Exclusive Interview With Marc Guggenheim

Movie writer. TV producer. Comic book creator. Video game writer.

While this list may seem like a collection of dream jobs for many of us, it actually is the resume of former lawyer Marc Guggenheim.

Since Guggenheim left the world of Boston law and turned to Hollywood, his biggest problem seemingly has been finding the time for all of the work sent his way.

FLASH FORWARD

One of the items currently on Guggenheim's plate is his role as executive producer of the television series "Flash Forward," which is scheduled to debut this fall on ABC.

The concept behind "Flash Forward" is that everyone on Earth blacks out for 2 minutes and 17 seconds. During the blackout, people experience visions of April 29, 2010, which is six months into the future at that point. When the "flash forward" is over, many people have died in accidents involving vehicles, aircraft or other devices that require human control.

The plot is adapted from the 1999 book "Flashforward" by Robert J. Sawyer.

"I like to use the phrase 'inspired by.' [The show's writers] took the storyline in a different direction than the novel," said Guggenheim. "If you read the book and find the concept intriguing, you will really enjoy what David (Goyer) and Brannon (Braga) did with it."

One major change from the book to the television show involves how far into the future people see when they black out.

"We've obviously changed it from 21 years to six months," said Guggenheim. "The real appeal when you are doing a television series is getting to see the payoff of when the future becomes the present. David and Brannon made the decision to have that payoff come in the first season."

One aspect of the show that has people talking is the high caliber of its cast. "Flash Forward" features Joseph Fiennes, John Cho, Jack Davenport and Courtney B. Vance. That cast was one of the factors that intrigued Guggenheim.

"I wish I could take credit for the cast," he said, "but I got involved after the cast was put together."

According to Guggenheim, the show has the ability to sustain a high level of quality over a number of seasons.

"We figure it can go seven years pretty comfortably," he said. "At a minimum, we figure we would need three seasons [to tell the story]."

Guggenheim said he believes "Flash Forward" can achieve success on the level of "Lost."

"I have a feeling people will start talking about 'Flash Foward' once they see it," he said. "I think that show will inspire that much interest."

ELI STONE

For Guggenheim, the beginning of "Flash Forward" arrives just as "Eli Stone" is ending.

After 26 episodes over a two-year period, "Eli Stone" has been canceled by ABC. The final episodes of the show have begun airing in the U.S. at 10 p.m. on Saturday nights (the episodes previously aired in the U.K.).

"We had an initial 13-episode order for Season Two," Guggenheim said. "We hoped for a back-nine order (to get up to 22 episodes), but we had written 13 without knowing whether we would get the other nine."

However, he said, by the time the 13th episode of Season Two was actually filmed, the writing was on the wall.

"Everyone went into production on Episode 13 knowing it was the end," he stated.

Guggenheim said fans of the show will feel a sense of closure.

"Do you get a sense that we brought the show in for a landing? Yeah, you do," he said.

However, Guggenheim noted, there is a chance "Eli Stone" may live on in another format.

"I've gotten super close on a couple of occasions to doing it as a comic book series," he said. "But it's something I'm taking a beat on, because I'm so busy with 'Flash Forward.'"

And if it is possible to do it as a comic book series, Guggenheim said he already is off to an excellent start.

"I have four more scripts that were written by 'Eli Stone' writers," he said. "Episodes 14 through 17 have been written. And I want to do something with them."

But Guggenheim also noted he won't do it "just to do it."

"I'm only going to do it if I can do it right," he said. "My ego could not tolerate 'Eli' failing in two different mediums."

Guggenheim then laughed and clarified that he meant the show was a "failure" on television only in terms of the ratings.

"I have absolutely no regrets. I'm really proud of the series. I am as proud of it as I am anything I have ever done," he said. "And I know there is a rabid fan base for the show. I would rather have the fans who are passionate than a kajillion people who watch the show, but don't really care."

Shows such as "Flash Forward" and "Eli Stone" feature twists, an element toward which Guggenheim said he finds himself attracted.

"I favor shows that are outside the box. I'm very excited about 'Flash Forward'," he said. "But it always comes down to, 'Is this a quality show?' And, 'Does it tell a good story?"

VIDEO GAMES

Another field through which Guggenheim has discovered he can tell a good story is the world of video games.

"I love writing video games," he said. "I enjoy working with video game developers."

The games for which Guggenheim has written or co-written the stories for include "Call of Duty 3," "Perfect Dark Zero" and, most recently, "X-Men Origins: Wolverine."

"It's an exciting technology to be working on," he said. "The technology is at the place where you can tell big, cinematic stories. The potential is just so huge."

Guggenheim said he would love to do more games, but added that they are "very time consuming."

"When I can, I work them into my schedule," he said. "When I've done it, it's usually during a hiatus."

