Ok, gonna put this on LJ too, but I suspect I'll get just as much response/action whatever from here.

James says he can't do a Spike movie if it doesn't happen very soon, because he will be too old to play a non-aging vampire and he doesn't want to do it if he can't do justice to the character.  Very reasonable - and sad, but there you have it.  RL is what it is.

BUT!  Suppose that post NFA, Spike has survived, shanshued and is now the first male slayer?  I read a fic like this years ago (completely off-topic - it was a wip, it was very, very good and I would love to find it again if it is finished. It was set in England, Spike had been staying with Giles and trying to sort out why he was back (again) and why he was human.  Buffy shows up, uncomfortableness ensues until they work it out. There are bad guys after them, there is a house elf of some sort involved and he is the one to point to Spike and call him "Slayer". Unfortunately, the fic stopped right there and even though I did find it again once, it still was saying "TBC". If anyone knows where it is or if it has been finished....Please!)

Okay back to topic - I read that fic which just presented the idea before it bailed on me; I also wrote one (Life Goes On) in which something similar happens (in that Spike has shanshued into a slayer and Buffy finds him) and it is Dru who figures it out.  Anyway - here's the deal.  A Spike movie in which that has happened, would immediately remove any issues with whatever aging is visible in James' face or body.  As long as he can remain fit enough for the physical stuff to be believable, and is still pretty (just saw him - trust me, still pretty!), I think it would work.

Shall we all bombard Joss with that idea?  What do you think? Would it work?  - not bombarding Joss, cause he's pretty much a stinker about taking anyone else's suggestions - but the idea itself.

I think, as a story idea, there's nothing wrong with it, and I like fics that go that route... I just don't see anyone who might be involved with making a movie listening to the fans about it.

Aside from the fact that Joss would probably never take an idea from the fans like that, it's been made pretty clear, I think, that there is no interest in a Spike movie, except for James. At the last con, didn't he say something like Joss didn't want to do a TV movie, and no one would put up the money for a big-screen movie? James speculated that the CW might be interested "because of Smallville" but that's very different from actually getting the network to put up the money, especially when you consider that the CW as a network is only a year old and already floundering.

Also, I think, by making Spike human (even if he's a Slayer), you're running a risk of losing people's interest. I'm sure all the dedicated Spike/James fans out there wouldn't care either way, but I can easily see the execs not greenlighting the project because the whole fandom is based on the guy being a vampire, right? And you want to make him *not* a vampire? *cue execs' incredulous faces*

Personally, I think it'd be easier to just ignore James' aging (he's not exactly decrepit, you know... he's gonna dye his hair anyway, and make-up can do wonders) and make a movie with Spike as a vampire. But I don't really see that happening, either, what with Joss not wanting to go back to TV and no big production companies wanting to finance the movie.

Sorry to be a downer, but we've had similar threads like this before, and I still don't see it working out unless Joss can get someone who's interested in backing the project.

If there is or is not a Spike movie doesn't really matter to me.  Personally, I like  vampire Spike, human Spike, Spike with or without Buffy--just not with anyone except Buffy, unless it pre-show Spuffy--living, dead, undead, young, old...you get the picture :-) And we know that a movie, TV or bigscreen, wouldn't include SMG, so I prefer to read post NFA fics so that I get my Spuffy ending :-P  Oooo!  Maybe a pre-series Spike movie.  That might be good...

But, anyway, my concern isn't that we don't get a Spike movie.  It's that James thinks he's getting too old.  Saw him just two weeks ago...up close...face-to-face.  Not too old at all.  I know other men who are pushing 45, and they do not look like that.  He seems to be one of those people who retains their youthful appearance longer than average.  My mother is one of those people.  She used to look so young that I was once mistaken for her older sister :-P  

But, I digress.  James still pretty.  Still very, very pretty :-D

 I was once mistaken for her older sister

That is cold, IB.  My mother was like that too, but at least everybody thought I was her younger sister.

What's wrong with JM getting a face lift if he has too?  Did Hollywood run out or something?  He does look much older on screen (compare School Hard with The Chosen) but I'm sure some fine doctor can fix him right up. 

