Yesterday wepresented part one of Comics2Film correspondent Xum Yukinori's interviewwith voice actor Corey Burton. The pair talked about Burton's role on theupcoming "Legends" episode of Justice League and hispast experience as Brainiac on Superman. Today that conversationcontinues...
Xum: Yourversion of Brainiac is completely different from previous comic book versions.
Corey: What[Dini and Timm] conceived for the Superman television series wasmeant to capture the intention of the original comics without "ripping themoff," so to speak. To be honest, I don't really recall what the comic bookBrainiac was like. I just went with the feeling that I had [for the character]:sort of HAL the computer plus the cold, machine-like, controlled voice of VicPerrin's Outer Limits narration. [Brainiac is] so neutral andemotionless that it's creepy. But there is sort of a faint sadness in the voiceas well -- which again adds to the tragedy of the character.
Xum: I assumeit was your portrayal of Brainiac that led to the role of Dr. Blizzard in the"Legends" episode of Justice League.
Corey: Oh sure.And actually Brainiac came from the fact that I turned in a really good auditionfor Batman. I was almost Batman.
Xum: Ohreally?
Corey: Really.
Xum: How didthat audition come your way?
Corey: It camethrough the agency, though I had known Andrea for a long time [working togetherat Disney]. She may have called the agency and requested me. My agent said theywere looking for a "movie Batman" -- a more subtle cinematic type ofacting than the cartoony, over-the-top Batman -- and she thought I was a strongcontender for the role.
Xum: And youwere.
Corey: I guessso. That was one of those rare cases where I listened to the playback of theaudition and said "Yeah! Batman! That works! I'm satisfied!" And ofcourse you never get those roles. It's always when you think, "I guess Ikinda sucked," that the producers come up and go, "Wow! You'regreat!" (laughter)
Xum: Makesone almost think that having a low self-esteem makes you successful.
Corey: It makesyou work harder, anyhow. But with Batman, I was actually surprised at how much[the producers] liked my audition. I was even asked to do a second call-back.But I knew that I wouldn't get the role, because I so don't look [the part].
Xum: You meanthey were judging voice actors by how they looked?
Corey: Forbetter or worse, an awful lot of voice casting is influenced by appearance.Especially in those days, when Warner was still pretty new at the "seriousTV cartoon" business. They were going for a cinematic feel, like castingmovie actors to play themselves in animated form. They were looking for eithercelebrities or seasoned voice people -- I fell into the second category.
But there's noreal disappointment or bitterness over [not getting the part]. Usually you go upfor roles like that and say, (sarcastically) "Yeah, they're gonna pick me.Sure." From the choices of celebrities and guys with interesting,'super-resonant' voices, I was surprised to get as far along as I did. For me,the whole experience was a wonderful entrée into the Warner production group.And, again, I'm sure it was my attempt at Batman that led them to audition mefor the voice of Brainiac.
Xum: And theBrainiac role led to the audition for Dr. Blizzard.
Corey: I wasn'tasked to audition for Dr. Blizzard. I'm sure they were already sold because ofBrainiac -- the iciness in his characterization.
Xum: Let'stalk about some of these "celebrities" you've mentioned -- namely, thepeople who worked with you on the "Legends" episode. You havementioned on your website that it wassuch a big thrill working with your co-stars. Which ones were you most excitedto work with?
Corey: Well, thefact that I was sitting right next to Jeffrey Jones made me just about flip.Such a brilliant character actor. I loved every role he's ever played. From"Amadeus" to one of my favorite goofball movies ever, "Mom andDad Save the World." It was a silly picture, but he did a wonderful job init.
And then sittingnext to him is Michael McKean: Genius. I remember his work all the way back from"Credibility Gap" and "Spinal Tap." And of course the recentwork he's done with Harry Shearer on Harry's "Le Show" (a weekendradio show on NPR).
