Despite being super busy with writing for the new TV series Dollhouse, Dr Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog writer (and Captain Hammer Groupie #1) Maurissa Tancharoen took a few minutes out to respond to some questions - thanks Maurissa!
By all accounts Comic Con was a big success for Dr Horrible, were you all happy with the response?
MT: We were overf’injoyed. The general response to Dr. Horrible has exceeded our wildest expectations. And then the packed panel and screening(s) full of Horrible love?! We all felt like rockstars. Except for Joss. He felt like a giddy schoolgirl. With a brand new pair of knee-high socks.
You got your wish and some people went along dressed as Dr Horrible & Captain Hammer – that must have been great to see?
MT: I believe we have pictures of these AWESOME people on our myspace and facebook pages.
It was mentioned by Jed during the Q&A session that you weren’t going to discuss “what may have happened if there’d been an Act 4″ because there WILL be more. Is this just hopeful thinking or is something definitely going ahead?
MT: Jed was drunk with power and just wanted to hear the crowd cheer. But hopeful thinking led to Dr. Horrible in the first place. So there you go. There is no timeline, but yes, oh yes, there will be more.
Jed also said the soundtrack would be available to download on iTunes in the next couple of weeks, will there be an actual CD release too?
MT: Look at that Jed, put him in front of thousands of people and just blah blah blah.
I will soon be reprimanded for that sentence because at this very moment, as I type this, he is slaving away in the next room mixing and mastering. Because I told him to. Yes, check your iTunes for the soundtrack sooner than later.
I know Joss Whedon has a reputation of offing most of his beloved characters but we were pretty shocked (in a good way) by the ending. It started as a light and funny thing and ended up in a dark place. Were you as shocked as we were about it? What was your first reaction? Do you think he decided to kill Penny because he didn’t get to off Vi in Chosen (Buffy)?
Ha! Vi is the head of the Manhattan Slayers now, don’t you read the comic! You better watch your questions! When I read the script, the moment Penny died I was in tears myself. It was a beautiful arc to enable Dr. Horrible to achieve his “horribleness”. And as an actor a good death scene is the biggest challenge and joy. I love that it was captured on film and I’ll always be proud of it. I think the controversy it started within the fan community was verification of how perfect a choice it was. Without controversy there is no challenge and with no challenge there is no art. That sounded smart, didn’t it, haha!
It pretty much did, yeah. So, what’s the future for Dr. Horrible? Another web series? A movie? World domination?
I don’t know, the word “sequel” has been thrown around by Joss and Co. a lot, but nothing is definite. I’m crossing my fingers, being a part of this phenomenon has been such a joy!
Neil Patrick Harris talks to iFMagazine about Joss Whedon, Stephen Sondheim and his Sundance aspirations. [Check link below for full interview]
…iF: What’s your musical background? HARRIS: RENT was the first thing I did musically, and that was in ‘99. So I’ve been doing it pretty regularly for a decade or so.
iF: What’s your take on creating work that’s meant just for the internet? HARRIS: It frees you up in a certain way. You have a limited budget because there’s no real budget yet for the internet, but you also don’t have to answer to anyone, so it allows for a freedom that is unprecedented because you are your own boss. Joss is a great boss to have, and so it was really nice. It was like a great “Here’s a barn, here’s a costume, let’s put on a show” kind of moment.
iF: Would you be interested in using the internet for your own projects? HARRIS: Yeah. Joss, still, I don’t think, has cracked the code to figure out how to market it. Thankfully, Joss has a fan network that is ginormous, and so it all spread like wildfire innately, but if you try to do your own thing you have to figure out how to do it…
You can watch Dr Horrible’s Sing Along Blog online once again for free via Hulu. This IS still available to those who are outside the USA.
… Point being, HULU hosted Dr. Horrible for free for a week, which we, the mushortio-makers, are forever grateful for, and now you can stream it for free on their site. How awesome is that? I know, you’re humbled. Stop groveling. Just remember: the more you watch it, the more you will understand about life and the universe and hydroponics. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry…. and you just might learn long division. With songs! PLEASE watch it. We’re so lonely… –Joss Whedon
To read Joss Whedon’s full Hulu Blog, visit the link below.
External Link: Watch & Vote for all 3 Acts at www.hulu.com (available internationally)
Pre-order Serenity [Blu-Ray]
When I read the script, the moment Penny died I was in tears myself. It was a beautiful arc to enable Dr. Horrible to achieve his “horribleness”. And as an actor a good death scene is the biggest challenge and joy. I love that it was captured on film and I’ll always be proud of it. I think the controversy it started within the fan community was verification of how perfect a choice it was. Without controversy there is no challenge and with no challenge there is no art. That sounded smart, didn’t it, haha!
So, what’s the future for Dr. Horrible? Another web series? A movie? World domination?