DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION: Q&A w/ James Marsters

DRAGONBALL EVOLUTION: Q&A w/ James Marsters

James Marsters in a Q&A about Dragonball Evolution. Why he chose the role, being Green, and more. More like an answer to most of what we wanted to know w/o the questions.

By SGA - Feb 24, 2009 09:02 PM EST
Filed Under: Dragonball Evolution

On February 15th 2009, James Marsters attended Your Funny Valentine, where a Q&A session took place. Lots of questions including one in particular, where he was asked about why he chose to do the part of Piccolo… besides the money!

James:

I have a son and we’ve been watching Dragonball for the last five years um, since he was about six or seven years old. I think the first DVD I got was kind of a strange experience because it was when my character, Piccolo, was standing (something something something… looking out over the desert?). A little kid comes up, who is the son of his old enemy, who is now dead, and begs him to train him. This little kid comes up, “Train me.” “Go away kid, you’re bothering me.” “Train me. My dad’s dead. Train me.” “Okay.” (James does an impromptu fight scene.) This little tiny kid, and he’s beating the crap out of this kid. So he picks the kid up and drop kicks the kid about 20 yards up this way (he points up in the air towards the left). He flies up, punches him back down to the ground. Kid hits the ground. Boom! Thick smoke. Granite cracks under the little kid’s head. Piccolo flies back down and goes, “That your first lesson.” So I’m watching this and I’m thinking, my son is seven years old, “what am I doing?” And then the kid, a close-up on the kid. And his face is all bleeding and bruised and his eye is swollen shut and he starts laughing. Like, I got you to do what I wanted you to do, man. And I thought, wow, now that’s a surprise. My son took to it like crazy. Basically it’s helped me raise my son. I feel like the main character, Goku, is a really perfect example of man. I kind of tend to say that a man is an enforcer of peace. What he wants is peace and quiet and if … he will force with violence if necessary, but that will be his last choice. Whereas a boys will create chaos and try to prove himself. So you have Goku, and Goku is a humble, meek, silly, goofy guy and who, given the choice will be out looking at flowers and worms and playing with his kid. But God help you if you endanger his family. And I think that we kind of have an over militarized culture, and we tend to think of our heroes and men as big burly guys. (He does this “macho” walk.) I see a guy like that and I just want to take him out. Because that’s the guy that’s never been a fight. Guys that have been in fights don’t want to be in fights, because that hurts. So I was really excited to go audition, and when they gave me the role I was excited. But I did know if I was the right one for it. I didn’t really see the connection. The director, but then by the time I got to the set. I felt like I was the only one on earth that could play that role. And I still feel that way.

Comment was made about him being green.

James:

Actually for me it was a little different, because it was not easy to get green. There was some disagreement on what my character should be. And I went off. I argued vociferously for green. I told everyone that our careers were over if I’m not green. I’m not making a threat, and I’m not going to do anything wrong, and I’ll go down with you, and I will be the first in line plummeting down into bankruptcy. I mean, if you do Superman, he’s got to have a cape. If you do Spock, he’s got to have pointy ears and if you do Piccolo he’s got to be green! So, no, as soon as I was green I was a happy happy happy little clam.

Related:

Dragonball Evolution Sequel Script Already Written

Recommended For You:

Superhero Hotties: Dragonball Babes

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ManOfIron
ManOfIron - 2/25/2009, 7:42 AM
seems like a down to earth guy. but he is an actor after all lol wow it was hard to read this though since there were a lot of grammatical errors. i'm not saying i'm perfect. just reread your article before posting it plz
saymekian
saymekian - 2/25/2009, 9:01 AM
It is good to hear that he is an actual fan.

Especially good to hear he knew green was the way to go.

I, personally, would have been pissed if he wasn't.

