When he's not saving the world as Peter Petrelli on NBC's "Heroes," actor Milo Ventimiglia is gearing up for a whole new kind of battle, a battle that would pit comic book geek against film nerd. This is a battle so fierce and contentious that there's only one way to settle it: the "Ultradome."
"Ultradome" is a new Web series from the actor's Divide Pictures that sets the stage for eternal arguments to be settled, like: Who would win in a battle between Stormtroppers from "Star Wars" and the Agents from "The Matrix"? How Who's the stronger superhero, Superman or the Hulk? These pop culture mash-ups will be settled once and for all in the "Ultradome." Ventimigila and his best friend and producing partner, Russ Cundiff, will be producing the episodes, which will premiere on Parallel Universe on Jan. 25.
In case you're wondering if the duo has the "street cred" to tackle such long-standing debates, consider this: Both Milo and Russ have been very active in geek culture. Over the past couple of years, they have launched a couple of comic books, "Rest" and "Berserker." The duo also has a couple of film and television projects in development around Hollywood. But one of their passions has been the immediacy of the Internet, for which they have already been producing a series of webisodes that are distributed through online resources like YouTube.
Now, they've teamed up with Agility Studios to make their high-concept idea into a real powerful series using state-of-the-art special effects. We chatted with Milo about why this project is so close to his heart.
MSN Entertainment: So, what was the origin of Ultradome? How did you guys come up with this idea?
Milo Ventimiglia: Actually, it came to lightsabers. Russ, my producing partner -- we got a couple of lightsabers from Lucasfilms and we made some small videos where Russ and I are battling one another with our lightsabers. I mean, totally low-fi, there's no effects. Two big kids playing with lightsabers. And we sat down with Agility and the idea just kind of germinated where it wasn't just lightsaber battles but what we're actually taking geek culture and pop culture and we're kind of mashing that all together in a battle to the death. So once we had the initial idea, then we discussed the potential and possibility of what these battles would be and it grew into what is "Ultradome" now.
It seems that conversations like these between fans about, "Who's the cooler superhero, Spider-Man or Batman?" have a very long tradition in comic book shops, bars or dorm rooms.
That's the thing. We've all had them. Can't tell you how many conversations I've had about Klingons vs. Wookiees or anything like that. Going back to my childhood, I'm sure yours is the same, like the movie "Stand by Me." Takes place in the '50s but they're talking about Mighty Mouse vs. Superman. I mean, it seems like one of those reoccurring themes that happen all the time so why not have a platform? Why not have an actual Ultradome?
Between "Ultradome," your starring role on "Heroes" and your two comic books, "Rest" and "Berserker," you really do have a love for geek culture.
For me, it's kind of passing on the childhood excitement that I had when I was a kid. I mean, I grew up with "Star Wars," I grew up "GI Joe," I grew up with, uh, I guess, kind of like all these sci-fi or heightened reality kind of, action-y kinds of toys and stuff. And I went to comic book shops when I was a kid and -- I think to be able to say, "Hey, now I'm giving back to that world." Yeah, you can go buy an action figure and, yeah, you can go watch a webisodes and I guess I'll pick up a comic book. It's about giving back to the community that raised me.
What were your favorite comic books growing up as a kid?
The first two books that kind of resonated with me -- first was "Batman." I loved "Batman" when I was growing up. I actually appreciated the fact that he wasn't an alien from a foreign world. He was human being. He was a man who had limits but he pushed them past the mental strain that anybody else would falter. Second would be "Sub-Mariner." I don't know, there was something a little more badass about Sub-Mariner than Aquaman. I really dug the bit of badass that he was because he was kind of like -- he didn't take s--- from anybody. Not from Iron Man, not from Thor, none of them. He didn't give a s---. His world was the seas and that was that.
Another thing that regularly comes up between genre fans is remembering the first time you went to the movies. What was your first movie?
The first movie I saw on a big screen was "Empire Strikes Back." I remember waiting in line and the anticipation of what was going to happen. And then I walked into this place in Orange County called the Cinedome. It was a stadium seated auditorium and I am walking in with my parents and I see this huge curtain and stage. I'm thinking the curtain is going to open up and all the sudden there's going to be Darth Vader, Han Solo and the rest. When the curtain opened and I see the screen I think to myself what —f--- is this? Then the Fox logo comes on ... and my heart start racing and then the music kicked in and then the scrolling intro and I was totally hooked at that point.
And here you are as an adult getting to play in a fun sandbox that includes a superhero TV show on a major network, producing comic books and now webisodes. How does it feel to live the dream?
Ya know what? I kind of thank God that I'm in the creative place that I am in the time that I'm in. Had I wanted to do comic books or virtual battles between two completely made up characters in the 1970s or '80s, I'd be stuck. I mean, with the way new media is coming out and the extensions of social media and how people are taking in and acquiring and digesting what they're watching, listening to, reading ... it just kind of sets it up for a very nice place where I and my partners can contribute creatively. We get to come together and distribute our stuff all over the place. Not just isolated to film and television anymore. It's digital, film, TV, comics ... it's not just on a page but it's in a Kindle notebook.
The way you are driving your career right now ... it reminds me of how Seth Green has used his fame to branch out and try new and unconventional projects that also embrace genre fans.
I've known Seth for a little bit now and, you know, even when he started off with "Robot Chicken" I thought, "What a cool idea!" I was kind of like a fan of the idea of what he was doing and what he was into. We kind of always geeked out over lightsaber kind of stuff and now it's just nice to follow in the footsteps Seth has already made with "Robot Chicken," with "Titan Maximum" and all that stuff. You know, it's just really cool and it's nice to have company but also to be led by a guy like Seth.
Going back to "Ultradome," the first episode will premiere on Parallel Universe on Monday, Jan. 25. Of all the ones produced, do you have a favorite episode?
They're all kind of like my babies so I don't know if I can say one is my favorite. Because every time I watch them, and I was just taking up with them this morning with some notes, I was surprised and excited by each episode and each moment. And where I could say I want to see Han Solo and Indiana Jones battle; but, guess what? They're actually hot chicks. That's, like, pretty awesome. At the same time, Hulk vs. Wolverine or a very random mix-up or where you got Buffy the Vampire Slayer battling any vampire. And when we say any vampire, it means it could be any vampire. Cartoons included. They're all my children and I love them all.
Is there a dream "Ultradome" between two favorites that haven't been done yet but you would like see?
Man, I've got a list of about 40 and we keep thinking up new ones all the time. I would love to see Dog the Bounty Hunter go up against Boba Fett. In an efficiency world, how about a Tauntaun vs. a Prius? It's all over the place and there are no rules to it, which is the great part.
"Ultradome" premieres exclusively on Parallel Universe on MSN on Monday, Jan. 25.
