By Christina Radish
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Paul Wesley at the 2007 San Diego Comic Convention. |
Based on the series of hit books by Tom Sniegoski, the ABC Family mini-series Fallen is a classic battle of good vs. evil that chronicles the phenomenal journey of 18-year-old Nephilim Aaron Corbett (Paul Wesley), as he struggles to come to terms with his newly discovered identity as The Redeemer. Showing a world where angels walk among us, the story delves into the mythology of the fallen angels and their offspring, who are looking for the chosen one, known as The Redeemer, to send them back into heaven.
In Part One, which originally aired in July 2006, Aaron’s discovery of his true identity forced him to leave behind his adoptive family, as he headed out into the world with only Camael (Rick Worthy) to protect him. In the all-new Parts Two and Three, premiering on August 4th and 5th, Aaron and Camael continue to evade The Powers, who are fervent in their crusade to obliterate The Redeemer. Along the way, Aaron is reunited with his high school sweetheart, Vilma (Fernanda Andrade), with whom he learns he shares a common bond, and the two are aided by a stranger who reveals himself to be the Fallen Azazel (Hal Ozsan). Joining forces, Aaron soon meets up with the ultimate fallen angel, Lucifer (Bryan Cranston), and is faced with his most challenging dilemma yet.
Previously best known for memorable performances on such TV series as Everwood, Eight Simple Rules and American Dreams, 25-year-old New Jersey native Paul Wesley talks to MediaBlvd Magazine about reprising his role in Fallen.
MediaBlvd Magazine> Where are you from, how did you get into acting and have you had any professional training?
Paul Wesley> I was born and raised in New Jersey. I don’t really have any professional training with acting. I just started doing it in school, a little bit, when I was younger. It was a mandatory thing. We had to do theater. It was completely required and I wanted nothing to do with it. They forced me to do these plays, and I started to actually enjoy it. I remember Mrs. Pollock, in the third grade, needed to check whether I was an alto or a soprano, so she made me sing some song. I felt so corny doing it, and I was so embarrassed. And, she thought I was great, so she made me Phantom in Phantom of the Opera, and I was like, “Oh, God!” I ended up really enjoying it. After that, it just escalated from there. I somehow managed to get an agent, went on a couple of auditions, and booked a soap opera. I did that for a couple years in New York, and then I got a pilot, out in L.A. So, I moved out to L.A., and I’ve been there ever since.
MediaBlvd> When did you know that acting was what you wanted to do as a career?
Paul> Education was such a big deal to my father and mother, so I ended up going to Rutgers University, which is the state university of New Jersey. I was on a television series, at the time, in Manhattan, and going to Rutgers. I realized that I couldn’t do both, so at that point, I had to make a decision as to whether or not I wanted to stay in school, or continue acting. I think that was the moment, freshman year, when I was like, “Wait, if I drop out, this is it.” And then, I thought, “Alright, well, screw it. Let’s do it.” Once I dropped out, I knew that it was going to be a permanent thing, which was a little scary. But, looking back, I can’t even imagine doing anything else, so I know I made the right decision.
MediaBlvd> How did you become involved with Fallen? Was it just through the regular auditioning process, or did they specifically ask to see you?
Paul> There’s this casting director, named Sandi Logan, who cast me in my first pilot. They sent me the script, and Sandi was really excited about me coming in and reading for it. I remember that I went in to read and I was completely unprepared. I actually did an awful job. I went home and was like, “Oh, well, whatever,” and I just forgot about it. And then, Sandi called my manager and said, “Can Paul just really memorize his lines and come in one more time? I really think he’s great for this.” My manager was like, “Paul, come on, you’ve really got to step up here.” Once Sandi called and asked me to come in again, I really wanted to take it seriously ‘cause I knew how excited she was about it. So, then I really studied my lines. I don’t even think I had read the script the first time, but I finally read it and I really loved it. That audition went a lot better. I ended up doing the whole testing process, and then, at that point, I was really excited about it and I really wanted to get it, so I had my fingers crossed, and it happened.
