Misha Collins Interview – Comic Con Press Room 2009
Our roundtable time with Misha Collins was the least, only about four minutes. Still, we got some great sound bites regarding his recent nasty bicycle accident, being pranked in season five by Jared, and how Castiel has taken up crochet. And is learning how to ride a bicycle. As usual, SPOILER ALERT!!!!!
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Misha gingerly worked his way over to our table, and we could tell he was in some pain. We all asked how he was. “Terrible, how are you?” Of course he was joking, but in a way he really meant it.
Why are you terrible?
MC: Well, I’ve been in the hospital. I crashed on my bicycle going about 55 mph.
(Something about it being stupid muttered in the background).
MC: You’re right, thank you, I haven’t gotten that reaction yet. “You are stupid.”
Were you wearing a helmet?
MC: I was. Still, crashing going 55 mph is stupid, in my opinion.
Only if you did it on purpose.
MC: No, I didn’t do it on purpose.
Are you a little banged up?
MC: I’m a little banged up. I just tore some muscles and I’m missing a lot of skin. My shirts are sticking to my scabs. Other than that…
So you’re being a method actor since Castiel was basically destroyed at the end of last season.
MC: Exactly, I wanted to know what that felt like.
Use that in your work.
MC: I am. And I’m using that to negotiate for better pay.
Do you feel more part of the ensemble now?
MC: Yeah. A little bit I do I guess. Now they have a chair with my name on it on the set which is nice. You know you’ve made it when you get that little-
They do great things to it and put stuff on it?
MC: I’m sure they do.
We’ve actually heard of a lot of pranks on the set. Have you been the victim of a prank recently?
MC: We were shooting a scene last week where Jared and Jensen were standing on either side of a doorway and I had to walk between them to talk to Bobby. And uh every single time we shot, every time Jared did something to me as I was walking past him but right below where the camera would see so it just looks like I was fucking up (laughter). It would be he tripped me, he would grab my ass, he dug his thumb into my ribs, and I was just trying to keep it together (grits teeth), keep it together. So yeah, that’s kind of the tone, the ambient tone.
We talked about how Castiel is a very stoic kind of character and how difficult is that to maintain?
MC: When Jared is grabbing your ass. (Big laughs). It is somewhat difficult to maintain in that context. Honestly I think that normally it would be a bit easier but there is…I’d have to say he’s one of the hardest parts on the show. Like not laughing.
Was it hard playing the transition between a really stoic character like Castiel to the Jimmy Novak character?
MC: Yeah, it was hard in a sense in that was a lot to juggle, also both of those characters in that episode were going through their own sort of arcs and they were jumping in time, so it was a lot to just sort of figure out where exactly I was at any given point. But, it was fun, fun to do that.
They were very good, they were very distinctly different characters.
MC: Thank you, thanks.
We got to see a little bit of your backstory last season. You think you’re ever going to see your family again?
MC: I don’t know, I don’t know. Um, it seems like things can get resurrected in Supernatural. So, it’s entirely possible. But I don’t know.
We heard that Castiel is sort wandering alone in the wilderness at this point, cast out of Heaven. What’s he doing with himself? Is he totally at wits end?
MC: Well, he’s taken up crochet. And um he’s learning to ride a bicycle so he’s got a lot going on. I think he’s got his own agenda which will be revealed in episode two. Very big stuff I have to say. Epic. You look incredulous but I’m telling you it’s huge. It is huge.
With that it was time for him to go onto the panel. That ended my whirlwind hour in the press room. Off to the panel next!
Alice Jester is the founder, editor-in-chief, head writer, programmer, web designer, site administrator, marketer, and moderator for The Winchester Family Business. She is a 30 year IT applications and database expert with a penchant for creative and freelance writing in her spare (ha!!) time. That’s on top of being a wife, mother of two active kids, and four loving (aka needy) pets.
Misha is ok but CASTIEL is BOOOOOOOORING ! I wish he didn’t signed up for 17 episodes. Ugh. I want Sam and Dean. Not Dean and a lot of Castiel and maybe Sam in the background.
Cass is AWESOME stop spreading hate.
Empathy … I too would have trouble keeping a straight face if Jared grabbed my bum … Sigh …
Bitter much? Tami.
OMG. I’m sooo excited to see episode 2 now!!!! I LOVE Castiel and I can’t wait to see lots more of him this season and see his relationship with Dean grow, as well as Castiel’s own journey. Poor Misha, I hope he’s feeling better.
OK, first ep sounds epic from the CC info and now ep 2 sounds epic too! When that Sept 10th again? Can’t wait! Misha rulezz!
Hi Alice!
Just finished read the articles about the Comic Con and all I can say is that you rule! Can’t wait for the rest of it 🙂 Season 5 is going to be great!!
Thanks Alice for all your work at the comic-con coalface. I was pretty sure I couldn’t be any more excited for the start of the new season, but you now have me salivating anew.
As many have previously commented, your site is a haven from SPN fan snarking (god love ’em) and your reporting has stayed wonderfully positive even as the comic-con ‘process’ looked exhausting AND exhilarating.
I hope as the following for this fantastic site grows (as it surely must!) all who marvel at your attention to detail, effort and commitment keep this in mind. Looking forward to the remaining transcripts!
Thanks for the interview, Alice. You managed a surprisingly coherent interview given the short amount of time you had with him and the fact it’s Misha. Following his Twitter, I’ve come to the conclusion his mind works in truly mysterious (and hysterically funny) ways sometimes. I really enjoy the character of Castiel and what he has brought to the Supernatural ‘verse. I love the developing dynamic between Castiel and Dean, the way they are both sort of ‘rubbing off’ on each other, neither seeming to realize it. Season 4 was awesome, I’m very much looking forward to Season 5. Is it September 10th yet???
Thank you so much for this!
I adore Cas and Misha is such intelligent, talented and funny – love!!!
Can’t wait for S5 and more awesome Dean-Cas dynamic, it was the best part of S4 for me.
I love Castiel soooooooo much, and Misha he`s a great guy, hope they have a lot of Dean/Cas in series 5, and that they get closer ooooohhhh, angel porn!! credit to all the guys for bringing us such a great show, and fab acting, more we see of Cas in the show the better, will have to wait a bit longer here though in the UK, but i know it will be worth the wait, LOVE YOU GUYS, and get well soon Misha xx
Thanks so much for the update! I LOVE Castiel’s character and think that Misha has done an amazing job.
Can’t wait for S5 to begin! 😀
lol!! 😀
Don’t worry Misha, I to wuld have a very hard time working if Jare grabbed my ass!!
So, glad Cas is a series regular. Love him and Misha is so great. Dean, Sam & Cas all together, kicking ass is going to be awesome!!
Is it Sept. 10th yet?!
Our roundtable with Misha went on about the same length, but covers some slightly different (and hilarious) ground– although he did talk about constantly getting pranked by Jared in the scene he did.
I’ve posted an edited vid of Misha’s Q&A– which gives a sense of how funny and casual the press went:
http://comic-con.whedonage.com/interviews/supernaturals-misha-collins-talks-angels-series-future/
Aww hope Misha gets better real soon.
Wow, I wonder what agenda that is.. Cant wait for episode 2, even though Misha did say Cass makes his apperance in episode 3 :-?:
Learning to ride a bike, Cool!
Cant wait to see what Cass is upto in season 6
Oh and Suze I agree I would have trouble if Jared grabbed my bum too 😛