After getting drunk on human blood as Drusilla - her undead character in TV’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel, Juliet Landau glides into the voice of Labella - an alien in Green Lantern: First Flight - an animated DC universe film slated to hit the DVD shelves on July 28.
The title will be released by Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation as a Blu-Ray Hi-Def edition, a special 2-disc DVD and a single disc DVD.
Warner Home Video will distribute the film, which will also be available in OnDemand, Pay-Per-View and download formats.
“It is so much fun! You get to sit with a bunch of actors and play,” said Landau. “There’s no hair and make-up, no primping – just absolute, uninhibited creativity. That’s the real joy of acting.”
Landau - who previously voiced characters for the animated titles Justice League Unlimited and Ben 10: Alien Force - said that the voice of Labella simply developed when she read the script.
“I immediately felt like she had to sound the way I played her. When I came in for looping (pick up sound work) {fellow cast member} Andrea Romano described my Labella sound as “honey-voiced.” I think that really captures it.”
Welcome to theGreen Lantern Corps
In Green Lantern: First Flight, Hal Jordan (Christopher Meloni) is recruited to join the Green Lantern Corps - an intergalactic police force - and finds himself under the guidance of Lantern Sinestro (Victor Garber), a respected senior member of the Corps.
However, he quickly discovers that his mentor is part of a conspiracy that threatens the philiosophies, traditions and heiarchies of the entire organization. As a result, he must use his newfound powers to combat the treasonous members of the Corps.
“There was much room for invention in this character, especially with the device they use with her. I don’t want to give it away, but she does go through a bit of torture and it causes a rift between Sinestro and Hal. I really liked the sexuality and the flirtatiousness of the character.”
Green Lantern is not the first time that Laundau has worked alongside Christopher Meloni. The two previously starred as brother and sister in 1999’s Carlo’s Wake - a story about the Torellos - an Italian American family who gather for the funeral of their partriach.
“I remember working on this funny scene where {Chris Meloni’s character} Benny tells me about his existential crisis while out on the fishing boats catching tuna. "He asks something like, “What is it all for?” My character Anna says something akin to ‘I thought it was so’s we could have tuna salad sandwiches …’ ”
Jumping into the Comic Zone
Meanwhile, the performer is enjoying her first forway into a comics - a two-issue arc about Drusilla for IDW’s Angel: After the Fall.
“I am co-writing with Brian Lynch and enjoying it immensely. The first issue will be out in July, the second in August. I have been working with three different artists on some of the imagery and cover art as well.”
Back to the world of filmmaking, and Landau has enjoyed a busy time in the director’s chair. She co-directed a music video for the rock band Godhead, and helmed Take Flight - a documentary that centers on the creative process of actor / director Gary Oldman.
"Initially, Gary asked me to direct the 'Making Of.' He loves the movie because it shows him in a light he’s never been seen.”
Additional Info:
- Studio: Warner Premiere, DC Comics and Warner Bros. Animation
- US Release Date: July 28
- Stars: Christopher Meloni, Juliet Laundau, Michael Madsen, Tricia Helfer, John Laroquette, Kurtwood Smith, William Schallert and Larry Drake
- Director: Lauren Montgomery
- Screenplay: Alan Burnett
- Producer: Bruce Timm
- Rating: PG-13