Blech!  No face lifts :-P  Pretty is pretty, even when it starts to wrinkle :-)  And I don't think that that just goes for men.  Women, too.  And actually, I prefer "Chosen" James to "School Hard" James.

And he really doesn't look older than Season 7. It's pretty amazing. I know he does use face cream, as he admitted a product to a table of fans a couple years ago. Frankly, with the aging he does have, it's not the kind that needs a lift. A couple fillers would do it, IF he actually wanted to, not that he needs to. But with make-up constantly improving, no worries....he's still MAJORLY pretty! All that staying out of the sun for years really helped.

CM

Oh, and unless the story was really good overall, James isn't really interested in playing a mortal Spike. He thinks the whole point is that Spike's a vampire, so....

Yeah, no one wanted to put up the money for a DVD movie (which is what Joss was going for - a DVD movie series). Not Paramount or 20th Century Fox, let alone anyone else. Maybe it's because "Serenity" didn't bring in much. Maybe it's because Joss pitched it as 3 DVD movies, not one at a time. Who knows with studio execs.......

CM

slaymesoftly, do you have the link for the fic you mentioned?

*sigh*  Okay, so everyone shot me down.  *sobs*   I had forgotten that James said Joss didn't want to do a TV movie - and that would be the only logical way to do it.  Yeah, the whole vampire things is a biggie - I just figured if he got to keep all the cool physical enhancements, people might go for it.   But, then, I'm a William fan, so human Spike doesn't bother me as long as he's still really Spike - with all the drama and history that evokes.

The thing about James and aging is that men often look better in their 40s than they did in their 20s. They often appear "unfinished" when they are young.  It's that whole "girls mature faster" thing, I guess.  However, I do think it would require good lighting, make-up and whatever to make him a convincing 27 year old (or however old he was when turned). Hence, the thought that as a slayer, he could be permitted to age just a tad.   It's not that I really want to see him become human - I love that he's a vampire - just trying to find a work-around.

Thanks for all the input, everybody. ;)

Guest - which fic? Mine or the really good one that I can't find anymore?

Believe me, if they wanted to make the movie, they'd find their own way around the problem of Spike aging AND still being a vampire.  Maybe he shanshued for a while and aged and then got turned again (There's at least one fic like that, title escapes me now).  I mean, look at all the Trek movies and machinations they went thru to make that work.  JM possibly looking older is not the problem - it's the money.  Plus I think the execs think it won't work without SMG (stupid execs).

-Cas

Okay, let's just say they did decided to make the straight to DVD movies. *gasps* I would buy them even if we didn't get any Spuffy in them, so without Sarah, yeah it would work. I agree Patti, age with most men isn't a big thing. They look so "funny," younger, once they hit their late 30's early 40's that's when they hit their prime. *yummy* I mean look at Patrick Sewart *happy thoughts*, and i love his bold head.

And with the whole Start Trek movies, they worked those out well, so yeah, they can so get around jame's age, not that he looks that bad. And if Anold can buff up for T3 and Stallon could do the same for Rocky what was that 80? It's not like James would have to do that much buffing up either.

If he looked the way he did in season 5 of Angel that's cool. I though he was way to skinny in the early seasons of Buffy anyway. He looked like a white Ethiopian. Poor boy.

(why did the font do that weird color change thingy?)

Good point, Cas - I know the fic you mean. I thinks it's by Herself.  And I think there are some others too, actually.  You're right, though. There are lots of ways to get around the aging if they really wanted to.  It's always all about the money, isn't it? *sigh*

slaymesofly, the fic you were talking about, with the house elf. Do you still have the link for it.

I don't. It turns out there is no link. However, I put it up on Seeking Spike and found someone who had it on her hard drive.  If you want it, e mail me and I will mail it to you in a word doc.  I don't want to bother poor Mary again - as a result of my request for info, I think she has e mailed it to a dozen people already! LOL  But, I have it now, so if you want it, I can send it to you.  It is, apparently, still a wip and always will be - the author pulled all her fics down some time ago and never completed it. A shame, really. It was beautifully written.

