WAMG At The PRIEST Junket

Hola kids…

It’s your old pal Melissa here, and I have a treat for you! This past week I was invited to the PRIEST Junket, and got a chance to sit down with some of the actors for the film. Then, I thought to myself, who better to share my interviews with than the movie geek community!

So, let’s get to the meat and potatoes!

PRIEST, a post-apocalyptic sci fi thriller, is set in an alternate world — one ravaged by centuries of war between man and vampires. The story revolves around a legendary Warrior Priest (Paul Bettany) from the last Vampire War who now lives in obscurity among the other downtrodden human inhabitants in walled-in dystopian cities ruled by the Church. When his niece (Lily Collins) is abducted by a murderous pack of vampires, Priest breaks his sacred vows to venture out on an obsessive quest to find her before they turn her into one of them. He is joined on his crusade by his niece’s boyfriend (Cam Gigandet), a trigger-fingered young wasteland sheriff, and a former Warrior Priestess (Maggie Q) who possesses otherworldly fighting skills.

The first night of the junket we were taken to AMC Century City 15 for a press screening of the film. That theater was amazing! My only complaint is that they had the film up entirely too loud. It actually hurt my ears, and we all know that I have been to a concert or two in my day. That has nothing to do with the film itself, so if you want to hear my opinion about the film you will have to check out my review tomorrow.

The next day was filled with television interviews. Since I host a movie show here in St. Louis, FILM FIEND on WRBU MY46, I was lucky enough to participate. I was pretty darn nervous, but it was fun! I have to say, the cast was incredibly nice! You can check out my interviews below.

 Paul Bettany (Priest)

To play this reluctant hero, director Scott Stewart chose acclaimed British actor Paul Bettany, whose diverse credits include acclaimed performances in Ron Howard’s A Beautiful Mind and The Da Vinci Code as well as Jon Amiel’s Creation. He also recently starred as the archangel Michael in Stewart’s directorial debut, the apocalyptic horror-action film Legion. Bettany’s performance in that film convinced the filmmakers that he has what it takes to be a major action star. He is such a great actor, and he’s so much fun to watch in these kinds of roles,” says Stewart. We decided to double down, and even do it in an even bigger way.

Karl Urban (Black Hat)

Priest’s nemesis, the towering villain Black Hat, is played by New Zealand native Karl Urban, best known to moviegoers for his role as Dr. Leonard “Bones” McCoy in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek, as well as in The Bourne Supremacy and Lord of the Rings: Return of the King.

“Black Hat can do just about anything Black Hat wants,” says Glenn S. Gainor. “He can destroy a town in broad daylight, he can survive the hot sun, and he can live among the familiars and vampires at night. His strength and discipline rival that of a priest, which makes him a formidable adversary. But what he really wants is to get Priest to join the forces with him. Karl Urban has the kind of charisma needed to pull off this character.”

Maggie Q (Priestess)

Maggie was so nice! We chatted a bit before the interview about both being vegetarians, and I had to pet her adorable dog Ceasar! It’s always nice to meet someone who cares about animals as much as I do.

When Priest defies the orders of the Clergy by leaving the city in pursuit of Lucy, the Council of Monsignors dispatches a team of warrior priests to bring him back. For the role of Priestess, the group’s leader, the filmmakers chose Maggie Q, a Hawaiian-born actress who brought martial arts skills honed in in several Hong Kong action films. No stranger to Hollywood action roles, she’s starred in Mission: Impossible III, alongside Tom Cruise, and Live Free or Die Hard, with Bruce Willis.

Maggie was excited to work with the director of Priest. “Scott Stewart is a bit of a throwback,” she says. “Scott has created a world that feels like a classic adventure, but you don’t know what year it is, what’s happened before or what’s going to happen next. It’s kind of undefinable and definitely original.”

Lily Collins and Cam Gigandet (Lucy and Hicks)

Priest learns of Lucy’s (Lily Collins) abduction from Hicks, the sharpshooting lawman of the tiny wasteland town of Augustine, played by Cam Gigandet. Gigandet first gained fame for for his role as Kevin Volchok on the FOX television series, “The O.C.” and went on to attract an army of admirers as the predatory vampire James in the blockbuster Twilight.

A young man with a chip on his shoulder, Hicks is eager to prove himself worthy of his badge. “Hicks has had responsibility thrust upon him early in life,” says Michael De Luca. “It’s tough to walk the line of justice in the wasteland. But his father and his grandfather held the job before him. It’s his duty.”

I would like to thank everyone at Studio Gems, Sony, everyone from PRIEST, and everyone at the Four Seasons Hotel (Los Angeles at Beverly Hills).

Thanks for tuning in, and remember…
Stay Fancy Kids,
Melissa

PRIEST OPENS FRIDAY THE 13th OF MAY