As a devoted fan of Lost, I must say that revisiting Michael Emerson’s insights into the show always brings back fond memories. With his rich background in acting and the unique perspective he gained from portraying the enigmatic Ben Linus, it’s clear that he holds the series close to his heart.
Reflecting on the mid-2000s, I can’t help but recall Michael Emerson and his unforgettable portrayal of the cunning Benjamin Linus in ABC’s Lost. As the enigmatic leader of the Others, he skillfully transformed into one of the most chilling TV antagonists ever, leaving a lasting impression on countless viewers.
As a gamer, I can certainly attest to Emerson’s impressive acting resume. Beyond his role in the plane crash ensemble, he’s graced our screens with appearances in hit shows like Person of Interest and the original Saw movie. He even lent his voice to the Joker in Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and played the doomed Siggi Wilzig in Amazon’s live-action Fallout. Quite an impressive journey, indeed!
Lately, you might have caught Tyler Labine portraying Dr. Leland Townsend on CBS’ series Evil. In a familiar role for him, he delivers another stellar performance as the malevolent forensic psychologist with an interest in the supernatural. With Evil wrapping up its shortened Season 4, we had a chat with Labine about the show’s possible continuation, reprising his character in Fallout, and his thoughts on a potential Lost reboot.
Michael Emerson of Fallout, Evil’s ending, and the potential of a Lost revival
Having a chat with Emerson over Zoom, it’s clear that the spectacled actor is worlds apart from the villainous characters he’s known for. We discussed his journey as an illustrator leading to acting and how collaborating with Jonathan Nolan on Person of Interest drew him into the video game adaptation. When asked about potential future appearances, there was a hint of possibility regarding Wilzig’s return.
Just a heads-up: Siggi Wilzig, an exceptionally intelligent scientist, self-administered a Cold Fusion solution. Unfortunately, his brief stint in this role ended when The Ghoul (played by Walton Goggins) blew off his foot. Later, he was beheaded at the hands of Lucy (portrayed by Ella Purnell), following his own consent.
Would you consider revisiting Wilzig in a flashback scenario? After all, it’s the realm of Fallout, where cloning, robots, and various other things exist.
“Given the chance, I’d feel certain the work would be exceptional. It’s uncertain whether they’d respond as usual or bring something fresh – perhaps a new perspective, a unique angle, a different way of presenting things. The specifics would depend on the writers themselves.”
The actor confessed that although he hasn’t personally played Bethesda’s Fallout games, it was an extraordinary opportunity to be part of a series set in such a captivating game world.
Could you tell me more about the unusual filming locations for Fallout? What exactly did that entail?
“We needed to construct or invent the entire peculiar outer world, including a town like Philly, or whatever they called it – a thieves’ hideout, if you will. This extraordinary creation was built on a backlot, while its interior vault sets and other elements were housed in soundstages. I had never seen sets of such size before. It was truly awe-inspiring.“
It wasn’t all chilling on the backlot, though, and before being slathered in layers of hot latex to create the decapitated Wilzig, Emerson did some location work: “For the trekking in the desert, we had to go out to the borderland between Nevada and Utah, out in the salt flats out there. That was a place I had never been before, and a little bit eerie. So, yeah, it was a colourful experience.”
Although Emerson’s tenure with Fallout appears to be over, the final season of Evil Season 4 is rumored to mark the conclusion of its supernatural storyline. However, there’s a possibility that the series could continue in some form if Emerson is amenable to it.
As someone who has been deeply immersed in the world of Evil for quite some time now, I can’t help but ponder where a potential Season 5 or revival might take us. If given the chance, I believe we would delve deeper into the complexities of good and evil, perhaps exploring the origins of these forces and their interplay in the lives of our characters. We might even see a shift in power dynamics as our protagonists grapple with new challenges and moral dilemmas. It’s an exciting prospect that could draw upon my own experiences and insights gained from following this captivating series thus far.
As a gamer, I can’t reveal all the secrets, but let me tell you this: There are victors and vanquished, yet the journey doesn’t end here. The game is over, but the players are still standing, their actions mattering even now. So, if someone has the brains and the resources, there’s a hint of what could potentially be the next chapter in our saga, reminiscent of the captivating series Evil.
Emerson acknowledges that financial matters play a significant role, not enthusiasm or artistic vision: “Even for remarkable series, it’s acceptable; I can part ways from this feeling quite content with the achievements of our four seasons.”
As a dedicated gamer, I must say this game was an absolute treat! It had captivating characters, top-notch writing that kept me hooked, and let’s not forget the entertainment factor – it was off the charts! At the end of the day, what truly makes a game stand out is its storyline and the way it’s presented. And speaking of stories, who could forget the island-dwelling polar bear? It was a unique touch that added to the overall experience and kept me curious till the very end. Interviewing Michael Emerson without discussing this extraordinary element would be like talking about Lost without mentioning the island itself – just inconceivable!
It’s been more than 14 years since the series Lost concluded, yet it remains a show that Emerson cherishes with nostalgia. Though some found the finale confusing (and no, they weren’t alive all along), Emerson continues to admire the divisive ending where our heroes reunited in the afterlife while Ben Linus was left behind for penance of his wrongdoings.
What did you think of Lost’s ending?
As a devoted fan, I’ve come to realize that every exceptional series carves its own finale through its intricate narrative. Take Lost for instance, it began with a single point, then expanded in all directions, encompassing numerous characters, interwoven storylines, lives filled with both fortune and misfortune, mysteries, and complexities.
“To summarize, let’s return to our central focus: Jack’s blinking eyes. I believe this was the ideal conclusion, as it avoided an ending with a joke or surprise twist. Instead, it presented a more somber tone, symbolizing purgatory. Indeed, it had always been purgatory. The writers aimed higher than just a simple story.”
In their desire, they sought a spiritual resolution, and I believe they achieved it. They experienced a moment of atonement, a step from the hardships of life into a heavenly realm. Much like in Shakespeare’s comedies, where characters find themselves paired, they embarked on a journey towards a blissful future. Such was the case with Los’t.
“In pairs, they stepped into the afterlife from the vast sanctuary, deserting Benjamin Linus on the park bench. Could anything be more ideal?
There has been much discussion about potentially rebooting or reviving the series “Lost” throughout the years. What are your thoughts on this concept? Do you believe it’s a good idea, would you be eager to return if given the chance, or do you feel that the story of Ben Linus has already reached its conclusion?
In the world of show business, ideas aren’t inherently good or bad; it’s all about whether you can execute them effectively and efficiently. It wouldn’t be, nor should it be, a replica of Lost from 20 years ago. Instead, it would need to be because it’s an intellectual property, owned by someone who has the freedom to sell its rights to another individual or company that believes they can bring something new and interesting to it.
Emerson admitted, “Yet, what do you do with it since you can’t recreate the same magic, you must discover a fresh magic instead.” Despite this, he hasn’t ceased to brainstorm. He summarized his thoughts as, “It might be an entirely distinct perspective or approach, even a different time setting. You won’t find that exact cast again, so it would necessitate a completely new concept, inspired by a past successful TV show.”
Despite Siggi Wilzig seemingly continuing as a decaying figure in the desolate Fallout landscape, the final episode of Lost, “The New Man in Charge,” keeps the possibility alive for Ben Linus to reappear, perhaps clad in a Dharma Initiative parka. Fortunately, Michael Emerson, the actor who brought Ben Linus to life on one of television’s most cherished series, is nothing like his cunning screen character.
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2024-08-08 19:13