To celebrate the CW superhero dramedy’s long-awaited return, EW is launchingSix Days of Legends.
Now you may be asking yourself, “Why now?
Is there some major milestone coming up this season?”
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Well, to that we say, “Why not?”
You never know what to expect fromDC’s Legends of Tomorrow.
What are Legends of Tomorrow’s biggest (and weirdest) influences?
Madeleine Stowe and Daniel Day-Lewis in ‘The Last of the Mohicans.'.Everett Collection
PHIL KLEMMER:The Replacements are my musical analog for the show.
The temp theme song was “Bastards of Young.”
Most of the Legends have that contradictory nature.
Legends of Tomorrow showrunners Phil Klemmer, Keto Shimizu, and Grainne Godfree share their pop culture influences.Amanda Edwards/Getty Images; Gregg DeGuire/WireImage; Courtesy of Grainne Godfree
“We are the sons of no one/bastards of young!”
Legends is about finding family with a bunch of equally broken strangers.
I will find you," [inThe Last of the Mohicans].
DC Comics
Rick inCasablancais basically John Constantine without all the magic.
What am I talking about, I just have a crush onVal Kilmer’s Madmartigan.
What inspires you personally as a writer?
‘Veronica Mars’ creator Rob Thomas.Jason Merritt/Getty Images
KLEMMER:I honestly couldn’t tell you.
The TV that I write and the media I digest couldn’t be more different.
I think the influences are the people I write with.
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You learn what ideas they respond to and what cracks them up.
I love to write in the “genre” space: horror, action, Westerns, supernatural drama.
GODFREE:William Goldman,Michaela Coel, Scott Frank,Phoebe Waller-Bridge, andJordan Peeleare all true Legends.
What made you want to become a writer?
The stories were so moving, so deeply disturbing, and so beautifully told.
If I had to do this by myself, I would quit tomorrow.
I bore myself to death and hate most of my ideas.
He lovedHumphrey Bogartand Cary Grant, who are needless to say, amazing.
But I wanted to see a woman on screen who was more than the love interest.
Enter Luc Besson’sLa Femme Nikita.
Now here was a hero I could root for and even relate to.
Who are your most significant mentors?
KLEMMER:I’d have to say that it would be my first bossRob Thomas, who createdVeronica Mars.
He gave me a job when I really needed one.
But once again, I really needed a job.
Then I joined the room and watched how Rob would craft episodes, then it wasn’t so crazy.
The premise doesn’t really matter, if you ask me.
Execution is everything, and that show was all Rob.
The best piece of advice he gave me: “You’ve gotta sweat for your pages.”
It’s a variation on the old adage “writing is rewriting,” I guess.
She set boundaries, but also made it clear what needed to get done.
Years later, I am now that working mother.
The producers and writers on that show made me feel welcome, valued and part of the team.
Is there a TV show or movie you’ve watched and wished you’d written?
KLEMMER:Anyone who says they don’t wish that they had come up withGalaxy Questis a liar.
Perfect idea (I know that I said that premises don’t matter, but this one is golden!
), and obviously, perfect execution.
GODFREE:Warrioron Cinemax is this incredible blend of period piece and martial arts extravaganza.
What’s something you haven’t done yet in your career that you’re dying to try?
Of course it’s good.
We have a lot of smart and talented people working their butts off.
But screw it, we’re The Replacements and we don’t give a damn what people think.
SHIMIZU:I am itching to write a horror TV show!
I’d also love to write stories with Japanese and/or Japanese-Americans at the center.
GODFREE:I would love to write an action movie forCaity Lotzand Andrew Koji (star ofWarrior.)
DC’s Legends of Tomorrowreturns Sunday at 8 p.m. on The CW.
