised Baccarin’s acting and culinary talents.
“She’s an incredible baker. (The cast) have fun, we have dinners together, we really enjoy each other’s company,” said Patinkin. “Morena’s an amazing actress, an amazing cook, and a gifted human being.”
Hands down, Jessica Brody is Baccarin’s favorite role.
“It gave me a lot and I gave a lot to her,” she said.
Jessica wasn’t in the fourth season of Homeland. She was last seen in the third season. She has publicly expressed interest in reprising this role in order to give it closure.
“I feel like the story was never really finished,” said Baccarin. “It’d be a privilege to wrap it up or just come back and do a little bit of something on the show. It was such a phenomenal experience.”
Another role she’d like to reprise is Inara. Baccarin stated that if Joss Whedon called her and wanted to do another Firefly/Serenity project, she would be there “in a heartbeat.”
“There’s a little something for everybody,” said Baccarin. “They’re just damn interesting characters that Joss created. There’s endless possibilities for them. There are a lot more stories left to be told.”
Beyond that, Baccarin also mentioned her bucket list.
“There are a handful of places I’d like to go to in my life. Japan is at the top of my list. (There’s a) lot of traveling I’d like to do,” she said. “I’d like to be on Letterman before he signs off. It’d be nice to win an Oscar one day. What else? Play a Bond girl, I’ll take that. Be on Broadway – I think that’s it for now.”