MediaBlvd> What was it about the project and the script that made you want to get involved with it?
Paul> It was very well written. I really enjoyed the fact that I was the hero, the good guy. I liked that it was a coming of age story about this kid who is on the verge of becoming a man. I really enjoyed the idea of that. I was never really much of a sci-fi or supernatural guy, to be honest with you, but I’ve done a lot of that stuff. This seemed more like it was grounded in reality. It takes place on earth with a regular guy, but supernatural things occur. I like that, rather than something like Star Trek, or something that takes place on a spaceship. No offense to that, and I still like it, but this was supernatural, in a realistic way.
MediaBlvd> Has the fact that you’ve done so much sci-fi and supernatural type work just been a coincidence then?
Paul> It has been a coincidence. The stuff that I’ve done that is sci-fi and supernatural is literally stuff that just fell into my lap. I never planned on it at all. People make fun of me because I’ve never seen Star Wars. I’m not really into comic books, or any of those movies. But, for some reason, I’ve just been doing those projects.
MediaBlvd> Had you been familiar with these books prior to getting the role? And, if not, did you decide to read any of them prior to filming?
Paul> I definitely was not familiar with them, but I went to Barnes & Noble the minute I heard it was based on a series of books. I bought all four. I didn’t read all four before I started shooting ‘cause that was impossible, since we started shooting a month after I got the thing, but I think I read the first two. And then, I started asking around and looking around online, and I found out that they were actually very popular. A lot of people that I had spoken to said, “Oh, yeah, sure, I know Fallen,” or “My son read all those books.” I realized they were very popular in that young male demographic. And then, I met the author, Tom Sniegoski, on set and talked to him for a little while. But, I hadn’t heard of the books prior to this.
MediaBlvd> Did you speak with Tom at all about the character, or did you decide to create your own version of the character?
Paul> I think we had some conversations, but I based the character more on the script that was provided, and with the director. I didn’t really talk to Tom about the character. Now that I think about it, I wish I had a little more.
MediaBlvd> When you made the first 2-hour film, did you know the story would be continuing later, or was that a result of the success of the first film?
Paul> I knew that they kept talking about how they wanted it to continue, and I knew the first two hours ended very abruptly, so I didn’t see how it couldn’t carry on. I didn’t know if they were going to make it into a mini-series or a series or what, and I had signed this back-end series deal. I was a little surprised when they decided to make it only a mini-series, but I always knew that there was going to be something, in addition to the first two hours. I didn’t think it made any sense for it to just end the way it did. And, I think the additional four hours have a nice conclusion to everything.
MediaBlvd> How has your character grown and changed since the first film?
Paul> The character is completely evolved. He’s still naive, but he’s not nearly as naive. He’s much more of a man. He’s much more mature. He’s much more internal, too. I think fans of the first two hours will really respond to the additional hours. I really prefer these next four hours to the first two-hour movie. The first two-hour movie was skewed towards a younger demographic, even though it was still appealing to people my age or older. It played young to me. And, these next four hours are much more sophisticated. There’s just something about them. It’s a different director, a different writer and different actors, except for Rick Worthy and myself and Fernanda Andrade. It’s a whole different cast and a whole different cinematographer. It’s difficult to even watch them in continuity because they’re so different, stylistically. I’d say it’s the difference between Terminator 1 and Terminator 2. It’s a huge difference, but yet they go along in chronological order. And, I really liked the first two hours, don’t get me wrong, but I just think it’s way better.
MediaBlvd> Did the break between filming the first two hours, and then doing the remaining four hours, make it harder for you to get back into the character, or did the fact that it picks up a year later help you?
Paul> It was cool because it took place a year later, and I think we shot it exactly a year later. If anything, method acting wise, it was good. I had to be in different physical shape for it. It was cool. I think I matured, and so did the character. We did a lot of training for it. I think it was really helpful that we shot it a year later. It actually gave me a different perspective and forced me to make some different choices on what I wanted to do.
