Supernatural at Comic Con: Jared Padalecki
July 30, 2008 by Cynthia
A year ago, I was standing outside of the press room at Comic Con waiting for my first interview with the cast and creators of Supernatural. It was while I was standing there that I began to hear the rumble, someone was late. . . no, someone was missing. . . someone missed his flight and wasn’t going to be there at all.
That someone turned out to be Jared Padalecki. And as delighted as I was to talk with Jensen, and Kripke and the others, it wasn’t quite the same without Jared.
Fast forward to this year and a foreboding sense of deja vu. Jensen’s here, Kripke’s here, Sera and Ben. . .uh oh. I feel like I’m the cursed one keeping Jared at bay year after year.
“He’s just stuck in traffic,” they assure us and then I remember that this is his first Comic Con. Poor boy had no idea what he was driving into.
“I’m sorry, it’s a zoo outside!” Jared proclaims as he dashes in and takes his seat beside me. “Lots of craziness. Hi, hi, hi. . . ” Almost one for each reporter at the table. He looks my way and wow, he’s got gorgeous eyes! I’ve never seen him this close up and for a second I’m speechless. He’s taller and thinner than he looks on TV, tan and that emo Sam hair is falling into his eyes exactly as it’s supposed to.
It’s question and answer time and Jared begins talking a mile a minute, something common among us East Coasters but an unusual trait in a Southern boy. He’s talking so fast that he’s leaving words out and all of the thoughts are combining and crossing. He’ll hear his own words sometimes; a shy smile, a head duck — and before the day is over he’ll apologize 50 times for running late and not being all that he thinks he should be.
It seems that Jared even views the success of the show as someone else’s doing.
“People who are real fans of the show they love the story, the characters, but I’m still the actor, I’m not writing these scripts. I get paid to say the words that are on the page and I defer to Eric, he’s the storyteller.”
And if Kripke wants to call it quits at five?
“I love my character and I love exploring it, but I know Eric wants to keep the quality up. He doesn’t want it to be 39 seasons Bonanza and it’s like, shotgun in a wheelchair, c’m on Dean,” he quips, donning a Hillbilly accent, “with our sons running around fighting for us. If [Kripke] says four is good, then four is good. If he says five is good, then five is good. He hasn’t steered us wrong yet.”
As talk rolls around to the new season he jumps in with, “We feel like we’re stronger and more on track and it’s been really exciting and energizing to do something new. ‘Season One Sam’ who didn’t want to be there, or ‘Season Two Sam’ that was sort of messed up about their dad, and ‘Season Three Sam,’ I’ll get you out of your deal. . . now we see Sam and Dean kind of thinking about themselves, fighting for themselves cause obviously they’ve each spent four months doing something which I’m looking forward to finding out. We see them more individually, which adds an interesting dynamic to their relationship as brothers.
“I love the brother conflict episodes, I love going toe-to-toe with Jensen; Sam and Dean and how their stories are playing out and they’re becoming the archetypes. We started out as the reluctant heroes, two guns blazing, the Han Solo type character and I like watching the switch. Eric and the other writers have guided us through these paces, these steps. [They have a story they] want to tell and I’m here to tell it.”
Well, maybe “tell” it, is putting it too simply as Supernatural requires more of a ‘full-body’ commitment.
“Eric sat down with me and Jensen and said, ‘listen guys, I don’t pull punches anyway but this year, I’m really not going to pull punches’ and so we hit the ground running. We read the first script and went, ‘ahhh no time off for us.’ Jensen had just got done shooting a movie and I just got done shooting a movie, so we wanted to get back and laze around a little bit. It’s Season Four, time to relax. But no, we’re hitting it hard.”
Which left me to wonder, have you ever gotten a script that when you read it you said, ‘no way?!’
“I have a few times,” says Jared, smiling with the memory. “The one [I] specifically [remember] was in Season One, we did “Route 666″ and it originally had us dragging a truck out of the water. It’s November in Vancouver and we’re supposed to be knee-deep in water. We’re thinking, it’s snowing outside right now, and they want us in the water? They ended up changing it for us.
