 
 It's a brand new year, and for Michael Shanks 2009 is a time of transition. Stargate fans will see him again in the role of Daniel Jackson later this year during an appearance on Stargate Universe, and he will reprise the role again for the upcoming third SG-1 film. But with time, all things change. And Shanks' life is no exception. GateWorld took time to sit down with the actor during Creation Entertainment's Annual Vancouver Stargate Convention in April. In this interview, Michael discusses life away from Vancouver, his two-part Atlantis episodes (beware SPOILERS), the third SG-1 movie and his involvement in Stargate audio stories produced by Big Finish. He also takes time to discuss his involvement with USA series Burn Notice, some other upcoming projects, what it's like to play roles other than Daniel, and more! Our interview with Michael runs more than 17 minutes, and is available in video, audio, and transcript form! The video version is available in Flash format at GateWorld Play. For the audio version you can listen online at your leisure, or download it to your MP3 player. |
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GateWorld: Good to see you again, Michael!
Michael Shanks: You too!
GW: How is life in Casa de Shanks?
MS: [Laughter] "Casa de Shanks!" Empty right now in our usual house, but we're down in Los Angeles. For all you burglars out there, our house is empty. But there is a house sitter there, and he's armed! It's good! It's good! We're just enjoying some sunshine in Los Angeles and doing the L.A. tap dance.
GW: Is it nice being down there as opposed to up here full time?
MS: Just the weather. There's a lot of things we miss about Vancouver. I mean, it's very much more peaceful, obviously, and quiet and less stress, living-wise.
We're just enjoying the weather and the kids are getting to swim every day and things like that. That's new, because we've had terrible winters in Vancouver. Anyone who's been around Vancouver knows the weather is not exactly the selling point. So it's nice to be in the sunshine for a change, for sure.
Daniel and Rodney shared a great deal of comedic banter in the Atlantis Season Five two-parter. | |
GW: Let's talk about Atlantis a little bit briefly. The last time I talked to you was just prior to the airing of "First Contact" and "The Lost Tribe" here in the States. Were you happy with those episodes as they were finished? Was there anything you wanted to see in them that you didn't?
MS: I only saw them on TV, so I only saw them the quick once. I was pretty happy with them. I was very happy with getting to see the pacing and the production value. Everything was great! The first part, especially, was quite big in terms of television. And of course, obviously, working with David Hewlett was a blast.
GW: As far as Daniel's involvement, or your contribution to the episode, was there anything that you would have liked to have seen done different?
MS: No! I mean, I enjoyed the interplay. It's one of those episodes that begs for another one. The key selling point for me was like, "Yeah, let's do that again," kind of thing. So I wanted to see a little bit more interaction if the show continued. But apparently it didn't … we'll get into that.
GW: We'll get into that! Your relationship with the Asgard has always been very strong. Obviously you play Thor. What was it like going in there and bringing them back?
MS: It was funny, just because they were bad guys this time. So, from a "Michael" standpoint, being able to look at the Asgard who are fine, loveable and cute and then all of a sudden, you went, "You little bugger!" That was quite cute about it
An interesting storyline. I would have liked to have seen more of that fleshed out. What a great antagonist for the team. And interesting, and quite frankly … what's the best way to put it? A very worthy opponent, for starters, obviously. And just a very palpable, believable twist.
You can really believe that this powerful race … they're almost too good, our guys in our universe. And all of the sudden, there are these other guys -- you go "Yeah, they're trying to survive and they're going to be looking out for themselves first." So it's almost more palpable than the Asgard we dealt with.
GW: With the success that Ark of Truth and Continuum had, we now know that there's going to be a third SG-1 movie on the way. We know Brad [Wright] and Carl [Binder] are writing it, and that Martin [Wood]'s going to come back and direct it again. Have you heard anything as far as it? Been approached? As far as a timeframe? It's just been green-lit.
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Daniel faces a new threat from former allies in Atlantis's "The Lost Tribe". |
MS: [Laughter] You know, I should be asking you guys the questions. Because apparently you know more than I do. Because I didn't know that!
I read it actually I think, on GateWorld, that the movie had been green-lit. Unless we're living in the heads, or on the golf courses, with the producers, they don't call us and say "Hey, guess what?" until it's time for a contract.
I know very little about it. I had heard first it was spring. And then it's summer. And now it's fall. And I'm going "What's next?" Next year spring? Next year summer?
GW: Brad's gone on record stating that the third film is going to be a lot more "Jack O'Neill" centric. And that Rick's [Richard Dean Anderson] involvement in it will be a lot more than even what was in Continuum. Do you think bringing back the original core group for a much more classic SG-1 feel is the best way to go for a third film?
MS: I think so. We wrapped up our ongoing arc with Ark of Truth, and Continuum was very stand-alone. I think there's still avenues you could go with the other group. But at the same time I think if you're going to go around the horn and see what kind of ideas you've got, certainly an original team episode centered around Rick's character, Jack, that certainly harkens back to the days of ... And I think, to certainly do it while we're not pushing around walkers. The sooner the better kind of thing! [Laughter]
I'm curious to obviously see what kind of story we're going to come up with, but I obviously trust Brad and Carl to come up with something brilliant and see what falls off the truck. But I think it's a great idea!
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