Why Virginia Madsen was protective of ‘Swamp Thing’
Q: At any point during filming “Swamp Thing” did you wind up going into the swamp constructed on the series’ Wilmington, N.C., set?
A: I do. I full-on go into the swamp – but much later. So I don’t want to spoil it but yeah, I’m in the swamp (laughs). I mean, everybody had to. Everybody at some point has to go into the swamp. And also everybody wanted to have a scene with Derek Mears, who was our Swamp Thing. You know, it was like, “When do I get to be with Derek? She got to be carried around by Derek. When do I get to? Do I get a fight scene with Derek?” (Laughs) We were all being very possessive of him.
Q: There is a story going around that director Alexander Payne gave out cases of the wines that were in “Sideways” to cast and crew when filming wrapped. Did you get those?
A: They’re gone (laughs). Those were gone almost immediately. He did give us all a bottle of the ‘61 Cheval Blanc.
Q: Was it what it was cracked up to be?
A: Oh yes. And he told me, he said, “Don’t do a Miles (Paul Giamatti’s character) and save this. I want you to drink it for no reason. I want you to be with someone you love, open it up and drink it.” So my mom and I watched a season finale of “The Sopranos” and drank it and it was glorious. And with pizza. In honor of Miles, we thought we should have junk food with it (laughs).