“[And then] you do those killer physical episodes! We just shot one, episode two of Season Four. Instead of there being the end climax fight scene, it was the beginning climax fight scene, and the middle climax fight scene, and how many fight scenes do I have!” He pants as if he’s out of breath, his voice rising into a higher register. “The next day. . . what am I shooting? Another FIGHT SCENE! Oh my God,” he squeals in a perfect imitation of SNL’s Chris Kattan, “And I’m crying?!? Aagghghg!” Then he turns to me and calmly, soberly says, “So, certainly yeah.”
Listen To Jared Tell the Story.
And with that, he’s told it’s time to move on to the next table of reporters. Jared stands and smiles and falls into his Texas accent with a sincere, “thank y’all so much.” And then he adds, “I’m so sorry.”
Jared doesn’t take any of this for granted; the fans, the press, the support. You can see it in his eyes and in his smile. He’s going to give this everything he’s got, full throttle until the very last second of the very last scene. You’ve come along way, baby and we can’t wait to see where you go from here.
Come back later in the week for my interviews with Eric Kripke, Sera Gamble and Ben Edlund.
All Photos by CBoris. Panel photos are from the Friday the 13th Panel. Orange photo is from the side of the Warner Brothers Booth.
Thank you for this! YES! It’s so nice to see someone write all those wonderfully true and nice things about Jared. I’ve seen him at two cons and spoke to him twice and he IS that genuine and humble and seems to have no idea that he is a sweetheart and unbelievably hot, lol.
Oops, had another thought. I wonder why Jensen said Jared had four days off during the first episode and now Jared is saying they are working hard with no days off, lol. Come on guys, get your stories straight
)
Just kidding – they have always worked murderous hours on that show and we appreciate it!
He is a sweetheart and gorgeous to boot…
GREAT ARTICLE! Thank you. It’s nice to see someone recognizing Jared’s talents as well as what a genuinely nice human being he is. Met him at a Creation Con and he was incredibly nice to everyone and really grateful for the fans’ support.
Wow. You write interviews with the boys that are inspiring and nice. I love how you don’t get muddled up in the whole “Supernatural is a third rate show on a basement network”. I also love that you don’t make fun of the fans of the show. That happens a lot when we read interviews. Thank you so much for writing such a beautiful article.
Isn’t he a sweetie? His mama surely raised him well! Thank you for the interview– it was great to learn a little something about Sam since everything seems to be focased on Dean. I’m looking forward to Jared getting some meaty stuff he can really sink his teeth into this season.
So cute =^.^= I think I am in love
Oh Jared, your Sam is the reason I watch SN and the fact that you seem to be pushed to the backburner is killing me.
Sucks to be a minority!
Jared, you are going to go places, you are so talented and still so down to earth But hey, that usually is the sign of true talent!
Thanks for this!
JP: “Eric sat down with me and Jensen and said, ‘listen guys, I don’t pull punches anyway but this year, I’m really not going to pull punches’ and so we hit the ground running.”
Yay! That’s so exciting to hear. I’m ready for season four to being right now! LOL.
JP: “We read the first script and went, ‘ahhh no time off for us.’ Jensen had just got done shooting a movie and I just got done shooting a movie, so we wanted to get back and laze around a little bit. It’s Season Four, time to relax. But no, we’re hitting it hard.”
Those boys were busy this summer! Although Jared was finished filming his movie in early June, right? So, he had several weeks off before he had to report to the set, at least. Whew! I think Jensen filmed right up to the day before he had to report to the set! And then Jared got four days off during the shooting of the first episode? That’s kind of surprising to hear, but I hope he was able to rest a little bit, at least.
“Jared doesn’t take any of this for granted; the fans, the press, the support. You can see it in his eyes and in his smile. He’s going to give this everything he’s got, full throttle until the very last second of the very last scene.”
I’ve read your interviews with both Jensen and Jared now, and I think the same could be said for BOTH actors, wouldn’t you agree, Cynthia?
