Zachary Quinto News (Page 2)

During the Heroes world tour recently, Zachary Quinto spoke with Canadian newspaper, The National Post. Here's what he had to say...

NP: One of the few things Sylar and Spock have in common is that they're loners. Is that part of what makes you a good fit for those roles?
ZQ: You're asking if I'm a loner? I think it's very important for me to very distinctly separate these two experiences and these two characters. ... I think that's probably more a question for J.J. and Tim Kring. What is it about me or what qualities about me drew them to me for these roles? There is something about the way I carry myself obviously that lends itself to these kinds of characters, but I don't think that means I can't play other kinds of characters as well.

NP: What do you see as your dominant traits as an actor?
ZQ: I like to think that my dominant traits are versatility and a wide range of capacity as an actor, which I think comes from certainly my training and my experience in the theatre, growing up and learning a lot on stage, and learning a lot about style and learning a lot about how to inhabit style and how to embody it.

But again, these are questions that are difficult for me to answer, because I just do my thing. I do it the way I do it, and how people see it or respond to it, I can't have any control over, so it's hard to be objective about it.

NP: When you say inhabit and embody a style, what does that mean?
ZQ: Doing a Tennessee Williams play is very different from doing a Shakespeare play or a Molière play, or Tom Stoppard. There's just different styles of esthetic and of language and of the world that's created. Certainly both the world of Heroes and the world of Star Trek are heightened worlds, and they are both very stylized.

And I think that that's a strength that I have as an actor, is being able to understand those styles and commit to them and exist within the world of them, believably and genuinely. And that's what I can directly trace back to my training and my experience in the theatre.

NP: You were in a Molière play?
ZQ: I went to Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh for acting, and junior year I spent on classics, on Molière and Chekhov and Shakespeare.

Follow our link to read the full interview with this Heroes actor.

The following interview with Zachary Quinto took place a few weeks ago. It was held at the after-party for the Web series "It's a Mall World," directed by co-star Milo Ventimiglia...

It seems like the entire cast hangs out when you're not shooting and you're all friends outside out work. That's very cool considering it isn't always like that.
Zachary Quinto: It's very true, yeah. Yes definitely. The cast is incredibly supportive and incredibly connected and really drawn to one another outside of work as well. I think it's part of the reason the show is so successful and people sense that in the work that we do as well.

Why do you think that is?
You can never sort of predict in that dynamic of a group of people when they're brought together. Tim Kring set out to create a specific kind of world and themes of that world are themes of unity and hope. I think the people that fell into place and fell into the step of those themes are the kinds of people who enjoy hanging out with one another. I think also everybody on the show is grateful to be a part of it and being a part of each other lives. We enjoy each other at work and enjoy each other when we're not at work.

You're friends with Kristen Bell, right?
I am.

Did you have anything to do with [her joining the show]?
I'd certainly like to think so. That was a joke by the way. I think that Kristen has a real following obviously in this world and then in television in general so I'm sure that she was somebody that they've talked about along the way. We were at Comic-Con at the same time this year and we came back on the train with a couple of the writers and they ended up talking about this new character that they were going to have on the show. She was sort of talking to them and she forged her own relationship with them and I think that also had something to do with it.

Will you two get to work together at all?
I'm not sure. I don't know what their plans are in terms of our characters' trajectories. I think it's possible down the line, but you know I'm only going to be around so long on the show before I have to leave to do the movie. I'll be taking some time off.

How is shooting the movie going to work out with your schedule?
They're in the process of figuring that out now. I'm not exactly sure. I think the movie starts shooting in November, by then we'll probably be around episode 13 so I'll be available and present and on a lot of the episodes before then. Then we'll see what happens. I don't know what their overall plan is.

Did you audition for the role and have to campaign to get Spock?
I do think I campaigned for it. I definitely put it out there that I'd be interested for it. I think there was a progression that made sense to the people that are making the movie in terms of exposure and my experience of the show and the nature of the show and the sort of crossover fan base. I went in and put myself on tape for the casting directors back in April.

Then, I left the country a couple of days after that for a while to travel during the summer. Immediately when I got back, like two days later they had set up a meeting. J.J. had called to set up a meeting. Two days later, there was a lot of negotiating and figuring out schedules. June 7th I think is when the offer came in and then July 26th or 27th is when we announced it at Comic-Con.

Continue Reading...

It may be difficult for fans to stop clamoring over Kristen Bell actually guest starring on Heroes for a chunk of season two, but USA Today recently featured another star of the show.

The nationwide newspaper focused on Zachary Quinto, specifically his role as Mr. Spock in the next Star Trek installment. Below are excerpts from the article...

Quinto and Leonard Nimoy have become fast friends since meeting briefly at San Diego's Comic-Con sci-fi convention last month. They had more time to connect during a recent tour of the Griffith Observatory and a dinner together at Nimoy's home.

Though there is speculation about how Abrams will make use of both Spocks in the film, no one is talking. "I honestly … can't say," Quinto said. Or, well, didn't say.

A tiny clue, though, may be revealed when he adds: "I think there's going to be a sense of guidance through this film and beyond."

