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Interview with Phil LaMarr (Animated Jazz's VA)

Posted:
Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:50 pm
by i_amtrunks
http://www.wizarduniverse.com/television/tvother/005793816.cfmChanging subjects, you are set to play Jazz in the new Transformers show. It’s a great role with a lot of history, so are you going to follow the footsteps of the old series, the movie, or should we expect something new?
LAMARR: There’s no way to follow in the footsteps Scatman Crothers [Jazz’s original voice from the old series]. I mean, those are just shoes that are too big to fill. So, yeah, we’ve gone a different direction. Obviously the “cool” element is still there, that’s never going to go away with Jazz, and in my head I always hear Scatman but it’s a different sound. It’s a new sound.
I’m glad you brought up Scatman Crothers, because it must just be cool to pick up after such a legend. What is that like?
LAMARR: It’s an honor to be able to play something that somebody so talented originated. Even though they’re revamping the story, you know and the fans know that that’s where it came from and it’s nice to be connected to that kind of history.
So, by the technical and scientific laws of acting does this make you the best choice for the role if they ever redo Hong Kong Phooey?
LAMARR: [Laughs] I’d say so.
What is it like to be doing the voice of Jazz for a whole new generation of Transformers fans?
LAMARR: Well, it’s been interesting for me because I was not really familiar with much Transformers stuff. It sort of fell in between my kid years and my adult years. So, I missed it the first time around. So, I’ve been doing a lot of research actually. [I’ve been] looking at the old cartoons and reading the old comics just because I’d be reading the scripts and going, “My gosh, what an intricate world!” And it just got me more and more interested in what’s going on. How much of this is new? How much of this is original? So, I’ve been getting into it.

Posted:
Tue Aug 28, 2007 9:53 pm
by Darth Bombshell
As long as he doesn't do Jazz like Darius McCrary did, it's OK by me.

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 1:54 am
by Damolisher
Nah, I reckon Jazz'll wind up sounding kinda like Wilt from Foster's Home for Imaginary Friend, only, well Jazzed up a little. (No pun intended.)

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 4:02 am
by BigBot
Shame he didn't talk about Metal Gear Solid 4

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 8:16 am
by Wheeljack35
I will allways associate Phil Lamar with MAD TV and him playing Green Lantern Jon Stewart in Justice League

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:34 am
by Silent_Magnus
Haha, I didn't know he did voice acting till now.
It's weird how many characters one person can play.
I loved the Hong Kong Phooey joke.
also I can relate to his remark about missing transformer.
As I was interested in transformers for most of my life,
but only got really into it last year.

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:51 am
by StryderPrime
OK Time Out
So Ya telling me that Jazz will be in the Transformer Anime 2 as well?????????????

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 10:05 am
by Evil Phil
Whoa whoa time out.
Phil laMarr, THE Phil LaMarr, is going to play Jazz in the new series?
EFFING YES!!!

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 12:00 pm
by Ericus Prime
I liked his performance on Mad TV and Metal Gear Solid 2, he's a great choice for Jazz, "The King Of Cool!"

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 1:57 pm
by Jazz-935
I'm just so frikkin' happy that JAZZ is actually in it. Being such a big jazz fan.. this is had made my day! yay!

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:01 pm
by justynnbailey
The thing about LaMarr as Jazz.....I could see him doing a Scatman Cruthers riff...but I could also see Jazz sounding like John Stewart/Black Vulcan....I'm cool either way...Phil LaMarr is one of the greatest voice actors of this generation IMO and it's cool to have him involved with TFs......

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:01 pm
by justynnbailey
The thing about LaMarr as Jazz.....I could see him doing a Scatman Cruthers riff...but I could also see Jazz sounding like John Stewart/Black Vulcan....I'm cool either way...Phil LaMarr is one of the greatest voice actors of this generation IMO and it's cool to have him involved with TFs......

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:01 pm
by justynnbailey
The thing about LaMarr as Jazz.....I could see him doing a Scatman Cruthers riff...but I could also see Jazz sounding like John Stewart/Black Vulcan....I'm cool either way...Phil LaMarr is one of the greatest voice actors of this generation IMO and it's cool to have him involved with TFs......

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:01 pm
by justynnbailey
The thing about LaMarr as Jazz.....I could see him doing a Scatman Cruthers riff...but I could also see Jazz sounding like John Stewart/Black Vulcan....I'm cool either way...Phil LaMarr is one of the greatest voice actors of this generation IMO and it's cool to have him involved with TFs......

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:02 pm
by justynnbailey
The thing about LaMarr as Jazz.....I could see him doing a Scatman Cruthers riff...but I could also see Jazz sounding like John Stewart/Black Vulcan....I'm cool either way...Phil LaMarr is one of the greatest voice actors of this generation IMO and it's cool to have him involved with TFs......

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:02 pm
by justynnbailey
The thing about LaMarr as Jazz.....I could see him doing a Scatman Cruthers riff...but I could also see Jazz sounding like John Stewart/Black Vulcan....I'm cool either way...Phil LaMarr is one of the greatest voice actors of this generation IMO and it's cool to have him involved with TFs......

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:02 pm
by justynnbailey
The thing about LaMarr as Jazz.....I could see him doing a Scatman Cruthers riff...but I could also see Jazz sounding like John Stewart/Black Vulcan....I'm cool either way...Phil LaMarr is one of the greatest voice actors of this generation IMO and it's cool to have him involved with TFs......

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:02 pm
by justynnbailey
The thing about LaMarr as Jazz.....I could see him doing a Scatman Cruthers riff...but I could also see Jazz sounding like John Stewart/Black Vulcan....I'm cool either way...Phil LaMarr is one of the greatest voice actors of this generation IMO and it's cool to have him involved with TFs......

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:02 pm
by justynnbailey
The thing about LaMarr as Jazz.....I could see him doing a Scatman Cruthers riff...but I could also see Jazz sounding like John Stewart/Black Vulcan....I'm cool either way...Phil LaMarr is one of the greatest voice actors of this generation IMO and it's cool to have him involved with TFs......

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 3:03 pm
by justynnbailey
The thing about LaMarr as Jazz.....I could see him doing a Scatman Cruthers riff...but I could also see Jazz sounding like John Stewart/Black Vulcan....I'm cool either way...Phil LaMarr is one of the greatest voice actors of this generation IMO and it's cool to have him involved with TFs......

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 4:37 pm
by Damolisher
Damn, how the hell many times did you hit reply?!

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 4:47 pm
by JazZeke
I'm really pleased to hear he's gained such a respect for the original source material, and for Scatmna Crothers as well. I'm so psyched about seeing Jazz back on the tube, and I can tell already, this was a great casting choice.

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 5:06 pm
by Damolisher
It's kidna funny, I said ages ago when Jazz was announced for the movie that Phil LaMarr would be the perfect choice. I've kinda gotten my wish here.

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 6:56 pm
by i_amtrunks
Damolisher wrote:It's kidna funny, I said ages ago when Jazz was announced for the movie that Phil LaMarr would be the perfect choice. I've kinda gotten my wish here.
Who knew Kiwi's held such sway?
After reading his bio, I'm waiting with some anticipation to see what he brings to Jazz. I am expecting good things.

Posted:
Wed Aug 29, 2007 9:05 pm
by Liege Evilmus
Phil Lamarr is the man!