Steve Agee talks about his participation in James Gunn's DC Universe, reprising the role of John Economos in Creature Commands. A new era is on the way for the DC brand, with Gunn's DC Universe officially starting this year and several projects currently in the works. While David Corenswet Superman film will debut next summer, the first offering from the DC reboot is the new Max animated series, Creature Commands.
THE Creature Commands The story revolves around one of DC's most obscure teams that is now getting the Gunn treatment with the co-CEO of DC Studios bringing the characters into the DC Universe. As Amanda Waller can no longer send human prisoners to carry out missions for the US government, Viola Davis' character finds a new loophole by bringing together a unit of monsters led by Rick Flag Sr. Creature Commands it also serves as the first animated introduction to the DC Universe, giving fans a taste of Gunn's new superhero continuity.
TelaRant I recently interviewed Agee about returning to the world of DC and bringing John Economos into animation as part of Creature Commands cast. Agee shared his journey from the live-action DCEU to the animated DCU, explained how the Creature Commandos stand out from a group like the Suicide Squad, and revealed how John connects with the show's monsters. Agee also teased Peacemaker Season 2, where fans will see him next, and hinted at what's happening with another spinoff he'll appear in at DC Studios.
Steve Agee anticipates John Economos' return to the DC universe in season 1 of Creature Commandos
ScreenRant: I watched the entire season and something I noticed is how few John phases. I suppose he has a long history at this point with aliens, monsters, and metahumans. Do you personally know where this story goes or is this something you discover script by script? What are those conversations like between you and James?
Steve Agee: I'm discovering it little by little. Before James wrote this character for The Suicide Squad and then Peacemaker, all that existed of John Economos was [that] he was the warden of Belle Reve prison. He wasn't a tech guy, and in fact all we knew about him from his few appearances was that he had a lot of ex-wives! [laughs] So I think that says a lot about the guy, maybe a little difficult to live with, but there's not much in the comics to base it on. So James is [really] kind of building the character from scratch.
When you found out that you were going to continue and that the first thing you were going to do was explore John for animation. How excited was it for you as an actor to figure out how this is going to work? What characters will they be?
Steve Agee: I was super excited! I love animation, I've done a lot of dubbing for animated programs, but only here and there. And I was really excited that he was doing animation, I never imagined that would happen. James and I have been friends for a long time, and he also writes Economos in my voice. So there's not a lot of surprises - there's a lot of surprises story-wise, but as a character, I think I look at them as the sarcastic, cowardly guy who wishes he could physically fight and shoot. [laughs] but he is very scared. It's a lot like me in real life, and it's continued in the movie, and now in the series, and now in the animated show.
Steve Agee on how the Creature Commandos stand out in Suicide Squad
“When you watch the series, you discover that they are incredibly complicated characters with deep stories.”
I went back and rewatched some of the other stuff you did with DC, just to compare. It seems like John has more sympathy and understanding for the Creature Commandos, unlike anyone on Task Force X. What do you think he sees in them that makes them relatable?
Steve Agee: It's funny, because when you hear the premise of the show: these are basically monsters. Obviously, Frankenstein and the Bride, these are clearly monsters. In Creature Commands, - obviously, because they're creatures, they're not human - you'd expect it to be obvious, 'Oh, these are horrible creatures that don't really care if they live or die!' That's why she's [Amanda Waller] sending them on these missions.
But when you watch the series, you discover that they are incredibly complicated characters with deep stories. There is no hard line between good and evil in any of these creatures. There's a very wide and blurred line between good and evil and that's part of the appeal of the series, is the depth of all these characters. That's always been James's strong point, in film and on TV, is the characters.
Do you feel like, as we enter the DC Universe, this is the franchise's new answer to Suicide Squad? The Creature Commandos are not typical criminals, they are good, more misunderstood people. Is this how you feel?
Steve Agee: Absolutely. That's what James was doing with Suicide Squad too. These people are complicated people, some of them are considered bad, horrible people, speaking of the Suicide Squad. But it happened through events that were out of your control, and not all of them are as bad as you might think. And it's proving the same with Creature Commands.
Something John went through in Creature Commands Will the first season carry over into the next things we see you in?
Steve Agee: I don't know what's going on other than the Creature Commandos in Season 2 of Peacemaker. I'm in Savannah, Georgia right now filming season two. We're almost done, I should be done on Monday, and that's the end of the season. Besides, I don't know what you expect from Economos. There's a lot I wish I could tell you, [laughs] but you will have to tune in to the shows!
Steve Agee on John Economos' journey in Season 2 of Waller & Peacemaker
"It's definitely a more epic story..."
I know James has confirmed that you will be back for the Waller TV program. Do you have any updates on when you might be able to start doing this?
Steve Agee: I think they're still doing scripts, so there's no set time yet, and James won't start something until he's absolutely satisfied with the scripts and they're ready to go. Then, when they're ready, I'm sure he'll announce a start time - as an actor who loves to work, that can't come soon enough for me! [laughs]
It's exciting that you're almost done with season two. How is the atmosphere this year? I saw that first teaser and it looks like you guys are going crazier than ever, so what can you say about that?
Steve Agee: Not much, I can tell you – it's definitely more of an epic story. More characters are involved this time and it's a huge story in a huge world. I think those who liked the 1st season will love the 2nd season.
John Economos Gets Animated Treatment Via Creature Commands
And finally, before I let you go, what was your reaction when you found yourself in animation for the first time? You said you've done voiceover before, but was this the first time you were fully designed for animation?
Steve Agee: Yes, it was! James first showed me just a character design before I saw any actual movement and I was really excited because I had never seen Steve, my physical body animated, and he was so much more impressive than the guy I see in the mirror every morning . [laughs] So I love it, I'm super excited. I'm very happy to be excited.
More about Creature Commandos Season 1
CREATURE COMMANDOS tracks a secret team of incarcerated monsters recruited for missions deemed too dangerous for humans. When all else fails... they are your last and worst option. CREATURE COMMANDOS was written and produced by James Gunn. Based on DC characters and produced by DC Studios and Warner Bros. additional executive producers include Peter Safran, Dean Lorey and Sam Register; Rick Morales serves as supervising producer.
Check out our others Creature Commands season 1 interviews here:
Source: Screen Rant Plus
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