Slayme, I won't shoot you down :D  In fact, I was thinking about this the other day... JM has said that there's this idea that the pigs blood slowly ages Spike.  And hey, if Bruce Willis, Harrison Ford, and Sylvester Stallone are still making sequels like twenty years later, why the hell not?

Anyway, I read this Jackie Collins book awhile back, and in it, in order for this agent to create a buzz for his new talent, bought up billboards in LA and Hollywood with a pic of either his client's eyes, face, or both (cause there were multiple boards) asking "Who is Chris Angel?" (I think was the character's name).  Why not do the same for a Spike movie, with a big pic of a badass Spike pose saying "Spike: The Movie" and a tag like "It's all about blood" or something, and end with a "Coming Soon...?"  That should get producers attention.  Create a buzz for a film not even written- it could work.  With all of the fans and banner making people, why the hell not?  And it's asking a question- so no copyright infringements!!

How much does it cost to rent billboards anyway?

slaymesoftly, could you e-mail it to me. My e-mail is addicted2fanfics@aol.com. Thanks.

Oh, please email it to me too...

And, if the movie could be filmed like "Sin City," what with the black and white with only splashes of color, so that way, he could appear younger, if that's what they want so damn bad.

 Hey Scarlet - well, as rahirah pointed out on my LJ, Joss really isn't all that interested or he would have moved heaven and earth to make it happen. And it isn't "they" who are worried, it is James who told Joss when AtS ended that he felt he only had five years before he would look too old to play Spike.  Yes, there are lots of work arounds that we can come up with, but the bottom line is money and interest on the part of the creator of the character.  In spike of how obsessed we are over these people he created, I'm sure that someone like Joss has long since moved on to other projects and interests.  And without his OK, there's no movie. 

Okay -sending you and guest the copy of the fic.

But wouldn't billboards show the fans insane dedication to the character, and how much we're willing to spend our money on JM?  They couldn't ignore us then  :(

(stamps foot petulantly)

slaymesoftly, thanks so much for the e-mail.

You don't think the billboard idea would work? What did the Serinity fans do to get a movie made for them? I have no idea since I way late with getting on that wagon.

I think that it could mos def work. Especially since all it would take is probably take a dollar donation from JM fans...  And someone to make the banner(s) of course.

LMAO CM see I've TOLD people this sun thing.  90% of the aging damage on your skin comes from the sun.  And actually most of it isn't wrinkles.  There are people in their twenties with lines like some people in their fifties but the twenty year olds still look younger.  Its because wrinkles themselves are actually the least "aging" part of looking your age.  It's really bizarre how much anti-aging products focus on wrinkles, when lines themselves aren't really that big of an issue.

I've always stayed out of the sun, and I've always been pretty pale.  But then I'm 28 and got carded at a movie theatre. (They refused to let me in without seeing ID and no the person wasn't flirting with me trying to flatter me.)

Stay. Out. Of. The. Sun.  Also, exfoliate. 

This has been an anti-aging lesson from Zoe.

As for a Spike movie.  It's not going to happen.  I'd like it, but I think for me the point is Spuffy.  And I know SMG won't do it.  So it's pointless for me.  It would be like Angel Season 5.  Don't get me wrong, JM was great in Angel Season 5, but it wasn't the same without the Spuffy.

Also, I don't like human Spike.  The draw for me is the vampire bit.  I didn't really particularly care for Spike with the soul (duh, right? lol) but I could tolerate it.  If they take the fangs, they might as well take the accent and leather coat too.

Scarlet, on the billboard thing, I think it's a little too little too late.  There was a time right when Angel was getting canceled that would have been the prime time for fans to go insane like this.  That might have gotten Joss' and execs attention since obviously there was a market for it and people follow the money no matter what line of bull they try to sell you.

Had there been billboards back then, yes, we might have gotten a spike movie.  If a billboard went up tomorrow, I think it would just be some cute thing some crazy fans did, but most people are over it.

But Zoe... he could still be a vamp.  Pig's blood ages vamps!! And further more, if it was the big screen, David would so do an appearance.  And I'm sorry, but I have memories of Buffy- I don't need SMG for this.  My agenda is James, and seeing Spike back again.