Bravo, James Marsters
SGA
SGA - 2/25/2009, 9:48 AM
sorry about all the errors :P

it was pretty late/early. I usually hate it when i don't check it, but i was pretty tired. i'll try and do better next time.
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 2/25/2009, 9:53 AM
This movie is honestly looking better every day!
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 2/25/2009, 10:56 AM
James is perfect for that role!!! An i alway's thought this could be good!!! Hopefully this and STREET FIGHTER will surprise people!!! ; ) I know GI JOE will!!!
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 2/25/2009, 11:00 AM
LOL... As crappy as I think Street Fighter is gonna be, I'm glad I'm not the only one going to see it, Leee...
ManOfIron
ManOfIron - 2/25/2009, 12:18 PM
it's otay MoonPup! All is forgiven lol there was just one sentence that really bothered me. it was contradictory to the next one so i had to chose which one's end result i liked better lol o and quick question... do Moon Dogs leave space rocks in front yards? call me curious... but don't f-ing think about calling me george! >:( lol
Talontd
Talontd - 2/25/2009, 2:27 PM
Awesome! I hope he wasn't BS'ing us about watching it with his son for the last 5yrs.

I have a feeling this movie is gonna rock!! I'll be going to see SF this friday, but I think Dragonball will be much better, and I think G.I.Joe will be better than both!
Talontd
Talontd - 2/25/2009, 2:31 PM
BTW, is anyone else's thumb bleeding from playing too much Street Fighet 4? Damn Hadokens!!!!
CrookedJaw
CrookedJaw - 2/25/2009, 2:51 PM
I'm totally going to see Street Fighter MoonDoggy, I'm a martial artist, and love fight movies...haven't had a good one in a long time, and Robin Shou is the man! But as far as DragonBall goes, Marsters was the only right thing they did in my eyes...I'm still super skeptical about this movie, and don't think it'll do well at all...probably won't go see it...
SGA
SGA - 2/25/2009, 3:09 PM
maybe if i try to hypnotize you, you'll see it *@* GO WATCH DRAGONBALL GO WATCH DRAGONBALL GO WATCH DRAGONBALL GO WATCH DRAGONBALL GO WATCH DRAGONBALL *@*

did it work?

i doubt it, but still, you should at least give it a chance. at least for the action sequences, you said yourself that you love fight movies...Dragonball is bound to have at least one awesome fight you'll love
animeex
animeex - 2/25/2009, 7:24 PM
I am curious... He seems to be a fan, yet Piccolo took Gohan after Goku was killed and said to Roshi and Krillin that Gohan had incredible power and that he taking him to train him. At least that's how the show went. I am glad he insisted on the green though. I will let you guys go first and reserve seeing it til then. I have been a fan since it came to the US. On another post, the director of Street Fighter said it was unrealistic to have people in costumes. Of course I had to comment that wild impossible moves and throwing energy balls was realistic. I just wish fans got what they wanted. When the movies fail, they all seem to blame the concept from which the movie was made and not their failed vision. Oh well.
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 2/25/2009, 8:51 PM
Ack hypnotizzzzzzzzzzzz. must see Dragonball, must see Dragonball, must see Dragonball, must see Dragonball must see Dragonball, must see Dragonball must see Dragonball, must see Dragonball must see Dragonball, must see Dragonball
Osiris
Osiris - 2/26/2009, 10:32 AM
Talontd I have a hole in my finger from playing too much street fighter IV lol. I wanted to go see the SF movie this weekend but that has fallen through, I do plan on seeing it and agree that DB will prob be better then SF and GI Joe is going to blow them both away, but will GI Joe be better then Transformers.........

also animeex i agree that they should have had some ppl in costume for SF and if that is his excuse that is lame cause spinning bird kicks and energy balls are not realistic at least last i knew anyways. and besides Chun Li's costume is a real outfit so WTF is he talking about I can see maybe not having Balrog in his official cloths from the game but not Chun Li they could have done one scene w/ her in it maybe at her fathers funeral or something considering she wears it as a remembrance to him, and Bison should have at least worn red and or had the suit but took off the metal shoulder pads.
animeex
animeex - 2/27/2009, 6:00 AM
Thanks Osiris. I went to IGN and others and saw some reviews... OUCH!Here is one part of one review.

Warning Sign 1: Why aren’t there any Street Fighter: The Legend Of Chun Li reviews yet? Because the studio didn’t screen it for critics.

Warning Sign 2: Why is it only being shown in 1,100 screens, compared to the 2,800 Rise Of The Lycans enjoyed, or the 2,200 for Push? Because the studio doesn’t have any confidence in it.

