Jason Dohring – Veronica Mars

Q) Logan and Veronica have this perpetual magnetic pull that has made their romance unlike any other on television. As Logan says, they’re “epic.” What do you think it is that has set them apart?

A) I went on to explain this for about five minutes the other and Kristen [Bell] said, “Wounded birds recognize each other.” I was like, “Oh, I could have said that. It would have been easier.” He’s lost both of his parents and she’s lost her mom. And I think they really feel for people. I think they are both very good people and they both have very strong tempers. When they’re hot, it’s hot. When they are at odds, it’s pretty explosive as well. Deep down, the characters just very much relate to each other and they’ve basically grown up together. That’s what makes it so fun to play on top of getting to work with Kristen, who is wonderful. There is just something kind of special working with her. She just kind of smiles at you and your whole day kind of changes. We just kind of work very well together.

Q) When we meet Logan again, we learn that he has been in the Air Force. How did that shape and mold him into present day Logan?

A) He had to grow up some time. He couldn’t always be the spoiled rich boy. I think it’s a very good place for him to start off because his life had been on such a downward spiral for so long that this sort of righted the ship and he’s able to have some positive aspects to him (discipline) that he’s never had before. It sort of gives him the opportunity to pull back off the cliff again, which is fun to play. I’m sure that if we had a sequel, there will be some kind of cliff’s edge or whatever that I’ll get to play him falling off again after this now, sort of righting the ship.

Q) When reading the script, what moments shocked you or captured you?

A) I get to wear a costume in the movie and I thought that was pretty cool. I knew that it would sort of make up for the bad things that I had done, to have this honorable, military aspect to the character. The story is so complex. I think that there is not just one plot. There are so many interweaving, left turns, right turns and shocks while still getting our favorite characters. It’s even understandable to people who have never seen the show, which I was quite surprised with and pleased with. Because if I heard of some TV show being rebooted in a movie that I had never seen, I would think I would have missed it. So, I’m really surprised that a lot of my friends that have never seen the show really enjoyed it, as well as people who have seen it absolutely love it.

Q) Were there any moments that made it into the movie that you and Kristen improved?

A) Rob’s [Thomas] writing is so good that you don’t need to come up with extra stuff yourself. It’s how you color the choices that you make for that character. A lot of people got the PDF version of the script and I think they’ll find things as they read through that where it is sort of written one way and we’re doing something else with it. That’s improv of sorts because it’s sort of not all on the page and it’s kind of what made our show cool. Every person took their own take on it. Logan was never supposed to be in love with Veronica, but that came out of working well together. There are just various things that come out from the actors’ portrayal of the characters.

Q) The movie left off with the opportunity for continuation. Would you like to see the show return or another film?

A) I know Rob has talked about creating like a mini Bond franchise. He thinks there is a market for that, which I agree with him. Logan is now flying fighter jets. If I could have any kind of scene with Ryan Hansen where we could do the Top Gun high-five my career would be complete.

Q) You touched on this a bit, but your chemistry with Kristen is so palpable. Did it come naturally or is it something you have been nurturing throughout the years?

A) Obviously, we’ve kept it professional. We both have our own families. It’s great when you keep it like that because it’s always so special. When you come to work, it’s just about the work. I very much care for her and I feel like I respect her very much as an artist and as an actress. She’s wonderful at so many aspects, which makes it that much easier to play because you just like that person. I think she’s a great person and wonderful. I think even from the start of the show we just really enjoyed one upping each other and I think that that’s sort of what Rob has talked about in the writers room. They wanted to see the relationship with these guys so they’ve sort of wrote to that more and more. I think it was around episode six that they told me that we were going to be together. It was never intended. We were just like, “What the fuck are you talking about?! No way!” They said, “Yeah. You better warm up to each other because in three episodes you guys are going to kiss.” I had no idea what to do or even how to play a love story, to be honest with you. I just kind of went into it blindly and I had a great partner in Kristen. We just had a ball and it was a joy to work with her.

