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ALIAS ARTICLES
2001
E! Online
Alias' Michael Vartan and Bradley Cooper Come to Chat!
from: http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Wanda/Trans/Alias/index.html
This week, we're going behind the scenes with Alias' Michael Vartan and Bradley Cooper, stars of the best new drama of the season. They've answered your Qs-- everything from their steamy love triangle with Jennifer Garner to shooting hoops with Scott Speedman.
Plus, Wanda gives the goods on yet another ER exit, a boy- bander's return to 7th Heaven and two new love interests on Will & Grace.
Hey, boob-tubers! I'm here with Alias' Bradley Cooper, so send in those Qs! Michael Vartan's needed on set, but we'll get to him very soon. I'll try to keep the drool to a minimum...
From cricket: You and Sydney kissed! Do you relate to Will's conflicts about his unrequited love for Sydney?
Bradley: Of course. I've been in that situation. Actually, it was the exact same thing, so I can certainly relate to the conflict.
From dorene: What do you do on breaks while you're on set?
Bradley: I shoot hoops on the Felicity basketball set. I spend an enormous amount of time looking at stills and checking out the production side. I'm just obsessed with the process of making the show. They make fun of me for watching dailies the very second they come in.
From melanie: Is Will going to do any high-action sequences?
Bradley: If I told you, I'd have to kill you...
From momo: I've seen you on Extreme Adventures. Which gig is better--that or Alias?
Bradley: I think you're the only one who has seen that show. Actually, I never slept in a tent before that show. I came from the city, so, in many ways that show opened up a few doors for me. But I couldn't ask for a better show than Alias. The cast is amazing. I love where I am.
From Stefanie from NJ: I think you are so cute. What else have you been in?
Bradley: Wow, thank you. I'm in Wet Hot American Summer. It's just going into DVD now. A funny film with Janeane Garofalo. I did a film coming out in December called Changing Lanes, with Samuel L Jackson. And also a film called My Little Eye, out in 2002.
From Marcus: Do you think you'll get another love soon or keep pining over Sydney?
Bradley: Will's a pretty obsessive guy, and it's going to take a lot to sway him from his love for Sydney. But who am I to say?
From Karen from Rochester: Loved last night's episode. Did you have to get Scott's approval to kiss Jennifer?
Bradley: I have to get Scott Foley's permission to do anything!
From screwylewie: What made you want to do the show?
Bradley: J.J. Abrams. The script, J.J. Abrams. And J.J. Abrams.
From Freddie: What's it like on the set? Do you run into the Felicity cast?
Bradley: Yeah, we share the same lot. And Scott Speedman's a big basketball player, so I love to shoot hoops with him. I hang out with Greg Grunberg, who's also on Alias, and I spot Keri Russell from time to time getting out of her car.
From Susie: What's it like working with Jennifer Garner?
Bradley: It's so easy to play Will when she's Sydney, because she's such an angel, and it's easy to play being in love with her. She always has energy even though she works the hardest. She knows every person's name, cast and crew. And she pushes you, she really pushes me.
From Erik: Did you research your role? Did you watch All the Presidents Men?
Bradley: Those are two very different questions. To the first: Yes, I did. I'm one of those acting fools who enjoys researching. So, I've had a lot of fun getting into my part. I'm lazy by nature, but acting forces you to learn things and other parts you wouldn't explore otherwise. And, yes, I have seen All the President's Men.
From toriene: Have there been threats there? I've heard there's concern at Hollywood studios.
Bradley: Sure. All of the studios are on alert. They've cracked down on security, and rightly so. I think we're pretty much willing to do what it takes to ensure our security. So, if it means wearing a picture-ID name tag, we're all for it.
From Stefanie from NJ: Are you single? Are you taking any résumés?
Bradley: [Laughs.] I am single. But no, I'm not taking résumés.
From Abby: What are you hoping will happen with Sydney and Will?
Bradley: That their relationship continues to grow with conflict and interest. Because it's such a joy to work with Jennifer. Any scene I get with her I really cherish. It's one of the main reasons I really like coming to work so much.
From person301: So, Bradley, what's in the box!? I can't wait a week! Give me a hint, at least!
Bradley: Sure, no problem. There's half a dozen apples. Red apples.
From Seanti: Ben in Wet Hot American Summer is a total departure from Will. Were they tough to do at the same time?
Bradley: Actually, I shot WHAS before Alias. But no, not at all. Whenever there's good writing, it's easy to enter it into the character situation. On both projects, both were true. Actually, that's the fun of being an actor, to inhabit those polar opposites.
From person301: What are some of the locations Sydney will travel to later this season?
Bradley: Sesame Street and Jinkentown, Pennsylvania.
From carter: I heard Alias didn't get a full season yet. Does that worry you?
Bradley: To be honest with you, I'm the sort of person who lives day by day. And especially in these times, it forces you to be that way, so I'm just happy to go to work. For me, it's a win-win situation. If I get fired today, at least I've had the opportunity to do this, and I feel lucky.