Scarlet...sweetie...let go of the dream. :)

I dunno- there are still an abundance of James/Spike fans, mostly kept alive because of his continued appearances at cons, fan fiction, and the fact that he's still a working actor.  I haven't been to any cons lately, but I am certain the Spike movie question is one that comes up every single time- that means something.

 I really, really wish that I could... And then I did, but Slayme brought it up again- so blame her, lol. 

The spark is back...

If people really believe in it, they should start some kind of "save spike" or "resurrect spike" website.  There needs to be a clear agenda and mission.  So when people donate for it they know exactly where their dollars are going. 

You are absolutely right Zoe- that would be step one.

Now, who's good at making websites, eh?  We need to get crackin!  James time limit isn't gonna last forever, obviously...

I get carded a lot too. I tend to stay out of the sun as well. I've bee doing that since 96-ish. But i'm 28 as well, but I have good DNA too. My grammy still doesn't look her age and she's 78. Even as she's in the hospital she doesn't look old. My mom looks good too, so I think I'm pretty safe, lol.

Zoe, please don't kill the dream. We can hope and try can't we? What if we sent Joss a huge fruit basket? lol

hehe GB I've got good genes as well.  The women in my family all tend to look about ten years younger than they are.  My mother is 52 and really doesn't look older than 40.  But they say that your personal aging is only 30% genetic.  70% is lifestyle choices.

Well, as they say, "black don't crack," so I'm good, and I enjoy the sunshine.

And GB, anyone else who hasn't given up the dream, should find someone to do the site, and build from there.

See we all look good! Funny thing to, the only part on my mom that tans is her feet. Except when we went to barbados when I was I think 8. She got burnt, was as red a a cooked lobster, then she peeled poor woman. I laughed at her for days. I still bring it up now along with the pics, lol. She had a awesome tan after though.

JM has said that there's this idea that the pigs blood slowly ages Spike.

I thought he said that in the context of "I wouldn't want to rely on a cheesy explanation like that" to explain why he looks older... I think it was at Fangoria, so maybe someone can confirm or deny that one.

Also, another obstacle that you have to consider is that James has said it wouldn't really be right without Joss. Admittedly, he says that there are other writers who've written more for Spike than Joss has, but he thought it'd be hard to do anything in the Buffyverse without Joss attached to the project. And Joss, at this point, has shown little to no interest in doing a Spike movie. Even the original plans for the Spike movie were contingent on the trilogy idea - Spike, Faith, and I don't remember who else (Giles or Willow, maybe?). He wouldn't do just one - and, I think, of the three, Spike would've been the most popular, so if he wouldn't do a Spike movie by itself then, why would he do it now?

The reason the Firefly movie came about was because Joss was really pushing for it - he had a story he wasn't finished telling, and the fans were behind him 100%. This isn't the same situation - it'd be an uphill battle for the fans to convince pretty much *everyone* who would be involved. Also, Serenity came out much closer to the cancellation of Firefly. Buffy's been off the air for four years now. 

Another thing - with the introduction of the comics, I'd say that Joss is even *less* inclined to do a movie. He's getting the chance to tell the stories he wanted to tell, and in a format that lets him be as big and as imaginative as he wants, without the restraints of special effects and actors. I think he's even tying in some of the ideas he had for the Faith movie, for example, and possibly other spin-off projects that never happened, meaning that those projects will now *never* be made.

Man, Eowyn I hope you're happy. YOU HAVE KILLED THE DREAM! lol But I see where you're coming from. I guess we'll just have to stick with fanfic, which isn't hard to do since we have some awesome writers. So that's a plus.

*editied 'cause I can't spell worth jack*

Damn it, the dream isn't dead!!  Sure, James says that, but if we can convince producers to back it, I sincerely doubt that James will pass up the paycheck, the big screen, or disappointing his fans.  Seriously you guys, do you see James doing any one of those three things?  Especially the paycheck part- he's gotta eat.

I know this sounds really bad, but I don't have a really big desire to see a Spike movie.  To me it's all about the Spuffy so fanfic is the only thing that can fulfill that.  Even the show itself didn't really.  I guess my view is: I like fanfic more than the show, and I like both more than I would likely like a movie.

