EW article: '...Nathan Fillion...you deserve better' by canttakesky

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EW article: '...Nathan Fillion...you deserve better'

POSTED BY: CANTTAKESKY
UPDATED: Saturday, July 24, 2010 21:04
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VIEWED: 8747
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Saturday, July 17, 2010 2:20 PM

http://watching-tv.ew.com/2010/07/17/favorite-actors-sela-ward-csi-nat
han-fillion/

Today's EW article by Ken Tucker talks about Nathan Fillion and Firefly!

Quote:
If you are a devoted fan of the cult fave Firefly, I don’t think it’s possible to look at the perfectly pleasant Castle and believe, deep down, that Nathan Fillion is doing work that’s worthy of him.

Thank you, Ken Tucker!!

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Saturday, July 17, 2010 2:29 PM

BYTEMITE

...At the risk of alienating Castle fans...

Yes, I agree.

I watched Castle for two seasons, and while I enjoyed some of the humour, and I appreciate how Nathan is aware of and willing to cater to his fans, I stopped watching. I didn't have enough time to continue because ultimately it wasn't worth the time investment. I just wasn't being challenged with the storylines or the writing or character development.

Nathan is playing some variation of his previous roles (the jerks) and himself (funny nice guy) rolled into one, so I can't say I think he's being challenged either. He is an amazing actor, and my feeling is he's being typecast.

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Saturday, July 17, 2010 7:26 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN

While watching Knight and Day I had hoped that was Morena playing Naomi, but it was another hottie named Gal Gadot.

I'm not sure if there will ever be any other role for Adam that will hold a candle to Jayne. Chuck isn't chopped liver, and I hope Adam enjoys his role, but Jayne will be hard to top for most viewers once they've seen FF.

Summer seems to have done well with Cameron - I didn't think she was slumming there.

I wish there was more Firefly, but I also wish all the cast and crew the best with their carreers.

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Saturday, July 17, 2010 8:37 PM

SHINYGOODGUY

Interesting article to say the least, but Castle, to me, is entertaining enough and doesn't hold a candle to Firefly in terms of providing it's actors a full range of emotions to play with.

It's true that Nathan is right for the part of Rich Castle, but the cast are all very capable actors who service the show well in support of the lead. The show, without question, is Nathan's but I don't feel it gives him room to play with. And don't forget people, he most likely got the part because of his work on - say it with me - Firefly.

The haters notwithstanding, our BDH were the shit on Firefly and everyone knows it.

SGG

Tawabawho?

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Saturday, July 17, 2010 9:36 PM

FEARTHEBUNNYMAN

I pretty much feel that way about all our BDH's (although I actually liked Summer better as Cameron...and I do like Morena's role in V a great deal even though I'm not expecting that series to continue much longer). I'm not a fan of castle but it certainly is a show that plays to Nathan's particular strengths.

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Saturday, July 17, 2010 11:34 PM

BORIS

Bills don't pay for themselves...I enjoy Castle...it's predicatble but entertaining and although the story lines are often lame I do like the characters and their interactions. Nathan Fillion and the other actors on it seem to enjoy themselves and it's certainly better than some others things he's been in.plus it's getting a third season so yay!

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Sunday, July 18, 2010 1:03 AM

AGENTROUKA

Gotta agree there.

I feel it's kind of lazy work for Nathan. He plays that jerky, cutesy, funny guy so well, it's almost become annoying to me because he hardly seems to be acting at all. Boring.

I want to see him do serious stuff, without the silliness. Daaaaaaaaarkness, please.

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Sunday, July 18, 2010 5:40 AM

CHRISISALL

He needs to be the new Indiana Jones.

The laughing Chrisisall

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Sunday, July 18, 2010 6:37 AM

SHINYGOODGUY

OOooooooo, now there's an idea......................the possibilities.

SGG

Tawabawho?

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Sunday, July 18, 2010 11:35 AM

ALIASSE

I agree. I've talked with others here about how ugly Castle is, from a lighting/costume point of view (sorry, Castle fans), and how very badly it compares with Firefly/the BDH in that respect, when they were so beautifully lit, composed and costumed. It makes it really hard for me to watch Nathan looking so much less - cool? than in Firefly.

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Sunday, July 18, 2010 1:26 PM

CYBERSNARK

I think people just say that Nathan should be Indy because Mal makes such a great Han Solo. (And because there are no original roles in Hollywood anymore, it seems.)

That said, I wouldn't want Nathan to turn into a repeat of Harrison Ford --not that Ford has ever been or will ever be less-than-Awesome (both as an actor and as a human being), but Nathan deserves to cast his own shadows. We already have a perfectly good Harrison Ford.