COMIC BOOKS

Guggenheim also continues to write comic books, something he enjoys doing.

His upcoming work includes the "Who Is Ben Reilly?" arc in Amazing Spider-Man. In the past, he has created stories for characters such as The Flash, Aquaman, The Punisher and Wolverine.

And, oddly enough, Guggenheim was slated to work with Wolverine himself, Hugh Jackman, on a comic book series called "Nowhere Man."

"Unfortunately, Virgin Comics went under and we just don't have a home for it," Guggenheim said. "I've talked to Hugh Jackman's people and we're looking at things to do down the road. But, unless things get resolved, I don't think it will be 'Nowhere Man.'"

Conversely, Guggenheim noted, things are looking very good for another comic book series of his called "'Resurrection."

"I'm doing a comic for Oni Press that's been optioned for a movie at Universal [Studios]," he said.
Guggenheim called the comic book's concept "really cool."

"In 'Independence Day' and 'War of the Worlds' and basically every alien invasion movie you've ever seen, people win and the aliens get kicked off the planet. You don't see what happens next," he said. "With 'Resurrection,' the aliens leave, then our story begins."

GREEN LANTERN

Speaking of movies, Guggenheim knows that no matter how many shows, video games, comic books or other movies he does, the topic of the "Green Lantern" movie he co-wrote with Greg Berlanti and Michael Green is the topic most likely to come up. Yet, it also is the topic he is most hesitant to talk about.

"'Green Lantern' continues to move forward," he said. "But I can't say any more about it. I've signed a blood oath of secrecy."

Guggenheim said he is aware fans are concerned that the lead role has yet to be cast, but he said they have nothing to worry about.

"I understand where the fans are coming from," he said. "I understand that people are passionate, but everything will work out."

Guggenheim said he doesn't go on Internet message boards to see what people are writing about "Green Lantern," but he does get an e-mail notice when new stories are written about the movie.

"I haven't gone on the boards, but I do have a Google alert," he said. "So if something gets written (about "Green Lantern") and Google captures it, I see it."

And through reading the stories, Guggenheim said he has noticed a common thread.

"I can say don't believe all the rumors," he said. "In fact, I haven't read a single thing that is accurate."

However, Guggenheim also tried to downplay his role in the process by saying he is "just the writer."

"In fact," he said. "I have the Google alert so I can find out who is cast along with all of you."

Exclusive Interview With Dan Forcey

Brandon Routh took a break from filming 'Dead of Night' recently to attend the Watchmen premiere. Official photos from the movie are forthcoming, but have yet to be released. For a great explanation of where the photos are, check out the 'Dead of Night' production blog at http://deadofnightmovie.wordpress.com/2009/04/24/a-brief-explanation.

Although a number of comic book-based movies are in various degrees of development right now, the most promising one just might be "Dead of Night."

Based on Tiziano Sclavi’s "Dylan Dog" comic books (published in Italy), the movie began filming in February.

Directed by Kevin Munroe, "Dead of Night" is the story of a detective drawn into the world of the supernatural.

One of the primary forces in bringing the novels to life has been Dan Forcey, who is the VP of Development at Platinum Studios Inc.

"Platinum is the multi-media company that originally optioned the rights from Bonelli to make a Dylan Dog movie," said Forcey, who is wearing multiple hats in the making of "Dead of Night."

"I’m also here on set serving as a member of the stunt team," he said. "I did stunts before moving into development at Platinum and this film has allowed me to exercise those muscles again, which has been a ton of fun."

Bringing Dylan Dog to the big screen has been a longtime goal for Forcey.

"I, and other folks at Platinum, have been working on a script based on the comic for years now," he said. "We nearly made it with a couple of other partners, but after a few false starts, we finally found what we think is the perfect combination of talent to truly bring Dylan to life."

Top-lining that talent is Brandon Routh, best known for his portrayal of Superman in the 2006 movie "Superman Returns."

In "Superman Returns," Routh was somewhat under-utilized, despite playing the title character. In "Dead of Night," Forcey said, Routh will have a chance to really show what he can do.

"Those folks that are only familiar with Brandon from his work on 'Superman Returns' are going to be surprised by him in this role, I think," said Forcey. "Although he was great in that movie, I think Dylan will allow him to shine even more."

According to Forcey, Routh perfectly fit what the filmmakers were looking for when casting Dylan Dog.

"Brandon has a dark complexity, coupled with a genuine likability, that is essential to bring Dylan to life," he said. "We talked a lot about who could handle Dylan with Kevin and the consensus was that a lot of actors could act the part of Dylan, but Brandon was the only one who was it."

Forcey said Routh has immersed himself into the world of Dylan Dog in preparation for the role.

"He’s really dived into the comics, and at this point probably knows more Italian than I do as a result," said Forcey.

