for those avoiding spoilers here are excerpts with the spoilers removed. if you'd like to read the version with spoilers you can find it here:
http://www.cyberex-et.com/spotlight/mshanks/mshanks021503.html
Interview by Miwa Hirai
Michael Shanks, who played archeologist Daniel Jackson for the past five seasons on STARGATE SG-1, has returned. The actor appeared in the Season 6 finale of SG-1 in September of 2002,
which was his third guest appearance that season. Shanks left the show last season for reasons that proved difficult and distressing for all concerned, most especially for enthusiastic fans of the series. "I'm very aware of the strong reaction to Daniel's departure since the end of Season 5. It's been very surprising for me and, I think, for the people who run the show as well. I knew that there would some sort of reaction, but I didn't realize how passionate it would be. The character was very passionate, so maybe he would attract people who share that trait. It's just been very lovely, but at the same time it's been difficult. It was sad for me (to leave), too."
" Shanks also believes that what he says and what gets into the media for his fans to read are two different things. "I read something that claimed I said I hated writers and denigrated their talents. That wasn't it at all! It was never my intention to insult them. I thought the writing staff was just great and did a marvelous job. In a way, maybe I wanted to stay on the show, but I just expressed that the character (of Daniel) wasn't being made use of as well or as creatively as he could have been. I had begun to think the show would work just as well without me and that¹s when I felt that I had to go. I also felt it was time to expand my horizons and look to other things as an actor."
"The writers disagreed with my point of view. I thought they didn't see what I was talking about. I realize now that I should have left it at that. We had artistic differences, which is what a lot of actors say, but I hated the public speculation that would create. I wanted to be more specific, and it just seemed to cause more hurt feelings. So now I wish I could go back and say we had artistic differences and that's why I left. There is no right answer, given that situation." Shanks pauses. "But," he says pensively. "I am learning to curb what I say."
Does that mean we will see Daniel Jackson again? Is this the end of his journey with the SG-1 team?
"I don't really know. Whether or not the character comes back to the show is not my decision to make," says Shanks pensively. "It's wonderful that the fans still care. I can't say how much I appreciate their support. Sometimes it may be a little bit misguided, but other times they're dead on the money. To have fans out there carry your memory and want to see your character back is, well, I can't say enough about that." He grins. "They're wonderful. It's a very flattering thing that they're still talking about him (Daniel).
In terms of whether or not to blame Michael Shanks for leaving the show, possibly. But don't blame him if he doesn't return, I have absolutely no control of it at this point."
http://www.cyberex-et.com/spotlight/mshanks/mshanks021503.html
Interview by Miwa Hirai
Michael Shanks, who played archeologist Daniel Jackson for the past five seasons on STARGATE SG-1, has returned. The actor appeared in the Season 6 finale of SG-1 in September of 2002,
which was his third guest appearance that season. Shanks left the show last season for reasons that proved difficult and distressing for all concerned, most especially for enthusiastic fans of the series. "I'm very aware of the strong reaction to Daniel's departure since the end of Season 5. It's been very surprising for me and, I think, for the people who run the show as well. I knew that there would some sort of reaction, but I didn't realize how passionate it would be. The character was very passionate, so maybe he would attract people who share that trait. It's just been very lovely, but at the same time it's been difficult. It was sad for me (to leave), too."
" Shanks also believes that what he says and what gets into the media for his fans to read are two different things. "I read something that claimed I said I hated writers and denigrated their talents. That wasn't it at all! It was never my intention to insult them. I thought the writing staff was just great and did a marvelous job. In a way, maybe I wanted to stay on the show, but I just expressed that the character (of Daniel) wasn't being made use of as well or as creatively as he could have been. I had begun to think the show would work just as well without me and that¹s when I felt that I had to go. I also felt it was time to expand my horizons and look to other things as an actor."
"The writers disagreed with my point of view. I thought they didn't see what I was talking about. I realize now that I should have left it at that. We had artistic differences, which is what a lot of actors say, but I hated the public speculation that would create. I wanted to be more specific, and it just seemed to cause more hurt feelings. So now I wish I could go back and say we had artistic differences and that's why I left. There is no right answer, given that situation." Shanks pauses. "But," he says pensively. "I am learning to curb what I say."
Does that mean we will see Daniel Jackson again? Is this the end of his journey with the SG-1 team?
"I don't really know. Whether or not the character comes back to the show is not my decision to make," says Shanks pensively. "It's wonderful that the fans still care. I can't say how much I appreciate their support. Sometimes it may be a little bit misguided, but other times they're dead on the money. To have fans out there carry your memory and want to see your character back is, well, I can't say enough about that." He grins. "They're wonderful. It's a very flattering thing that they're still talking about him (Daniel).
In terms of whether or not to blame Michael Shanks for leaving the show, possibly. But don't blame him if he doesn't return, I have absolutely no control of it at this point."