And there are more. To bad... I love Kristen Kruek.
NoobMike
NoobMike - 2/27/2009, 10:18 AM
source:http://ent.sina.com.cn/m/f/2009-02-19/23122383039.shtml

Stephen Chow was said to be dissatisfied with having no actual power as producer; Refuses to advertise "Dragonball"

Sina Entertainment
According to "Apple Daily", Hollywood live action movie "Dragonball Evolution" has already entered countdown for release. The movie had been anticipated by Asian moviegoers because it was based on a Japanese manga, produced by Stephen Chow, and starred by Chow Yun-Fat. However during the promotion in Taiwan and Korea no sign of Stephen Chow the producer was seen, only Yun-Fat was there to manage the scene. Some sources state that Stephen had repeatedly suggested revising the script, but they were all ignored, making him feel looked down upon and so refused to attend any promotion activities in protest.

The Fox sponsored, Stephen Chow produced, James Wong directed, Chow Yun-Fat and Justin Chatwin starred manga live action movie "Dragonball" will start screening next month, and Yun-Fat has already began his Asian promotion tour, but no sign of Stephen the producer was seen. Some US sources state that when the film began shooting, Stephen already had conflicts with the filmakers, so he was very unhappy with them.


Stephen is producer only in name and has no actually power, so he refused to do promotion

It was said that after Fox bought the rights to the Japanese manga "Dragonball", they had invited Stephen to be director, but he was busy with filming CJ7, so he only agreed to be producer, and Fox turned to James Wong to direct. At the start of filming, Stephen was really ethusiastic at the thought of cooperating with Yun-Fat, seen especially in his numerous suggestions to casting, scripting, make design and special effects during the planning. But these suggestions were all rejected by Fox executives, causing Stephen who enjoyed high prestige in the Hong Kong cinema industry to lose face. Since his first job as a Hollywood producer was only in name but has no actually power in decisions, Stephen decided no to attend any of the promotional activities for the movie in protest.


Stephen admitted that his suggestions had not been accepted, and did not have an actual role

A reported phoned Stephen to confirm, and he replied: "I am not able to attend the promotional activities because of the timing, and that promotion is not my job, so I already have other work scheduled". Regarding the rumours of him being producer without actual decision powers, Stephen said: "A movie has many types of producer, and I was the kind of advisory type of producer. Except for giving a few suggestions, I did not have an actual role". When asked if his suggestions were not accepted, he replied: "It's true they did not accept my decisions. Maybe they thought those weren't suitable, so they didn't use them. They have their own reasons for not accepting, but I won't mind, since it's the movie company who makes the decisions". When the matter of "Dragonball" author Toriyama Akira being dissatisfied that the movie isn't true to the original story, Stephen said: "Sorry, no comment".


Movie was criticized for lacking the original spirit

Ever since this movie adapted from the famous Japanese manga "Dragonball" began filming, it was criticized for lacking the original spirit, and even Toriyama Akira couldn't help to point out the movie did not look like his work at all.



The make did not fit the original

Kamesennin, the teacher of the main character Gokuu and played by Chow Yun-Fat, was bald, had a white beard, wears sunglasses, and looks strange in the original manga, but none of these traits were found on Yun-Fat.


Background was way off from the original

The original manga talks of Son Gokuu growing up in the mountains meeting the scientist girl Bulma, and then going off on the journey to seek the Dragonballs. But in the movie the Goku played by Justin Chatwin was a high school student who was told by his dying grandfather to gather the Dragonballs.


Artistic design had failed

The "Dragonball" manga and anime was loved by fans because of Toriyama Akira's colourful universe and interesting character designs, but the artistic design in the movie was dark and the camera leaned towards being grim, just like some regular Hollywood film.
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 2/27/2009, 11:39 AM
That Toriyama Akira is a HATER, i tell ya... what would he know...? lol
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 2/27/2009, 11:45 AM
Preview still looks cool...
crappybumbum
crappybumbum - 2/28/2009, 2:30 AM
wow that's pretty cool
James Marsters is a good man
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