Felicia Day

It’s fairly impossible to go online and not run into actress, new media geek and gamer Felicia Day. Log onto Twitter and you’ll most likely find her commenting on LED dresses, acting gigs, her favorite video games, nom-tastic snacks, and even traffic school. Head over to Youtube and you’ll see her award-winning comedy series about gamers called The Guild.

She’s also a constant in many of director Joss Whedon’s projects such as Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog and Dollhouse. Felicia Day also guest hosted G4’s Attack of the Show and geeked out in a NASA video series IRrelevant Astronomy.

StarWars.com chats with Felicia Day about singing with Neil Patrick Harris and Nathan Fillion, her crushes on Han Solo and Guybrush Threepwood, and why she tried to use the Force during a visit to Skywalker Ranch.

Why did you decide to create and star in The Guild?

I was tired of being pigeonholed in Hollywood and not getting enough work because I was "quirky." I know I’m not a typical-looking girl, but I was tired of waiting for the phone to ring. So I was inspired after shaking my World of Warcraft addiction to write something about gamers, just for fun. My co-producer Kim Evey suggested we do it for the Web instead of TV after reading my pilot script. The rest is history!

How did the "Date My Avatar" music video come about?

I was writing Season 3 of The Guild, and we usually do an extra video each season. We couldn’t do Christmas because of release schedule, so I was thinking of another concept. Lots of people ask me to please sing more because of Dr. Horrible, and in addition a fan Jeff Carlisle — a professional artist who actually does Star Wars comics — made a piece of art for us to sell at conventions with us in our avatar costumes that fans loved. Combine that with my love of bad ’90s dance music, and voila! Thank goodness Jed Whedon agreed to co-write and direct. He added the cool factor in a way I could never channel!

The Guild cast members are hilarious, but adding a cameo of Wil Wheaton was like icing on the geektastic cake. What was your favorite moment working with Wil? I heard there was a killer beetle involved!

I’m so glad you mention that. Wil is such a professional, and he really nailed this character I wrote for him. I think my favorite moment is definitely when we’re in the chat channel together and he’s walking such a fine line of charm and jerkiness. No one else could have played that the way he did, just funny and perfect. Oh, and the part in Episode 2 outtakes where a huge beetle flew at his head and he squealed like a girl and flapped his arms like Flipper. That was hilarious.

How did your role in Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog come about?

I had worked with Joss Whedon on the last season of Buffy, and linked him episodes copiously when I started doing The Guild. We were walking the strike line during the WGA writer’s strike and he mentioned he was developing his own Web project about a super-villain who sang. I was like, "Please make that!" Then a few months later he just sent me an email asking, "Can you sing?" That’s how it happened.

What’s the funniest memory you have from filming Dr. Horrible’s Sing-A-Long Blog?

It was such a crazy shoot, but I loved the fact that when we were shooting on the Universal Lot, Nathan Fillion was harnessed to the top of that van at the end of Act 1, and a Universal tour bus drove by as he was standing on the van and singing. The tourists looked so confused!

What’s happening with the next Dr. Horrible?

The Whedon clan is gonna focus on it after Dollhouse wraps; that’s all I know! Cross fingers it happens soon. I’m as big a fan of it as anyone! Neil and Nathan are just perfection, on screen and off.

You’re a regular in the Whedonverse with roles on Buffy, Dr. Horrible, and most recently Dollhouse. What’s your favorite memory in working with Joss Whedon?

Every time I work with Joss is heaven. He’s so creative and supportive and brilliant. Ideas just pour off of him in the most inspiring way. I don’t have a specific memory right now of something on a set that happened, but I do remember doing The Guild panel at Comic-Con last year, and walking in and seeing he actually made it to my panel, which blew me away. Then after we screened the episodes he looked at me like he was proud of me, which makes me tear up just thinking about it. He’s a wonderful person and I’m so lucky he likes working with me.