[Especially after reading about what Jensen had to go through to shoot the "hellish" finale scene and what he had to go through again in the beginning of 4.1 -- yikes!] So, yeah, I think BOTH boys give it their all for this show.
I have to say that Jared didn’t seem to be quite as excited at the actual panel, but it sounds like Sam is going to have an interesting (and maybe bumpy?) ride this season! So there does seem to be a lot for him to look forward to. I’m really excited to see what’s in store for Sam (and Dean) in season four!
Awesome interview!
I love Jared. Great man and fantastic in playing Sam.
But why even more episodes with the brothers separated?
Please no!
I think this is one of my favourite interviews with Jared/about Supernatural.
you hav a wonderful style
We know Vera that Jensen gives his all but this was a Jared interview and you have to bring in Jensen this show isnt just about him or Dean …it,s time Eric gave this wonderful young actor his due praise for once..
I really like the interview….and I agree that Supernatural should end by season 5. I think working 9 months out of a whole is so much work…maybe too much. I want Jensen and Jared to go on with their lives and to work on many other movies or projects. I hope we get to see like 3 big screen Supernatural movies. I hate when Jared or Jensen do something and the other doesn’t and fangirls complain without knowing the facts. Like they might do an interview with Jensen but Jared can’t be there because he missed his flight…or Jensen is absent from a convention because he still has work to do in Vancouver. They are not twins attached at the hip. They are both doing a great job and so are the reporters. This is why Kripke stuck it to the fangirls about Sam getting a love interest in season 4…because like he said it drives them crazy.
Supernatural screaming fan girls need to breathe and calm there asses down…and enjoy the SPN moments while the party lasts.
“We know, Vera, that Jensen gives his all but this was a Jared interview and you have to bring in Jensen this show isnt just about him or Dean …it’s time Eric gave this wonderful young actor his due praise for once..”
That’s rich coming from the person who started off the whines in the Jensen article about “Wah…no Sam”? Pot…meet Kettle.
Oh, tina. I thought, based on your post about SAM/Jared in Jensen’s thread, that you were *encouraging* us to talk about BOTH guys in both of these interviews? So, in fact, that’s exactly what I was doing. The show is, indeed, not about one brother/actor, or the other. I think we can show love for both of them!
Oh, and I’m really looking forward to the fight scenes in episode 2 that Jared mentions. Sounds like it’s an action-packed episode!
I really am surprised some of the negativety towards Dean and Jensen. Sam and Jared have been the focas on Supernatural for 3 years and I am glade they are trying to balance the show more. Dean deserves more then just being Sam’s supportive big brother but it does not take away from all the focas and plots that Jared and Sam carry. Both Jensen and Jared are very humble nice, down to earth Actors who do alot for fans and the show and work really hard and I thought this show was suppose to be about Sam and Dean not just Sam or Dean. I am all for both brothers getting focas and balance but no need to tear down one to praise the other. Jensen has done a great acting job with Dean the past 3 years and Jared has improved so much and really given some great performances these last 3 years. I think their is some really good stuff for Sam and Dean fans and fans of both brothers and neaither brother is being sidelined or mistreated.
It was time someone showed Jared some support for a change. He also deserves our love.
Thanks, Tina
Dude. People need to calm down. These are only the first couple episodes we’re talking about. Even if the first one does focus on Dean more…we have 21 other episodes to go. I’m sure they’ll balance it out and have a Sam-heavy episode at some point. Relax, lol.
Thanks for bringing us the interviews! I always love hearing from these guys!
I say the series is about Sam and Dean ….and Kripke says it all the time. The fans will always debate who gets more attention….but I think it’s even. When the series began on September 13th 2005…Jensen was 27…and Jared had just turned 23 in mid July. If Kripke ends the series in 2010…then Jared will be 27 and Jensen 32…the numbers say it all. It’s like Kripke said Jensen was meant to play Dean and Jared Sam. It’s their Destiny.