Okay, we're all switching chairs right now. Michael's answering your questions, and I'm trying not to faint.
From Melissa_from_Oma: I really liked you in Never Been Kissed (one of my favorite movies), but I love you in Alias! Which do you enjoy more, playing the cute, innocent guy or the take-charge guy? I'm a hooked fan!
Michael: I definitely like this better. I feel very fortunate to have been in Never Been Kissed, because it was a springboard. And I probably wouldn't be doing Alias if it weren't for that role. But I much prefer this one. I have a lot more to do. My whole career, I've been cast as the nice guy. And, as I'm sure any actor will tell you, playing the bad guy is so much more fun. I've got the gun, the holster, I get to say cool things like, "Pick up the film in Stuttgart," instead of, "Okay, boys and girls, open your books and read some Shakespeare."
From Patrizia_from_Me: What is the cast's favorite downtime activity between filming scenes?
Michael: Throwing spaghetti at each other. No, I'm kidding. Actually, we all really hate each other. We retreat to our trailers as soon as possible. [Laughs.]
From cricketclark: Is Vaughn going to get more gritty? I love how you play him!
Michael: I hope so. I'm starting to get a little sick of being the guy in the office. I'd like to save Sydney one day. I'd like to be in the field getting my hands dirty and actually touch my gun. J.J. (Abrams) is thinking long-term, and I think in a year or two, maybe I'll move to some exotic location and get more action.
From elaine485: Who is the woman in the photo on Vaughn's desk? Why did he turn it away?
Michael: That was my girlfriend. And I suppose it was a mixture of, "Hmmm...I don't want to reveal too much of my private life." And also, "Hmmm...this Sydney girl is someone I could really be attracted to."
[AliasNet Note: Later, it is revealed that Michael is
NOT married, explaining this further]
From Wanda: Will we ever get to see your girlfriend?
Michael: No, probably not. I can't say much about that, though.
From Siafra_from_Chic: What would you say is the most difficult aspect of this role?
Michael: There is none. It's the most fun I've ever had, but there are challenges. Any actor needs that. I'm not really a technical person. So, having to say all the technical mumbo jumbo is tough. Some of it is tongue twisting.
From Louise_from_Sydn: How have you found the transition from film to doing a weekly television show?
Michael: Ultimately, it's the same thing. You've got your mark, your lines, the director, other directors. The only true difference is that in TV, we tend to shoot a lot quicker. We do fewer takes. We're shooting an hour show in eight days, and in feature film, you get three or four weeks for the same time period.
From geener: What's the schedule like on the show? Long hours?
Michael: Actually, it's not bad. I've had a couple of 16- or 17-hour doozies, but mostly I'm in the 12-hour range. The one with the tough schedule is Jennifer. In around five years she'll be 110 years old. That girl's in every scene, and it's just crazy. Last week she told me she's going to have an afternoon off in 2004.
From Miranda_from_St.: It's so great to see you on a weekly basis. Any news on when One Hour Photo will be released?
Michael: No. I have no idea. Sorry for the short answer, but I really don't know.
From Elizabeth_from_L: Any chance of you working with Drew Barrymore again?
Michael: That's not really my decision, but I'd love to. She's a sweetie.
From Alice: Bonjour! What do you think it'll take to get J.J. Abrams to write an episode in which Agent Vaughn has to speak French?
Michael: That's a very strong possibility, because as you've seen, we speak a lot of different languages every episode. So, there might be a line or two. And bonjour to you, too.
From Sabrina70_from_L: I just want to thank you for giving us some great entertainment to distract us during these trying times. Is this one of your favorite roles?
Michael: Thank you, that's very sweet. Glad you enjoy the show. This is far and above my favorite part. Nothing even comes close. Nothing's even in the review mirror. It sounds sappy, but it's true. I get up at four in the morning to go to work, and I'm happy. And people who know me know that's so out of character. I'm the laziest person around.
From Wanda: And you must love working with J.J. He's amazing.
Michael: He's so talented. Do you know how this whole thing started? J.J. was in a brainstorming meeting for Felicity, and he said, "Wouldn't it be weird if she were like some secret agent or something?" And look what that idea has become. And although you don't know exactly how long the show will be on, you know that there is a genius in charge of the ship. So, I'm not afraid of any icebergs.
From Megan: Can you tell us if there's any romance coming up between you and Sydney? I'm a big fan of yours!
Michael: I think it's a very, very good possibility in the future. In the not so distant future. Some sparks might start to fly. After all, she
is a cutie-patootie.
Okay, peeps. Michael has to head back to set. (Sigh.) A big thanks to both of them for being here. Now, onto other pressing matters...
[AliasNet note: the rest of this article is of lieelt importance. You can
read it here: http://www.eonline.com/Gossip/Wanda/Trans/Alias/index5.html
]
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