Here’s the first part of Michael Ausiello’s interview with Joe Manganiello, who has recently been chosen to play the part of Alcide in Season 3 of True Blood. In this portion of the interview, Joe talks about the phone call that changed his life, the childhood incident that foreshadowed his casting, and the punishing “werewolf workout” that will turn him into a half-human heartthrob.
Here’s Part 1 of this 2 part interview:
How did you find out that you won the role?
JOE MANGANIELLO: I had three meetings with Alan Ball. [After the last one], I got a call from my agent and manager. And whenever you get a call from your agent and manager, you have a pretty good idea that something good is about to happen.
What was your reaction when they told you?
MANGANIELLO: I’m not afraid to admit that I started crying. I was just so excited. It’s a dream come true. When I was a little kid, the nun at my elementary school said if you pray for something hard enough, it’ll happen. And I would pray every day with all of my heart that God would turn me into a werewolf. And when it didn’t happen, I kind of thought, “You know what? Maybe this stuff doesn’t work. Maybe I’m getting gypped.” So here it is 25 years later and my prayers got answered and I’m going to be a werewolf.
What was it about being a werewolf that appealed to you?
MANGANIELLO: I just loved Halloween. When I was 4, my mother dressed me up as a vampire and brought me to a haunted house. When I think about it now, bringing a 4-year-old kid to a haunted house is pretty intense. There was a vampire in the haunted house that jumped out of a coffin and I went up and tried to climb into the coffin with him. He wound up picking me up and putting me in the coffin with him and closing the lid. I [just] always liked monsters. There was something interesting about having this thing inside of you that you can’t control that comes out when you get angry. There’s something cathartic about the idea of having a beast inside you.
Are you a fan of the show?
MANGANIELLO: Huge fan. I’ve seen every episode.
Have you met Anna Paquin yet?
MANGANIELLO: Not yet. They wanted me to read with her. That was going to be my final audition, a chemistry read with Anna. But she wasn’t available so they had me come in by myself… I think it’s going to be great. I’ve seen a ton of her movies going all the way back to The Piano. I’m excited.
When do you start shooting?
MANGANIELLO: Late January, so I’ve got some time. Every day right now is all about the Werewolf Workout. It consists of Krav Maga, which is an Israeli fighting technique, and Cross Fit, which is kind of a gnarly crazy high-intensity workout. And I’m doing a little bit of weights in between.
Was this something Alan Ball asked you to do?
MANGANIELLO: No. This is something I wanted to do on my own. I’m a big guy to begin with; I work out a lot anyway. In my mind, I see the character as having a big chest, big arms — ripped the way an animal would be. Vampires have a supernatural strength to them, so you can have a vampire that is a little slighter. But a werewolf is this big, powerful, half man, half animal. I want to get as close to that as I possibly can.
The second part of the Q&A will be published tomorrow morning!
OMG~ That man is hot! Better than I had pictured from the books. Poor Sam might have some serious competition in the shifter realm now…Hope they make Alcide’s character a bit more interesting on the show.
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Better work on that accent, too, Joe; the urban Cajun accent is a tough one!
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lisafemmeacadienne Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 15:19
Or, an urban North Louisiana accent. Either one would suffice for this character.
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Celia Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 23:43
I wouldn´t mind if he was deaf, mute and dumb neither if he solely speaks some dialet from an unknwon far country: look to this guy- how Sookie could choose between so many gorgeous men: Bill, Alcide and Erik. Poooooooooor Sookie.
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callonmebill Reply:
December 29th, 2009 at 14:25
Bill’s ring on her finger, Eric’s blood in her and wow! now Alcide, oh my you said it Celia, poor Sookie.
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is true @Anjanette he looks so hot!!!!! can’t wait to see him on action…shirtless (of course)
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Joe:
Welcome to the cast and to the world of TrueBlood.
Glad to hear that you’re a major fan of the show and have watched
every episode!! Have you ever visitied the HBO TrueBlood site??
If not then, come to the HBO Member Created Boards.
Alcide’s been talked about alot~and when Season 3 begins and you’re
introduced,so will you be talked about.
The fans would love to get “feedback from the cast” about the show.
