Archive for May, 2011


Castle: Creator Andrew Marlowe On Finale

By in May 19, 2011 • Filed in: Articles, Castle

Not really Stana news, but I figured Castle fans might enjoy this article, due to the fact that it does mention Beckett! :)

While Castle fans were weeping over Monday night’s season finale (Beckett! Nooooo!), creator Andrew Marlowe was in Hawaii, oblivious to the emotional turmoil he’d just inflicted upon us. To get back at him (kidding!), EW interrupted the executive producer’s much-deserved vacation (not kidding…) to ask some of our — and your — burning questions.

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: I know you’re sitting sea side right now, but have you seen any of the Internet reaction to the finale?
ANDREW MARLOWE: Yeah, I was on Twitter and a lot of the fans were nice enough to leave their thoughts with me on Twitter, so that was very exciting.

I’m not getting the sense that they’re as angry as you thought they might be.
[Laughs] Well, I didn’t know. I knew that I was going to give them something emotionally satisfying, but I also wanted them to be prepared going in that it was going to end on a cliffhanger. But I think that for the ‘shippers, there was some sense of relief that Castle got to say what he wanted to say and that in the argument they were able to put their cards on the table. Then when we get to the final scene, he’s able to admit his feelings for her. So I think there was some really good resolution in that while we had all the other stuff. I think if we didn’t have that resolution, people would have felt a little unsatisfied.

Speaking of that last scene where he says the big ‘I love you,’ Kate’s alive… right?
I think people have to tune in this fall to see.

Well, I’m at least assuming she was wearing a vest …
You don’t expect to get shot at a funeral. I’ll tell you that she was not wearing a vest. I can tell you that, yeah.

So are we going to see Beckett recovery time next season or will we have a time jump when she’s back in action?
I have not fully finished constructing the season premiere episode for [season] 4. There are a lot of moving parts that I’m going to have to deal with. There may be a time cut, but we’ll probably most likely be picking up right after the events of the shooting and dealing with the aftermath. And then a time jump somewhere in the episode.

So, why did you decided to shoot Beckett?
Well, it felt like a natural extension of the storytelling that we’re doing, and this case is the case where Beckett is most vulnerable, and Castle is at his most mature. But it also comes with a complication, and the complication is this: It’s that if Castle hadn’t urged Beckett to look into her mother’s case in episode 10′s first season, none of this would have happened. You know, Montgomery wouldn’t be dead, secrets would still be buried, Beckett’s life wouldn’t be hanging in the balance. So you know, there’s certainly going to be some guilt he’s gotta work through, and with Beckett knowing what’s at stake, this is one case where rationality flies out the window, where she basically goes and runs out into traffic. She can’t help herself. So how that’s all going to resolve next season, we have a really good and interesting angle on it. That’s something that I think fans will be really interested in when they tune in to see how we’re going to conduct things next year.

Is part of that angle dealing with the man who shot Beckett?
Yeah. In a way. But it has much more to do with the Beckett-Castle relationship.

So you said Castle is going to deal with guilt. Will part of that also come from him not being able to save her as he did in the midseason finale?
Mmhmm. Yeah, I think it’s only natural that anybody in that situation, if they aren’t able to do that, would feel that way. Absolutely.

Will this become a more personal fight for Castle now that Beckett was injured?
Well, what I’ll say about that — because I’m trying to keep some things a surprise for early next season — is that those questions are going to figure prominently in how we’re coming back and how we’re defining the next stage of their relationship.

Speaking of important stages: The “I Love you.” Is that going to be ignored next season?
No, it’s not going to be ignored. It’s going to be confronted, but it’s going to be confronted in a very Castle-ish kind of way. The show has a tendency, when it confronts things, not to go head-to-head with something. So we are going to deal with that in storytelling in a way that is really organic to this relationship and to their growth.

You really took on so many issues in this episode — which one of these steps did you consider the biggest?
For me, there were two big ones. The fight in her apartment — but the reason why that was so effective, to me, is that it’s been coming for basically two-and-a-half seasons. [They've had] to get to the point where they were both so emotionally raw that Castle could say, “I don’t know what the hell we are.” We’re doing this dance, and I think it’s really refreshing to have them acknowledge the dance and have the two of them interact with each other. And also him getting to the point where he didn’t want to wait ’til it was too late to say what was on his mind. [Even though] he may have been too late.

