Drew Van Acker Stirring Things Up on Pretty Little Liars
Via TvLine
Jason DiLaurentis has long been a mystery on Pretty Little Liars. Give him a new actor and a fabulous, flowing hairdo and you get Drew Van Acker. Drew warns fans of the show that Jason will be stirring things up this season, especially for you Ezria fans out there.
Check out what Drew says is in store for Jason this season on Pretty Little Liars:
Up until recently, Jason has been a big question mark. But he’s back in a big way this Tuesday — and he’s got his smoldering sights set on Aria (played by Lucy Hale).
“Aria brings out a side in him that fans haven’t seen yet,” Van Acker previews. “He finds something in her that he can relate to, so there’s definitely a connection between them.” Which means… what we think it means? “I’m definitely stirring things up for the Aria/Ezra situation,” the actor insists.
But before Ezria fans revolt, hear the man out: “Jason is not this monster that everyone makes him out to be. He’s changed his life. In the beginning, everyone thought he was bad, and while no one knows either way just yet, you will see him opening up.” To clarify, this means he’ll be opening up to all of the girls, says Van Acker, not just everyone’s formerly pink-haired fave.
In the meantime, Van Acker tells TVLine that PLL viewers can look forward to an unveiling of “what he’s been up to in his old house,” as well as finally pinning down what exactly went wrong between Jason and his kid sis. “As the episodes go on, you’ll see more and more of their brother/sister relationship [in flashbacks], and why things became so tainted.”
Comic-Con 2011 – Darren Criss Q&A
Darren Criss is getting ready for Comic-Con 2011! Will you be going?
From sleeping in his car at his first Comic-Con to being in a panelist for “A Very Potter Musical,” the actor shares his memories and tips for the annual pop culture confab.
Check out the interview:
Darren Criss
Geek Cred: Glee, A Very Potter Musical
Comic-Con panel: Glee, Sunday, July 24, 10 a.m. in Hall H
THR: What stands out from your first Comic-Con experience?
Criss: In high school, I’d always wanted to go and kept missing it. I’m a big fanboy and every year it’s become more of a big deal. When I first moved to L.A. about three years ago, I finally got to go. Someone had an extra pass and my friend and I drove down — without a hotel to stay in. We found a magical parking spot Friday at the one spot with no meter in all of San Diego. We lived out of the car all weekend. We slept outside in line for the Lost panel and were basically homeless for the weekend.
THR: Last year you were part of a Harry Potter fan panel representing A Very Potter Musical.
Criss: I was worried nobody would come to the panel because it was at the same time as the Glee panel. To go back this year, if they do have me on the panel for Glee, it’ll be coming full circle.
THR: Any plans to do a Harry Potter panel this year in addition to possibly Glee?
Criss: I’d love to do something with my theater company Star Kids.
THR: What’s your favorite Comic-Con memory?
Criss: My first Comic-Con I drove directly from a call-back in L.A. for Eastwick and when I got there, I thought it would be funny to go to the Eastwick panel since I was still in wardrobe from the call-back and had my Eastwick pass on me. I saw Rebecca Romijn and told her I’d auditioned as I was getting the pass signed. I ended up working on the show and forever after, Romijn referred to me as the “kid from Comic-Con.” I always have these wonderful serendipities during Comic-Con.
THR: Who would be on your dream panel?
Criss: Harrison Ford, Christopher Walken, Guillermo del Toro, Bruce Lee even though he’s no longer with us, Gandhi, Jesus Christ of Nazareth and John Lennon.
THR: If you were to attend in costume, what would you be?
Criss: A Final Fantasy character. If I went with a big enough group, we could all be characters from Street Fighter.
THR: What tips do you have for Comic-Con first-timers?
Criss: Bring a phone charger with you because Comic-Con is a black hole of everybody on Twitter and online and your phone battery will die in two seconds and if you’re separated from your friends, you will not find them.
Seventeen Magazine Interviews Brant Daugherty
Brant Daugherty plays Noel Kahn on ABC Family’s Pretty Little Liars. Brant answered 17 questions for Seventeen Magazine and spills his celebrity crush, when he got his first kiss and a bunch of other little things that prove what a great guy he is!
Check it out:
1. When was your first kiss?
I think I was in fifth grade. A girl surprised me with a kiss. I was so shocked that I forgot to close my eyes. I’m a lot better at it now, I promise.
2. Who’s your celebrity crush?
I’ve been in love with Natalie Portman for a long time now. She’s flawless.
3. What’s a girl fashion trend that confuses you?
I don’t know how much of a trend it is, but have you seen the commercials for the jeans/sweatpants combo? I don’t really understand that one.
4. What’s the chick flick you secretly love?
I love Mean Girls. I held out on watching it for a long time, but I’m so glad I finally did. Tina Fey is brilliant.
5. What’s your TV guilty pleasure?
I have a secret love for The Biggest Loser. It’s the only reality show I allow myself to watch.
6. Who would play you in the movie version of your life?
Could I cast myself? I think I could pull it off. But James Franco would be a pretty safe bet, too.
7. What’s your dream job?
I already have my dream job. Acting was the only thing that ever really kept my attention, and I’m very fortunate that I can have a career doing something I love.
8. If you could trade places with anyone in the world for one day, who would it be?
Who is Natalie Portman dating? That guy.
9. Who in your family are you closest to?
I’m very close to my sister these days. We fought endlessly when we were kids, so it’s nice to actually get along now.
