(Note from the editor: Bishop wanted the following video to be included, but I am unable to post it. So here’s the link… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ao8Ttbzqdns )
He is the most decorated, and some say most opinionated, producer in HTG. He’s Bryan Bishop and he’s got a story to share.
Lucian: Hello Bishop. I understand you recently completed a film.
Bishop: Yep. "Speak Like a Child." Pretentious title aside, I'm excited for its release.
Lucian: Let's start with the basics, what genre is the film?
Bishop: Probably a mystery at its heart, but I also like to think of it as a character drama as well. Maybe a mix of "Lonestar" and "Blue Valentine" for the genre.
Lucian: Has casting been completed?
Bishop: It has. I'm re-uniting with Casey Affleck. Ellen Wong, Robert Duvall, Cillian Murphy, and Sean Astin are currently expected to be signed, with Bill Condon directing.
Lucian: When you first cast Casey Affleck as Batman did you ever expect him to become the megastar he has?
Bishop: When we first cast him I pretty much hid under my desk, since that's one of those really uncastable parts. I'm glad to see his success. He's always impressed the hell out of me. He's great, especially considering he's Ed Burn's younger brother.
Lucian: Does "Speak Like a Child" tie in to any of your past works?
Bishop: It does. Pemberton-Brantt is a running joke in a lot of my old works; it was going to be the company that bought out Ingen in my Jurassic Park pitch in 2004, and I think it was in Splinter-Cell 3. It's my go-to name for a faceless corporation. But beyond that, Myra from Wild Horses comes back. She's a lot different in this movie. The events of Wild Horses affected her hard, and if she hasn't hit Rock Bottom yet, she's at least gearing up for the punch. Another character may or may not be connected to another Wild Horses character. But Wild Horses is not required reading to enjoy "Speak," and Myra's part is small.
Lucian: You've always been proud of your work; but you seem particularly proud here. Why?
Bishop: It's a more mature work, and I think more meaningful. For once all the shooting and pop culture references give way to real people with real problems. Plus any time you put together a mystery that's actually mysterious... it's the second-hardest thing to write behind PG comedy.
Lucian: Predict the future: Will you win Best Producer at the next Yodas?
Bishop: Like this coming Yodas, going up against Sandman and the like? Oh hell no. But I'd like a nomination. I think Romcom and Wild Horses deserve that. Plus, I wrote a movie called Fart Dogs and Kevin James died in it.
Lucian: Why not? You put out 4 well received films this season.
Bishop: Thanks. If I win it, it'll be a huge honor. But the competition is great this year.
Lucian: You also just picked up a lot of Sully nominations. Based on your work with DC Comics you could win Best Producer there too. What can you tell us about the future of Batman: Nightside?
Bishop: Nightside is done, unless the Flips want to keep that title. The new series should just be "Batman: The Animated Series." It'll consist of six one-shot episodes next season, where I get to spend some time with more obscure characters. I already am planning the season finale, which I think will be one of my better yarns.
Lucian: Recently some voices have called for you to return to and finish your old series, The Policeman. Is there any chance of that actually happening?
Bishop: If the call gets loud enough. I know a player mentioned he was going to try to read the whole series and review each episode. That kind of commitment to The Policeman, I'll match by finishing it.
Lucian: Rapid fire - Boxers or briefs?
Bishop: Boxer-briefs. All the containment of briefs without looking like a diaper.
Lucian: Raisin Bran or Rice Krispies?
Bishop: Pass.
Lucian: Ron Paul or Rick Santorum?
Bishop: That's like asking Abbot or Costello. Pass.
Lucian: It kind of defeats the purpose if you pass. But I'll try one more. A Pedro dog movie or The View?
Bishop: A Pedro dog movie, but only if it's a feature-length version of Fart Dogs.
Lucian: Lastly, how do you respond to rumors that you are actually Joseph Conrad's lovechild?
Bishop: The same way I responded to those rumors I was schtupping Tara Reid. A knowing smile.
Lucian: Thank you for your time.
Bishop: Like a dime.
“Speak Like a Child” has not been added to the release calendar.
(Another editor's note, from the guy who happens to also be the studio chief behind SLaC... It will appear in the second half of February, some time after the exciting new The X-Files: The Willmore File.)
