Danielle Solzman
Greg Grunberg spoke with Solzy at the Movies about working on Heroes, Star Wars, and Star Trek during Wizard World Chicago.
With Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker due out in theaters, I had to ask Grunberg what he can tell us about the new film.
There’s a mini-Heroes reunion this weekend. I thought the first season was one of the best seasons in television history.
Greg Grunberg: Thank you.
What do you miss about working on the series?
Greg Grunberg: The people. I’m always going to say to people. It’s a weird thing when you’re spending more time with those people than you are with your family because you get there at 6 AM. and then you leave at 8:00 and it’s. And then when you see the response and you’re so psyched about it and it clicks all over the world. I mean that’s a bond that you have forever. And so I really miss the people. I miss that character, too. For me, Matt Parkman was really interesting. The power had to do with the brain which means character and emotion and all of that stuff. It was just the best. It was a great role so I just miss that experience. We did come back. I came back different. Matt Parkman was a little evil when I came back but it was great. All around, I just loved it.
You’ve also been a part of the Star Wars universe.
Greg Grunberg: Yes, absolutely. J.J. Abrams is my closest friend. He put me in Star Wars so playing Snap Wexley was a dream. It allows me to come to shows like this, Wizard World. We have this new band, The Action Figures, and we’re playing a concert Saturday night and it’s just a blast like this audience appreciates it. I recruited everybody. I’m trying to get people to Oscar [Isaac]’s an amazing musician. Daisy [Ridley] can sing. I’m trying to get people from Star Wars to join us. This is our first show and The Action Figures is gonna go on tour, I think So it’ll be fun.
Is there anything you can tell us about Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker?
Greg Grunberg: Absolutely not! (Laughs)
I had to try.
Greg Grunberg: I know exactly. You have to ask. No, I wish I could but it’s great. It’s gonna be great. That’s for sure.
You’ve been friends with J.J. Abrams since childhood. How do you feel that he’s grown as a filmmaker?
Greg Grunberg: He’s always had incredible instincts. He was making films when I was—little shorts when we were 9, 10, 11, 12. He’s just brilliant. I think a guy like him also though—he’s a collaborator. A true collaborator. Everybody wants to work with him again and again and he just keeps getting better every time. Everything he’s done, I think he’s gotten better and better. Since his first thing—I mean Regarding Henry, Forever Young. These movies were all about character and great characters so well-written. He’s taken that and then done these large franchise movies and it’s a great combination. He’s just a master filmmaker and I’m lucky to call him my friend.
I think you may be one of the few to be both a part of Star Wars and Star Trek.
Greg Grunberg: Yeah. You have to Trek before you War is the slogan that I like to tell people. But yeah, I’m very fortunate to have done that. I love it. I love both franchises. Star Wars—I’ve had a bigger role in and I’m just so lucky to be a part of all of it. It’s great.
