Murphy’s Law – Do it for Mal
June 3, 2009 12:14 pm Murphy's Law
Joel Murphy |
“I’ll tell you this. No one has ever shown the kind of faith in me that Joss Whedon has shown, in both giving me a lead on his sci-fi show Firefly and in letting me play a villain for the very first time. No one’s ever let me play a villain before. So, I would say that I think he’s done great things for my career and certainly my confidence in general.”
- Nathan Fillion
In this dark, barren TV wasteland filled with reruns and that suckfest known as John and Kate Plus 8, one must look to outside sources for entertainment. That’s why I have been relying on my Netflix account so heavily lately.
I recently had Netflix send me the entire Firefly series. I am a huge fan of the movie Serenity, but had never actually watched a single episode of Firefly (even though my nerdy friends have continually urged me to do so), so I finally decided to right that wrong. It is, of course, a fantastic show and I have loved every minute of it.
I enjoyed it so much, in fact, that I decided to check out another Joss Whedon project, Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog, which just became available on Netflix this week. For those of you who are unfamiliar with it, it was originally created as a three-part web series during the writers’ strike last year. Whedon decided to use his free time during the strike to write something independent of the big studios and to release it on the web to show what you could do on your own with a small budget and a little creativity.
Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog is the story of a mad scientist (played by Neil Patrick Harris) who is trying to get into the Evil League of Evil while also trying to woo Penny (Felicia Day), a beautiful girl at his laundromat who he is too afraid to talk to. Dr. Horrible must also do battle with beloved superhero Captain Hammer, who is played by Firefly star Nathan Fillion.
I can’t recommend watching Doctor Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog highly enough. In fact, I recommend skipping the Netflix route and just ordering it directly from Amazon,
Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I should probably come clean right now and admit that part of the reason I checked out both Whedon projects is that I have a bit of a man-crush on Nathan Fillion. Perhaps it is because his portrayal of Malcolm Reynolds is reminiscent of Harrison Ford as Han Solo, who I loved wholeheartedly as a child. But whatever the case, I find Fillion to be a charismatic and funny action star.
Unfortunately, many people in mainstream America don’t even know who Fillion is and post-Serenity, his IMDB resume is suspect at best. He had some success with the popular indie film Waitress and a guest spot playing Kate’s love interest in an episode of Lost, but for the most part he’s been getting by with reoccurring roles on Desperate Housewives and One Life to Live and a starring role on the show Castle, which from the previews looks like one of the most generic and painful chick shows on television today.
I don’t begrudge Fillion for working on any of these shows. As I’ve stated before, I’m not one to look down on actors I love for collecting a paycheck and Fillion has to go where the work is. If Hollywood isn’t smart enough to utilize him correctly as a charming action star, then he has to do what he can to earn a paycheck.
|
However, I do think I’ve figured out a way to salvage his career – I think that he should work exclusively with Joss Whedon. Whedon just knows how to write for Fillion. Whether he is playing the goofy and heroic Malcolm Reynolds or the boorish Captain Hammer, Whedon always finds a way to play to Fillion’s strengths. Whedon was even the first person to let Fillion play a villain, casting him as the evil Caleb in the final season of Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
And it’s not just a one-way street. As much as I’ve come to love and respect Whedon’s work, I think that he is at his best when he has Fillion around. I haven’t watched a single episode of Dollhouse, but I feel confident in saying that the show would be much more enjoyable with Fillion on it.
Some directors just click with a certain actor – like Tim Burton with Johnny Depp or David Fincher with Brad Pitt. Now, Burton is clearly in love with Depp and has gone as far as to marry Helena Bonham Carter, who looks strikingly similar to the actor. I’m certainly not suggesting that Whedon needs to go to those lengths (and, in fact, I shudder to think what the poor woman who resembles Fillion), but I do think the two should collaborate as often as possible.
So please make it happen, Whedon. Save Fillion from the soap operas and the chick shows. Do it for Mal. Do it for Captain Hammer. But for the love of god, just do it before he gets cast in the next Sex and the City movie.
Joel Murphy is the creator of HoboTrashcan, which is probably why he has his own column. He loves pugs, hates Jimmy Fallon and has an irrational fear of robots. You can contact him at murphyslaw@hobotrashcan.com.