Not that James isn't hot.  Not that I wouldn't like to see more Spike footage, but I'm pretty apathetic toward the whole thing, and I think that's the kind of reaction you'd get from a lot of fans at this point.  There was a time I was really gung ho on the movie idea, but now I'm pretty much over it. 

Yeah, Joss is hot and heavy for the comic venue. (Though I think he's been retconning way too much.) He got the door slammed in his face from everyone with money, so he's moved on. He pitched it as Spike, Faith, and Willow, and they weren't interested in taking the money risk.

As for a billboard - minimum $10,000.

The original plan was for Joss to oversee, and Tim Minear to do the day-to-day making of. A couple of the other show writers were on board to do the scripts, too.

But......we'd basically have to walk up to Joss with a couple million and say "Make our Spike movie" to make it happen......and that's not happening.

CM

I'm right there with you, Zoe. I have no interest in a Spike movie--unless it was Spuffy, which, of course, there is no way it would be. I'd much rather read fanfic!

Slaymesoftly,

Could you send me that story as well to   nea2sweet@netzero.net?  I love fanfic, finished or not...Thanks!!!

kimmy_loves_spike

There are so many ways they could wank the aging of Angel and/or Spike.  I used a "throw away line" in my Mask and Mirrors where Anya  said that a diet of non human blood caused slow aging in vamps (See...my diet has made me think of good nutrition LOL....human is their natural food so animal might not be as healthy for them).  Just read where that was suggested at Fangoria...wow, so he heard that idea and hated it huh...I feel bad it was considered cheesy, I thought it was fairly creative when I wrote that and not nearly as cheesy as some of the things they used on the show to explain other things.  Wow.... glad I wasn't there to be mortified cause I think my story is the only one that uses that idea.  :-(

Another way would be time spent in a hell dimension where "rules" don't apply.  They did that with sunlight on Angel when he was in Pylea....the NFA battle opened a dimensional door and that could be used to explain it.

Actually they could come up with tons of reasons...a rare vampire illness is another way to go. 

Point is there are tons of ways around it if they want to do the film or if JM or DB wanted to reprise the role.  Their age isn't an issue IMHO.  Any decent writer could come up with something....Hell, Joss had a mystery box in the mail recorporealize Spike with no explanation!  Who knows what sort of thing could be in an envelope! :nod:

Kathleen

I would watch a Spike movie, but I can't say I am panting for one. The time has passed, in my opinion.

Wow! Had no idea how many people would have opinions on this.  Having been the one to bring it up originally (because the question does still get asked at cons - hence the recent reminder from Fangoria), I hate to admit that I'm not foaming at the mouth for a Spike movie.  I'm terrified that I wouldn't like it - the storyline, maybe, or the dialogue, or the relationships? There are so many ways in which it could be screwed up and ruin my view of Spike, that I find it a bit scary, to tell you the truth.

There are a lot of Spike fans (relatively speaking), and we can be pretty vocal, but in the overall scheme of things and considering the numbers that would be required to get the attention of anyone in a position to actually make it happen, I suspect that we are a drop in the bucket.  While there is no question that at a BtVS/AtS convention, or one like Fangoria, James is the big draw, there is a big difference between being able to pull a couple of hundred people into a room once in a while, and being able to pull millions into movie theatres.  And that's going to be the bottom line.  

If the dream was going to come true, I think it would have had to happen shortly after AtS ended. 

Pfeifferpack- just for the record, I think your idea about the pigs blood was a very elegant and rational explanation.  Which story is it in?

Course its probably too rational for a movie.  Really all they'd have to do is a one line "Ran into a witch that didn't like me" or something similar, problem solved. 

I too think the character would lose a lot of depth if he was turned human.  But a vampire that keeps all his other traits, but ages (more or less) like a human...that has possibilities. 

- Cas

Yeah, back when Joss was all over it, I was nervous as hell what the story for Spike would be. My Spuffy heart didn't want him hooking up with a new girl. My Spike love didn't want him retconned or treated like a dumbass. And then, there's the possibility of a not-happy ending!

