A set of interviews with the main cast of Blood of the Phantom
Interview with Jeremy Struthers (Jonathan Joestar) and Marianne Windsor (Erina Pendleton)
Returning to your roles all these years later, how does it feel to be back on stage as your iconic characters?
Jeremy Struthers: I love it! Jonathan was the role that got me my start in acting, so it feels like I'm meeting an old friend coming back after all this time.
Marianne Windsor: I was so excited when I heard the news, too! Erina was one of my first roles, as well.
How did you feel about the new direction this adaption took?
JS: I was a bit nervous at first. (laughs) Jonathan was always such a good and noble hero, so I was worried they might completely change him to act as the villain. I'm happy with how things turned out, though.
MW: For me, I was excited. I was able to really show off my range as Erina in a way I couldn't in the original. I tried incorporating a little bit of that fire and seriousness Mina (Abernathy, the actress who played an elderly Erina in Battle Tendency) brought to the character for her turn.
JS: I'd noticed that! You always seemed to steal the show whenever we were on screen together. I was really impressed with how Erina would take charge.
In the original version, Jonathan and Erina were lovers, but now they're enemies. How did that feel when you were first given the script?
JS: Worried, I think. I know a lot of fans – even myself – are really attached to the two of them as a couple, so changing such a big piece of the history could have been very challenging. Sorry, it probably sounds like I feel negative towards the production, but that's not true. It was just a lot of changes, and I'm very happy we could make such an interesting story with them.
MW: I think it's the same for me. It might sound silly, but I almost felt like crying. Jonathan and Erina's love always felt so genuine, and I think a lot of that was because of how sweet Jeremy is in real life. It was a shame we didn't have more scenes together before.
JS: I'm just happy they got a somewhat happy ending, even in this version.
MW: Yes, exactly!
You've both worked together in other things since you originally took the roles of Jonathan and Erina. Do you think that experience helped you in those other roles?
MW: Absolutely! I'm always happy when I see the cast list and Jeremy's name is next to mine. It makes it so easy to get into the character, too, since we're so often cast opposite each other. It feels natural.
JS: That's what I think, too. I don't think my performance in those features would be nearly as good is Marianne wasn't with me. She always challenges me as an actor and I end up discovering a new side to my character I don't think I'd be able to see otherwise.
Do you think that relationship helped you with returning to Jonathan and Erina, too?
JS: Of course. We get to examine both characters a lot more in this adaption, so it was a relief that every member of the cast was able to return to their roles, especially Marianne. I'm not sure I'd be able to play Jonathan with anyone else as Erina.
MW: That's how I feel. You're the only Jonathan I can accept. (laughs) I think playing opposite definitely helped me explore Erina on a deeper level. I'd be able to ask myself, "How would Erina feel about this?" and I could find a more believable answer because Jeremy was there.
Speaking of relationships, do you have any comments about the rumors about you two?
MW: Not true! (laughs)
JS: No, no. We're just good friends.
MW: Everyone always gets the wrong idea since we're cast as a couple so often. Not that that would be a bad thing.
JS: (laughs)
That's about all we have time for. Is there anything else you'd like to say to the fans before we go?
Both: We hope you enjoy the film!
Interview Reginald Fairbrooks III (Dio Brando)
How does it feel to play Dio again?
Reginald Fairbrooks III: By this point, it's almost as natural as being myself. I've reprised Dio in so many adaptions, I'd have to think I know him inside and out by now.
Speaking of other adaptions, how has Dio's evolution as a character in later stories influenced your portrayal this time?
RF: That's a good question. In general, I feel like this Dio at this point in his life is less...mature. It's refreshing, sort of, since the Dio I'm most used to playing is closer to the one from the third part, Stardust Crusaders. Seeing Dio before he managed to gain the power he had and maturing as a result is almost like a different character entirely.
How does it feel like working with all your old costars again?
RF: Would it be gauche to say it's like a family reunion? Having everyone back together was such a nice experience, though. I've worked with many of them in other productions, but everyone coming back like this was a pleasant surprise, and I think it made the production all the better because of it.
Compared to how you originally approached Dio, what's changed about your portrayal?
RF: My confidence, if I'm being honest. I was a veteran actor by the time I was cast in Phantom Blood, but I was still fairly nervous about how bold the character was and if I was able to do him justice. Now, though, I've more than gotten a handle on Dio's psychology, so I don't have to doubt myself.