I was in love with the airport scene. How much was improv and how much of that was in the script? From him holding her against the car, to him mouthing “I’m sorry”…
I have to say that that is one of the great culminations of Will Beall’s great writing and Rob Bowman’s great directing, and two actors who are in excellent from. That was really a culmination of three tremendous elements, and everybody really had a hand in really crafting that moment.The attitude, the point of view, was all written down. The amount of emotion that Stana [Katic] poured into it and Nathan [Fillion]’s reaction to it… a lot of that happened on the day, and it was beautifully shot by the team.

I usually have some sense of composure, but I was, honestly, such a mess! It was shameful.
Good, we did our job. [Laughs]

Do you get emotional reading any of this?
My relationship to it is much different because, you know, I’m there helping to craft those moments, so I knew that we’re hitting the chord. I had that feeling. But my point of view was more how can we elicit the emotion from the scene, how can we really honor people. It was hard to be around for me emotionally when Montgomery’s character got shot. [He was] the first of the character that I created during the pilot who died. So it really did feel like to all of us that there was a significant death in the family, so we really mourned his loss. But the emotions of these moments that you guys are going through are mitigated by the fact that I know what the outcomes are. [Laughs]

Speaking of Montgomery — how long was this in the plan?
We knew for sure in January. We had been toying with the storyline. Will Beall came in with a really great angle on these mythology stories, and we all worked with him to craft this. It was coming at a point where I felt like some of the relationships needed to evolve, and we needed to challenge some of our core family. This was a really interesting way to do that, to help our relationships get to the next level. So it was a confluence of events where it just seemed to make absolute creative sense for the show. And it’s always really difficult because Ruben [Santiago-Hudson]’s been just a tremendous asset, and nothing but an enormous professional for us.

He did an outstanding job on his last scene.
He’s never been better. He is a tremendously talented actor, and he’s also a very gifted emotional actor. I think sometimes, you know, when he’s a guy who people download information into or he’s just giving the facts, it’s really not taking advantage of his enormous strengths as an emotional actor, and this was really an opportunity to have him shine, and boy, did he do a great job.

Next step would be a new boss. What kind of person are you looking for?
Well, that’s something I’m not going to think about until the end of the week. I’m going to relax for a couple of days. We are looking at bringing somebody in who’s going to present a little bit more of a challenge to our characters in the precinct. So we’re looking forward to having somebody show up who helps our characters grow and opens them up in new ways while continuing to make sure that the experience of the show, the Castle experience, remains the same for the fans.

Some readers suggested bringing on a female boss.
Yeah, I certainly would consider that. It actually would be very interesting. Not to get ahead of myself, but it’s something that has been considered, but I haven’t formally landed on anything yet. There are a lot of riches to that, but there are also some surprises in store for the fans.

Source: here



Big Sur Production Photos

By in May 18, 2011 • Filed in: Big Sur, Gallery, Movie Stills

A kind person emailed me this evening, to share these photos with me, from the production of Stana’s latest film, Big Sur. Check them out in the gallery below! :)


Home > Movies > Big Sur > Production Photos



Castle: Additional Episode Stills From 3×24 “Knockout”

By in May 18, 2011 • Filed in: Castle, Episode Stills, Gallery

Even though the finale of Castle has already passed, I have found and uploaded more episode stills from the episode. These ones come from the funeral scene, which I realize why they wouldn’t want to release them, until after the fact. They really didn’t want to give that away. :) Anyway, you can find them in the gallery, at the link below. Enjoy! :)


Home > Castle > Season 3 > Episode Stills > 3×24 – Knockout



Castle Spoilers: After the Finale

By in May 17, 2011 • Filed in: Castle, Spoilers

Warning: Spoilers! Do not read below, if you wish to remain spoiler free!

Thanks for the great Castle postmortem. Any leftovers? — Kristen
ADAM:
A couple. First, Beckett’s ability to put her faith in people may have died along with Captain Montgomery. “We’re really interested in how this death will affect Beckett’s ability to trust in the Castle-Beckett relationship moving forward,” executive producer Andrew W. Marlowe says. Secondly, you can definitely expect to see the 3XK killer again next season, and his target will be Detective Ryan. “We’re going to be dealing with the aftermath of Ryan having lost his gun and badge [to 3XK]” Marlowe says. “He has to come face to face with what happened that night.”

