New Season 5 Secrets In CFQ Fall Preview
The Fall Preview issue (Sept/Oct 2005) of CFQ Magazine has new interviews with Smallville creators Alfred Gough and Miles Millar as well as actor James Marsters (Brainiac) about the upcoming fifth season of the show. The issue is now available on newsstands. Here are some highlights from the interview:

• About Chloe working at the Daily Planet: "This will allow Chloe to actually help Clark," says Millar. "She will actually bring him into true crime cases in Metropolis. You know, 'Hey, Clark, you need to get up here, this is what's going on'. Which is not a structure that we've done before. Thanks to her job at the Daily Planet, she will be getting stories and feeding them to Clark and then will be helping to solve them. As a result, Clark won't be falling into things, he'll be getting into them directly. It won't be just another meteor freak, there will be crime solving."
• Millar also reveals that things will be different with Clark and Lana. "Now that they're going out, the whole sex question comes up again. They are going to be together for a while. Then, eventually this season, we're going to play Lex and Lana to a degree. Until now, she hasn't been legal. The triangle of the show was always designed to be Lex, Lana, and Clark, but we've never been able to play it romantically. So you're coming into season five and you haven't beeen able to play the core relationship at all. I think that, for us, will be liberating and open up lots of stories. Which will absolutely trigger Clark's jealousy and anger. Hence friction, hence tension, hence enmity, hence you're my arch enemy."
• And about James Marsters' role as Milton Fine, aka Brainiac: "We know that there was basically going to be something big in that ship," Al Gough told CFQ's Ed Gross. "The ship opens and Kryptonians come out, but they aren't the major ongoing threat. Brainiac comes out of the ship and takes human form, like in Terminator 2, and he's a being of artificial intelligence. He basically takes the guise of Dr. Milton Fine, a college professor who ends up teaching Clark. We call this the grand seduction of Clark Kent, where Brainiac is trying to turn Clark against humanity in general, and Lex Luthor in particular. He basically wants Clark to see that Krypton was better than Earth and that, basically, he's got the making here for a new society. Unlike Jor-El, whose intentions become clear in the season opener, Brainiac has a much more nefarious plan and he uses Lex in it."
• And some hints from Gough on the behavior of young Arthur Curry in "Aqua:" "He is determined to save the oceans and Lex is doing something nefarious involving a defense contract. In a weird way, Arthur is probably two feet from being an eco-terrorist and Clark has to sort of real him back in terms of what he's willing to do."
• "Aquaman is sort of the opposite of the Flash," Gough notes. "The Flash was a guy having fun and Aquaman is too extreme and needs to be pulled back."
• James Marsters is looking forward to his character's psychological seduction of Clark. "I don't have to beat Clark at all," he offers. "It's very important I talk him into joining me. It's always a more interesting thing to watch. Frankly, there's a lot of ammunition on my side. Earth is a beautiful gem of a palnet and there aren't a lot like it around. But there's just one problem: human beings, who are ruining both the atmosphere and the topsoil at an alarming rate and there's no way we're going to be here in 10,000 years. There's nothing in human history that suggests the bare hint that we are about to make the moral leap into behaving the way the philosophers have been asking us to over the years. So the best thing to do, both for Kryptonians and Earth as far as Brainiac is concerned, is to eradicate these stupid, barbaric failures of evolution. His feeling is to just get rid of these humans and let's have a new Krypton, and he wants to use Clark as a tool to achieve his goals."

The magazine also includes many more quotes from Gough and Millar, and some sidebars, such as a look at Jor-El's intentions. The latest issue of CFQ should be hitting newsstands now.

18/09/05
Marsters Talks Spike Telemovie (Check out Marsters Talks Spike Telemovie for more)
From: http://www.moviehole.net/news/6187.html

Marsters talks Spike telemovie
Posted on Thr, 1-Sep-2005

Dread Central snagged a ticket to the Rue Morgue Festival of Fear a couple of days back and bumped into a certain distinctive-cheekboned vampire.

