INTERVIEW - An Exclusive with Jack Malone

[Ryan Hendrix [VPtoday]]

VPtoday has a sit down with Vice executive/Showrunner, Jack Malone! Read below to get the scoop on all of his current projects and more!

VPtoday: Hi Jack, thanks for taking the time out to answer some questions! So, I hear that the premiere of your show Watchtower has completed filming? Can you give us any important details regarding that episode and episodes to come? Jack: Hey, thanks for having me here! Well, I'm really excited for Watchtower finally wrapping up its first episode. Finding the right story, and the right approach to telling it was a real struggle, but I believe te end result proved to be worth it. The premiere itself really jumps straight into the action, with Chloe in Gotham, and her past slowly sneaking its way back into her life. The thing about writing for such a character that doesn't have mythology or comic back story, is that we can really take her anywhere we'd like, and so using her to branch out a whole new line of mythology in the DC Universe seemed fitting for her character. So expect a lot of DC COMICS alumni to show up! Including the infamous Amanda Waller [portrayed by Pam Grier]. And last of all, you'll really get to see Chloe begin to step into her role as a hero, and become more than what we've seen her to be on Smallville."

VPtoday: Sounds like you've got some pretty cool ideas up your sleeve! How exactly did you come up with the idea to create Watchtower? Jack: Chris forced me too....Ahh, I'm just joshing! Well, I've always enjoyed the character of Chloe Sullivan and believed there was so much more behind the character that could be explored. I believed her time on Smallville, and development was being wasted by the overuse of Clois, and that she didn't get the sort of exploration I think she deserved. Granted, nine years on a show is a lot of time, but I think that it was really setting her up for a solo story. The spin off opportunity itself was presented to me in the finale of Smallville's eighth season, with Jimmy showing her Watchtower, and since then, I guess I've just been dying to take Chloe into her own world. And again, I think it was Chris' pitch for Trinity that made me realize taking one of these Smallville girls and bringing her into a new world could actually happen, and not crumble to bits. So, in a way, it was a big risk, but having finished the first episode, it was worth it!"

VPtoday: Well I think I can speak for the fans, including myself, to say that we are so glad you took that risk! Moving from Watchtower, I hear that your drama series, "Story of a Girl", wont be airing on VPN this year, but there's been talk of it possibly returning in some form. Are the rumors true? Jack: "At the moment I'd say its just rumors at this point. I was, in talks with the network, of bringing it back as a film, but it'd just be adding even more of a workload on. I think, I have enough stories to tell, enough seasons planned, to come back later when school begins to calm, to get it back to what I wanted it to be, but as of now, I'd say don't hold your breathe. The show was really my very first original sort of thing. With my own characters, own setting, just my own show. So sacrificing that was difficult. But it being my own thing, I knew it'd be harder to kick off, so letting it go was the best option with my current educational issues right now. I've never seen writing as a job, but I know it can be hard getting to your season finale, so I thought it best to stop before I began. Hopefully in the near future, Story of a Girl will finds its way back to the VPN."

VPtoday: Thanks for clearing things up. On to Faith the Vampire Slayer, your very first show on VPN. Taking a look back to when it first aired and where the series is now, what are your thoughts? Are you happy with how the show has played out so far? Jack: "I am very happy with where it is at this point. I think, like most things, the show has gotten better as it grows up. I think the stories being told this season have been an amazing improvement, creatively, than it was last, and the rest of the season will really begin to show how much the show has changed, as it spirals towards its darker successor season (entering its third)."

VPtoday: I also hear that Faith will be receiving many new characters in its next season. Could you tell us some of your favorites among the cast to be? Jack: "Ahh, you've heard! Guess I'm not good with keeping spoiler-y secrets. I think, out of all the characters on their way, my favourite will be Jared [Padalecki]'s character, Jayke, who will be a hybrid being, half demon, half human, who struggles against his fated destiny as one of the worst evil's of the world. He'll be interacting most with Jennifer, and really getting her character into the main spotlight of the season. Jayke plays a very tragic role in the season, and I think its going to be a rather interesting tale to tell as people usually like to say "everyone has a choice" but what Jayke will learn is that he was never given the opportunity to rebel against his destiny, even though he may try, we'll still slowly watch him rise and fall. And I think he'll be a great addition to the season and possibly, overall rest of the show, if things go as planned."