In Nimoy, meanwhile, Quinto has found a father figure of sorts.

His father, John, a Pittsburgh hairdresser, died of cancer when Quinto was 7. "That sort of changed the dynamic of the family," he recalls, adding that he was "pretty independent at a young age." He and older brother Joe (now working in L.A. as a photographer) were raised by their mother, Margo, who worked at an investment firm and, later, at the county magistrate's office.

Having performed in school productions and studied theater in college, Quinto says acting "is the only thing I ever wanted to do."

But Star Trek was never a show he got into. Rather, he preferred Disney's Duck Tales cartoon and ABC's 20/20. He still does a spot-on impression of that show's former host, Barbara Walters.

After graduating from Carnegie Mellon University, Quinto lived in New York before moving to L.A. in 1999. The self-described "homebody" is single and currently rents a one-bedroom house in the artsy Silverlake section of L.A. with two furry roommates: Noah, an Irish wolfhound/terrier mix, and Harold, a cat rescued from the streets. He says:

"I prefer having friends over for quiet gatherings more than I ever like to go to clubs, though I do that, too. I actually have a reputation among my (Heroes) castmates for being a partier."

He has found many close friends among the colorful cast of Heroes, which includes Hayden Panettiere, Masi Oka and Milo Ventimiglia. Quinto considers the hit series  his first big break. But some might recognize him as Tori Spelling's gay friend on her 2006 series, So NoTORIous.

Continue Reading...

Zachary Quinto and Milo Ventimiglia have established worldwide fan bases after just a year on Heroes.

For the former, however, this wasn't the first role that got him excited. Aside from a recurring gig on 24, Quinto also appeared on the Tori Spelling quasi-reality show, So NoTORIous. Here's how the actor described his initial reaction to the role:

"When I first got the script for So NoTORIous, I was like, ‘I can't believe that in the middle of pilot season when I'm juggling like three auditions a day, my agents expect me to go in on a Tori Spelling show. This is ridiculous!"

After a quick read through, however, Quinto did a complete 180. He loved it:

"I couldn't put it down! I laughed so hard. I called them back and said, ‘I'm sorry! I can't believe I was so snotty!'"

The versatile actor's turn as Spelling's gay pal kept viewers laughing, but failed to actually keep them glued to the TV. Of course, the show's cancellation paved the way for Quinto to land Heroes' Sylar. We think it was a good trade-off.

For Milo Ventimiglia, meanwhile, his path to Heroes was carved as soon as he read the script.

"They had these extraordinary abilities, but what really drew me in was the human story behind these characters, the fact that they have to go through their daily lives with this stigma for being different and just how that makes you live your life," Ventimiglia said.

We couldn't have put it better ourselves.

Get ready, Heroes fans in Canada. You're getting close to your only chance to meet a quartet of stars from your favorite show during their worldwide tour.

At noon on August 31, at Toronto's Yonge-Dundas Square, the following four cast members will descend on hockey's homeland:

1. Zachary Quinto
2. James Kyson Lee
3. Noah Gray-Cabey
4. Dania Ramirez

These stars will greet fans and autograph copies of the Heroes: Season One DVD at the special event, hosted by ET Canada's Rick Campanelli.

Fans can submit questions for the actors at globaltv.com.

The spotlight will be on Quinto, who has signed on to play Spock in JJ Abrams' upcoming Star Trek XI.

Ramirez joins the cast this season as Maya Herrera, a woman plagued by a threatening ability that forced her and twin brother Alejandro to flee their homeland for America.

Sure, Heroes played a major role at Comic-Con this year. But that was a massive convention covering a countless number of movies and TV shows.

Now, however, it appears as though an event dedicated solely to our favorite show is headed to Great Britain.

The convention will be called Eclipse. It's scheduled as a three-day event that will run from March 14-16. And they've lined up at least one impressive star so far for an appearance: Zachary Quinto.

Here's how the official site describes this ground-breaking event:

Eclipse is set to be a fantastic 3-day UK event to celebrate the hit television series Heroes, from Friday 14th - Sunday 16th March 2008. This unofficial convention aims to bring together fans of the series from across the country to meet some the show's stars and enjoy various events over the weekend. There will be activities each day from guest talks and photograph sessions to quizzes and late night parties.

For more information on these, check out our events section. This event will take place in The Park Inn Hotel, Northampton for more information on this venue and room rates see our venue page.

Entertainment Weekly recently sat down with Heroes star Zachary Quinto and asked him about the honor of being named the new Spock.

Also on hand were the original Spock, Leonard Nimoy and the man who will direct the next Star Trek movie, J.J. Abrams...

Leonard, when you first heard they were making a new Star Trek film — that they were ''rebooting'' the franchise with a new cast — how did you feel? Skeptical? Angry? Relieved?
LEONARD NIMOY: None of those. I've been away from Star Trek for a number of years. The first thing I heard was that J.J. Abrams was doing this. I have a lot of respect for him, so I thought, ''This is something to consider.'' Then the script came along — that was the second major step. And then J.J. sent me some footage of Zach. I looked at him, and I'll tell you exactly what I said to J.J.: ''He looks exactly right.'' What's more, he has an interior life, which is vital to the character. With all of those elements in place, I'm very comfortable with this new Star Trek.

