SofaChip’s Exclusive Interview with the People Helming the Movement to Make the Veronica Mars Movie a Reality (It Could Include You!)

If ever this was time to support a Veronica Mars movie, it’s now. We all miss our dear Neptune Pirates, and the people attached to the series (i.e. Rob Thomas & Kristen Bell) have openly said they’re on board for a movie. So what’s the holdup? Well, on the most basic level – it’s that Warner Bros (who’d be in charge of green lighting the movie) say they don’t think there’s support or “enthusiasm” for a Veronica Mars movie. Yikes!

However, it would appear that they are epically wrong. Several fans (including many people who’ve discovered the show since the unjust 2007 series cancellation from The CW) are desperately hoping that there will be a Veronica Mars movie. All it takes is a quick look for #veronicamars and  veronica mars on Twitter to see that there are fans all around the globe who are lending their continual support and adoration for the show.

There is a long-running, concentrated, group effort by Veronica Mars fans called Neptune Rising. They’re not the only group of people who want the Veronica Mars movie, but they’re a powerful and dedicated one that has my personal respect. I recently spoke with three members of the group to find out everything from how you can support a Veronica Mars movie, why the movie would be such a stellar idea, and why it’s never too late to start watching this show. More than that, we got into the rising Veronica Mars presence online, the substantially important Veronica/Keith dynamic, season three’s polarizing affect on viewers, and the sincere attraction of the show from both genders and almost all ages.

Who runs the Neptune Rising campaign, and when did the group begin?

M (Mark): Neptune Rising officially started on June 17, 2007 after VM was canceled. Four of us on the CW forums put our heads together and came up with the idea for Neptune Rising. We have Chapters in North America, Europe, Africa, Australia and we are working on getting one started in South America. We all believe in the brilliance of Veronica Mars

Does just any TV show that goes off the air deserve to become a movie? What makes Veronica Mars the exception?

J: I would say no, but these days, it sure seems like a lot of them are getting the green light. They’re making a MacGruber (SNL sketch) movie, for frak’s sake! Everything is fair game, apparently– from board games to tv shows to remakes upon remakes… CLUE is being remade, and I can’t imagine that movie without that entire cast (Madeline Kahn, RIP). They’re also remaking one of my childhood favorites, Adventures in Babysitting, apparently with Raven Symone–it just makes my drop seeing some of the movies that get produced these days. Veronica Mars being what it is (quality! intriguing! smart! funny! thrilling!), and the fact that everyone involved in the show seems to be on board, I’d say it deserves a fair shot at getting out of the gate.

Any idea how many people are out there who support a Veronica Mars movie?

M: To be honest I have a hard time telling, we have about 7,000 members on our various sites and we hear from a lot of people that support our efforts and everyone wants the movie but I don’t know what Warner Brothers requires to be able to greenlight the movie.

Do you feel there is renewed fan interest in the project ever since we’ve received word that Rob Thomas and Kristen Bell are on board for the movie? If so, how can you tell?

M: I do think there is more renewed interest, the internet was buzzing when word first came out that there might be a movie and everyone was very excited.

J: The night that Kristen was posting (on Twitter) about how she wants the movie, it became a trending topic within an hour. It was a wild frenzy of tweets and re-tweets… and the buzz just keeps on rolling. People are still interested, and that’s getting more people interested. There’s this whole digital-grassroots thing going, and I don’t see it stopping anytime soon. The fans are rabid, really.

With Kristen Bell’s star shining brighter and brighter, and Veronica Mars having gotten more fans of the years, why do you think Warner Bros doesn’t want to make the movie?

J: Well, of course, there’s the economy right now… but even that doesn’t work as an excuse. People are still going to the movies, maybe now more than in recent years. Maybe it’s knowing that Serenity (the Firefly movie) didn’t do so well on the big screen… who knows. Kristen Bell says WB told her and Rob there wasn’t any “enthusiasm”–so I guess we’ve just got to put on our Neptune Pirates uniforms and keep cheering for the show. As I mentioned earlier, considering some of the movies that DO get green lights, it seems absurd to not give Veronica Mars a chance.

It’s a modern age, and though we don’t want to be slackers – we do want to take advantage of our new technology. Does tweeting for the cause help at all? Who should fans tweet, what should they say, and do you have a Twitter account we can follow for news?

J: Neptune Rising’s twitter account is @NeptuneRising, and Kristen Bell’s is @IMKristenBell. We’ve bombarded several of the Warner Brothers Twitter accounts with Veronica messages, and Warner Brothers Pictures (@wbpictures) responded: “Thanks for all of your Veronica Mars support! We would LOVE to see a movie, but it’s not up to us here. We’ll pass along ur messages though!” So who knows exactly how those messages will be routed, but that’s the brilliance of Twitter. If WB is perusing the internets for “enthusiasm”, searching for Veronica Mars or #VeronicaMars will bring on countless results that they’ll be able to glance at. We’re putting it out there for WB to see, for the cast/crew to see, for friends to see, for strangers to see— and it just keeps on rolling. Talking about it (or tweeting about it) will get others to do the same, and that’s what we want. In this day and age, we all have our presence online, and we can use it to say HEY! WE WANT A VERONICA MARS MOVIE! (Editors Note: Tweet @Warner_Bros & @WarnerBrosEnt and tell them you want a Veronica Mars movie!)

