Grand Slam: Sci-Fi Summit Report – BSG, James Marsters, Smallville and Star Trek
It was an important weekend for science-fiction fans this past April 11-13 in
The guest list at this year’s summit included Zachary Quinto (Heroes), Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek), Brent Spiner (Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation), Thomas Dekker (John Conner on Terminator: The Sara Conner Chronicles), Grace Park (Battlestar Galactica) and James Marsters (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Torchwood), as well as the reunion of Hercules stars Kevin Sorbo and Michael Hurst, and a panel featuring members of the cast of Smallville.
ComicMix was there throughout the weekend’s festivities and has the following breakdown of the highlights, featuring images from the events and a pair of comprehensive reports from the James Marsters and Star Trek panels. A gallery of full-size images from the show is posted at the end of each article.
On Saturday, actress Grace Park, who plays Lt. Sharon âBoomerâ Valerii on Battlestar Galactica, answered some questions from fans about the fourth and final season of the hit Sci-Fi Channel series.
âWe only have seven episodes left to shoot,â the actress explained. She went on to say that for legal reasons, a Battlestar Galactica movie with this cast of actors and characters would not be possible. âI donât think there is going to be anything else that we do together, this is the end.â
She went on to confirm what fans have suspected since the final episode of last season, that her baby is not the only Cylon/human child. Now that it has been revealed that Galen Tyrol is a Cylon, his son must also be half-Cylon. She explained that Boomerâs baby âhas a purpose,â but the writers just havenât told her what that is yet.
Finally, when asked by a fan to describe Helo and Boomerâs relationship in one word, she answered, âPure.â
Next up was fan-favorite actor James Marsters from Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Marsters, who is best known for his work as Spike on Buffy and its spin-off series, Angel, also plays Braniac on Smallville and the villain Piccolo in next summer’s big-screen adaptation of the anime classic, Dragonball.
The actor spoke frankly about his disappointment with many of the creative decisions regarding his best-known character, as well as the way certain post-Buffy events have affected his outlook on the franchise. Marsters also provided an in-depth outline of what he’d like to see in a Spike feature film.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: For all of the details on James Marsters’ panel and Q&A session, read our Sci-Fi Summit Report on James Marsters here on ComicMix. -RM]
Following Marsters, who left in order to get ready for his band’s performance later that night, was a quartet of the actor’s fellow cast members from Smallville, including Aaron Ashmore (Jimmy Olson), Phil Morris (The Martian Manhunter), Laura Vandervoort (Supergirl) and Erica Durance (
).
The cast was tight-lipped about the rest of this season, as well as the recent departures of several producers and fellow cast members. All four actors will return to the show next year, but for how many episodes is still unclear. Durance did mention that she hopes that Lois and Clarkâs relationship has a chance to grow and move towards the show’s mythology.
To that, Vandervoort added, âI hope
âI can help with that,â Morris replied.
Morris went on to say that, as a comic book fan himself, he feels a responsibility to the fans. When asked what they would like to see their character do in the future, Morris said he would like to see
Morris explained, âI want to say, ‘Let’s do this. Itâs time to face your destiny.’â
He also said that he would like to see his character eventually shape-shift, be green, read minds and turn invisible — just like in the comics. Ashmore said he would like to see more of the âsnooping Lois and Jimmy,â that weâve seen some of this season. He would also like to see Jimmy and Clarkâs relationship develop more into the âSupermanâs Palâ relationship that we know from the comics.
The most celebrated highlight of the weekend, however, took place on Sunday, when Roberto Orci, one half of the writing team behind the new Star Trek film, took to the stage for a Q&A with fans. The writer fielded questions from the audience about the new movie and his work on last summer’s live-action Transformers feature film and its upcoming sequel.
A lengthy Q&A with actor Zachary Quinto, who will portray Spock in the new Star Trek film, was followed by a similar session with Leonard Nimoy, who made the character his own during the original Star Trek television series and all of its related films.
In the grand finale of the event, the two Spocks joined each other on stage for more questions from the fans and a symbolic passing of the torch.
[EDITOR’S NOTE: For details on the Star Trek panel and Q&A sessions, see our special Sci-Fi Summit Report on Star Trek here on ComicMix. -RM]
SCI-FI SUMMIT IMAGE GALLERY
Grace Park of Battlestar Galactica
Costumed Fans
Costumed Fans
Brent Spiner of Star Trek: The Next Generation
Laura Vandervoort (Supergirl) and Erica Durance (
) of Smallville
Aaron Ashmore (Jimmy Olson), Phil Morris (The Martian Manhunter) of Smallville
Costumed Fans
James Marsters of Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Kevin Sorbo and Michael Hurst of Hercules
Zachary Quinto of Heroes and Leonard Nimoy of Star Trek
For more information about the annual Grand Slam: Sci-Fi Summit conventions, visit the official website for Creation Entertainment.
Want more Battlestar Galactica? Check out our weekly interviews with BSG co-executive producer Mark Verheiden here on ComicMix.
I am the costumed fan dressed as Green Arrow. Had a great time. I am really glad I attended.
That's a great costume, Bryan!
I am the costumed fan dressed as Green Arrow. Had a great time. I am really glad I attended.
That's a great costume, Bryan!