With this casting, Leonard, you're officially ceding this role to a new actor. How do you feel about this?
NIMOY: Strange. It is strange...but very comforting. I feel like the character is being put in very, very good hands.

Zach, how did the trek into Star Trek begin for you?
ZACHARY QUNTO: It began last December for me, when I got an e-mail from a friend saying they were doing another Star Trek movie and that young Spock would be a character. It was right about the time my character started to emerge on Heroes. So I started to talk about it a lot — in interviews, with anyone. I sort of thought, ''If I could generate attention to it, it would materialize.'' Then one day, we got the call for an audition. It's been a definite fast train for me.

Leonard, have you seen Zach in Heroes?
NIMOY: I've seen some footage. Scary.

How do you feel about having the guy who plays a brain-eating serial killer filling the shoes of Spock?
NIMOY: It's going to be a change of character. But he's a good character actor, and that's what he's supposed to do.

J.J., since this is a ''reboot'' of Star Trek focusing on young Spock and young Kirk, why did you feel that it was important for Leonard to be in the movie?
ABRAMS: The story needed his participation for a number of reasons. One, the plot. In many ways, the story revolves around the character of Spock. Two, I think it's critical if we're going to look at reintroducing these characters — I didn't want to disrespect what had come before, for those who care about that. But we're making this movie for people who don't care about Star Trek too. This isn't about pleasing the fans, this is about making a great film.

And to do that, you have to both please the fans and please the people who've never seen Star Trek. So having Leonard in the film shows that this film exists in a continuum of Trek history, as opposed to an absolute, page 1 reinvention. [Pause] Would you like longer answers? I'm unbelievable. I never stop talking.
NIMOY: They're long answers, but full respect.
ABRAMS: Now we're talking about my talking! Unbelievable!

Continue Reading...

A trio of actors from Heroes recently talked about the pressures of filming season two, following such a successful inaugural campaign:

Milo Ventimiglia: I think there's always going to be pressure no matter whether it's the first, second, third fourth or fifth season. But I think you have to strive to better yourself and better your characters.

And you look at going into a second season as you are familiar with what the workload is going to be, but then again, this show is always going to be a big one to make. So I think, if anything, it reminds us not to slow down and not to slack off, to do better and to grow.

Greg Grunberg: I think there's less pressure this year, personally, just because a pilot usually is never as good as the series, and this pilot was just extraordinary. And I think we have kept the quality. To me, at least, whenever I received the next script, it just got better and better. And I think we are in a group.

We are really a group on the show. Certainly, the scripts keep getting better for it. So it's just unbelievable, the stuff that's coming out.

Zachary Quinto: Also, I think that pressure, it comes from outside, and I think part of the thing that made this show so successful is that everybody that works on it, you know, from Tim all the way through the cast and the crew, is here to do the best job that they can do, and that has nothing to do with the outside reaction to the show. The work we do here is separate from that, and I think that's what we do as well.

So I think that sort of takes a little edge off, too, is that this doesn't seem to be a group that's too interested in plugging into all of this stuff because we know what we are working on is what really matters.

The rumors are official true: Heroes baddie Zachary Quinto will portray Spock in the next installment of Star Trek, directed by Lost and Alias creator, J.J. Abrams.

Well, a younger version of Spock.

The older and wiser incarnation will be played by none other than Leonard Nimoy, who was on hand when the good news was announced during Paramount Pictures' panel at Comic-Con in San Diego.

"People have been asking me why I'm doing this movie, and I think the answer is obvious: we have a great director, a wonderful script, and a wonderful young actor playing Spock, so…it was logical," said the 76-year-old Nimoy, to everybody's proudly dorky delight.

Quinto will star as Spock in his pre-Wrath of Khan days. Nimoy, meanwhile, will have a meaty cameo.

When asked how much of his take on the half-Vulcan Enterprise veteran will be inspired by Nimoy, Quinto said:

"Well, as much as he'd like it to be, since he's working on the film, which is an honor." But, "I certainly intend to bring my own spin to it, and working with these guys, I'm sure I'll find it."

Unlike other, concrete news about the cast of Heroes - such as the fact that fans are excited for Dianna Agron to join the series - the following is largely based on conjecture.

But Zachary Quinto told the Pittsburgh Post Gazette in December that he'd love to take on the rold of Spock in the next Star Trek film:

"I missed the Superman Returns boat ... so I'm angling for Star Trek. People are constantly telling me I bear some resemblance to Leonard Nimoy."

He then joked about getting Greg Grunberg (good friend of Trek director J.J. Abrams, and fellow Heroes star) to put in a good word for him.

"Maybe Sylar should tell Greg, 'I promise I won't kill you if you get me an audition.' We'll see what happens."

That was last year. Rumors are now swirling, however, that Abrams will announce the official Star Trek XI cast later this month at ComicCon.

As of now, Star Trek XI is due to hit theaters on Christmas Day, 2008.