MediaBlvd> Had you worked with special effects or done stunt work, prior to this, and is that something you enjoyed doing?
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Paul discusses filming the special effects in Fallen at the 2007 San Diego Comic Convention. |
Paul> I had done a little bit, but not to this extent. I don’t know if I can say I enjoy it because it’s such a tedious thing. In the end, after you watch it, it’s really great, but it sucks during it. The training is good ‘cause it beats going to the gym. You’re working out with these guys and you’re learning all these new skills, so the training can be really fun. But, I’d never done wirework, where you’re literally in these wires and harnesses. That stuff can be really fun and really painful, at the same time.
MediaBlvd> How was working with Rick Worthy? Is he as intimidating and imposing as he seems? Did you ever just want to try to make him laugh?
Paul> I love Rick. I just get along so well with him. I really respect him as an actor. I just think he’s so good. I was the first guy cast, so I had to read with all the different actors up for that role. After reading with him, he was always the guy that I wanted for the role. It wasn’t up to me, so I just kept my fingers crossed, and he got it. He’s big and intimidating and he has a really deep voice, but he’s a really great, sensitive, cool, down-to-earth guy. He’s nothing like the character that he plays, or even the way he comes across. We goofed around on set, the whole time. He was one of my buddies. We kept it light. When you’re doing something so dark and heavy, you’ve got to keep it light.
MediaBlvd> Did you know that Fernanda’s character would be coming back and that she would be so much more involved with your character?
Paul> I definitely knew her character was going to be coming back because of the books. Not to mention, she was a series regular. It makes sense for her to come back into the script. There’s always got to be that love interest. Without the love interest, it gets kind of boring. She’s become one of my really close friends. Now that we’re done with filming, we talk all the time. We were up in Vancouver for awhile, so we all bonded. She’s great. and she’s really sweet and really talented and fun. Everybody in the cast got along so well. There was not one person that didn’t hang out with us, or that we ostracized. Everybody was together, and we all had a great time.
MediaBlvd> What was working with Bryan Cranston like?
Paul> When I first heard that he was going to be playing Lucifer, I was a little bit surprised because he comes across as such a nice, funny, comedic guy. I’m a fan of his work, but I was like, “Okay, that’s a humorous take on the devil.” But then, after working with him, I learned that he’s such a great dramatic actor. It was a pleasure. I really learned a lot from him. I thought the scenes we did were really powerful, and I think he delivered. His approach was really interesting. He didn’t play the devil in a stereotypical way. He was very compassionate as Lucifer. I thought he was very likable. As an actor, he really came through for us. I think most actors would have played Lucifer with that evil grin and that demeanor, and I think it would have been much less interesting.
MediaBlvd> What did you think the first time you saw yourself with wings?
Paul> It was kind of surreal. I think the special effects in the first two hours were really good. I was really impressed with how realistic they were. In the next four hours, the special effects are even better. My whole thing with any type of sci-fi movie or supernatural thing is that, when they have something like wings, they should look real. I’d seen that movie Constantine and I just really really wanted it to look like the real deal. I didn’t want it to look like some cheesy TV movie. I was a little worried ‘cause that’s something you can’t really control, as an actor, but they pulled through. I was really impressed and pleased with the outcome.
MediaBlvd> How difficult is it to act opposite a talking dog that isn’t actually talking to you during filming?
Paul> It’s one of the most difficult things that I’ve ever done, as an actor. I love dogs. I think they’re great. I always wanted one as a kid. But, it is so difficult. If it’s just a shot that’s on me and I’m talking to the dog, I don’t even need a dog. I’ll just start talking, off frame, to a mark or something. But then, there would be these two-shots, where it would be me, talking to the dog, and the dog was looking at me, and the camera was on both of us. He had to react to what I was saying and, if he didn’t react, we would have to do it, over and over again. He would start looking around, licking my face and pawing at me. It was cute and fun, but after the third take, you’d be like, “Oh, my God, we’re never going to get this.” The dog we used was the exact same dog we used in the first two hours. I loved the dog. He was so good, so obedient and just a lovable dog, but even as obedient and well-trained as he was, it was really difficult.