James Marsters, currently shooting a batch of "Smallville" episodes, told attendees not to put too much stock into the rumours of a "Spike" telemovie - even though he is keen to play 'William the Bloody' again.

"I am willing to put Spike to rest, but I would love to play him again," Marsters said. "There are constant rumblings in the background that there would be a project that would have that happen. I have been approached on the periphery about it, kind've like, 'We're not really thinking of doing this, but if we did, would you be interested?'"

Marsters' interest has a stipulation though. "Joss [Whedon] came up to me when 'Angel' was still filming and asked me if I'd be interested in a TV movie and I said, 'Hell, yeah. But you have five years.' Because this character read as a twenty-seven year old [when I first took the role], I was thirty-five then but kinda looked twenty-seven. Now I'm fourty-three looking like a thirty-five year old, but my character is not supposed to age one day. I think I could maybe match that first shot, but I think I maybe have about two more years [left]."

A couple of weeks back AICN mentioned that Tim Minear had been asked to write and direct a new "Spike" telemovie. No official confirmation as yet.

18/09/05
JM.com: Messages from James & Steve
From: http://www.james-marsters.com/home.html

A MESSAGE FROM JAMES 8/30/05
Wow! What a f@#king amazing weekend in Toronto. You guys rock! I think it was the best convention weekend I’ve had in a long time. Thank you to everyone who gave me cards and gifts and good wishes – my bags were overflowing. My son and niece will also love some of these gifts. I told Steve to explore what we can do next year. He just shot me a look and told me to give him a second to catch his breath! I’ll see some of you in London in October.

James

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A MESSAGE FROM STEVE 8/30/05
Please let me catch my breath before the next one! :-) We had a great time this past weekend and I just wanted to thank everyone for their participation. Yes, there were some glitches but for the most part all ran well and we’ll learn for the next time – and as James said, hopefully there will be a next time. I must give a very special thank you to Peg, Cindy, Laurie and Ginger and all the other great volunteers. I thought they were extremely patient, friendly and helpful - I could not have done it without them all. I’ll do my best to help keep this site updated with James information. I have to agree with James that his fans are truly the best group there is.

Steve

01/09/05
Smallville Promo Pic Featuring James!
From: http://www.kryptonsite.com/svs5poster3.jpg

01/09/05
James Marster Album Review
From: http://www.exzibit.net/viewarticle.php?articleID=553

James Marster Album Review
A review of James Marsters first solo album since he disbanded Ghost of the Robot.
By Siobhan Lauder, 29/08/2005.

He was the peroxide blonde vampire turned good on Buffy. Now he proves to the world that his talents don't just lie in acting. He can write and sing songs rather well too. He was with Ghost of the Robot for about two years. This is his first solo effort. And it doesn't disappoint.

Katie. Is a rocky track about unrequited love. This is a wonderful upbeat track with a great guitar rift in the middle. In fact the guitar is great all the way through from the into to the end.

Bad. This is a great rocky track with great guitar and a great drum beat. This will make you want to sing along with him.

This Town. This is a softer song. Its sweet and dreamy. A nice ballad that showcases James Marsters soft sexy soulful voice. This is my favourite song on the album.

Smile. This is another soft slow ballad about being in love and blinded by beauty. Its a beautiful chill out song that you can listen to and relax at the same time. Its just James' voice and a piano. Sweet and simple. This is just a simple song about falling in love.

For what I need. Another rocky track that I am convinced is about James looking to get his leg over. Its a strong and feisty track.

Long time. This is a sad song about a woman James was once in love with. It makes me want to give him a big hug. It really shows of his wonderful voice and vocal range.

Every man thinks god is on his side. This is the only track on the album that James did not write himself. It has a country feel to it. Its a sad song about misfortune and tragedy. Its upbeat and catch though-it makes you want to get up and sing when it gets to the very catchy chorus.

Robyn. Another soft slow ballad about James not wanting to hear about this person named Robyn again. Its a sad mellow song. The kind of song you lie back and shut your eyes and just let the music wash over you.

No promises. Another up tempo song. Has a brilliant guitar intro (i really am impressed with his guitar skills!). It sounds like it is about the beginning of a relationship where promises are made but not kept. Another sing along track.