As a Sam fan its hard not to be concerned when most of the talk about season 4 centres around dean and when Jensen says that the coming changes in the mytharc mean alot more work for him – which I am concerned translates to more screentime. I never get when dean fans say that the first 3 seasons are all about sam – even if that were true studies have been done by fans (seriously its true lol) which show that the boys more or less share screentime evenly with dean getting slightly more. By all means bring dean into the mytharc storyline – sounds interesting – so long as i still get equal screentime to rest my poor tired eyes on sam’s pretty pretty face.
Thank you so much for posting this! What a lovely interview! I agree with the person who said Jared is definately on the rise to real stardom. He’s such a talented and genuine young man! I look forward to his future career!
sometime i got confused with the fangirls.
they always talking about this story is about Dean or sam.
cmon ladies this show is about the brothers.
we cant called it Supernatural if the show
just about Dean or sam.
the show is about brotherly bond.
kripke will make balanced for both character on season 4.
all we can do as fans is support this show for something more great and good.
thats all matters.
Wonderful Interview,and a wonderful man!
Jared is just a complete sweetheart,and i love his portrayal of Sam!
@rider: all I have to say to your comment is: I totally agree with you.
Thank you so much! What a fantastic interview with Jared. It’s so good to finally be reading some stuff about Sam as the place sees to be drowning in Dean stuff at the moment and, as much as I like Dean, he’s not the reason I watch this show. Jared and Sam are. Jared is a fantastic actor, he blew S3 out of the water and I have never loved a T.V character as much as I love his Sam.
Have to say it, I too am worried about what is going to happen next season. Hopefully Dean getting some plot will equate with Sam getting some decent characterisation. But if Jensen is saying he’s going to be working even harder than before, which to me would seem to imply even more screen time for Dean, when he had equal screen time in the previous 3 seasons. Then…yeah…worried here too.
And Tina is right, it’s about time Jared got some love and praise for a change. Heaven knows we never hear it from Kripke.
Well, Mai… Kripke praise both of his actors. I never heard him put Jensen over Jared.
Jensen and Jared auditioned for the role of Sam, and Kripke chose Jared over Jensen. He was willing to loose Jensen if he didn’t agree to be Dean instead of Sam.
Diana – would love to see a recent interview where Kripke praises Jared specifically – do you have a link? Because I have only seen generic praise where he is praising both boys in a general way and would love to see something different if I have missed it – I mean the kind of praise like he gives Jensen – cos as far as I am aware he just doesn’t do that about Jared.
What a wonderful interview and what a sweet, genuine, self-effacing guy Jared seems to be. I started watching Supernatural having never heard of either actor and it didn’t take me long to fall in love with Jared’s Sam Winchester. I think he’s an amazing actor and I’m looking forward to following his career.
I’m doing my best to stay away from spoilers this year but I hope there’s great stuff coming for Jared this season. I can’t wait to see what happens with Sam this season.
I am a huge fan of Jared and his acting and I have to agree with those who haven’t heard Kripke praise Jared.
I feel bad that Kripke cares so little for Sam in the way that really matters: how Sam is presented on film, on the show, in each episode. Sam was KILLED as a Dean plot-point. Sam’s death was treated like an afterthought. Dean’s death has been given the grand treatment and they are building him a special mytharc out of it. The only plots that move forward are related directly to Dean, that’s been true since John died. Sam’s plot-points get one mention here and a little mention there, and then Kripke lets it slide away with no follow-up.
