Anthony
Cistaro returns to play billionaire Kenneth Irons in the Witchblade television
series, which starts on Tuesday on TNT, and he told The Continuum his character
will appear in all 11 episodes.
"The
true obsessions of Irons is that Witchblade," Cistaro told The Continuum
during a recent visit to the set in Toronto. "He's just courting it like
a lover. He just wants that blade. Really, my only way of possibly having
any dealings with it is through Sara, so she is the conduit.
"As
far as whether there's any other relationships between myself and Sara,
I have my suspicions, but I don't know. I have not seen Episode 1, which
I expect will say something."
Cistaro
- whose college roommate was Avalon Studios' Brian Haberlin, one of the
creators of Witchblade - has read the Witchblade comics.
"They're
very helpful," he said. "It's difficult because they are certain demands
placed by a television series. Whenever you switch from on medium to another,
you'll take something or you'll drop something. The comics were very helpful
in trying to get the feel. I certainly try to remain true to the character
of Irons as portrayed in the comics. I'd really like the general public
to embrace the show, but I'd like the fans to go, 'Yes, that makes sense.
That's Irons. I recognize that character.'
"The
series needs to be looked at as, while it retains the spirit of the books,
they also wanted to bring something new in terms of story and story line.
There should be the familiarity of the characters and the situations, but
the actual stories we're dealing with are new. I hope the fans of the comic
book won't be disappointed, but embrace more story, basically."
Cistaro
praised the work of Witchblade star Yancy Butler.
"I
know it sounds like a cliche, when people say, 'Oh this person is so wonderful
to work with.' But I've to tell you, where Yancy's concerned, I can't imagine
any other actress with the degree of confidence, sheer confidence," he
said. "She's a real presence. I'm surprised that she hasn't been cast more
often in comedy roles because she is extremely funny. I adore her.
"The
Hollywood system, with the way movies are being made, there is so much
to make women feel insecure. But she has absolutely none of it.
"And
as far just being an actor, I love watching her. She's kind of like a female
Harrison Ford. The thing I liked about Harrison Ford was that when he was
in some kind of physical danger, he felt it. And whenever he was doing
any kind of physical activity, he was really strong. And unlike most of
the women I've seen that are involved in some sort of physical activity,
Yancy's tough. When she runs, she RUNS. I love it! I love it!
"So
to that end, there's no other choice. I think that's sort of the watermark
of it all. When you look at it you say, 'Can anyone else play this part?'
I don't think anyone could have. And I'm pretty sure anybody watching it
will agree. She's perfect."