Why do you think a Veronica Mars movie is such a good idea?

M: Because it’s a great show with a great cast. There have been a lot more people introduced to it since it was first canceled, plus it would make a lot of fans happy.

J: Um…because I want to see it! Maybe it’s selfish, but I know I’m not alone in that. I don’t even know how many times I’ve watched the entire series, and I just want to see it keep going… especially with the series finale (final 2 episodes of season 3), it just winds right back up for more and more to unfold. It’s really fascinating, and there are so many layers to these characters. The writing is brilliant, the design (visually) is phenomenal. Everything from the colors to the lighting is just stunning, keeping with a modern detective noir look–the style of it is very engaging. These characters have stories that still need to be told, and I’m pretty sure that I’d go see the movie in theaters at least 10 times, and then I’d watch it another 100+ times on DVD.

Some fans were vocal about not enjoying the third season as much as the previous two. What would you say to these fans as to why they should still support a chance for a movie?

M: I became a fan of the show in the third season and that made me go out and buy the first two seasons. Season one and two were very good but season three still had a lot going for it. What I would say to the fans though is season three had CW executives trying to tweak it and I think a movie would be left up to Rob Thomas who created the show.

J: Ah, yes, season three…. I know a lot of people didn’t like it as much as the first two seasons, but I really dig it for a number of reasons. #1, Veronica goes to college! There are so many more places the stories can go when you take the characters to higher education. #2, New characters. It’s always nice to meet new people and make new friends… or sometimes, new enemies! They explore deeper and darker themes… for instance, the prisoner/guard study is a heck of a lot more interesting than an egg drop for a school project. Plus, it makes Veronica an even stronger role model because she’s pursuing higher education. Plus, Hearst is bigger, darker, more interesting than Neptune High. #3, The new opening titles. More sophisticated, more noir…it’s just groovy. #4, Ed Begley, Jr! Laura San Giacomo! Rider Strong! Chris Lowell! #5, More mystery. Sure, there’s not 1 large season-long mystery, but they do all tie together, and it’s still interesting. I can’t really compare the seasons on a better-or-worse scale, as I love them all, and they’re ALL pretty fracking great.

To possible new fans: Why is Veronica Mars such a good show? Is it ever too late to get on board?

M: It’s never to late, I’m 44 and my parents are in their 60’s and loved the show. I’ve heard from people from their teens all the way to their 70’s, who wanted us to make sure they got more VM. I think the problem was that VM was marketed as a teen show which was a mistake because that kept a lot of people from discovering it  sooner…

J: It’s never too late! Just make sure you start from the very beginning of the series so you can follow everything. It’s not a show where you just watch a random episode here or there… it’s a story that you become a part of, and every chapter is pretty important.

What is the best way for Veronica Mars fans so show their support for the movie? Who do they write to? Can individual letters really make an impact?

M: The best way anyone can help is to help out campaigning. Don’t think that as long as someone else is doing something that you’re not needed and wouldn’t make a difference. Each and every fan does make a difference! When we finally succeed it will be because of the fans banding together and showing Warner Brothers that have the numbers and want to be heard.

J: Well, we’re still waiting to hear back from Kristen Bell as to who exactly we need to write letters to at WB. We’ve been sending letters to Jeff Robinov at Warner Brothers, but if anyone knows of someone else to write, we’re totally game. Until then, we’ll keep talking about it and spreading the word throughout the social networks (Twitter, MySpace, Facebook), message boards, and of course, our friends!

(Editors Note: Make sure to sign the Veronica Mars movie petition that Ausiello started.)

Is there a time when you’ll stop running this campaign?

J: Maybe if Veronica Mars gets picked up as a renewed series or as a movie… though I imagine the community will still exist even if that DOES happen, because we’ll be celebrating!  So, I suppose the answer is that Neptune is Rising indefinitely!

What pair of characters provides the best dynamic on the show, in your opinion?

J: This is a loaded question, for sure! Probably Veronica and her father, Keith. Their dynamic is playful and sharp, and their bond is very strong. After all the turmoil they’ve been through, they’re still there for each other, no matter what. It’s also worth noting the strength of this relationship as a single-parent family, because that’s not always presented in a positive light, especially with a father. Gilmore Girls did a great job of it, but they didn’t go as deep and dark as the Mars family did.

Is there any reason to think that Veronica Mars is a show only targeted for females?

J: No way! There’s something for EVERYONE in Veronica Mars. It’s dark, it’s funny, it’s soapy, it’s romantic, there’s action… and the snark! OH, the snark! Plus, it’s got the whole underdog thing going, and for anyone who’s been through high school, hell, anyone who’s been through LIFE can relate to some of the stuff that happens on this show. One scene in particular that stands out in my mind is from the episode “Hot Dogs” – this awkward loner girl, Mandy, loses her dog and seeks Veronica’s help. When Mandy is being made fun of by some meatheads at school, Veronica steps right up and chews their asses. Immediately after, Mandy says “I can’t believe you did that,” and Veronica responds, “I can’t believe that you didn’t! If you want people to leave you alone, or better yet, treat you with respect, demand it. Make them.” It’s advice that anyone, male or female, can stand to hear.