I worry about what they do with him in the comics, too, if I see discussion on them.

CM

Though the pics weren't quite right, the Spike comic series "Asylum" was very well done- the voice and everything.  I enjoyed reading it.

Thank you Cas.  I used that in the last chapter of Masks and Mirrors before the epilogue I just posted. 

ITA...there are millions of ways aging could be explained so that is not a valid reason.  They won't make it because they choose not to and then again if the comics are anything to go by....I'd rather let Spike live in Fan Fic (We're nicer to him!).

Kathleen

Actually i reckon james could pull off spike as he is right now, we ALL "know" vamps age on  pigsblood or "blood not of the hunt" whatever you wanna call it that made Angel bulge like he did (talk about ageing buffy s1 to angel s5 EEEEEP!)

They could easily convincingly spin it in the favour of our guy. With angel being posterboy.

And doesnt david look so good now in bones? ik never thought we'd see him in that shape again

Oh sorry yet again i dont look through all the posts before posting and someone said the thing about pigsblood before lol 'scuse, ive always  just assumed something about "blood not from the hunt" that makes atleast Angel age. Maybe its the fear bit? when angels O neg is prepared at W&H therse no fear element since its donated. No hunting equals no fear/adrenaline in the blood and maybe thats a big part of keeping the youthful appearance / starving off the ageing in a vamp.? or maybe its the Soul!!!*dun dun dun dun* doesnt only take years off ure unlife, but alsow adds pounds on your body!

Man, Eowyn I hope you're happy. YOU HAVE KILLED THE DREAM!

Ha... sorry, GB. Just call me Debbie Downer. And here I go again...

Sure, James says that, but if we can convince producers to back it, I sincerely doubt that James will pass up the paycheck, the big screen, or disappointing his fans.

Do you have any idea how big of an "if" that is, getting producers to back it? Honestly, I think James is the least of your worries... it's the money part that won't happen.

Personally, if there were a Spike movie, I'd go see it. Probably several times, just to ogle James on the big screen. But I'm not all gung-ho about making it happen. I'd be just as happy seeing James in other roles. (Anyone else excited for Torchwood? omg *drool*)

Wow.... glad I wasn't there to be mortified cause I think my story is the only one that uses that idea.  :-( 

Aww, sorry, Kathleen! I'm sure if James read your fic, you'd convince him it wasn't cheesy. :) Seriously, though, the impression I got from his comments (and, again, I wasn't there, so this is just from reports) was that *any* explanation for why he's aged as a vampire would be cheesy. (He just happened to single out the pig's blood one.) But he also didn't want to go the turning-human route, which is why he's put the time limit on how long he's willing to play Spike.

I think the problem here is this: You guys, for the most part, seem to feel that only the people who watched and followed the Buffy and/or Angel verse are the only ones who would go and see the Spike film. A lot of movie goers are probably not fully aware of his existence.  But that is not to say that should he presented in film, as a character on his own beyond the realm of Buffy and Angel, just as a new character, a new *vampire* on the scene, that people would not go see it.  He could bring in a whole new audience.

That's a decent point, Scarlet, but none of those people are going to participate in a campaign to get the movie made in the first place. For that, you'd have to rely on the current fans of Spike and the BtVS/Angel verse. And I don't think that's enough to convince any production company to put up the money.

I don't know, E... how many Spike/James fans would you guess there to be?  If people are willing to donate a dollar to keep a fan fic site running, and considering how many people write fanfic, let alone read it (and I'm talking about the fan fic alone, not actual James or Spike fan sites that have nothing to do with fan fiction), you don't suppose there are ten thousand of us, at the very least?  I think there is.  I think there's more... I think it's possible to get up at least one spectacular, kick ass billboard.

What can I say?  Can't help it- I'm a believer :D

JoJoBird, I am fascinated by this theory of yours that has the soul adding pounds and wrinkles. Does this mean if I can find a de-souling spell, I'll look younger and thinner? Or should I just get past my initial revulsion at the idea of Botox? *sigh*

As for a future Spike movie, I doubt that JM could walk away were such an offer seriously made. Spike is--and probably always will be--his signature character, much like my namesake was for Vivien Leigh. I don't think he could resist.