Source: here

Question: My gut is telling me that Beckett’s “shooting” in the Castle finale was staged — all part of an elaborate scheme to send her underground and shield her from the killer. Am I hot or cold? —Jeff
Ausiello:
You’re freezing. Beckett was shot. This is no time for denial. Snap out of it!

Question: You better have a Castle Q&A coming up after that season finale. Please? —@jenkburns via Twitter
Ausiello:
Sorry, no Q&A. I welcome you to join me in a fun game of connect the dots though! Weeeeee
Dot No. 1: Beckett was shot near the heart.
Dot No. 2: Beckett’s lovah, Josh, is a cardiac surgeon.
Dot. No. 3: In an interview with TVGuide.com, the show’s EP, Andrew Marlowe, all but confirmed that Victor Webster would be back next season. “He’s still out there, and he’s somebody we’re going to have to deal with,” Marlowe teased. “He’s an element moving forward and it’ll be interesting to see how that functions.”
Ready. Set. Connect!

Source: here



Castle: 3×24 “Knockout” Screencaps

By in May 17, 2011 • Filed in: Castle, Gallery, Screencaps

I hope that everyone enjoyed the season finale of Castle last night. Stana was absolutely amazing throughout the entire thing. If you haven’t seen the episode yet, watch it ASAP! There are so many good moments for all of the characters, especially Beckett. Although Castle is on it’s annual summer hiatus, we’ll still bring you any updates about the show, as well as all of the latest Stana news! Anyway, here are the screencaps from last night. Enjoy! :)



Home > Castle > Season 3 > Screencaptures > 3×24 – Knockout



Video Interview: Stana discusses Castle finale

By in May 17, 2011 • Filed in: Castle, Interviews, Video



Stana Katic wraps up ‘Castle’ season, moves on to ‘Big Sur’

By in May 16, 2011 • Filed in: Interviews

Sure, Stana Katic looks like she’s having a bundle of fun playing Detective Kate Beckett on ABC-TV’s mystery series “Castle.”

Each week, she verbally jousts with Nathan Fillion’s glib and witty crime novelist Rick Castle, indulging in some sexually charged repartee before getting down to the business of solving crimes and catching criminals.

But don’t mistake Katic for your standard-issue TV/movie star from West Aurora High School.

When it comes to acting, she’s as dead serious as the homicide victims on her TV series.

You can tell this from the characters she’s dying to play before she, uh, dies.

“I’d like to play Cleopatra,” Katic said, quickly noting that Angelina Jolie has already snagged the character for an upcoming movie. “And I’d like to play Kate in ‘The Taming of the Shrew.’ I’m already playing another Kate.”

And?

“And I’d like to play Antigone.”

Antigone?

The rebellious ancient Greek girl who buried her dead brother against the King of Thebes’ commands, thereby unleashing woe and gnashing of teeth in the house of Creon?

“I like the classics,” Katic said. “I think the classics help us create the present day ones.”

Katic was talking via telephone from a hotel room in Carmel, Calif., about 30 miles from the legendary Big Sur, which is also the title of the movie she’s working on.

In “Big Sur,” she plays a poet who becomes a catalyst for the Summer of Love during the 1960s. The movie details her meeting with Beat writer Jack Kerouac (Jean-Marc Barr) and Neal Cassady (Josh Lucas).

Just how did a girl from West Aurora High wind up here?

“I’ve always been involved in drama, since I was very little,” Katic said. “I used to put on plays on the patio. It’s been part of my life. It wasn’t something I necessarily immediately pursued. I’ve always done plays, done theater.”

She studied international relations, pre-law and biology before she finally succumbed to the lure of the performing arts.

Blame it on Chicago’s Goodman Theatre.

“They did a really great job of breaking the actor down and starting from scratch,” Katic said. “Letting you experience the world in a very new, childlike way. Not that that wasn’t already natural to me.”

How so?

“We witness the world through our senses. Observations we actors have to be open to. To keep our tentacles out there, feeling the world around us, experimenting and engaging with it. It’s part of who we are asked to be, whether it’s onstage or in a film. Those are wonderful building blocks in school.”

Before West Aurora, Katic hailed from Ontario, Canada. She grew up the daughter of immigrants from the former Yugoslavia.