In fact, Forcey noted, Routh "even did an entire scene in Italian in the movie."

Forcey added that Routh has lived up to his reputation as being a nice guy behind the scenes.

"At this point in the production, as a stuntman, I haven’t had a lot of interaction with him," he said. "But I can tell you, he’s liked by everyone on set. He’s nice, down-to-earth and a very hard worker."

Other actors cast in the movie include Anita Briem, Taye Diggs, Peter Stormare, Kurt Angle, Kyle Russell Clements, James Hébert, Marco St. John, Dan Braverman, Kimberly Whalen and Courtney J. Clark.

Additionally, Sam Huntington is playing Dylan Dog's sidekick, Marcus. The character marks a departure from the comics. In the original Italian comics, Dylan Dog's sidekick is Groucho, an actor for whom a Groucho Marx impersonation became his permanent personality. In the American reprints of the comics by Dark Horse, the character has been renamed Felix and even the Groucho mustache has been removed.

According to Forcey, using a Groucho Marx likeness would have cost several million dollars and a piece of the marketing pie ("including any comics Bonelli publishes in the future”).

For Huntington, playing Marcus in "Dead of Night" will mark his second pairing with Routh. Huntington played Jimmy Olsen in "Superman Returns," and he and Routh have remained friends since filming the movie.

According to Forcey, that friendship ultimately may have helped Huntington to get the part, but the fact that the two actors already had worked together on a superhero movie almost worked against Huntington.

"Brandon was definitely part of that decision (to hire Huntington)," said Forcey. "Brandon and Sam were at first under consideration independent of each other, just because we thought they were both great actors. We were actually worried about casting them because we didn't want to invite comparisons to 'Superman Returns.' Then Kevin found out from Brandon that they had remained friends after 'Superman Returns' and agreed to allow them to read together. Almost instantly, he realized they naturally had the exact kind of dynamic that Dylan and Marcus have in the script and decided he needed them both."

The comedic dynamic between Dylan Dog and Marcus is just one aspect of a movie that is not exactly tied down to a single genre.

"It's a thriller with a little action, a little buddy comedy and a splash of noir," said Forcey.

And if the movie itself is hard to pin down, that just might be due to the nature of the lead character.

"Dylan is a very complex character," stated Forcey. "He has a brand of 'optimistic melancholy' that makes him a fascinating figure in cinema, I think. We’re interested in him because he is complex and real. Despite the craziness he encounters in every issue, at the core of every story is this flawed character named Dylan. But unlike a John Constantine, who revels in his flaws or outright ignores them, Dylan is quite aware and tries to rise above them with an optimism and sense of humor that is infectious."

And while every effort has been made to keep the character as true to the original stories as possible, moving the action to a new locale has some fans of the series up in arms.

While the "Dylan Dog" stories typically take place in London, "Dead of Night" is set in New Orleans. Forcey said the new location is primarily story-driven.

"The city definitely plays a part in the story. I can't go into too many details, but it does play a big part in it," he said. "More importantly, though, the city is as much a character in the film as London is in the Dylan novels. New Orleans has an age and a mysticism to it that I don't think you'd find anywhere else in the states and if a 'nightmare detective' was going to find business anywhere this side of the ocean, it would be there."

Principal photography for the movie currently is taking place on location in New Orleans, with the release date slated for "sometime in 2010," Forcey said.

As for the movie's budget, Forcey wouldn't reveal a number, but he did say that it was "about on par with the 'Underworld' movies." ("Underworld" cost $22 million and the most recent sequel was priced at $35 million. Unofficial estimates have put the budget for "Dead of Night" somewhere between those two numbers.)

Forcey also is keeping details of the plot a secret. An early script was leaked, but Forcey said it was a "very, very old draft of the script."

Since then, Forcey said, "The director and Platinum’s foreign library specialist, Gioj Demarco, went through the script just prior to shooting and did an entirely new draft that was specifically intended to make things closer to the books."

For those wondering how the movie will relate to the stories told in the books, Forcey said, "People should think of it as a continuation of Dylan's ongoing adventures."

Forcey added that "there will be a 'how we got from the stories in the book to where "Dead of Night" picks up' story that will be available to fans in a ... very interesting way soon."

However, he noted, moviegoers will not be required to read the comics in order to fully comprehend the movie.

"Like 'Iron Man' last year," Forcey said, "we've definitely added in a lot of things just for the fans, but the movie will stand on its own."

To stay up-to-date on the filming of the movie from behind the scenes, check out Dan Forcey's blog at http://deadofnightmovie.wordpress.com. In addition to updates about the shoot, Forcey does a great job of explaining differences from the books to the screen (such as why Dylan Dog's white Bug with a black top has become a black Bug with a white top).