Kripke always mentions Jensen first, usually with high praise, Dean first over Sam, and addresses the concerns of Dean fans specifically. He does this almost everytime he talks about the show. To top it all off, Kripke specifically told a convention crowd in LA that Dean was the real hero of the show, “sorry Sam fans,” or words to that effect. He may not know it, but those words stung badly. Words hurt, Kripke. Oh, and what’s more Kripke once again defers to the Dean fans in a special commentary at the beginning of Supernatural magazine. And once again, it’s all about how great Dean is, how much more interesting he is than poor Sam with his destiny. You know what, Kripke, if you don’t like Sam’s sl, then change it into one you’ll pay some attention to. If you want psychological depth for Sam, put it in the show, and let him experience his sl for real for once, not have it blown off, and blown off, and blown off over and over again. Meanwhile, Dean gets structured themes and plots for each season. Deal or no Deal, it’s still the only story Kripke is doing on the show in a real way. Season 2 was built around Dean’s Deal. Season 3 about the consequences of that Deal, Dean goes to hell. Season 4, Dean is back from hell, with a special mystery mytharc all his own. Wow. Jensen also mentioned in an interview that the first few episodes of the season were, and I quote “all about Dean,” and that he was putting in more screen time this season. So, will Jared be washing his socks or something in the meantime? Jared gets 5 years of sad little trickle-trickles for his mytharc, but Jensen gets a block of episodes for his, even though he got plenty of material in previous seasons.
Jared really earned his keep last season on the show. He gave his all and it showed. I would like to take the time to praise Jared for his great work all last season. I love his enthusiasm for the show and his fantastic chemistry with Jensen. He has a special gift for making fans feel at ease when they meet him. He is also funny, energetic, and charismatic. Jared as an actor, seems like a force of nature. With time on his side, I’m sure he’ll do great work when and where he gets the chance to.
“Season 2 was built around Dean’s Deal. Season 3 about the consequences of that Deal, Dean goes to hell. Season 4, Dean is back from hell, with a special mystery mytharc all his own.”
Last I checked, S2 was also about “What is Sam’s Destiny?”, “Will he go dark?”, and “Will Dean be able to save Sam or will he have to kill SAM, if he can’t?”
S3 also was about whether or not Sam would take on the mantle of the Anti-Christ, and whether he would give into his darker impulse in order to save Dean. I’ve also read plenty about S4, including themes of “What did Sam do while Dean was dead?” and of how Sam hit rock bottom, and how juicy that was for the writers to explore. From what I’ve seen, Saminator, Sam has hardly been sidelined plot-wise, and isn’t going to be anytime in the future. Could Sam have gotten some better characterization in S2, definately, but, IMO, he got quite a bit in S3 and seems to be getting more of the same in S4. And I for one can’t wait for S4 to get started!!!
Thanks for the interview, Cynthia!
Let me be a typical SNL fan:I dont care they are both OMG HOTTTTTTTTTTT!
I am definitely a Sam girl, but I think both the boys are crucial to the story and always have been. NO spoilers ahead… When I read the sides for episode 1, Jared was heavily involved… his scenes were in rooms, not all of Jensen’s were. Jensen probably started filming days before Jared because ’saving’ Dean probably involves location work that Jared wasn’t needed for and maybe special effects like the Dean in Hell shot. Those take time.
When Jensen says he is going to have to work harder that doesn’t mean that Sam’s character is going to be pushed aside… I know I wouldn’t let that happen
If he has some kind of power and/or a particular part to play in the myth arc, that probably means more special effects and and/or acting out of his comfort zone (which actors usually like). They already work nearly every hour of every day for filming, so it can’t get much more than that.
Also, Jared mentioned more fighting… So, probably both of the boys are going to do more fighting. If Dean is going to be more involved in the myth arc, Sam is probably going to be more involved in the hunter arc. Sam was always back up for Dean or a victim that Dean had to save in the hunter arc and Dean was always protector for Sam in the myth arc… Now, we will probably have Sam more able to stand on his own two feet during fights/hunting, and Dean will probably have more powers (hopefully he will still be able to see demons and maybe have some super strength — if not more powers), that will help Sam & Dean fight the final war against the demons. It is just a handful of humans against a small army of powerful demons… they need all the help they can get. Dean might have a bit more screen time over the past 3 seasons, but I agree with some of the fans that it would be nice if he is more involved (translate that to powerful) when discussing the myth arc. There are only so many times he can give his life for Sam. If he is able to take a licking and keep on ticking; then kick some demons back to Hell, it can only make the story better for everybody.