“They had to start from the ground up, and succeeded in making a wonderful living for all of us, my siblings and myself,” she said.

“For us, it was a valuable lesson in hard work and how one can achieve one’s goals. I couldn’t have had a better pair of people to raise me. They’re very kind and loving people who’ve lived the American dream.”

“Castle” wraps up its season tonight with a finale tied to the murder of Kate’s mother years earlier. Katic likes playing Kate.

“I love that she’s flawed,” the actress said. “I love that she tries to do the right thing, but she doesn’t always do the right thing. I believe in characters who aren’t perfect. I believe in people. And I believe in playing characters that are like people.”

Asked to name the greatest achievement of a person in the performing arts, Katic had this to say.

“I sincerely believe that the greatest achievement that a person in the performing arts can do is help people transcend,” Katic replied. “To help people come out of themselves for a moment, and, perhaps, change through an experience that the performer provides.”

Antigone might be closer than she imagines.

Source: here



Castle: Season 3 Finale On Tonight!

By in May 16, 2011 • Filed in: Castle

Castle is all new tonight, with the final episode of this season, 3×24: Knockout.  Tune in tonight 10 PM/9 PM Central on your local ABC station. You are definitely not going to want to miss this one!



Castle: Finale Interview with Andrew Marlowe

By in May 15, 2011 • Filed in: Castle

Warning: Do not read below, if you wish to remain spoiler free!

It’s been a stressful season for Castle fans dying to see author Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) and his muse, Detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic), become more than friends and partners.

They kissed. They held each other tightly as they nearly died together in a freezer. They shared a giant Los Angeles hotel suite that, despite its roominess, couldn’t contain the sexual tension. And in Monday’s finale (10/9c, ABC) all of those issues will be addressed.

“Both characters lay their cards on their table,” creator and executive producer Andrew W. Marlowe tells TVGuide.com. “[They] come to an understanding about the issues that they’re dealing with and the ways in which each of them were approaching the relationship. There’s a knockdown, drag-out fight where Castle’s like, ‘Look, what do we mean to each other?’”

Unfortunately, this meeting of the minds comes just as Beckett once again goes down the rabbit hole chasing her mother’s killer. When sniper Hal Lockwood (Max Martini) — who killed Beckett’s last solid lead earlier this season — escapes from prison, the case is re-opened. And some of the new information hits far too close to home.

“This is Beckett as her rawest,” Marlowe says. “Not everything that she thought was true is actually true. She has to confront some very serious issues in her own life and in her relationships when the truth comes out. She doesn’t really like what she finds, but she’s going to keep going, even though it puts her in danger.”

And that danger isn’t just limited to Beckett. Marlowe confirms that before the season ends, one major character will be in a body bag, and he says the early Season 4 renewal made it possible to take such risks in the storytelling.

“Knowing that we’re not in a position where we have to resolve everything and that we can push ourselves into deeper mystery and more complicated relationships allowed us to embrace this kind of story,” Marlowe says. “It was something we started looking at early in the season, and then after we were renewed, I felt very comfortable moving forward with it. It’s always uncomfortable for any show creator to have to end a relationship with somebody they’ve created along the way,” Marlowe continues. “But sometimes to challenge your characters for the continuation of the show, it’s an important thing to do.”

While we’re fairly certain the show wouldn’t kill its female lead, Marlowe insists that Beckett’s recklessness is a major concern. “Everybody knows that in pursuing this case, she’s basically running in the way of the bad guys and it’s going to get her killed,” Marlowe says. “So everybody that cares about her is just trying to protect her. At the end of the day she cares too much about this case to be protected. [She's] pretty much pushing everybody away.”

Castle‘s Season 3 finale airs Monday at 10/9c on ABC.

Source: here



An Interview With Mark Polish by Stana Katic

By in May 14, 2011 • Filed in: For Lovers Only

Stana did an interview with Mark Polish about their film ‘For Lovers Only.’

Almost a year ago to the day, I jumped in a gypsy caravan with Polish brothers Michael and Mark (Northfork, Twin Falls, Astronaut Farmer) to traipse around France telling a love tale in the vein of the French New Wave. This is a small glimpse into that extraordinary creative journey from behind the eyes of ‘For Lovers Only’ writer/actor Mark Polish.

You can read the entire interview at her official site, HERE.