Q&A
with Yancy Butler
Question:
Who is Sara Pezzini?
Butler:
Sara Pezzini is a homicide detective in New York. She's lost almost everyone
she loves, so she's built this wall around her and puts everything into
her job, which doesn't leave room for much else. I think what makes her
very human and makes her glow - and certainly what makes her interesting
to play - is that there's this fine line between how vulnerable she is
and how powerfully complex she can
Question:
How do Sara and the Witchblade find each other?
Butler:
The film begins with the death of my character's best friend. She's tracking
the hit man she believes did it and ends up in the middle of a shoot-out
with one of his henchmen in a museum, in a Joan of Arc display. After a
huge explosion, she finds this bracelet on her wrist that seems organic,
almost alive.
Question:
What kind of powers does this Witchblade have?
Butler:
The bracelet becomes a gauntlet that she wears, basically against her will.
It protects her from physical harm and allows her to see the past. Unfortunately,
she doesn't quite know how to control it yet.
Question:
What is Sara's initial reaction to the Witchblade?
Butler:
She doesn't buy into it at first. Imagine if it happened to you: All of
a sudden you find this thing on your wrist and people are telling you it
has powers. I would be a little skeptical myself, but she finally befriends
the blade.
Question:
Why can the Witchblade only be worn by women?
Butler:
Women are more in tune with nature. They are more in tune with the elements
- earth, wind, find and water - and with their emotions. The Witchblade
finds them superior.
Question:
How true is the film to the comic book?
Butler:
I think the film is more realistic - for the camera and for life. However,
I think fans of the comic book are going to enjoy it. We're doing some
really cool stuff here. I've already received great letters from fans who
are thrilled we're making this film.
Q&A
with David Chokachi
Question:
Who is Jack McCartey?
Chokachi:
Jake is an ex-professional big wave surfer who was making a living at it
until he had a really bad accident that spooked him. He decides to get
out of it and moves to New York to become a policeman. He's a great character.
In this movie, everybody is real serious. Jake brings a sense of levity.
Question:
What is the Witchblade?
Chokachi:
It's an ancient artifact that possesses three supernatural qualities. It
has traveled through time, searching for women who are real leaders. When
it connects with a woman, it gives her supernatural powers, like remarkable
vision and the ability to move at great speed.
Question:
What kind of women does the Witchblade choose?
Chokachi:
The Witchblade has chosen amazing women throughout history, from an Egyptian
princess to Joan of Arc to Sara Pezzini.
Question:
Does Jake have any what the Witchblade is all about?
Chokachi:
None whatsoever. The Witchblade is a mystery to him, and to everybody else
who is not directly involved with it.
Question:
What can viewers expect whey they watch Witchblade?
Chokachi:
I think people are going to be completely reeled in. The film has many
different elements - mystery, action and fantasy.
Q&A
with director Ralph Hemecker
Question:
What is Witchblade about?
Hemecker:
Witchblade is Excalibur meets a New York City homicide detective, Sara
Pezzini, who, by fate or chance or destiny, comes across this gauntlet
with special powers. It's a symbiotic weapon that shape-shifts. Throughout
the story, she meets people associated with the Witchblade and through
them learns about the gauntlet's special powers.
Question:
How is this film different from the comic book?
Hemecker:
We use the comic book to get the essential DNA of the story. We've maintained
a lot of the elements of the original eight issues of the comic book. Our
film is much more about the powers that the gauntlet gives to Sara Pezzini,
and less about the Witchblade itself. So, in that respect, we're minimizing
the gauntlet and making it more of a character-driven piece.
Question:
Is it hard for you as the director to walk the line between the reality
of
the film and the mystical aspect of the Witchblade?
Hemecker:
It's an interesting challenge to determine the tone of the show. I think
that what we've done is try to create a very real feeling environment,
so that the supernatural elements come across even more strongly than if
the whole show had a supernatural flavor.
Question:
What does Yancy Butler bring to the role?
Hemecker:
I think Yancy is particularly well-suited for this role, not only because
she is a truly gifted actress and beautiful, but she's also very athletic
and physical. She manages to portray a strength and toughness and at the
same time a real vulnerability, which is the core of Sara.
Question:
What can viewers expect when they watch Witchblade?
Hemecker:
The one thing viewers can expect when they tune into this show is the unexpected.
It's a combination of interesting plot lines and some really cool action.
Question:
How do you think fans of the comic book are going to react to seeing these
characters in the flesh?
Hemecker:
Fans of the comic book will really love the story that we've created for
television because we've maintained the integrity of the characters in
the comic book.