Similar Posts:
- Murphy’s Law – Top five Valentine’s Day man-crushes 2012
- Murphy’s Law – Top five Valentine’s Day man-crushes
- Hobo Radio 128 – Hitler, zombies and jorts
- Murphy’s Law – Everybody’s got a price
- Murphy’s Law – Boob Tube Breakdown (Midseason Replacements Edition)
Chris Kirkman :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 12:30 pm
Just so we have a fair voice on Hobotrashcan, I must play the role of the reluctant dissenter – and not just because Whedon and I have a love/hate relationship. I, too, have a man crush on Nathan Fillion, but I don’t think he belongs only in Whedon’s all-too-shaky grip. Don’t discount his career just yet – if you’ve never seen Castle, you’re missing out on a show that far exceeds any expectations I could ever have for a mid-season police procedural. Nathan elevates his character to a level of high art, and the chemistry that he and the entire cast share is nothing short of amazing for such a short run of episodes. It has been renewed by ABC for the fall and with good reason – it’s a quality show, mostly because of Nathan, but also because the production team seem to know how to write to bring out his best qualities, as well as when to step back and let some of Nathan’s funnier and geekier sides come out.
Would I rather see Mal return to the small screen and forget all this horrible Serenity nonsense? Absolutely. For now, though, I’m content with watching Nathan’s witty charm while he helps to solve crimes in the Big Apple.
Also, if you haven’t seen it already, see Slither. Just do it.
Courtney :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 12:35 pm
My love for Captain Tightpants knows no bounds. I even watch Castle for him, despite my seething hatred for the chick on the show (she makes me want to stab things) and despite the fact that it’s basically the same plot as Bones.
Someone on Pajiba said it best. When the time comes for a Captain America movie, it NEEDS to be Fillion.
Joel Murphy :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 12:37 pm
Chris, first of all, Serenity is a great film. Maybe it’s because I saw it without seeing the show first, but I love Serenity.
And I have seen Slither, which I enjoyed, but honestly it was pretty forgettable since I’m now really struggling to remember any really funny or memorable scene or line from that film. I will say that Fillion was hilarious in James Gunn’s PG Porn, so perhaps he can have a James Gunn corollary to my Joss Whedon rule.
As for Castle, I’m just not buying it. The set up of the show looks horrible. It looks like a bad chick flick. Maybe it rises above its awful premise, but I have no faith in that show.
Joel Murphy :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 12:39 pm
Courtney, I definitely agree that he should be Captain America.
Or even Green Lantern, which I saw someone went to great lengths to throw together a fake Green Lantern trailer with him in it.
He was good as a voice in the animated Wonder Woman movie. So he’s got that going for him.
Chris Kirkman :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 12:45 pm
Hrm, it seems to be an interesting conundrum for Castle – the show got good ratings and was renewed, but most women tend to hate Stana Katic. Without the likeability of the lead female character, most women won’t buy the romance angle, which, despite the near-universal Nathan love, does not provide enough numbers to account for the ratings. This means that there are more than a few guys buying into this bad chick flick.
Personally, I think it transcends its crazy and implausible premise. I enjoy the hell out of it, but maybe I have no taste.
As for Serenity, I agree that everything but the last 20 minutes of that movie is great. It’s when Whedon decides to just do what it is he always does and gets all hacky by writing Space Buffy that I tend to lose respect – and my lunch.
Don’t discount him for Green Lantern… there’s a huge movement for that since the fan trailer came out. That would be awesome.
Joel Murphy :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
Chris, I’ll tell you what – when Castle comes back, I’ll do a One Shot column on it to see if I like it or not.
In the meantime, let’s just agree that Fillion deserves to have a great career because he is so damn handsome … er, I mean, talented.
Chris Kirkman :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 1:12 pm
Agreed. But I’m going to scooch a little further away from you, if that’s ok.
JeT :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 1:55 pm
I saw the pilot for Castle (but none of the other episodes), and really thought that Nathan made the show. The character was right up his alley and really played to his strengths, I thought.
