2010 Merchandise & Miscellaneous News Archives

August 20, 2010: Talia Thelen Talks "Superman: The Unofficial Web Series"

Talia Thelen The Superman Homepage's Noah Runzo grabbed a quick interview with Talia Thelen, the actress who plays Lois Lane in the fan-made "Superman: The Unofficial Web Series".

Noah Runzo: Lois Lane. Big shoes to fill. Give me your take on what you bring to her character that is new and also recognizable to the fans.

Talia Thelen: I think I show a very different side of Lois. In this day and age we see many women trying to make it in a "man's" world. As a career woman I think my Lois is much more driven than others I've seen. For her it's not just about trying to get that story but trying to get that Pulitzer, trying to make a lasting affect on the world around her. I feel like other variations on Lois have focused strongly on her ties to Superman where our Lois has her own hopes, dreams, and goals totally autonomous from him. Although Superman is one of her main interests I think the fans appreciate that Lois is very much a modern independent woman. I do love that during the last few episodes the fans have gotten to see a softer side of Lois in Smallville and in her scene with Superman. I still say that underneath it all she genuinely cares about Jimmy, Perry, and the people affected by the stories she is writing.

NR: Tell me about your audition. How did you prepare for the character?

Talia: I did a lot of research before and after my audition. I read a lot of comic books! Not a bad thing to have to do? I tried to take every assumption about Lois that I've ever had and toss them out the window and treat her like any other character. Look at what the circumstances she is living in and where she came from. This Lois focuses heavily on her history, the fact that she's a general's daughter and grew up in a military family, etc.

NR: Is there anything that Lois remotely likes about Clark?

Talia: I think Lois acts so mean to Clark because he is a threat to her. This is a woman who has worked so hard her entire life to reach certain goals and here Clark comes without any blood, sweat and tears and Perry dotes on him. I think she sees a little of the old boys club in their relationship. I hope at some point she gets to know Clark a little better because they do share similar feelings toward their work. But it's too clouded behind her fear that he's trying to steal everything she's worked for now.

NR: What do you have in common with your Lois Lane?

Talia: Ha! Lois is me before my coffee in the morning?? No, just kidding. I think Lois and I share our love for excitement and challenge. We both have an inner strength that I recognize. But I'm over the top bubbly and I tend to make friends with everyone in the room. These are definitely not Lois characteristics or things that she would care about rather so we have our differences too.

NR: Can you explain the different relationships between Lois and Superman and Lois and Clark?

Talia: Um...she has the hots for Superman??? I remember watching Superman movies and cartoons when I was a kid and not understanding how anyone couldn't see who he was but I think this is the big difference. Lois, the one person who sees Superman up close, who is trained by a military man and has been in the newspaper business for years cannot see that the man she loves and Clark are the same. Honestly, her feelings for both men are so polar opposite, her aggression to Clark and her love for Superman, that I don't think it would even occur to her to compare the two. I think she has a deep respect for Superman and his work. She views him as a kindred spirit. I don't think she allows herself to think of Clark as anything other than a threat to the life she has built.

NR: I noticed The Flash (Barry Allen) was in the 7th episode. Are there going to be any more DC characters involved in this series?

Talia: Are you trying to get me in trouble with the producers? [Laughs] I can't say if there will be any more DC characters but I can say that my director Steven is working tirelessly on bringing several new heroes to our website SuperUnofficial.com this fall. Many of which are fan recommendations. Actually, there will be a preview of what's to come in chapter 12 of season 1.

NR: You mentioned to me that there is going to be a second season of Super Unofficial. How did this decision come about?

Talia: You'd have to talk to the production team to get the complete down low. We're shooting in January and it'll premiere in June. All of us wanted to do a second season. Steven and the staff have done a lot of fundraising and made it happen. We couldn't really get everything done that we wanted to in the first season. Much of what has become the second season were things we had to cut out of the script in the first season. And we're excited for more action!!

NR: Season one focuses on the Toy Man. Can you give us a preview of what Season 2 will bring?

Talia: I actually haven't read the script yet but Steve Mentioned me shooting robots while flying through the air - and I don't think he was kidding

NR: I really like Erik Baker's take of Clark/Superman/Kal-El. He does a fine job of distinguishing between the 3 characters in one person deal. Got any amusing stories about his portrayal?

Talia: Well, Erik in the suit the first few times was fairly amusing. I think he may have been a tiny bit bashful. My favorite stories about the shoot involve everyone though. The set had a ton of nerf stuff and different toys all over it so one day when I was bored and we were waiting for set change I picked up one of the nerf guns and the entire staff, Erik, and I had the best nerf fight ever. It went on for forty-five minutes and one of the camera guys taped it. I hope they make a blooper reel with it.

NR: Is there anything you'd like to say to the fan base out there?

Talia: First of all comic book fans are the best fans there are and out of comic book fans, Superman fans are the best of those! I can't tell everyone how much all of the support has meant. The comments and emails, everything has been overwhelming. I can't wait to make season two even better for everyone out there who has been watching. Thanks again and stay tuned!

Thank you, Talia for taking the time for a quick interview! Stay tuned for more action packed episodes from Super Unofficial.



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