In a few decades, some young rising star will be hailed as "the next Nathan Fillion." . .

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

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Sunday, July 18, 2010 2:01 PM

ASORTAFAIRYTALE

I have only seen a few episodes of Castle; there's really nothing to interest me in it aside from Nathan Fillion...
It kinda just seems like a cookie cutter detective show. There are like a million of them on TV now and they're pretty boring if you ask me.

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Sunday, July 18, 2010 2:46 PM

BIGRICHARD

I've said it before...but I shall continue to say it..

Indiana Jones? No.
He needs to be in the Uncharted movie.
Watch this video game clip and tell me he wouldn't make the perfect Nathan Drake...

Of course, video game adaptations are often awful, but this one just BEGS to be translated, as long as someone talented is involved.

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Sunday, July 18, 2010 5:44 PM

DMI

Expired, forgotten, spoiled rotten.

Anyone read the comments below the article? There is a running consensus that are BDH is a mediocre actor at best and that Castle is perfectly suited to his talents. I love him on Castle but I think he could handle much more challenging roles. Why? Because I've seen it, unlike all these EW readers who apparently having watched Firefly.

------------------------
I pray for one last landing,
on the globe that gave me birth.
Let me rest my eyes on the fleecy skies
and the cool, green hills of Earth.

http://www.blogiversity.org/blogs/dmi/default.aspx

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Sunday, July 18, 2010 6:47 PM

BYTEMITE

Someone needs to blow their little worlds up and post a link to Caleb and the eye-squick scene. >D

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Monday, July 19, 2010 5:06 AM

SIXGUN

Don't let your prejudices ruin Nathan Fillion's career. There may never be another Firefly for him the way there was never another Star Trek for William Shatner. Yes, Castle is pretty much just another detective show, basically a twist on "Murder:She Wrote". But did you ever think the reason it's doing so well is because of Nathan himself? It might have gotten cancelled if anyone else had played that role (or if it had premiered on FOX). Castle is entertaining and if you like the lighter side of Nathan then this is your show. Watch it and let people know he is the reason. It could lead to more challenging roles for him in the future. Several of the BDH's have had better roles but our nemesis FOX always shot them down. Face it. Nathan Fillion went to a more generous network.

Well, as a rule I say girl folk ain't to be trusted.

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Monday, July 19, 2010 5:32 AM

STORYMARK

I absolutely agree. I'm glad Nathans got a successful gig, but the show doesn't do all that much for me. Procedurals bore me quickly, and while Nathan does keep it fun, I can never watch the show without feeling that it's just not the show I want to watch him on.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

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Monday, July 19, 2010 7:20 AM

BYTEMITE

It's good to be successful, SixGun, but if people over there commenting on EW's article are saying that they don't think he's a good actor because he doesn't have range... Well, people in the biz might be getting the wrong impression too.

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Monday, July 19, 2010 3:42 PM

IKIYOU

i'd love to see nathan constantly challenged. i'd love to see him lead role in films, too.

but i must admit i doubt there is an ounce in his body that would not give 100% to ANY project he's working for. granted, i know there is no disrespect intended--on contrary this is meant to be a shout out to his talent, and in that way i absolutely love this comment.

but still, having watched CASTLE and being a browncoat, and a nathan fillion fan, i'm leaning to the other side.

hell, my only disdain for CASTLE is that it isn't FIREFLY with nathan as Captain Reynolds.

find someone to carry you

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Monday, July 19, 2010 3:45 PM

IKIYOU

i like your thoughts!

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Monday, July 19, 2010 4:01 PM

BYTEMITE

Quote:
Although by doing Castle Nathan may run the risk of becoming pigeonholed most of the really good actors don't have that problem.

Maybe. We all know Nathan can DO the challenging roles. Guess I just have to hope he continues to LAND challenging roles in the future.

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Monday, July 19, 2010 8:00 PM

CLEBURNE61

I understand what the writer is saying, but allow me to add a bit of perspective here.

I watch Castle regularly, partly because I'm a flan, but also because it's a decent show: funny, crisp dialogue, and a harmless romp. There's a downside as well: it's nothing profound and it's a bit formulaic.

Here's the problem: though we all agree that Nathan Fillion hasn't gotten the street cred he richly deserves, other than Firefly & BDM, can you name any other lead role he's acquired in a mainstream screened work in the last 8 years?

