Johnson also gives EW some behind-the-scenes intel on his favorite day directing on set.
Warning: This article contains spoilers from Wednesday’s episode ofBatwoman,titled “Broken Toys.”
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: What was the first thing that jumped out to you when you read the script?
The CW
CAMRUS JOHNSON:Victor Zsasz.
We talk all the time.
When I saw he was in my episode, I freaked out.
Actor-director Camrus Johnson with Rachel Skarsten as Alice on ‘Batwoman’.Colin Bentley/The CW
The second big thing was just the Joker lore.
I really just got to play and it was fun.
What did you think would be the most challenging scene to shoot after that initial read?
Camrus Johnson directing ‘Batwoman’.Dean Buscher/The CW
Obviously, the final scene.
So I just wanted to ensure it was as fun and comfortable as possible.
Thank the lord, we did have a good time.
I was not worried about that scene, but I was extra prepared to check that everything went smoothly.
That’s definitely a challenging scene to be handed on your first episode of TV.
What did you do to prepare for it?
I did talk to some actor friends who have done it before.
I have been in a couple myself.
The thing about romantic scenes is they’re already romantic.
When two people’s lips touch on camera, it’s automatically romantic.
It’s not always the most beautiful thing in the world.
This is new for both of you.
How will the rest of the Bat Team react to this development?
I think this is going to make them very happy.
I think Luke has warned her about this kind of stuff before, but this is different.
Sophie is part of the team.
If they’ve found some love for each other, they’re going to be very supportive of that.
Can you share what she was talking about specifically?
So they did the take and it went great.
Like you think this is a good advice."
She was like, “Oh, that’s an interesting take!”
So she did it that way.
So, it was three completely different takes of the same scene and they all worked so completely differently.
Rachel actually said, “Wow, I never thought about that scene that way.”
And Nicole not only reacted to those different takes, but I gave Nicole the exact same thing.
What was your favorite day on set?
My favorite set was the Joker bunker.
Dude, I freaked out when I read that in the script.
I went to my props team and said, “I want everything.
Give me the bloody crowbar.
Give me the fish with the lipstick on it from the comics.
Give me the freakin' Harley Quinn hammer if you might.
Give the pencil fromThe Dark Knightmovie.”
[Laughs].I asked for so many props, and Chance?
They gave me all of them!
So when I walked in that day, I was freaking out!
When we shot at the theme park, that was also incredible!
Judy Reyes is one of the best actors ever.
So the original character was not Judy at all.
It was someone like 30 years younger and blah blah blah.
Oh my gosh, Judy, talk about an actor who can do anything!
Then, she turns back right as it’s Javicia’s line again.
She made the camera hers wherever it was.
She was a scene-stealer.
So, anytime I got to direct Judy, I was like, “This is great!”
When Luke got his father’s A.I.
back from Marquis, I was immediately concerned that Marquis may have tampered with it.
Should the audience be worried about that at all?
I think it’s go to go.
I don’t think Marquis is smart enough to alter something like that.
I think it was just something she took to spite Luke in a way.
I need to find him.
I need to talk to him."
But Luke’s A.I.
is now in his life.
It needs to get to a point where Luke learns to grow and be a hero on his own.
In a strange way, I think having his dad’s A.I.
This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.
Batwomanairs Wednesdays at 9 p.m. on The CW.
