The cast and creators of “Westworld” brought a very early look at Season 2 of the series to San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday. During the panel, they discussed how the show has empowered them on and off screen.
While there’s still a long way to go until the premiere in 2018, the panel discussed what’s coming next.
Bloody new trailer for a bloody new season
HBO offered up its bloody first look at the upcoming second season of ‘Westworld‘ Saturday at Comic-Con.
The Western sci-fi series premiered two minutes of dialogue-free footage focusing on the aftermath of the massacre that occurred in the Season One finale.
While the trailer is light on plot details, it does provide some arresting images. Like Evan Rachel Wood‘s Dolores riding a horse and firing a rifle at fleeing people and/or humanoids.
The viewer also sees Jeffrey Wright’s grief-stricken humanoid Bernard staring at an inexplicably placed dead tiger. As well as assisting Westworld security on what appears to be a “host”-hunting mission.
The clips are soundtracked by Sammy Davis Jr.’s “I’ve Gotta Be Me,” a nod to the humanoids’ newfound consciousness after absconding from their “loop.”
The trailer’s final image is a long close-up of Ed Harris’ Man in Black. He appears bloody but alive after taking a gunshot in the Season One finale.
‘Westworld’, which has only been in production on Season Two for a few weeks, returns to HBO in 2018.
Existentialist discussion and empowerment
Show runners Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy appeared on a panel alongside cast members Wood, Harris, Jeffrey Wright, James Marsden, Tessa Thompson and Thandie Newton to chat about the show on Saturday.
The show has been criticized for its use of sexual violence as a plot device. Both Wood and Newton defended the show, describing their experience filming the series as an empowering one.
“It’s so fulfilling, because especially as women, and I don’t know if this is true for men too, but a lot of times you feel as if your wings have been clipped. You’re not being represented the way that you want to,” said Wood.
Wood continued, “And this was like just like somebody had given me fucking condor wings and I got to take off and fly”. Wood said she got emotional talking about it and thinking about it. She described it as a life-changing experience.
Newton said she’s been inspired and empowered by her role on the show, which recently received 22 Emmy nominations.
“I’m so into the existential stuff on the show,” she said. “In moments of chaos, when you think you know nothing, that’s when gifts come. I just think that’s incredibly profound.”
Source: Variety