The point is, our golden boy might very well have gone down in history as the guy who took the "King of B movies and cancelled shows" baton from Bruce Campbell if this show hadn't come along. He might very well have remained simply in our circles. That woulda been a damn shame. Mr. Fillion's performances don't just belong to us, they belong to the masses. Castle, as imperfect as it may be, PROVES that Nathan is not a one-hit-wonder. That he CAN be a compelling-enough stage presence to carry a show several seasons and make it marketable. That he does have mass appeal, that tens of millions can see him for the first time in another context, and adore his antics.

This will guarantee him more work, and better work, and who knows, in the off chance the guys actually decide to bring the show back, his time on Castle can only help that or any other endeavor he chooses.

Castle is the means, not the end. Let's give him and ourselves a helping hand, and give it a strong 3rd(and perhaps, final) season.

Peace.

"Government exists to get in a man's way." -Mal

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Tuesday, July 20, 2010 3:31 AM

BROWNCOAT1

May have been the losing side. Still not convinced it was the wrong one.

Got to say I agree; Nathan needs more challenging roles, ones that will let him shine and broaden his appeal to Hollywood. While Castle is enjoyable (I catch it when I can, but am not an avid follower) and no doubt pays his bills, I think Nathan needs something a bit more than what Castle offers.

__________________________________________
Holding the line since December '02!

Richmond, VA & surrounding area Firefly Fans:

http://www.richmondbrowncoats.org

X.O. / Battalion O.I.C.

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Tuesday, July 20, 2010 4:11 AM

BYTEMITE

Quote:
Here's the problem: though we all agree that Nathan Fillion hasn't gotten the street cred he richly deserves, other than Firefly & BDM, can you name any other lead role he's acquired in a mainstream screened work in the last 8 years?

Absolutely. If you don't think horror movies count as mainstream...

http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=waitress.htm

Maybe it's a little quirky, but I'm pretty sure there's nothing more mainstream than a prominent lead role as the romantic interest in a romcom. Downside, it only enjoyed limited commercial release in theatres. Not really sure why, because it would've done pretty well with a broader showing.

Then again, just because I can name it doesn't necessarily mean the average person on the street can, so maybe you've got a point.

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Tuesday, July 20, 2010 8:52 AM

SUASOR

Let us not forget that Castle is a Top 20 show (top 10 in scripted shows), and that is largely due to Nathan and his fans in the writers room. As I remember, not much was expected from Castle. It was the little show that could, and did. That gives our BDH some real street cred in Hollywierd.

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Tuesday, July 20, 2010 4:43 PM

BYTEMITE

I think you're confusing tropes for formulaic.

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/StrictlyFormula

http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/TropesAreTools

There are still ways to twist an idea and make it surprising. Castle's premise, while admittedly fun, is not this.

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Wednesday, July 21, 2010 3:51 AM

BYTEMITE

I... guess? I thought you said you thought Castle was fairly unoriginal as well, you just choose to enjoy it whereas I'm choosing to nitpick.

But sure, fine. We don't need to continue the discussion if I'm bothering you.

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Wednesday, July 21, 2010 4:07 PM

BYTEMITE

Oh. No, no, that's not what I'm saying. I mentioned I watched the first two seasons? Of course I like the character Castle, and I enjoy the sense of humour Nathan brings to the role. Esposito and Ryan are also fun, though I have to admit some ambivalence for Beckett's character. She and Castle are like Mary Sues within the setting, only Beckett's the straight woman and so isn't saved by rule of funny.

Anyway, what I'm saying is the series itself needs to stretch it's wings, go new interesting places, or people will start losing interest. I lost interest. And I'm concerned about that reflecting on Nathan and his acting ability both in public opinion and in the business, because when people walk away, they usually walk away with a negative perception. And with Castle being simple, easy, and formulaic, the impression might come that Nathan's acting is also uninspired (it's not).

That's all.

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Saturday, July 24, 2010 8:58 PM

the movie is not the Series. Only the facts have been changed, to irritate the innocent; the names of the actors and characters remain the same

Quote:
Originally posted by canttakesky:
Today's EW article by Ken Tucker talks about Nathan Fillion and Firefly!

Quote:
Whatever TV show Kyle Chandler or Connie Britton might move on to once Friday Night Lights ends its run, isn’t it likely that both I and you will be moaning, “But that show isn’t worthy of his/her talent!”?

Sometimes Firefliday Night Lights comes along once in a career (or several careers, as the case may be)

Keep the Shiny Side Up . . .

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Saturday, July 24, 2010 9:04 PM

the movie is not the Series. Only the facts have been changed, to irritate the innocent; the names of the actors and characters remain the same

Quote:
Originally posted by beatupplenty:
all the stories that exist-books, plays, television, movies are all based on seven basic conflicts therefore it is impossible to have a completely original story

Inception seemed completely original to me

Keep the Shiny Side Up . . .

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