| Click thumbnails for larger images |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
This week EliMcElmurray of TheDC Live Action Universe website sat down with TV's latest Joker: RogerStoneburner. Stoneburner, a stuntman by trade, delivers the clown prince ofcrime's physical performance in the upcoming Birds of Prey pilot,while veteran actor Mark Hamill provides the character's voice.
Here's the Q& A with the new Joker:
Eli McElmurray (EM): Howdid you get the role as Joker?
Roger Stoneburner (RS):I was chosen from the Stuntplayers Directory. It's a book that contains everystuntman and stuntwoman in the business (well about 90% anyway). In that book Ihave a picture of me wearing an old style suit (like a zoot suit) and a Cubanbrimmed hat, smoking a cigarette. I think that picture is what booked the jobfor me. After that I just went in for a 'looksee' with the producers and passedthe test.
EM: Will you be showingup in the series or was role done only for the pilot? Are there plans for aJoker/Harley Quinn team up down the line?
RS: I would definitelylove to come back as the Joker, especially now that I've been learning more andmore about the character. I will be able to put my'flavor' on him, a little more sinister than in the past. As far as I know thereis no talk of him coming back. I think him and Batman were used to explain howthis show comes about (how the Birds of Prey began) and that's about it. Send 'eman email and tell them you want more Joker, he he he....fun stuff!
EM: What was it like playing such a Huge role? Joker is one of the twobiggest villains in the DC universe (second only to Lex Luthor).
RS: Actually, for methis was a very small role, about 2 days of work, that ended up being 4 days.Two very quick flashbacks. I agree though that this was the biggest characterpart for me. That was pretty cool, as far as I know the Joker has been played byCesar Romero, [Jack] Nicholson and me, and voiced by Mark Hamill.
Although, I consider myself astuntman first I do get many bit and supporting roles that have stunts. This isdefinitely a good feather under the cap. Heck, Imay even get a Joker tattoo?!?
EM: What was your first contact with the Joker (comic books, '60s TVseries, '89 Batman movie, cartoons)?
RS: My first contact waswith the 60's series. I grew up watching "Crack," "Pow,""Kaboom." Cheesy but fun.
EM: How did prepare foryour role?
RS: I got on theinternet and tried to find anything I could relating to the Joker. I came acrosstwo sites that helped me out, Canarynoir.com and GothamClockTower.com. Theyboth gave me back story on the Joker. They also recommended some books for me. Ibought "The Killing Joke," and immediately recognized that as thescene I was recreating.
EM: Did you mindthat your voice was substituted by Mark Hamill?
RS: No, not at all,flattered that they picked me for the look and him for the voice. I think it isreminiscent of the version of Steinbrenner on the show Seinfeld,where an actor plays him only seen from the back and someone else does thevoice. I think it's great that two people were able to get work out of thatpart. I have not yet seen the animated version (I don't have cable), but Ithought Mark's voice was unbelievable!! It sent shivers down my spine, he he.
EM: If the Superman/Batman movie ever gets the green light, are yougoing for the role as Joker again?
RS: I doubt it but wouldnot turn it down if they offered me the part or an audition. I'm sure they willneed someone with some clout (maybe Christopher Walken, he strikes me as TheJoker, although didn't he play another DC Villain?)
EM: Have you seen thepilot?
RS: Not yet, just thepromo.
It blew me away! I was reallyimpressed with how much they made that thing look like a feature film, utilizingsome Matrix-like stuff and fantasy stuff
great music, great acting. Ashleigh Scott came off sexy as hell.
EM: What do you think ofyour role after it was filmed?
RS: My stuff came outjust like they told me, except I think I was more recognizable than I thought Iwould be.
EM: What do you think that you would like to have come across thatdidn't?
RS: The only thing Iwanted to come across in that part was that people would believe that I was theJoker and not some bad imitation. Because everything happens so quickly and notmuch acting for me to do I think it worked. I think straight bad guy roles arethe easiest to act, if there were more to that part then it would be tough, he'sa bad guy with a sense of humor.
LOGIN
REGISTER
RSS
HOME