Patricia. Another upbeat rocky track. Nice simple lyrics. There's a a cool talky bit in the middle. Its a nice song about a girl he likes but she goes away and now he can't get to her. Awww.

Civilised Man. This song could easily be about Spike. It includes the lines: went to sleep a long time ago and dont wake me up. The kinda song you wish you could play yourself on the guitar. It just James and his guitar. Clean, simple, wonderful. Kinda bluesy. And when h talks at the end its in a really sexy voice.

Overall I love this album. And the more I listen to it the more I love it. I bought it on blind faith but I am so glad that I did. It is a very welcome and refreshing change from the bland karaoke pop acts today who dont know how to write a song. James has proved that his talents stretch further than just great acting her is also a very talented singer, song writer and guitar player. I really wanna see him live. Bring on the next album!

01/09/05
James Marsters Spills "Brainiac" Secrets At Canadian National Expo
From: http://www.kryptonsite.com/marsters.htm

James Marsters Spills "Brainiac" Secrets At Canadian National Expo

James Marsters, who will be playing Professor Milton Fine (aka "Brainiac") in Season Five of Smallville, revealed some hints about what's to come from his new role at a convention appearance this weekend.

From a report from Patsy @ the CDS forum (words come directly from her):
- His first scene in Smallville is a slow pan butt shot. Yes girls, he is gong to be naked. (Hee, the crowd erupted in applause!) He also said there will be a lot of humour in the character.
- His wardrobe as Milton Fine will be mostly jeans, but very, very low jeans and button down shirts and his professor jacket is black suede. Oh, and prada shoes!!!! His character is going to be very, very, very cool. He is totally psyched about it. He said this role has the potential to be more than Spike because it is so well mapped out in advance. Michael Rosenbaum asked him why he got to wear jeans as a professor, and he told him it was because his character was so cool.....

And then over at the Comics Continuum (be warned of about 50 popups per page):
- Marsters talked about the objectives of Prof. Fine/aka Brainiac, and why it is such a great role: "The thing I really love about this role, is that I have a very clear objective," Marsters said. "I know my objective from the very beginning and it's going to carry me through the whole season. That was the problem with Spike. In all honesty, that character had no objective 90 percent of the time. I would have to make it up. (In Spike accent) 'I've come in to kill Xander again, but I've changed my mind'."
- "Boy, I get to mess with Lex Luthor," Marsters said. "I remember on Buffy, whenever they wanted a new character to look cool, they would come and beat on Spike. Because if he got one over on Spike, he must be very cool. There were times I was just like, 'Here we go again. Beat up on Spike.' And that's kind of happening for Mike. He's having to undergo getting topped. Not because of acting, just because of what the words are. The script is designed for my character to top him. I've done two scenes with him, and he's kind of getting irritated (laughs). It's got nothing to do with chops. It's just the way the producers want this thing to roll. I've got to say, he's great. I've never know what's going to happen when I look into that guy's eyes. Wow!"
- A fan asked if Season 5 would be better than Season 4, which was ultimately not that well received in the fandom. Marsters said he'd have to answer that question carefully so he doesn't suffer the wrath of the cast and crew on Monday. "Every new actor on a show hopes that their contributions will make the show better. And I am fully expecting that to happen, as every actor does," he said.
- So far, Marsters has filmed scenes with Tom Welling and Michael Rosenbaum. He had very nice things to say about working with both of them.

01/09/05
Comic Book Resources: Smallville Update
From: http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=5836

SMALLVILLE

Kryptonsite did a round up of the reports from the Canadian National Expo where actor James Marsters revealed much about his secretly villainous role, including nudity, wardrobe choices, and knowing the game plan. In the Comics Continuum section, Marsters said, "The thing I really love about this role, is that I have a very clear objective. I know my objective from the very beginning and it's going to carry me through the whole season. That was the problem with Spike. In all honesty, that character had no objective 90 percent of the time. I would have to make it up ... To find your objective is like a gas pedal for acting. And if you can find that objective and play it honestly, it's like 'Wham!' And if you can't find it, you're mired. I'm really happy about an objective the audience suspects and the other characters don't know. It's the hidden agenda of a zealot -- and it's really interesting."