What did you think when you heard Dio would be the hero of this story?
RF: That's impossible! (laughs) Really, I was surprised. I wasn't sure how it could be done in a way that didn't feel unfaithful to the character, but I'm impressed with how well it was handled. If I'm honest, I am a little disappointed we didn't get a truly heroic Dio, but that might be a step too far. (laughs)
How do you feel about the way Jonathan and Dio's relationship has changed?
RF: It was interesting. We crafted a story where Dio held all the cards for most of the story, so I liked seeing how that changed the way they interacted, especially after the beginning. Jeremy (Struthers) has such a masterful grasp on his character that it took me by surprise when he could pull off being a vampire. I had to think to myself, "Is this what it's like working with me?" (laughs) Mostly, I enjoyed the ways in which things stayed the same. Even when their situations are reversed, Jonathan and Dio still have their rivalry all the same.
Is there anything you'd like to say to your fans before we go?
RF: Thank you for your support all these years. I hope you enjoy Dio in this new adventure.
Interview with Robert Morrison (Will A. Zeppeli) and Keith Armstrong (Robert E.O. Speedwagon)
How does it feel to reprise such iconic characters?
Keith Armstrong: Fantastic! Speedwagon is one of my favorite roles of all time. I dropped everything just so I could come back to him one more time.
Robert Morrison: I'd say...nostalgic, but also exciting. The baron was a rather interesting character when I played him the first time, so getting to explore him more and watch him grapple with such an alien situation was a rewarding experience.
What's changed about the way you portray these characters after so long?
KA: Not too much, but also a fair amount. I would say the core of Speedwagon's character is still there, but the way he's focused on more in this adaption means I could bring a new side to him we never saw before.
RM: I feel somewhat the same. Baron Zeppeli is so iconic in how he acts, so I couldn't change much. Still, having him face off against Jonathan and ally with Dio made for a rather interesting dichotomy with the other characters.
Speaking of Jonathan, how did it feel to have to fight your best friend?
KA: I always believed in him! (laughs) Even before I finished the script, I knew there had to be a way to redeem Mr. Joestar's character, especially with how evil Dio was even as a protagonist.
RM: It's true. I loved how much respect and admiration the baron had for Jonathan even as a vampire. It felt very genuine that, even as something he hates most of all, he couldn't help but respect Jonathan in the end.
Did you have any trouble getting back into your characters after being away so long?
RM: It was the breathing.
KA: You were always having to practice that. (laughs)
RM: It sounds strange, but the first thing I forgot after the original wrapped was that breathing technique. It took me nearly a month to remember it again. I had to keep apologizing for making them film around it until I felt I was ready.
KA: I don't think I had much difficult, mostly because I've kept the character of Speedwagon so close to my heart all these years. I'm usually cast as the loyal friend character in other works, so I try to bring a little Speedwagon to each character I play.
How does it feel to be working with all the old cast members?
KA: I couldn't be happier! Jeremy (Struthers) and I stayed friends after things wrapped before, so I hope that shows through on screen.
RM: It was a real treat to work with all of them again. I've been retired for a few years now, but I knew I had to make the exception when I heard they were reviving the series for this new adaption. It was as much fun as I remember it being last time.
What did you think of the changes they made to the story compared to the original adaption?
KA: Well, it was in two parts. The first was, "Speedwagon seems so important in this one!" and the second was, "But how could they make Mr. Joestar a vampire?" In the end, I thought it was a really interesting way to take the story.
RM: I agree. I especially enjoy the nods to Baron Zeppeli's family. I wished I'd known about that detail during the original filming, so having it worked into the story here was a nice way to help flesh out his character a bit more.
Before time is up, is there anything else you'd like to say to the fans?
KA: The ever-lovable Speedwagon wants you to see this movie!
RM: I hope you enjoy the film. It's got a special place in all our hearts.
This probably isn't nearly as funny as I thought it was in my head or while writing it. But here it is now. Just something small to cap off this fun series.
Thought about doing something from the director's perspective, but since that would be me and I have no idea what I could say (and didn't write about feet nearly enough to convince anyone this would have been done by Tarantino in-universe), I didn't.
Yeah, whatever. Thanks for reading. Share with a friend if you enjoyed. Always remember to bring Reginald his mineral water.