VPtoday: Definitely sounds like something to look forward to. In regards to your other two Jossverse continuations, starting with Buffy, is there anything new you can tell us about season 8 as a whole? Jack: "As a whole, I think the overall theme of the season is finding one's identity. Each season of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer phenomenon had a particular theme that ran throughout the whole season, with season six for example, which is the first that popped into mind, it was "life". And in the comics right now, its all about the connections between the characters, their "relationships". Trying to differ from most continuations, I've steered clear of the 'thousands of slayers in the world' story, trying to move onto new stories, and new ideas. I think, and hope, that most people find the season to be one of the bests, as each episode turns the show around on more ways than one. Similar to how Joss handled the second season of Dollhouse, with all the sudden revelations and shockers. So Season Eight of Buffy the Vampire Slayer will be a great, and necessary addition to the overall series that aired on television!"

VPtoday: I think I'm shivering in excitement already! But what about Angel? If I'm correct, season 6 will be the shows last chapter. What lead you to the decision to make only one additional season? Jack: "Originally what I wanted to do with Angel was branch out his story into new lengths, and new chapters of the Wolfram and Hart storyline. Keep it running for as long as Buffy, if not longer. But as the season began, I started to realize I had a great story planned that could wrap up his whole story in one go, and instead of drawing it out, and scratching for more stories to tell, I thought I'd just end it. Angel is a very complex character, with a lot of interesting supporting characters to keep it intriguing for as long you'd like. But after coming to the conclusion that this sixth season should have 'the apocalypse' it seemed only necessary to end it with that. That said, I'm very excited to be the one to write my form of his ending, and unfortunately, no return date has been set due to the workload that caused me to drop Story of a Girl. But, when it returns, I promise an epic send off for the character, and the few remaining [laughs] if they haven't all died in the first half yet ..."

VPtoday: So what's the status on Dollhouse, season 3. Is the project completely dead? Jack: "Well, I'm not sure. I think Chris and I were just dying to keep it alive, and in all the excitement, put something up there to try and keep it going. As of now, after weeks of contemplating the thought of it, I think its dead in the water, sorry. I think continuing the show could destroy the impact of the last episode aired, and think that Joss had that planned the way he wanted it. Moving on from that just seems like ruining the amazing finale we got. But who knows, maybe Dollhouse could return in one form or another on the VPN."

VPtoday: Well I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Moving on to another show co-created by you & Chris Davis, X-Men: Legends, can you tell us any spoilers on season one? Jack: "And have Chris hate me for giving away important spoilers on the epic season we have planned ... alright! Well, we've got a massive story planned between the Professor, whose overall arc plays over in a number of earlier seasons, my personal favourite of that season would have to be Emma Frost -- such a great, three dimensional character who just jumps right off the screen! As for spoilers on the first season, I don't know. I can tell you that everything that happens all adds to a plot going on in the background of pretty much every season planned, and when it finally reveals itself, all hell is gonna break loose, and our team of mutants will probably be forever changed..."

VPtoday: Being a fan both you & Chris' work, I know you both will do an excellent job with the series. So, finishing up, people have been asking this question. If you could create a show using a genre of your choice that you've never tried before, what genre would it be and why? Jack: "I think I've always been challenged with doing a sitcom, which I think is one of the hardest forms of writing out there. There's creating conflict, forming demonic beings, thinking of supernatural storylines, but actually trying to be funny for the majority of the script is something rather difficult. So comparing sitcoms to supernatural dramas which are still rather challenging, I'd have to say writing comedy is the hardest thing a writer can face!"

VPtoday: Alright Jack, it's been such a honor talking to you. Thanks for taking the time out. I wanna wish you success on all your current and future works. Jack: "Thanks"