Karen’s Toronto Con Report – Sunday, Richard Speight and Julian Richings Panels
Last Panel of the Weekend was Julian Richings (Death).
(Photo courtesy of @rathany)
He came out and talked a bit about himself. He was born in England but considers himself to be from Toronto. He travels between Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. He asked if anyone was from south of the border. A lot from the crowd cheered. This was his first convention, he’s a new comer to Supernatural.
The person asked if a George someone was as funny as he seemed. I didn’t get the last name of the person in question.
Yes. He mentioned a scene where they had to break down a door but it wouldn’t break open. So he had them shoot the scene with the door being broken off screen, with just the sound.
What kind of reaction has he gotten from the public after playing (not sure what role)?
After the movie, people would panic when they saw him in a plane. Or he would get double takes if people noticed him in a line.
What has been the most challenging scene?
The pizza scene. With all the takes having to keep eating the pizza.
Asked about his guest appearance in Lost Girl and how he prepared for playing Death.
Lost Girl he didn’t have to audition, he was requested to play the role. With playing Death he played it as a Classical Actor.
What was it like to work with Jensen?
He said it was a pleasure to work with him and that he is a very generous actor.
What is his favourite junk food?
Chip Butty(chip sandwich) – meaning Chips(French Fries) between two slices of white bread. He likes deep fried Mars Bars. Poutine Chips(French Fries).
In playing Death did he add the humour to the role?
A bit, but it is mostly scripted.
In the movie Cube, how did they do the scene where he is sliced into cubes?
The scene was done by all makeup. Not much done in CGI at the time.
When posting the job for Death what was in the job description?
Weird, intense, strange. “There’s a job for Julian.â€
What his favourite opening scene?
The arrival of Death , when getting out of the limo and walking down the street with “O Death†playing.
Is there anytime when he would lose his concentration?
Has had moments where he would lose it. Likes working where it’s not so serious all the time.
Was it hard to keep focus during the episode with confronting Castiel?
Misha was in control during that scene.
Can he share any upcoming projects or any with Supernatural?
Doesn’t know with Supernatural. But is currently working on the new Superman Movie, called Autumn Frost. It takes place on Krypton.
What role would you pick to play?
He jokingly says Action hero. He liked playing the burned out Rock and Roll character he did with Bruce McDonald. He likes the small roles, he gets more work in small quantities.
What was his actual feelings when he saw the opening of Death?
He loved it.
How does it feel to be a bad ass character?
Great. He doesn’t have to worry about looks.
Would Death help Sam and would he release Lucifer?
Feels he would help Sam. Feels a real connection to the brothers. Death believes in balance and harmony.
Now that he’s played Death, does he have a new outlook on the Final Destination movies?
Didn’t know much about them to answer.
If Death had a best friend who would it be?
Someone artistic, like Ghandi.
Was he pranked?
No they had left him alone. However they did run into each other at a Hotel. Jensen and Jared were doing some Charity Fund and he was there for another reason. When they first saw him they thought he was pulling some prank on them.
Why did Death let Dean away with the bet?
He feels that Death likes Dean and felt he had learned his lesson.
Now that he has done his first Convention would he do more?
Yes he would.
What was his favourite Character to play?
Bucky Haight, a burned out Rock and Roll performer.
Why didn’t the four horsemen band together?
Figured they had their own traits and didn’t really get along with each other.
When Dean was dead and was being pulled back to life, Death was just about to tell him something, does he know what it was?
No he couldn’t remember.
It’s funny, after seeing Julian play Death, I kind of set a certain image of him in my head. Now seeing him live, I see him in a totally different light. He is fantastic, so upbeat and personable. He was a real joy to listen too.
The last event was the autograph session with Julian. I had him sign my Season 5 Companion Book on the Two Minutes to Midnight page.
Well that was my experience. I hope I didn’t bore everyone. If you are ever able to go to a Convention I strongly recommend it. I would like to say thanks to Jen and MyMadWorld for making my first experience a fun one. It was a pleasure meeting both of you. And I want to thank Alice again for giving me the opportunity to go. This experience will stay with me forever.
Great synopsis. Thanks for sharing your experience.
Excellent reporting. Thanks for taking the time to share your convention adventures.
$500 for a banner? I hope that money all went to charity.
Many thanks for all of your reports. Enjoyed them immensely!
Hope you get to go again.
Personally hoping for more Trickster and Death on the show. 😛
Hi Karen great report and I was there. Loved the little girls question it was priceless to hear her matter of fact description of “rabbit’s foot. My first SPN con was awesome words can’t describe my experience definitely a high light of my life.
Another great reminder Karen. The mother of the little girl was right behind me and she shrieked VERY loudly when her daughter got up to ask her question. Scared the ‘Crawley’s Kingdom’ out of me!
About Julian’s roles – I remember someone mentioning a movie called Wrong Turn – a slasher movie with Eliza Dushku – I actually have the DVD (in some Horror bundle)and did not realize it was him. In person he’s well-spoken and charming – not the actor I’d picture as a red neck, mutant killer in a slasher pic. He said he had a lot of make-up for that role. The other role was a show where he was an alien who dropped into different times in history during disasters to experience the mayhem. People (characters in the show) started noticing his face in pictures at various disaster locations and finally some people on a plane recognized him (the character) and realized the plane was going to crash. Now when Julian flys people recognize him as the actor who played that character and get nervous!! It was a great story!
Thanks again Karen – amazing report.