Kite Man: Hell Yeah!'s Matt Oberg and Dean Lorey Preview DC's Wild Spinoff

I’ve had the privilege of working on some incredible projects throughout my career, but none have filled me with as much joy and surprise as bringing Kite Man to life. Coming off a toxic relationship with Poison Ivy, it was refreshing to play a character who was loved back so genuinely. Matt Oberg brought a tender, heartfelt performance that perfectly complemented the quirky optimism of Golden Glider.

In recent times, the “Harley Quinn” animated show has unexpectedly gained immense popularity, leading to a new series titled, “Kite Man: Hell Yeah!” Starting this week on Max, Kite Man (Matt Oberg) and Golden Glider (Stephanie Hsu) will run Noonan’s bar in Gotham. They’ll encounter both the alluring and menacing aspects of the city’s most flamboyant criminals.

In preparation for the premiere of “Kite Man: Hell Yeah!”, ComicBook had an exclusive interview with Oberg and executive producer Dean Lorey. They discussed the show’s journey from conception to reality, securing the approval of DC’s Tom King and James Gunn, and the chances of Kite Man making it to live-action, among other topics.

Interviewer (ComicBook): After all the hard work and wait, how does it feel to see your series released into the public? There were periods of uncertainty when some fans may have doubted its production. Can you describe your emotions now that it’s finally here?

Matt Oberg is thrilled about sharing something he’s worked on, despite not expecting universal praise on social media. He acknowledges the differing opinions on Twitter but is proud of the hard work put in by himself and many others involved. The end result, in his view, is beautiful, and he looks forward to people having the opportunity to experience it.

Dean Lorey: Absolutely, Kite Man’s development has been quite an experience for everyone involved. Initially introduced as a minor character in Harley during the first season, specifically in the Bar Mitzvah episode, which was written with Matt in mind due to our deep affection for both him and the character.

Oberg: I love me too.

Lorey: This character started out as a modest and unassuming figure in the Harley Quinn series, but unexpectedly grew into a major role and became the choice for the first spinoff. It was enjoyable for us to witness such a small character develop into a significant one.

Oberg: Yeah, I can’t believe it. I can’t believe that it’s real. It’s shocking.

Based on what was previously discussed, the newer comics featuring Kite Man have significantly increased my fondness for the character. Tom King expressed his enjoyment of the show on Twitter recently. Did any of you have interactions with him during the production process, as he played a role in rekindling interest in the character through his work in the comic books?

Based on Lorey’s statement, I believe that they have experienced the invaluable support of someone who is genuinely invested and enthusiastic about their work. This person’s unwavering belief in Lorey and their team has given them the confidence to continue pushing forward, despite any challenges or setbacks they may have encountered. The joy and satisfaction this person derives from their involvement in Lorey’s project has created a positive feedback loop that fuels their motivation and drive. Overall, it seems that Lorey is deeply grateful for this person’s presence and influence in their lives.

I’m really fond of Lisa Snart, and I appreciate you featuring her prominently in this production. Could you share how you developed her narrative further, and what was the experience like collaborating with Stephanie to bring it to life?

Lorey expressed their delight in collaborating with Stephanie Hsu, as they sought a character who resonated well with Kite Man. Since Ivy and Kite Man made an enjoyable couple but weren’t truly compatible, we looked for someone who could connect deeply with Kite Man. Stephanie brought so much to the table that we couldn’t resist her charisma. We engaged in numerous sessions with her, and her sunny disposition mirrored Kite Man’s. Her optimism breathed new life into our DC universe, even amidst the prevalent violence.

And Matt, what was it like for you to play that dynamic between Kite Man and Golden Glider?

After ending his toxic relationship with Ivy, it was a refreshing experience for him to be loved back genuinely. I had my concerns about someone fresh from such a breakup, but I believe he’ll manage just fine. Small instances of genuine caring moments were unexpected yet heartwarming, even if they felt awkward to portray in front of a microphone. These tender scenes add depth to the show and keep it endearing. Overall, it was an enjoyable experience.

Regarding the topic of hearts, I’d love to discuss Lance Reddick’s role, as his acting in this season has become even more moving. Could you share your experience collaborating with him and allowing him to shape Lex’s character?

Lorey: I mean, he was wonderful. We all loved him. We loved working with him, and we loved his take on Lex. Giancarlo [Esposito] was terrific, and he played Lex a little more as a businessman and all of that, which we thought was great. But what Lance brought in was more gravity to him, maybe a little bit more depth. We just so warmed to his take. Obviously, it was a giant shock to us, as it was to everybody, when he passed. But he’d, luckily, completed recording most of his episodes, so we were glad that we at least had that that we could give people. But we really loved him.

Which aspect of creating this season and eventually bringing it to life shocked you the most?

I find it astonishing that such a thing came into existence. It’s hard for me to believe that so many people agreed to this concept and allowed it to make it through the various stages. The fact that it persisted despite these hurdles is nothing less than amazing.

When creating “Harley” together with Justin Halpern and Pat Schumacher, Lorey and his team aimed to preserve elements that amused them greatly in the initial stages of production. These humorous moments often got edited out during script revisions. To maintain these quirky conversations and other offbeat aspects, they made a conscious effort to keep them throughout the film’s development process. This approach resulted in the inclusion of many such unconventional exchanges that usually don’t make it into the final cut.

Similarly, Kite Man‘s journey followed a similar pattern for us. We held onto the hope that things would work out and come together. We refused to let it fade away and continued to push forward. The excitement of bringing such an unconventional character like him into his own series was a major draw for us. Much like James Gunn, who brilliantly brought the Guardians of the Galaxy to life from unlikely sources, we were both passionate about making it happen. With everyone on board and sharing our enthusiasm, we managed to make it a reality despite the challenges. It’s not easy to get everyone to agree on anything, so this was quite an achievement for us.

As a huge fan of James Gunn’s work and the DC universe he’s built, I can completely understand his enthusiasm for this project. I’ve been following his career for years, and it’s always impressive to see how passionate and supportive he is of his cast and crew.

As a gamer, I’d respond by saying: “What’s the price tag? I’m open to negotiations. Yes, I can make it. I’ll be a homegrown talent, ready to join your team with my own set of tools at hand. Whenever you call the shots, I’ll be there.”

Lorey: I’ll be there to get him water. Get him sunscreen if he needs it. Whatever he needs.

Oberg: I don’t need it. I’m fine. I’ll be sunburned, but there’s lots of coverage with that suit.

I love that. I totally expected your answer to just be, “Hell yeah.”

Oberg: Oh, that would’ve been better!

The exciting new series “Kite Man: Hell Yeah!” will make its exclusive debut on Max on July 18th, Thursdays being the day for new episode releases.

2024-07-18 02:11

Kite Man: Hell Yeah!’s Matt Oberg and Dean Lorey Preview DC’s Wild Spinoff

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