Still, I doubt Castle could possibly be as iconic as Mal or Captain Hammer. I too would love to see him as Capt. America or Green Lantern.
Oh, and have you listened to “Commentary! The Musical” from Dr. Horrible? Yet more awesomeness.
More Fillion is more better.
Joel Murphy :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 1:56 pm
JeT, I have listened to “Commentary! The Musical.” The song “I’m Better than Neil” absolutely kills me.
JeT :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 1:59 pm
That’s the song I got stuck in my head while I was writing my comment. I was singing it to myself yesterday, too.
Don’t forget “Ninja Ropes.” (very fun game, too)
Chris Kirkman :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 2:00 pm
Dang, looks like I’ll have to check out “Commentary!” I watched Dr. Evil live online when it first came out and missed that bit of extraness.
Chris Kirkman :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 2:01 pm
Look at me… “Dr. Evil.”
I MEAN Dr. Horrible. I wish I could blame that one on my iPhone spell correct.
Darrin :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 2:53 pm
I’m new to the Nathan Fillion fandom, having fallen for the guy while watching Castle. The show is spectacular and is absolutely MADE so by Nathan. (BTW, I’m a chick and I love Stana, she plays the perfect foil for Nathan’s Rick Castle as Dt Beckett, the two of them truly make that show.) It’s smart, witty and doesn’t cater to the run-of-the-mill detective show format. And I love that Rick Castle’s daughter isn’t the smart-mouthed, always-in-trouble teen, but just a good kid who loves her dad. (Susan Sullivan is a brilliant breath of fresh air as the eccentric mom and she plays her just up to the hilt but not so OTT you’d wish she’d go away.) I guess I’m gushing, but I do love the show so much.
Of course, Nathan’s acting was the real pull for me so I watched Firefly and will be watching Serenity soon. I can’t seem to get enough of this guy. He’s just fantastic. Thanks for this column, because I now have a terrific list to add to my Netflix and Amazon.com accounts!
Joel Murphy :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 2:55 pm
Thanks Darrin.
Chris Kirkman :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 2:58 pm
See, Joel, it’s not just me. There’s at least one other person watching the show.
Joelle :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 6:21 pm
Yes. YES. YES!!!
I wholeheartedly agree. I think any time Whedon does anything, he should be contractually obligated to involve Fillion somehow.
I’ve only seen one episode of Castle, and it was ok overall. But Nathan Fillion was super great in it. And I really do like Dollhouse, but you’re so right. It could only be better with Fillion.
But I’d watch him in anything. Swoon.
Joelle :
Date: June 3, 2009 @ 6:23 pm
And Chris: you totally need to watch the extra bits in addition to the Commentary: The Musical. I especially love the submissions for entrance into the Evil League of Evil. (Princess Zombie being a favorite. “You’d be better off undead.”)
murf :
Date: June 4, 2009 @ 10:11 am
Mal is good. Jane is better.
FireflyFlan :
Date: June 4, 2009 @ 6:45 pm
‘CASTLE’ surprised me as well, I expected it to be a poorman’s version of ‘Bones’ or ‘Moonlighting,’ but the show has surprising depth and there is real chemistry between Castle and Beckett. Count me in as another who wasn’t impressed by Stana Katic at first, but once you get some of Beckett’s backstory, their relationship takes on a whole other dynamic.
The first episode is LOL funny and may be a bit too OTT for some, but Nathan’s clearly a kid in a candy shop with this show with the writing playing to his strengths. Once they establish that Castle’s “like a six year old on a sugar rush” the following episodes dial that aspect back a notch as he begins to see that murders are not just puzzles to solve and unlike characters in a book, they affect the lives of real people.
You still need to go into the show suspending a healthy amount of reality — I mean, no matter what connections a writer has with the mayor, he/she would never have the access that Castle does — but if you approach it as an entertaining, light-hearted, character dramady, you won’t be disappointed.
Darrin :
Date: June 4, 2009 @ 11:33 pm
FFF, that was a terrific synopsis and review!
Joel Murphy :
Date: June 4, 2009 @ 11:36 pm
Okay seriously, due to all of the positive Castle feedback here, I promise to watch the show and review it in a One Shot column when Castle returns next season.