So, this season is probably going to go deeper into everything we love. Jared has always said that he wanted to explore the dark side of Sam more. We are probably going to see that; he is probably going to be more like John and that Sam we saw at the end of Mystery Spot. It might take a while for him to relax back into ‘our’ Sam… But I trust Kripke and company… I have loved nearly every episode of every season (sorry, but I even liked Jo — not No Exit, Bela, and especially Ruby)… The only thing I thought was missing from Season #3 (besides the missing episodes) was the music… and I understand the financial reasons behind that. I would be willing to donate to a fund for music… I would donate a significant amount (for me) if I could get a set visit out of it.
So cheer up both sides, Dean girls you are getting a richer more involved Dean; Sam girls Sam is not going to be pushed into a corner.. Neither brother has ever been pushed into a corner (more than an episode or so), and it won’t be happening this season either. Kripke just likes to mess with people… and it works
Be happy, new episodes are 1.5 months away!!!!
Fan girls do need to come down….maybe Kripke can seperate the brothers….permanently? He can create a series for Dean….and call it ”Demon Hunter”, and create a series for Sam and call it Demonic Angel….then everyone can finally shut up, stop whinning and complaining and the rest of us can watch both shows fail….because Sam without Dean…or Dean without Sam = ’s poor , poor , failer ratings. Or better yet Kripke can end Supernatural at the end of season 5….and create his spinoff and call it ”Dean Demon Hunter”, and Jared at a young 27th by season 5 ,can continue with his career making movies. They can do the Gilmore Girls movie and Jared can go back to playing Dean Forrester and finally marry Rory. That would be so cool.
Jared describing the fight scenes for episode 2 was cool to listen to. I guess there is going to many fight scenes in that one. LOL
So we are going to be seeing a more darker Sammy. Can’t wait for season 4 to premiere.
I love watching Jared and Jensen fight. Unfortunately (sort of), I think they will be fighting each other for a good bit of the beginning of the season. Now, I loved Skin and when the guys fought each other, but Dean wasn’t really Dean then. I think the season is going to start with Dean not happy with the direction Sam has gone since he died and Sam not believing that dean is really Dean. If Sam thinks he is some kind of demon or a shapeshifter, they will be fighting for real… that will be tough to take. I hope they trust each other quickly. I am OK with secrets, but I need them to trust each other.
I was Right Jared does have nice eyes!!!!
“Or better yet Kripke can end Supernatural at the end of season 5….and create his spinoff and call it ”Dean Demon Hunter”, and Jared at a young 27th by season 5 ,can continue with his career making movies. They can do the Gilmore Girls movie and Jared can go back to playing Dean Forrester and finally marry Rory. That would be so cool.”
True colors will out. So, you do want a Dean Show after all. And you managed to put Jared down, too. Nice one.
Honestly, I would not be surprised if Kripke did that.
At any rate, thank you for this interview with Jared. It was a very sweet article, and brings up so much of why I adore Jared and his talent in the first place. He is a truly beautiful guy. Thanks for showing that.
Okay guys, time for a truce. I haven’t moderated out any comments though I’ve come close on a couple.
Jensen and Jared and everyone on Supernatural work very hard to bring you a spectacular show every week. As it is they have to battle with the ratings, the budgets and being on the smallest of the main networks. What they need is a united front from all the fans to help make it through this coming year and the one after.
Many people think TV production is a glamorous life, and granted it has it’s perks, but when you remember that these guys put it all out there week after week — driving themselves to emotionally and physically difficult places — filming in snow and 100 degree heat. Filming until 3 in the morning, 14 hour days and that’s not including the press and the promos and scripts to be learned.
Yes, I know it’s not coal mining, but it’s a lot of work and they appreciate when you appreciate it. So let’s show them how much we appreciate what they do but talking in a positive way going forward.
Thanks!
Cyn
I adore Sam. Jared has added so many fascinating layers that Sam has become my all-time favourite TV character. Sam and the simply brilliant way Jared plays him keep me hooked. Jared is just as good as Jensen, I just want to give him all the credit he deserves. Go, Jared, you have many loyal fans who think you are just wonderful as Sam. You are responsible for half the show’s success. Don’t forget that.