Mears as Swamp Thing —PHOTO COURTESY OF WARNER TV
It’s cathartic to play a villain, so said Derek Mears. While the effect to viewers may be different, the 48-year-old actor, who has played the sinister likes of Jason Voorhees in “Friday the 13th,” the Classic Predator in “Predators” and Mr. Stitch in “Sleepy Hollow,” said that there’s some fun to be had as a meanie.
To be effective as a villain, however, you have to “find the humanity under all that monstrosity” first. “The fun thing is letting that monster out of the cage,” Derek pointed out after he was asked during our video chat with him last Wednesday about how he breathed creepy life into the rogues’ gallery he’s associated with onscreen. “It sounds weird, but being that I am 6’5” tall, 230 pounds and look like a murderer (laughs), I try to go out of my way to make people feel comfortable and happy.
“So, when I get to play these villains, I first find the humanity lurking underneath, because no villain ever sees himself as one. When you’re in the moment in a scene, you’re not worried about hurting people’s feelings anymore and you go, ‘I’m going to just let this aggression out.’ So, that’s where the catharsis comes from.”
For his latest project, however, Derek is cast as a force of good—for a change.
In Warner TV’s 10-episode horror-drama series “Swamp Thing,” which debuts at 9:50 p.m. on Wednesday, the actor is cast as the plant elemental superhero based on the DC Comics character that first came to life in 1971.
In the story, the small town of Marais, Louisiana, is turned upside down when 31-year-old physician, Dr. Abby Arcane (Crystal Reed), is sent by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) to the town she hasn’t come home to in 14 years. Her mission is to identify the pathogen responsible for an outbreak of unexplained illnesses in Marais.
Derek Mears
With the help of disgraced biologist Alec Holland (Andy Bean), Abby’s scientific snooping leads her to Marais’ marshy swamps, in a bayou where mutagens capable of punching holes on the human DNA have been dumped by the maniacal underlings of a mysterious criminal organization called the Conclave.
As it turns out, the group has questionable ties with Abby’s estranged adoptive dad, businessman Avery Sunderland (Will Patton), who hopes to cash in on a “pharmaceutical cornucopia” from the swamps.
But the goons’ plan is turned on its head when Alec is transformed into Swamp Thing (Derek Mears), a plant elemental who vows to fight the malevolent forces lurking in the shadows while he seeks a cure for his strange condition.
Asked how he related to the existential crisis Alec aka Swamp Thing had to maneuver himself out of, or if he thought being too tall was boon or bane for him as an actor, Derek said, “I have a disorder called alopecia, which makes my hair fall out of my body.
“Since my body sees my hair as a foreign entity, it rejects it—though in the last like six years, I’ve been able to grow a little facial hair, which is weird. As a kid going through puberty, I felt like an outcast, because it wasn’t acceptable for a child to be bald and look that way. So at one point, I thought I was a monster.
But as I grew up and eventually moved to Los Angeles, while performing, acting and doing improv comedy on the side, I realized that what I initially thought was my biggest negative trait actually turned out to be my most positive trait.
“I realized, ‘Wait a second. Being different is actually a good thing, because after all, we’re all insecure about something. Either we’re too tall, too short, too wide or too thin. We’re worried about our teeth or whatever. But I realized that that’s just being human—and it was something I couldn’t control!
“So, I stepped on the gas pedal and just decided to be me, 100 percent. I talk about this as much as I can just to let people know that whatever it is they’re dealing with, it’s going to be OK. And whatever it is that makes you different, embrace it, because that’s what makes you unique as a human being.”
Crystal Reed (left) as Abby Arcane and Andy Bean as Alec Holland —PHOTO COURTESY OF WARNER TV
Our Q&A with Derek:
Did you talk to Andy Bean about synchronizing your characterization for Alec and Swamp Thing?
Andy and I had long existential conversations about how to approach the role. And one thing that made Andy so special was that he opened himself up and explained his process to me. He’d say, ‘Look, I’ll show you all my journal notes.’
