NYCC 2012 Panels: Remember Me, Hitman Absolution & Da Vinci’s Demons

Da Vinci’s Demons 

Okay, so aside from video game panels, I also attended some television show panels. I didn’t plan on this as well, it was more of a decision made because I had nothing to do and just picked a panel that I found interesting. My impulsive decision payed off and I enjoyed every second of it. The audience was treated to a first look of season one’s promo and David Goyer and the cast were great panelists in terms of keeping it lively and connecting with the fans.

Da Vinci’s Demons is an upcoming television show produced, written, and directed by The Dark Knight trilogy veteran David S. Goyer. The series follows a young Da Vinci as he invents the “future” and how he deals with the constraints of his era. The cast has a talented line-up and the ones who were present at the panel were Da Vinci himself Tom Riley, the two other leading ladies Laura Haddock and Lara Pulver. Goyer notes that his upcoming has some hints of the supernatural when Da Vinci can’t find an empirical answer for some of his encounters throughout the series. Thus, Goyer says that “Da Vinci’s Demons is more fantastical than The Tudors.”

The trailer was amazing, and if I could describe all the elements in a phrase it would be: “The brilliant narrative of Batman Begins meets the grandeur period visuals of The Tudors.” You can definitely see hints of Batman Begins in a couple of scenes and Goyer himself admitted that Da Vinci shares some similarities with Nolan’s Bruce Wayne. With Emmy award winner for costume design Annie Symons on the show, it’s no surprise we will get an excellent feel of the Renaissance era. Pulver was proud to say that they weren’t using any green screens for the sets since everything was built from the ground. Goyer said that the trailer would be out by last Sunday, but I haven’t seen it on YouTube yet so I’m posting the video I took during NYCC so enjoy!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX_-w-VeyR4&feature=plcp

Goyer describes his interpretation of Leonardo Da Vinci as a mix of “Indiana Jones, Tony Stark, and Sherlock.” Tom Riley appears to carry the part well as the leading man. It was nice to hear Riley drop Assassin’s Creed from time to time whenever he talks about past takes on Da Vinci’s character. I know a lot of gamers cheered whenever he did that.When asked by a male fan if the series will act on speculation that Da Vinci is bisexual, Riley answers: “Da Vinci will not be constrained by his era.” Goyer then adds that: “The show won’t shy away from controversy.”

Lara Pulver plays Clarice Orsini, the wife of Lorenzo Medici, who is in conflict with her husband’s mistress Lucrezia Donati played by Laura Haddock. As seen in the trailer, Lucrezia and Leonardo are hinted to be lovers. The ladies add that the context of Clarice’s and Lucrezia’s relationship won’t be seen until episode three.

As a fan of period pieces and compelling narratives, Da Vinci’s Demons shows promise into becoming the next big thing on Starz. With The Tudors gone, Spartacus ending soon, plus the horrible disappointment that is– The Borgias… Goyer’s upcoming show could be what elevates period pieces into a whole new level.