Q) When Logan and Veronica reconnect in the movie, it doesn’t take long for them to pick up where they left off with their repartee and even more, even with their nine years of radio silence. Was it the same for you and Kristen?

A) I think it was! I don’t know how to explain it. Again, I swear she just looks at me and smiles and I’m like, “Holy shit! Oh my God! This person is amazing!” I just kind of go with that. I don’t know if it is more explainable than that. We know each other. There were so many aspects to it. We’ve had good times and bad times. So, there is sort of all that history that comes and we’re comfortable being around each other. When you have two people that really know each other there is a comfort factor there. That all came back.

Q) What has it felt like falling back in line with the “Veronica Mars” infamy and being back in the spotlight?

A) It’s amazing! We honestly thought like maybe twenty-five people were watching our little show in San Diego. To take that and have it sort of get its legs beyond its cancellation has been pretty remarkable. I’ve never quite experienced anything like that, obviously, but even as a viewer of other shows. People come up to us and say that it’s their favorite show and that they’ve gotten ten people to watch it and now it’s their favorite show. It was our little darling and it just feels really cool to be a part of something like that. To have that live on seven years past cancellation has been pretty remarkable. It seems to be the little project that could. Everybody is enjoying the storylines and we certainly enjoy taking these characters into the next stage of their lives. It’s just been a blast as an actor and as a creative, sort of, artist to be a part of something like that and touches people like that.

Q) Is there anything about Logan and Veronica’s history that you would have gone back and changed?

A) I don’t know. You have to have the ups with the downs and just the reverse wise. As an actor, you don’t want to play everything is in love all the time. It’s more entertaining to play the two against each other. You find the cliff’s edge and it’s right past the love story and then favor life when ever things look bearable between the two. It’s just drama, man. As far as an actor, you love playing both sides. I love playing the asshole to her because I just enjoy those scenes, trying to be the best and one up her. Then, the scenes we shared with the love story were very special also. They mean a lot to the fans, which is really cool. On the whole press tour that we did people talked about the love story and it was really special and wonderful, especially early in my career and to get the chance to do that with such a wonderful actress.

Q) Was there anyone you didn’t have scenes with that you wish you had or that you wish you had more scenes with?

A) I’m always talking in Enrico’s [Colantoni] ear about acting, finding out how he does what he does and his training. I would have liked to have had more scenes with him. The scenes we did have were cool, but playing a protective father doesn’t really lend itself to having a decent relationship with a guy such as my character. I would have liked to have had more scenes with him. He’s just fun and he knew acting and that’s what I enjoy.

Q) After the Kickstarter campaign, you’ve become a regular using social media to connect with fans. Why is that such an important thing for you to do?

A) Well, I’ve put out two of my own tweets and they were both fan related. I didn’t want to post any pictures of myself, particularly. I’m not adverse to it, but I just didn’t want to be that guy. When I was in New York, I said if anybody was around let’s go get ice cream. I had like twenty-five girls show up and one guy. It was just great! I like to do things for the fans, especially our fans because they have been so supportive. I just want to do things that I want to do. I think that when the fans are involved, that’s something that I want to participate in.

Q) What’s next for you?

A) I did a sports movie that is coming out at the end of the year called The Squeeze. I did some work up in Canada that should come out the middle of this year. Then, we’ll see if we’re going to continue this film, which I hope we are.

Q) What would you like to say to everyone who is a fan and supporter of you, your work and of course Veronica Mars?

A) In this particular case, I think I’d mostly answer the question to Veronica Mars fans because, honestly, our project was dead. It wouldn’t have come back and the movie wouldn’t have gotten made. I’m so proud because I think we did make such a good movie, particularly for the fans. It’s a movie that the fans wanted to see and we were able to wrap it up. There is a new fanbase with everybody who was able to see the show since it was cancelled. So, now I think we have this cool fanbase and our own franchise possibility. As long as we’re telling good stories and the audience is interested, we’re happy to keep doing it for them.