In this upcoming Sunday’s True Blood episode, “If You Love Me, Why am I Dyin’?“, we’re going to get our first glimpse of Joe Manganiello’s character, Alcide Herveaux, who moves to Bon Temps, very close to Sookie (Anna Paquin). Season 3 ended with Alcide shooting Coot, helping Sookie save a vampire, and questioning his past, present, and future as a werewolf. And we thought vampires were broody. Manganiello sat down with the New York Post to talk about season 4, those incredible abs, and being able to fulfill that superhero craving.
It’s true that Alcide and Sookie will grow even closer in season 4, especially now that Alcide moves to Sookie’s neck of the woods. Yes, it’s not just Team Bill vs. Team Eric anymore. Team Alcide is going to become more of a force to be reckoned with, which we can’t really argue with because Alcide is, well, he’s just so likable. And we’re going to learn more about him this season, too:
“…they brought in some of his backstory – how hard it was for him growing up as a werewolf. What a lonely existence is it to not truly be able to open up to other people, besides werewolves, so to meet someone else (Sookie Stackhouse) with an ability they didn’t necessarily want gave him another person to open up with. Which is really attractive to someone like him. “
Manganiello has certainly embraced his werewolf role, making it hard to imagine anyone else playing Alcide. Manganiello’s training and education has taught him well, and his work ethic is impressive. Yes, he may be in ridiculously amazing shape, but he worked his tail off to get those amazing abs:
“Laws of physics state that getting an object in motion takes the most amount of energy. Once it’s up and going, it’s easier to maintain. I’m an actor that likes to prepare: what a character will sound like, look like, how he’ll carry himself, the backstory. With this, I really wanted to look supernaturally strong so people thought, “yes, this is what a werewolf looks like.” Last year it was tough. This year, it was much easier.”
And how does Manganiello feel about all the attention?
“Um … it’s flattering, I’ll say that. But it’s very easy for people to forget that I started out doing classical theater. Shakespeare, Ancient Greek and Chekhov– it’s quite funny that nobody wants to talk to me about that world any more. It’s all about what I ate for breakfast and what my ab routine is [laughs]. But it’s flattering because when people talk about my body, they’re really complementing my work ethic.”
Back in March, rumors spread like wildfire that Manganiello was set to play Superman in the 2012 reboot, Superman: Man of Steel, rumors that Manganiello himself verified. However, because of True Blood’s season 5 schedule, he couldn’t make it work. Somewhat sad news, mostly because Manganiello is total superhero material, but he wasn’t completely heartbroken:
“I kind of feel like I’m getting to play one on “True Blood.” Alcide has a secret identity and was born with these powers – so, in a way, I get to satiate that with “True Blood.” But if it was the right project with the right director, yes – nothing hurts me more than seeing a poorly done superhero movie. I would love to make one with David Fincher. He’s probably my favorite director. I’d love to work with Zack Snyder too. I think what Christopher Nolan did with Batman is incredible. I grew up loving Batman. That was really the superhero for me. I like my superheroes a bit darker. A bit edgier, a little more human in their struggle. I’m sure there’s one out there for me, but I want to make sure it’s the right one.”
To read Manganiello’s interview in its entirety please click here.
Source: New York Post – Joe Manganiello: When people talk about my body, they’re really complimenting my work ethic
Photo Credit: HBO