Then there'sSteven Root. He was in "News Radio," "Office Space," and"O Brother, Where Art Thou." Three totally different characters, threetotally hilarious and captivating characterizations. What a fantastic characteractor. He's FUN-NY. And at the same time so distinctive. He never does anythingyou've seen anyone do before. He's one of those totally dedicated characteractors who really does his homework and really invents. They don't come anybetter these days.
And I was alsoknocked out to work with Neil Patrick Harris because I was a very big fan of"Stark Raving Mad". I thought that was a totally hilarious, off thewall, smart comedy.
Again, I wasjust so dazzled by these people that I hardly remember what I did at all.
Xum: Did youknow who was going to be at the recording session?
Corey: No, Inever have any idea. I just show up and go, "Oh my God, look who's here!It's him, and him, and him! Oh wow! And her and him... (laughter) Well, not toomany "hers" on the session, the recordings tend to be pretty maledominated.
Xum: One"her" whom you've mentioned on your website was Jennifer Hale.
Corey:Jennifer's a good gal. I've seen her around for years -- though we've neverworked in the same room at the same time before. She is such a pro, and hasalways been nice to me.
Xum: Alsomentioned was David Naughton, whom to my knowledge has never done voice actingfor animation before.
Corey: I'malways had a warm spot in my heart for David's work even before "AmericanWerewolf" -- with his Dr. Pepper commercials.
Xum: From the"Be a Pepper" era?
Corey: Exactly.He was so sensational on those commercials, I couldn't help but admire such agreat old-fashioned song-and-dance kinda guy. Such great energy. [The ads] werejust short of being too corny, but he didn't cross that line. And "AmericanWerewolf," he was great in that. I've always felt that he's a talent that'sbeen pretty underutilized all these years.
Xum: Did heplay a major or minor role?
Corey: The rolesare pretty evenly distributed, actually. I guess the one actor that had the mostlines was Phil LaMar, who was the Green Lantern. The story seemed to focus onhim. Phil is terrifically talented. We have very similar backgrounds,surprisingly. We have almost the same childhood, though he grew up in the"other side of the valley." But he's the kind of guy, like me, thatlikes to do impressions and funny voices. He's outstanding -- very bright andvery nice. A good, good guy... and really funny.
In fact, thewhole episode seemed to be shaded with subtle humor -- in the characterizationsand many of the lines. But the story's good. I've been pretty impressed by mostof the Warner group's work.
Xum: You'vestated that you were a long-time fan of many of the guest stars. Did any of themreprise past portrayals for their Justice League roles?
Corey: Well, Isuppose Ted McGinley is always Ted McGinley. A very nice and silly guy. He wasespecially warm and friendly. I actually didn't recognize him right-off-the-bat."Married with Children" seems like forever ago.
And we all knowWilliam Katt was "The Greatest American Hero." He carried that off sowell... for something that could've been so corny. He was just as marvelous [atthe recording session]. He was rather quiet and reserved, but he has a heroicquality as well as a politeness about him. I think that works really well forthe character he played.
Xum: We'vetouched on a majority of the cast. Are there any other co-stars you want to talkabout?
Corey: I was sotaken aback by Carl Lumbley. Y'know, it's funny... I don't remember him from anyspecific role. I just recognized him as "a class actor."
Xum: He's oneof the stars of Alias. I've actually first seen him in thestarring role of Mantis -- though I didn't realize it was him.
Corey: He's sogood that you remember the role and not him.
Xum: Isn'tthat the goal of any actor?
Corey: Oh, sure-- an actor with a healthy ego, anyway. (laughter) But I was just impressed withhim personally. He's got such a presence, such a dignified intensity to him.He's in a James Earl Jones class. You just want to say, "could you speak alittle more for me? Ahhhh. Thank you. That's beautiful."
Xum:(laughter)
Corey: Carl hasa real good sense of voice acting. In fact, most of the people there were reallysharp, and had a good ear. Some were a little slow on the uptake, but allwonderful actors. ¨
Catch thepremiere of "Legends" the Justice League on Sunday,April 21st at 7 pm Eastern and Pacific, on Cartoon Network.
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