BUT...Despite doing well on video, Serenity was a big box office disappointment for the studio. And I think that, more than anything else, means no Whedonverse extension movies.

I have really mixed feelings about that. On one hand, my Spuffy heart will go on in fanfic; on the other, no more onscreen Spike :-(  Fanfic is a fan's best friend. I just don't feel quite the same way about the comics. I buy them and enjoy them, but deep down they just don't feel like canon to me, despite being created by Joss. And don't even get me started on how very wrong that "Great muppety Odin" line was. *sigh*

In real life, David gained weight because he needed knee surgery and couldn't run anymore. So his normal diet caught up to him until he had the surgery right after filming "Destiny" and had rehabbed the leg. He also has a new trainer since then, which gave us the results we see on "Bones" now. He was on the cover of a fitness magazine after that, and dear God, the man had major abs! More definition than he ever did as a skinnier Angel.

CM

*nods* true CM.  David looks really good now.

  (Anyone else excited for Torchwood? omg *drool*) I AM!!!

Madcow x

What is the story with James on Torchwood?  My daughter has seen some of the episodes, and says he is not in it.  Is it just a cameo role like he had on Smallville, or is he going to be part of the series? 

As for David, knee surgery sounds like a good excuse, but he should have stopped himself before letting it get that bad.  After all, as an actor, his looks are his livelihood.  Plus, the main thing, although its nice he looks better now, he still can't act.  Don't hate me, but although I agree JM looks nice, that's not the main attraction for me. 

-Cas

Scarlet... the thing is, you're gonna need more than $10K. One billboard isn't going to convince anyone. Like someone said earlier, it'd be viewed as an "oh, what a cute fan gesture" but not nearly enough to persuade any studio exec to greenlight the movie. You'd need to find people willing to provide the millions of dollars necessary to actually fund the movie.

Scarlett... I was thinking the same thing about Serenity - even though fans would disagree that it was a box office disappointment, I recently read an article that quoted a studio exec as saying that it really only drew in hardcore fans. And I agree, that doesn't bode well for anymore Whedonverse movies.

CM... I knew DB had knee surgery, but I never put that together with the weight gain. Makes sense. And damn, he does look good now!

Cas... James will be guest starring on the second season of Torchwood, which is set to air starting in January in the UK. So, your daughter wouldn't have seen any eps with him in it yet (he's over there filming right now). It's just a cameo role, but from the way he talks about it, it's gonna be hot... (he said some people might have to "finish themselves off" after watching it).

It's a full guest role for the episode, though, so lots of James. He's in the first ep. of the 2nd season. James is in Wales until the 28th.

And I'd definitely say that David can act, he just has a different style than James. David is delightful on "Bones".

Yeah, Eowyn - he mentioned how his wife is a good cook, plus with his schedule, he'd order in a lot, and with not running......it caught up to him. He's a Philly boy, so cheese steaks and pizza...

I wouldn't say he looked *bad* heavier, just beefy. He's got a large bone structure to begin with, so he can carry it. Most men "fill out" a hell of a lot once they pass 30, so try staying slim when you work up to 18 hours a day.......sleep is necessary, too! I'm amazed he got through that much of the season without showing how much the knee pained him on screen. Everybody was saying he was limping like hell by the time his surgery came up.

CM

Thanks CM.  That reminds me that DD said Torchwood was probably too explicit to ever make it to US tv -  though I'd say TV is already well and gone from what it was like in my youth.

As for David, I wasn't impressed enough with him to ever watch him on Bones, (barely could stand him on Angel) but since you all like it, maybe I'll give it a try.

Torchwood's too explicit for the US?  How is that possible?  I mean, Nip/Tuck is on *basic* cable, so they should definitely show it somewhere...

Um, I think David's a good actor.  Is he on the same level as James?  No, but he's still great (I really love his Angelus).  Anyway, the only reason I don't watch Bones is because of the lead female character.  I don't know what it is, but something about her, the way she talks, maybe even the way she acts, whatever, irks the hell out of me, so I can't force myself to watch it just for David.

