SCI FI WIRE: CHRISTOPHER HEYERDAHL GIVES DETAILS ON VOLTURI MEMBER MARCUS

Sci Fi Wire got an exclusive interview with Christopher Heyerdahl, who will be playing the role of Marcus, one of the three Volturi in New Moon. Christopher talks about getting the role of Marcus, and gets into his character a little bit.

Over his career, Christopher Heyerdahl has played a Wraith, a demon, Bigfoot and now the centuries-old vampire Marcus, in the cast of the upcoming sequel film The Twilight Saga: New Moon.

It’s perhaps one of the highest-profile roles for the versatile Canadian actor, who is known to fans of Syfy’s Sanctuary, Stargate Atlantis and dozens of films and TV shows.

“Well, it’s a little independent film I’m helping out with,” the good-natured Heyerdahl said with a chuckle and tongue firmly in cheek. “This guy, poor old Marcus, is a 3,000-odd-years-old vampire who has spent at least the last 2,000 of it with a broken heart. Really, one of the main reasons to play that character and have anything to do with that series is my niece, who is absolutely obsessed with this series of books. To see how it has had such an effect on the teenage female community throughout the world is amazing.”

Heyerdahl’s character is a member of the Volturi, a venerable coven of vampires based in Volterra, Italy, whose members also include Michael Sheen and Dakota Fanning.

“He’s one of the oldest vampires on the planet, and who doesn’t want to play a 3,000-year-old vampire?” Heyerdahl said. “The cast that I get to work with, like Michael Sheen. … We had so much fun goofing off together. It was an absolute hoot. Director Chris Weitz’s version for this piece is like a Renaissance painting. The images were absolutely beautiful, and the character is such a tragic old fellow.” (Possible spoilers ahead!)

Heyerdahl adds: “Here’s how I approach him. When Marcus is brought in, he’s there against his will. He and his love tried to leave an awfully long time ago. Through a series of tragic circumstances, the love of his life was killed, and he’s now being forced to stay and use his powers for the betterment of the Volturi. He’s not exactly there, waking up and looking forward to eternity. When Edward and Bella come walking in, his ability to sense the power of their connection is something that wakes him up, brings him back from the boredom of that eternal life and sparks something in him that brings Marcus as close to excitement as he can get. That idea has to be contained and expressed as little as possible to his rather power-hungry captain-in-arms, Aro, which makes for a rather interesting conflict. You might not know it, but Marcus is pretty darn excited by this love that he witnesses. At the same time, it causes him great pain with the memory of what he had and lost. It was very complex to play, especially when you are doing it with so few lines. It will be interesting to see how it is cut together.”

Heyerdahl—who has worn extensive makeup and prosthetics for some of his roles —said that the makeup required in New Moon to transform him into one of the undead was easy by comparison.

“Yeah, they do their best to suck the life out of you, but certainly nothing compared to any of those past prosthetics,” Heyerdahl said. “From that perspective, it was pretty easy. The looks they are getting in this film are absolutely fantastic. Everyone looks gorgeous and deliciously lifeless.

Read the entire interview, here.

I’m excited to see Christopher in the role of Marcus, and it’s great to finally hear from him. I think he’s the perfect guy to play him, and he really sounds like he has a handle on the character.

What do you think of this interview? Do you think Christopher will make a good Marcus?