On their spoilers page, Kryptonsite also has episode titles for the fifth season's seventh, eighth and ninth episodes.

01/09/05
New WB Press Release for Smallville, Season 5; Spoilers galore
From: http://www.greatlink.org/dcisV2.asp?url=http://www.greatlink.org/shownewsitem.asp?item=4883

28 Aug 2005
New WB Press Release for Smallville, Season 5; Spoilers galore

SPOILER ALERT! SPOILER ALERT!

From The WB:

Now beginning its fifth season on The WB, this new interpretation of the enduring Superman mythology and its classic characters blends realism and adventure into an exciting action series. This is the season that changes everything. Clark Kent (Tom Welling) finally begins to accept his destiny and takes giants leaps towards becoming the Man of Steel.

Fourteen years ago, a meteor shower burst from the heavens, raining destruction on the unsuspecting citizens of Smallville, Kansas. The intervening years have left the towns inhabitants with scars and secrets. From the ashes of tragedy, Clark Kent has grown into an awkward teen. While adolescence always brings its challenges, Clark's transition from boyhood to manhood has been particularly difficult. He has struggled to come to grips with his emerging superpowers - and the effects of various forms of kryptonite - while battling the strange things that have plagued this idyllic Midwest hamlet since the meteor shower.

In last season's finale, Clark, Lana (Kristin Kreuk) and Chloe (Allison Mack) graduated from high school but the day was less then celebratory after the military called for a forced evacuation of the town due to an impending meteor shower. Searching for answers, Clark once again turned to Jor-El and was told the only way to stop the impending disaster was to unite the three sacred crystals. After stealing the last one from Lex (Michael Rosenbaum), Clark brought all three together in the cave and immediately disappeared into a vortex that brought him to the arctic tundra. As season five begins, Clark unlocks the Fortress of Solitude and is given a new challenge by Jor-El. Desperate to return to Smallville, Clark makes a promise to his biological father that will soon come back to haunt him.

The guardians of Clark's secret identity have always been his adoptive parents, Jonathan (John Schneider, The Dukes of Hazzard) and Martha Kent (Annette O'Toole). However, this year, Clark learns that Chloe also knows his secret. After finding him in the Fortress of Solitude, Chloe admits to knowing about his powers and the two join up to fight injustice. While one part of Clark is thrilled to have someone to talk to about his powers, another remembers what happened with Pete and fears the same fate for Chloe. Meanwhile, Chloe joins the Daily Planet as an intern, which provides her with new resources to help Clark.

With Clark in college now, Jonathan and Martha are able to finally pursue their own lives. While Martha continues to run the Talon, Jonathan gets a visit from an old friend (Tom Wopat, The Dukes of Hazzard) who convinces him to run for mayor against Lex. An enthusiastic Lois Lane (Erica Durance) jumps on the bandwagon and immediately takes over as Jonathan's campaign manager. On board to save his town from the Luthors, Jonathan also knows this sudden spotlight could be dangerous to Clark, as his past will become public record.

Clark and Lana finally surrender to their long unrequited love and consummate their relationship after declaring their love for each other. Happy in love, but feeling the need for something more, Lana begins to explore her options outside of Smallville. Originally intending to skip college for a year, Lana rethinks her decision once she sees Chloe and Clark leave for school. After promising things won't change between them, Lana leaves Clark behind and heads off to live in Metropolis with Chloe, making it a struggle to beat the odds and stay together.

Over the years, Clark has forged a remarkable relationship with Lex Luthor though neither has an inkling of how their destinies will ultimately collide. Lex has constantly fought his destiny and turn to the dark side. This year he loses that battle. The Lex Luthor of comic lore has arrived and this season Clark and Lex become mortal enemies.