Then, from time to time, we’d go to dinner, and I’d sit there eating sushi while observing his movements. I would then incorporate them into to my portrayal.
What were the challenges that came with wearing the suit, as well as being in the water and under it all the time?
There were so many challenges! It’s important to wear a practical suit in a show like this, because we need to establish a romantic connection [between Swamp Thing and Abby]—you need someone there inside the suit so you can feel what’s going on. With CG, you don’t get the depths required to connect with someone. It gives the other actor something to play with in a more realistic fashion.
The suit created by Fractured FX is one of the best suits I’ve ever worn. It’s hot whether you’re going in and out of water, but when Swamp Thing goes through his own existential crisis, the emotional levels inside your body rise so high that your body no longer knows the difference between what’s acting and what’s real.
There’s that combined energy of being manic and stressed and sad, and there’s nowhere for that energy to go, so you start to “cook” inside the suit. There were many times I yelled cut and had a fan come over to replenish my energy. It was challenging, but it was also extremely rewarding.
As a predator in “Predators”
Of all the iconic horror characters you’ve played, which one was the most challenging? And if they get into a fight, who do you think will win?
Honestly, I love playing Jason Voorhees because “Friday the 13th” was my favorite horror film growing up. I’ve had nightmares about him and it was weird that I got to play him as an adult. But if Jason and Swamp Thing were to fight, I’d bet on Swamp Thing.
I mean, in the show, Swamp Thing understands his powers—and more so in the comics. He’s a swamp elemental who can do so much. I don’t think Jason would stand a chance. But as a fan, I’d love to see the two of them go head to head.
Given the many popular characters you’ve played over the years, did you keep any memento from your movies?
I really don’t keep anything from my movies (laughs). The only thing I’ve kept from any of them was from “Friday the 13th. There were six hockey masks that were made for it, and I have the special one—the sixth mask!
I think this has to do with my background in improv comedy. I’ve been doing it professionally since I was 17—there’s no script involved, and creating this beautiful piece of art with a team that you perform with. Then, at the end, it being a live show, it’s gone forever—it’s like seeing a shooting star. You go, “Oh, that was beautiful,” then it’s gone. It inspires me to make something new and try to outdo myself.
As Mr. Stitch in “Sleepy Hollow”
What was it like working with executive producer James Wan?
He’s one of us. He’s such a good-hearted and generous human being. I’m not blowing smoke. Basically, he’s like a 15-year-old kid who has been given the keys to the comic book store to do whatever he wants—and he’s so good at it. He creates a safe space for all artists on the set to work in—it doesn’t matter if you’re the PA or the producer. Everybody is treated with respect.
If you could play any villain from the DC Universe, who would you like to be?
So many. I’m a fan of DC Comics. The way I learned to read was through comic books and Batman. I bought a Swamp Thing issue even before I could read, because I saw Batman on the cover—I think it was issue No. 7. I was like, “Wait, there’s Batman. But that scary green guy looks like a villain, but he’s really a good guy!” It was a big lesson for me—about not judging a book by its cover.
Don’t tell anyone but, while I’m a big Batman fan, I really dislike Superman. And it’d be hilarious if, at some point, I get to play Lex Luthor because I’m not a fan of Superman (laughs).
As Jason Voorhees in “Friday the 13th”
What have you been doing during the lockdown?
I’ve been staring at a blank wall, losing my mind (laughs)! The only place I’ve gone to is the grocery store—and it’s frustrating. It’s difficult because I get job offers and I have to pass on them because, well, we’re in the middle of a pandemic.
And we, in the US (he’s based in LA), have the highest number of COVID-19 cases—which is mind-blowing. It’s very depressing. But I look forward to getting back to work and start telling stories again.
Swamp Thing has a lot of powers, including traveling from plant to plant. What do you think is his best power?
His best power is his humanity. But what makes him truly special is that which motivates him to go beyond merely being the “avatar of the green”—and that is his heart.