And although I think Veronica Mars appeals to both genders and all ages, I do think that it’s very important to have a strong role model like Veronica for females, specifically young women, to have. That’s one reason I was SO upset when Veronica was canceled, because the CW picked up “Pussycat Dolls Present” and “Farmer Wants a Wife”– totally throwing out this strong female character who has been through some serious shit, and replacing her with scantily clad snobs fighting to be the next MTV pole dancer. (No offense, Pussycat Dolls… but…really.) You know, not to trash talk other (obviously) female-targeted programming, but of everything I’ve seen, Veronica takes the cake. Though she may be flawed, she’s a strong, smart, driven person that anyone can look up to in some way. You can’t help but root for her.

Can you tell me a little bit about Operation Mars Attacks?

Jackie: The Operation Mars Attacks campaign was about six weeks long, and every week or week and a half we’d send out a package to the WB. All of the packages contained movie tickets and movie posters. The rest of the contents are as follows:

WEEK ONE
-Marshmallows
-Stickers saying “Well, you know what they say. Veronica Mars, she’s a marshmallow.”
-Neptune Rising 2009 calendar
-Printed movie petiton

WEEK TWO
-Twinkies
-Stickers saying “You’re a marshmallow, Veronica Mars! A twinkie!”

WEEK THREE
-Mars Bars
-Stickers saying “Mars Bar for Veronica Mars”

WEEK FOUR
-Snickerdoodles
-Stickers saying “Wait a minute. These are snickerdoodles. You’re the one who’s been making my spirit boxes?”

WEEK FIVE
-Invisible Children merchandise
-Kool-Aid packets
-Stickers saying “Veronica Mars cast and crew support Invisible Children”
-Stickers saying “Drinking the Kool-Aid”

WEEK SIX
(This package was also sent to Rob Thomas, Joel Silver, Ellen DeGeneres, and Craig Ferguson)
-Microwave popcorn
-Candy
-Mini-magazines
-A note saying “There are 3 kinds of people in the world: Those that make things happen, those that watch what happened, and those that wonder what happened. We’ve got everything but the movie. Help us make it happen!”
-Neptune Rising stickers

Important Links?

NeptuneRising’s Twitter
Kristen Bell’s Twitter
Neptune Rising on MySpace
Saveveronicamars.tv
Watch Veronica Mars Online
Kristen Bell excitedly talks Veronica Mars at Comic Con
SofaChip Coverage of Veronica Mars
Read what Kristen Bell Tweeted about the Veronica Mars Movie
Padme_370 on LiveJournal
Print out your own faux Veronica Mars movie tickets to send!
Amanda Seyfried’s Twitter
Michael Muhney’s Twitter

I’ve designed this post to help show the support for the movie. So leave your (positive) impassioned comments to this post if you’d like to say something. I happen to always love chatting to Veronica Mars fans (or TV fans in general), and the more the fans that speak out anywhere – the better.

Now it’s up to you to help stumble this post, link this post, e-mail, tweet the link – you get the idea. Send it to possible new fans! Show it to anyone you know involved with Warner Bros! The idea is to spread the word and show that enthusiasm. We have it. You know we do. Deep down, we’re all marshmallows.

Montage of Veronica Mars being awesome:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dE5ZkWu_BEo&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Kristen Bell talking about the Veronica Mars movie at Comic Con:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JknqHVhH3rQ&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

As always: You can find me on twitter whenever you like. Tell me dirty jokes! Or just send links to cat macros. I’m down for whatever. If you follow me (and you’re not a spambot) I’ll certainly follow you back.

BIG THANKS: The people who participate in Neptune Rising, especially Mark, Jason and Jackie. The entire cast and crew of Veronica Mars, especially Rob Thomas and also the phenomenal continually rising star, Kristen Bell, for never being quiet about her own enthusiasm for Veronica Mars (I believe lesser actresses would have turned a blind eye and simply moved along). Ausiello for his good taste. The supportive fans! You, who coaxed your little sister and dad to watch this show, who encourage your friends to buy the DVDs, who make creative fan artwork, who have memorized the lyrics to the Veronica Mars theme song, who make fan videos, who support and follow the people you were introduced to by the show (i.e. Michael Muhney, Alona Tal, Jason Dohring, Amanda Seyfried), who write fanfic, who would watch the movie in theaters or on the tiniest black and white television you could find, who have a firm belief in quality. Thank you to all of those who have collectively contributed to the Veronica Mars empire of awesomeness. A long time ago, we used to be friends. But to be honest, I’ve never stopped caring.

Warner Bros? We’re standing by to thank you for making the movie. You’ve seen the support, loyalty, and dedication we can offer. The next move is yours.

Don’t forget to subscribe to SofaChip! It’ll be the best thing you do with a sofa all day! Come on, let’s be TV pals! I’m addicted to tons of TV shows (we’re bound to have some in common), so let’s share our thoughts and have DVD marathons. I might even braid you a friendship bracelet.