The arrival of DC Comic villain Milton Fine, aka Brainiac (James Marsters, Angel), exacerbates the situation between Clark and Lex. Fine recruits Clark to be his research assistant and provides him with top-secret information about Lex's immoral Luthorcorp experiments. His arrival on Earth was no accident. Fine was born out of the spaceship that landed after the meteor shower. Who sent him and why proves to be a life-altering revelation for Clark as he finally learns why he was sent to Earth and what happened to his biological parents and home planet.

Clark comes face to face with another DC Comic hero this season. Aquaman swims into Smallville, and into Lois' heart, after saving her from drowning. After witnessing one of Lex's experiments cause irreparable harm to the marine life, AC, a young man with special powers, uses Lois' military connections to save the ocean and all its inhabitants by destroying Lex's secret underwater lab. Wanting Clark to join him in stopping Luthorcorp, AC shows Clark proof of Lex's wrongdoings, which sends Clark reeling.

Reinterpreting the Superman mythology from its roots, Smallville was developed for television by Alfred Gough & Miles Millar (Shanghai Noon, Spiderman 2), based on the DC Comics characters. Gough and Millar serve as executive producers, along with Greg Beeman, Ken Horton, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins and Joe Davola. The series is produced by Tollin/Robbins Productions, Millar/Gough Ink and Warner Bros. Television Production Inc. SUPERMAN was created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster.

01/09/05
Canadian National Comic Book Expo: Smallville's James Marsters
From: http://www.comicscontinuum.com/stories/0508/27/index.htm

Saturday, August 27, 2005
CANADIAN NATIONAL COMIC BOOK EXPO: SMALLVILLE'S JAMES MARSTERS

James Marsters, formerly Spike of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, said he is enjoying the clarity of Professor Fine/Brainiac, who he is playing in the upcoming season of The WB's Smallville.

"The thing I really love about this role, is that I have a very clear objective," Marsters said. "I know my objective from the very beginning and it's going to carry me through the whole season.

"That was the problem with Spike. In all honesty, that character had no objective 90 percent of the time. (laughs). I would have to make it up. (In Spike accent) 'I've come in to kill Xander again, but I've changed my mind.'

"To find your objective is like a gas pedal for acting. And if you can find that objective and play it honestly, it's like 'Wham!' And if you can't find it, you're mired. I'm really happy about an objective the audience suspects and the other characters don't know. It's the hidden agenda of a zealot -- and it's really interesting."

Marsters was addressing a "V.I.P." paid crowd of about 125 -- nearly all female -- at the Canadian National Comic Book Expo in Toronto on Friday. Before answering questions, he performed about a dozen songs.

Marsters said he has done scenes with Michael Rosenbaum's Lex Luthor and Tom Welling's Clark Kent for the upcoming fifth season.

"Boy, I get to mess with Lex Luthor," Marsters said. "I remember on Buffy, whenever they wanted a new character to look cool, they would come and beat on Spike. Because if he got one over on Spike, he must be very cool. There were times I was just like, 'Here we go again. Beat up on Spike.'

"And that's kind of happening for Mike. He's having to undergo getting topped. Not because of acting, just because of what the words are. The script is designed for my character to top him. I've done two scenes with him, and he's kind of getting irritated (laughs).

"It's got nothing to do with chops. It's just the way the producers want this thing to roll. I've got to say, he's great. I've never know what's going to happen when I look into that guy's eyes. Wow!"

As for Welling, Marsters said: "Tom is really cool. If any of you have crushes on Tom Welling, go right ahead. He's more intelligent than you might think. We don't want to believe that really beautiful people have intelligence, but sometimes, they do. Tom's one of them. He's very funny, very intelligent."

Asked if he would make Season 5 of Smallville better than Season 4, Marsters joked he had to answer that question carefully or face the wrath of the set on Monday.

"Every new actor on a show hopes that their contributions will make the show better," he said. "And I am fully expecting that to happen, as every actor does."

01/09/05
JM.com: Message from James
From: http://www.james-marsters.com/home.html

Hey everybody,
I had a really nice birthday and I cannot possibly thank each and everyone of you that sent me a card or gift or donation. You guys rock! Things are going really well on “Smallville” - I’m really finding the character. Getting ready to head off to Toronto, it should be a great weekend. Then back to work on “Smallville”. I just have to say that I am the luckiest guy to have all of you supporting me. Peace.