10. What’s your favorite Website?
Twitter. I’m on it constantly. I love being able to hear from anybody who wants to write to me.
11. What’s the fast food you can’t live without?
I’m addicted to In-N-Out Burger. It’s kind of a problem.
12. What’s your worst habit?
I can be impatient. But I don’t think it’s always a bad habit. Sometimes a little impatience can be a good thing. It keeps you motivated.
13. What’s the last song you listened to on your iPod?
“Daydreamin’” by Lupe Fiasco. His album is on regular rotation in my life.
14. What’s the last thing you bought?
New headphones. I can’t seem to buy a pair that lasts more than a few months. I’m not easy on them.
15. What did you dream about last night?
I wouldn’t even know where to start. My dreams are far too random for words. Something about a cruise ship, I think.
16. How much money is in your wallet right now?
I don’t usually carry cash. Don’t rob me.
17. Fill in the blank: When I was 17, I was ____________.
Enjoying being 17.
Pretty Little Liars airs Tuesdays on ABC Family
Pretty Little Liars: Julian Morris Talks Wren’s Return
In case you missed last night’s epic episode of Pretty Little Liars, here’s a spoiler I don’t mind repeating. Wren is back! And he’s brought his hypnotic accent with him. Thank you writers!
Zap2it chatted with Julian Morris about coming back to “PLL,” what Wren’s been up to and what his return will mean for Spencer and Toby. And yes, before you rage in the comments, we did ask if Wren could possibly be the father of Melissa’s baby. Morris’ answer? Silence. Take from that what you will.
Check out the interview:
Zap2it: Welcome back to Rosewood! How does it feel to be back?
Morris: It feels fantastic, it feels really, really cool. I miss not being there, so it’s great now that I’m back seeing everyone. I kept friends with a bunch of the cast, like Lucy [Hale], I had seen at her premiere for “Scream 4” and we kept in contact and Troian [Bellisario]. So it was great seeing everyone within that context of “here we are at the table read in our characters, playing our characters,” so that was fun.
When did they approach you about returning to the show?
There were never really talks. It was never like if i’m coming back, it was more when would be the right time for Wren to make another appearance. It just seemed like a particularly good time with the storyline and everything.
When you left the show to star on “My Generation,” were there talks of you still returning to “PLL”?
It’s funny both the shows were ABC shows. ABC Family and “My Generation” was ABC, so there was never a conflict of interest. I went to Texas [for “My Generation”] so I could hop back on and do “Pretty Little Liars.” Certainly, in my mind at least, I love doing the show and I would have jumped at the chance to go back, as I have.
How long will you be back for? A couple of episodes or will you be sticking around for the rest of Season 2?
I don’t know, I hope for awhile. I’m committed to do a few episodes and I think the writers are just going to see how Wren fits in with the rest of the characters and how the fans react to the storyline and his storyline. I love the show so hopefully for a few more.
So what has Wren been up to since leaving Rosewood?
They gave me some hints and it’s fantastic. What I can tell you is that Wren is now a doctor, I’m now at a residency at Rosewood General.
When Wren left, he told Spencer he wished he met her first. Will we see sparks fly between those two again?
I mean it’s clear the Wren felt like he made the wrong choice. For him, Spencer was the girl. I certainly think from how Wren feels those emotions run deep, so when he sees Spencer again, I think you can’t ignore those feelings that he once had. I think sparks could definitely happen.
Obviously no Rosewood couple can stay drama-free for long. Will we be seeing a love triangle with Wren, Spencer and Toby?
Well, I’ve been told that I can reveal that Toby and Wren are going to meet and that there’s going to be some fireworks going on.
Why do you think Wren is the better guy for Spencer?
Why is Wren better for Spencer? Because he’s English. No seriously, because I think he’s a really good person. I think that they would be great together, but I have to say that!
Spencer and Toby — or “Spoby” — have a lot of fans. Are you nervous about possibly facing the wrath of their fans?
Wren was engaged to Melissa so he obviously loved her before meeting Spencer. Is there a chance Wren and Melissa might rekindle their romance?
She’s very much into Ian and she’s obviously pregnant. Wren for me is a inheritantly good person. He’s a good character and certainly how I’m going to approach him as a character is that he went away because he didn’t want to keep screwing up the Hastings family. He did some pretty bad things and so how I’m going to approach it as an actor is that one of the reasons why he was away from them and left Rosewood was because he needed to put a break on things and to reassess. That said, he’s back now and those feelings that he had for Spencer as for Melissa could very well still be there.
Is Wren coming back to Rosewood with any secrets?
It’s “Pretty Little Liars,” of course. I think he’s been up to a lot, I think there’s going to be some pretty cool secrets.Could he possibly be working with “A”?
That would be great if he was “A.” I dont know if he is. Who knows, who knows.
What kind of reaction did you get from fans on Twitter when it was announced you would be returning?
It was amazing, it was incredible. It was funny because he’s been away for awhile now; I knew some people would be excited about Wren coming back, but it was incredible the reaction from fans, which was humbling and exciting. I’m really really greatful to all those people who are excited that Wren is coming back.
How would you compare Season 2 to Season 1?
I would say that it’s a little more edgy and it’s a little more darker. That said, it’s still the same show that everyone loves. So it’s great. The storyline’s fantastic — how it evolves and how it sort of weaves and interweaves with the other characters — it’s brilliant and it’s pretty exciting.