E- more than one billboard would be accurate.  But Serenity was such a... well, not weird, but very out their kind of storyline in comparison to one about a vampire.  Vampire films seem to do fairly well overall, and I don't think you'd have to be a hardcore fan, or a fan at all for that matter to enjoy a movie about Spike.  People like action, sarcasm, dark comedy, the supernatural in some shape or form, and since Spike is an atypical hero, I think that would make newcomers appreciate him as a character just that much more.

Or at least for the CW- I'd rather watch that than any show they have currently, or any show they have in syndication, hands down on that station.

Yep, I love David on Bones... probably more than I liked him on Angel, and definitely more than on Buffy. He's really improved since his early years, and he's a very a good comedic actor, which didn't get to shine through enough when he was playing Broody McBroodypants.

I'm from Philly, too, Caro, so I know well the pitfalls of the cheesesteak diet! :) I don't think he looked *bad* heavier, but he definitely looks *better* now.

Torchwood will be on BBCAmerica. I've never seen it, so I don't know how explicit it is (though it sounds pretty explicit from the way it's talked about). They'll have to cut it down some for commercials, but the network has said it won't be edited for content.

BBCAmerica, huh?  I've only got regular cable.  No BBCAmerica.  So, I've got until January to convince my husband to get digital cable ;-)  Then, I gotta hope he doesn't realize that it was so that I could watch one episode of a TV show that I'll never watch again :-P  I better go outline a plan...

Ha... well, actually, you'll have much longer than that, since it airs in the UK in January, not here. The first season of Torchwood will be airing in the US starting in September (James is in the season 2 premiere), so I imagine it'll be a while before James' episode airs here. You can always just download it, though, and avoid the argument with hubby. :)

 I think it's possible to get up at least one spectacular, kick ass billboard.

Scarlet - get a grip - a billboard is about $50K, depending on the site.  Buffy will be back some way, but no doubt with different actors.  There's nothing Hollywood likes more than recycling stuff that's already been done. 

Someone mentioned 10G's for a billboard.  And, Buffy is back with those comics... But I wasn't talking about Buffy.  I'm fairly certain SMG will never reprise that role, not that I care.  I just wanted to see a Spike film, or an epilogue kind of deal of what happened after the alley scene.

Next time I go to the video store I'm going to ask them if they'll be getting Torchwood in. I asked about Buffy and Angel but they said they were both nos. *cries* But since I don't have cable right now, I watch all the shows by renting the seasons. That's how I got into Big Love, Deadwood, Rome (I love Rome). So maybe I'll be able to do the same this time around.

Has everyone forgotten. All vampires age but after a time, their demon turns them into ugly looking creatures. It just takes a long time, not that Spike would look all that much different, just a bit older. I wouldn't want him with anyone else either but we all know that SMG isn't going to do a movie, that she's not starring in, not that I've seen any of them. Like so many have already said, we love our Spuffy and it wouldn't be the same. We get just want what we like in FF and that's a happy Spuffy ending, we would not get it in any movie, sad to say. I'll just enjoy seen James in what ever he's in and read Spuffy til the last sentence that's posted.

And for what it's worth, I don't like David enough to watch anything he's in, sorry Bones watchers.

You should give Bones a try. It's a good show and you don't have to like David to watch it. Even if he wasn't on it I would have still ended up becoming a fan. You can watc the eppies when the start this fall or try http://www.myspace.com/fox. Not sure if they keep them posted over the summer. Just try it out,lol.

Just putting my two cents in about Bones. I think it's a pretty good show (and I love Temperance!). David is quite good most of the time (and very pretty) and the story lines are fun and exciting.  There have been several episodes that were really, really good.  And the characters that surround them are also well done and interesting in their own right.  

Before GB throws things at me for being absent from the verse for sooooo long, I have to just say how excited I am that Torchwood will be on BBCAmerica!! I loved watching Torchwood while I was in the UK.

*Squee* with the happies!

Since this is a Spike movie thread, guess I should comment..."I wish.". Oh well, at least there are plenty of clips of that "sock" video on you tube.