Sunday, March 2, 2003
ANTHONY CISTARO TALKS WITCHBLADE
Anthony Cistaro, who played Kenneth Irons in TNT's Witchblade television series, told The Continuum that he would be interested in reprising the role.
"Of course, I would want to come back," Cistaro told The Continuum Saturday night after MegaCon in Orlando had closed for the day. "It was such a terrifically fun character and a great group of people to work with. It was one of the best work experiences I've ever had."
Rumors have persisted since Witchblade's cancellation last summer that the show would return as a TNT movie or perhaps on another network. Top Cow's Marc Silvestri recently told The Continuum there have been discussions, but chances seem remote for Witchblade's return. Cistaro said he's heard rumors concerning a television movie or perhaps a project exploring the Witchblade's roots.
"Everybody is still interested in doing it," Cistaro said. "The fan and viewer response has been so intense; I would have never expected such support and loyalty. I've been talking with Eric (Etebari, who played Ian Nottingham) and John (Hensley, who played Gabriel Bowman) and they're amazed at the fans' loyalty."
Witchblade continued to bring in solid ratings in the second season, although the show was not received as well it was in the first season. Cistaro sat out much of the second season after Irons was killed in the second episode, and the second-season approach of standalone episodes wasn't received as well as the big arcs of the first season.
Cistaro said he felt Season 3 would have put Witchblade back on its first-season track. "I had heard bits and pieces of what Ralph (Hemecker, executive producer) had planned for a third season," Cistaro said. "He was really going to open it back up."
For his MegaCon panel on Sunday, Cistaro is bringing a surprise: a never-before-seen episode of sorts. He explained that he anonymously received a tape of an episode that was being prepared during Witchblade star Yancy Butler's alcohol rehabilitation in case she couldn't return in time after hiatus to resume production. Cistaro said the footage is a compilation of previous episodes, wrapped by segments of Gabriel Bowman discussing the Witchblade.
MARK ALESSI'S CROSSGEN PANEL
Mark Alessi, CrossGen's president and CEO, took center stage at MegaCon in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, with a 90-minute panel
He talked at length about his problems with Marvel Comics, CrossGen's initiatives to enable as many readers as possible access to their comics and the company's film and television prospects. He also answered questions from the audience.
For a rundown of Alessi's comments: CLICK HERE.
BRIEFLY
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