MarleneEmmett/Marleneemm
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I can’t wait to see him in series 3. Alcide is one of my most favorite characters from the books.
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@Joe: I´m happy for u to have won the casting. Hope u feel comfortable with the TB-cast; can´t wait to see ur Alcide on HBO!
Good luck and lots of fun!
Devon
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Congrats Joe! It sounds like this role may be a perfect match for you- anxious to see your Alcide.
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OK.. I thought he looked familiar.. I looked him up and he was in another TV show that I watch.. what is the deal with two actors coming from the CW to this show..
We got Todd Lowe who was in Gilmore Girls.. a show that I watched and then this dude who played Owen on One Tree Hill.
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I knew from the first sight of him that he was right on the money. And he’s endeared himself to me by being a huge fan of the show. How funny that as a boy, he prayed to be a warewolf. Not quite normal, but then again, who am I to cast stones? Welcome Joe!
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My congratulations to you, Joe. Alcide is a major player. I can’t wait to see you on screen. You’ll be a terrific addition to the show.
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The “I prayed to be turned into a werewolf.” story is too funny. Ask and you shall receive.
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He is going to be awesome in this role! I sure as hell hope you are at paleyfest!
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A-WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!! Just bring it on True Blood
I am looking forwards to season3.
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Donna Reply:
December 28th, 2009 at 19:26
Oh Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Wow….I needed to see that longer hair…works for me..
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How excited is he to be playing Alcide!!! I read in my local paper that he is a Carnegie Mellon Theatre Grad so not only is he a joy to look at but has the brains to back it up !!!!
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His look certainly fits how I imagined Alcide. I’m very excited to see him on the show.
Congrats, Joe. Welcome to the True Blood universe!
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Congrats Joe. You certainly look like Alcide and you have the right idea of how powerful Alcide should be. I am delighted you want to be sure you get it right. Please do work on the accent. If that is wrong the rest will not matter. Looking forward to seeing you in Bon Temps.
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OMG, I can’t wait. You will do fine, mighty fine, lol. I only have one problem now, my kids and husband, yes, my husband too, got me everything to do with Eric TrueBlood and now, DARN, I guess I will have to start a whole new list for Christmas next year, BUT you will be up against Eric. Yahoo! You go Alan Ball! I can not wait until we get confirmation on who will be Debbie Pelt! Hee Hee Debbie is not my type! You all are killing me! Sound familar!!!!!!!!
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He seems like such a great guy! And he’s definitely a hottie. I’ve seen so little of his other work that I can’t really judge his acting chops, but I’m hoping he fits the role of Alcide well – I really enjoyed the character in the books.
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I hope he keeps the short hair. I know Alcide is suppose to have like shaggy hair but a shorter cut worked for Eric.
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WOW! It sounds like this guy was born to play Alcide doesn’t it? His praying werewolf story and little boy vampire story was TOO CUTE! If he can nail the accent, he’s going to be awesome.
All these awesome men on one show, I’m going into overload! LOL!
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Really looking forward to Season 3. I think Joe will be a great Alcide. Congrats Joe, I know you will fit right in.
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Congrats Joe!! Looking forward to seeing you as Alcide!
Yum! I am also always up for talented eye candy :) such a hottie!
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Welcome Joe as Alcide and I love that your prayer is finally answered. Alcide has been one of my favorite characters and your enthusiasm and dedication in preparing for the part makes me even more anxious for S3.
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I am super lame… I have goosebumps .. I AM SO EXCITED!!!!!!!
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Season 3 here we come!!! He is hot and what a nice mouth.
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yeeeeeeeooooooooooow… Nice! :P (drools) lol
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He, although not what I envisioned Alcide to look like in the slightest, will still be really interesting to watch. There is always opportunity to give the guy a chance to show the fans and audience what he is capable of. Who knows, perhaps once he has become the character in the series, he will be viewed as such, at least on my part I hope. Alcide in the books was one of my favourite character’s so I wish Joe Manganiello all the best and I hope it goes well. Lets just hope to see more Eric-Sookie action, I know the series has really distanced itself from a lot of the book’s main story lines, but I’m hoping that’s one that they will choose to follow!
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