MediaBlvd> You’ve done a number of projects that filmed in Vancouver. Do you enjoy working there, and is it a lot different from working in L.A.?
Paul> I really enjoy it. I miss it. I did my first pilot there. I did Wolf Lake, Smallville and Fallen there. I want to go back, right now, because it’s just a different climate and the air is really crisp and fresh. I really like the people. I love it there. In the winter, it can be a little rainy. We were shooting in October, November and December, and it rained every day. It can be a little much in the winter, but in the summer and spring, it’s just beautiful.
MediaBlvd> As an actor, what was the most difficult aspect of making these films, the emotional work or the stunt work?
Paul> Sometimes, the stuff that you think would be the easiest is the most difficult. You’ll get a four-page monologue, where you have to break down, and be crying and hysterical and in tears. You think, “Oh, my God, what an overwhelming thing,” but sometimes that can be easier than doing a simple kick or jump that you are not physically capable of doing. Doing something that doesn’t require words can be hard. If I had to really compare the two, I’d say they’re equal in difficulty. It’s two completely different things -- it’s apples and oranges -- but they both have their degrees of difficulty.
MediaBlvd> You’ve done 30-minute shows, 1-hour shows, soap operas, comedies and dramas. Do you have a preference for anything, or do you just look for characters that you respond to?
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Paul Wesley & Fernanda Andrade at the 2007 San Diego Comic Convention. |
Paul> I just look for a good script and a character that I respond to. Sometimes, I can be picky, and then other times, I just think to myself, “I can do anything, at this point.” I don’t think I can get pigeonholed quite yet. In the end, I have a deep appreciation for comedy and I really love it, but ultimately, I’m just more of a drama guy. And, I’m also more of a film guy. Even though my resume is probably 80% television, film is more my goal. But, there’s some really amazing shows on television -- dramas that I just love and would do anything to be on. I like cool, interesting dramas, like Six Feet Under. I just want to do stuff I’m proud of. At the end of the day, I want to be able to take a look at the show and go, “Hey, check it out, this is what I did,” and be proud of it and want to show it to friends and family, and not cringe when I think of something I worked on. There’s certain things that I’ve done that I look back on and think, “I don’t know why I did that one.” Everyone has those. I’m just looking for a good script and a great character. Sometimes, you just want to do a cool, light-hearted comedy that’s just fun, but as long as it’s intelligently written with a good cast of people that know what they’re doing and who are passionate about it, that’s what counts.
MediaBlvd> Is there something that you tend to get recognized for most often?
Paul> Once in awhile, I’ll have people come up to me and say, “You’re the guy from so and so,” but it doesn’t happen too often. I’ll do something that I’ll be on for a year and it will air every week, and no one will ever even notice. And then, I’ll do something with a cult following, like Smallville, where I literally did one episode, and I’ve gotten more fan mail and people stopping me on the street about that, than anything that I’ve ever done, which is kind of funny. I always laugh at stuff like that because I did one episode that aired once and people love it. I don’t think I’ve had any encounters that were too crazy. I wish I had more elaborate stories, but it doesn’t happen often enough for me to have any hilarious stories. Hopefully, Fallen will be a success and I’ll have some wild story.
MediaBlvd> What else do you have coming out?
Paul> There’s this cool movie, called Elsewhere, that’s hopefully going to be coming out sometime soon. It’s a thriller/murder mystery type movie. I don’t know when that’s going to come out, but hopefully soon. Just about a month ago, I got back from Minneapolis, where I did this horror film that doesn’t have a title right now, but it’s tentatively titled Dead of Winter. I’d never done a horror film before, so it was my first one. It’s the lead role and I had a great time with the cast. It was fun. I don’t know what my next project is going to be, but I’m hoping it’s something really interesting. I’m trying to hold out for something really cool.