James

01/09/05
Former Buffy vamp sinks teeth into T.O.
From: http://toronto.24hrs.ca/Entertainment/2005/08/23/1184112-sun.html

Former Buffy vamp sinks teeth into T.O.
By Tanya Enberg, 24 hours

After playing the juicy role of a blood-thirsty vampire on the cult classic hit, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, where does an actor go from there?

James Marsters, known as the infamous villain Spike on the long-running series, hit the road.

With tunes in tow, Marsters has been touring the club circuit promoting his debut solo album entitled, Civilized Man.

"To me, playing live is like a three-hour magic trick," the 43-year-old explains.

"Any little thing that goes wrong, and the spell is gone. This summer is all about touring and not sucking."

Within moments of speaking with the former Buffy star, it is clear that Marsters has a certain depth that belies the gleaming shine of Hollywood celebrity -- and he's not afraid to speak his mind.

"You guys need to build a wall," he says of Canada, adding the U.S. could stand to take a few lessons from the Great White North.

"Canada is what a nation should be. The difference seems to be in the temperament. There is an awareness with the people in Canada. They seem to read," he laughs.

While hungry for fresh blood on Buffy, after having a taste of red carpet life, Marsters decided it wasn't for him.

"I love acting and I love the time between the world of acting," he says.

"But there's a lot here that can get you off your game -- like the whole red carpet party thing. I am sure that it can help, and maybe I am shooting myself in the foot by not taking part in it," he says.

For an actor who went to Hollywood with expectations of snagging a part on a soap, the popularity of Buffy -- in which he starred alongside Sarah Michelle Gellar -- could have easily gone to his head.

But after getting busted for Googling his own name, Marsters put the brakes on.

"It was like heroine," he admits.

"A friend of mine just said 'Stop now and walk away,'" he laughs.

This weekend Marsters hits the Metro Toronto Convention Centre for The Canadian National Exp, an annual pop culture festival running from Aug. 26-28.

Other big names on the bill include Elijah Wood, Margot Kidder, Linda Blair, Clive Barker and Elvira.

For information visit: www. canadiannationalexpo.com.

01/09/05
Ask Ausiello: James on Smallville
From: http://www.tvguide.com/news/askausiello

Question: You say, like, nothing about Smallville. I can't wait for the season to start again! Tell me anything you can, please! — Hil

Ausiello: Someone's got a short attention span. Anyway, exec producer Al Gough confirms that James Marsters' Brainiac could appear in as many as 10 episodes this season — beginning with the Sept. 29 premiere. And don't expect him to resemble a certain bleach-blond vampire. "He doesn't look anything like Spike," Gough says. "He doesn't have an English accent, he doesn't have blond hair. But it's still James. I mean, he has those incredibly chiseled cheekbones… and he brings a great sort of sinister edge to the show."

01/09/05
Whedonesque: An Update on the Spike TV Movie ( Check out Tim Minear to Write & Direct Spike Movie ? for more )
From: http://whedonesque.com/comments/7596

An update on the Spike TV movie. It was only the other day that Joss Whedon asked Tim Minear if he wanted to "write and direct some blonde vampire movie thing". Tim said yes. It's still very early days though as nothing is signed.

Thanks to Allyson for the heads up. News about this is elsewhere (that's all the news about it btw) but out of respect and not wishing to kill the other place's bandwidth I've made this a self linking thread.

Anyhow, this is what Tim said.

Also, I had lunch with Joss and he asked me if I wanted to write and direct some blonde vampire movie thing. Should I do it? (I of course said yes right off, still) Anything under 13 hours scares me. And anything over 13 hours... um. I got nothin'.

Simon | BtVS | 19:13 CET |

01/09/05
Watch with Kristin: James Marsters, Live!
From: http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Kristin/Archive2005/050819.html

James Marsters, Live! Lost Boss Reveals Secret Treasures, and Steve Carell Blasts Billy Bob