It seems like entertainment is starting to seriously shift from the traditional TV/movie realm more to the online space. What is it about creating and staring in something online that can be less restricting than the usual outlets?

I’m very lucky to work with Xbox. They give me the creative freedom to make the show we want to make and deliver it to the audience on so many platforms. I think the lower budgets and the new landscape allow people to risk making material that won’t have to appeal to everyone. Also I find tech companies are more flexible with the artist, and more inventive about releasing the content the way the audience wants to experience it, not the way they want them to.

You’ve mentioned on your Twitter that you’ll be in an upcoming episode of Lie to Me. Where else can fans catch you?

I have a guest episode of Three Rivers coming up as well, both those will be airing in September. Right now I’m working on The Guild comic book for Dark Horse, which will be out in the Spring. We’re still waiting on a pickup for Season 4 of The Guild. And hopefully more acting roles as time goes on! We’ll see. Hollywood isn’t the most open place for a girl like me, but that’s why I love the Internet.

Okay, now it’s the part of our interview where I exploit your love for Star Wars. What is your first Star Wars memory?

Going to a sleepover and seeing a friend’s brother have a Star Wars bedspread on his bed. My friend had My Little Pony and I wanted the Star Wars one. Although in retrospect the texture wasn’t very comfortable, and might have been flammable.

What’s your funniest Star Wars memory?

Trying to make buns on my head and wondering how in the world she had so much hair to make them so thick. Mine stuck out like Frankenstein knobs.

Do you still collect any Star Wars stuff now?

I’m not much of a collector, I don’t like clutter, but I definitely have all the DVDs prominently displayed on the DVD shelf.

Which Star Wars film made you become a fan?

The first one, of course. I was in love with Han Solo. I wanted to be Princess Leia. I wanted to have Chewbacca carry me around. Is that so wrong?

Have you ever dressed up as a Star Wars character for Halloween?

Nope, although that Jabba the Hutt costume you wore a few months back was tempting. I just didn’t order it in time.

How have sci-fi films like Star Wars influenced you?

Funny story, when I went up to Skywalker Ranch someone told me a story about the first Star Wars, that they had no budget and they had to improvise a lot of props, so they spray painted Dixie Cups for some wardrobe and props. When I heard that I was so inspired, because I’m in the low-budget filmmaking business myself. Web shows have no money. But to not let that stop you and to make the most important film in history — that was awesome.

Who’s your favorite Star Wars character?

Han Solo. He’s so charming and rakish and brave. He’s the hottest man in a fictional universe; no one can dispute it. I’d fly off with him any day.

What’s the one Star Wars topic you debate the most with your friends?

It’s always Star Wars vs. Star Trek; isn’t that the universal? Thankfully there’s room in this world to love both.

How was your recent trip to Skywalker Ranch? What was the coolest thing you saw?

Um, do I have to pick something specific? I mean, it’s an amazing place. So many wonderful people working at the height of their craft. And beautiful architecture everywhere. The art in the Main House, and then the screening room/theatre was one of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. Also the movie poster collection was breathtaking. Oh, and there was the very first lightsaber in a cabinet — right in front of me! I stared at it for about 10 minutes, willing it to turn on and slice up the display.

We heard you’re a fan of The Secret of Monkey Island! What is it about that game that made you love it?

I had a crush on Guybrush Threepwood. I admit it. He seemed like good boyfriend material. Great hair and a sense of humor. What more do you want?

What kind of Star Wars game do you think LucasArts should make next?

I’m super looking forward to the MMORG! The Knights of the Old Republic games have to be some of my favorite RPGs of all time — so immersive and fun. I also like straight adventure games with puzzles and stuff, like the old-timey Sierra games. I feel like that type of game should make a comeback with graphics the way they are now — almost like living a movie.

What would you like to see happen with Star Wars next — are there any of your favorite characters that you’d like to see get some TV time?

I would love to see a Jedi Academy show! What could be cooler?!