Names and faces

— It was as though Han Solo himself had stepped into the San Diego Convention Center. Harrison Ford made a surprise appearance at Comic-Con on Saturday, and the crowd of some 6,000 sci-fi and comic-book fans greeted him with a sustained standing ovation unmatched by any other during this year’s event. Two security guards playfully brought him out in handcuffs. The Star Wars hero smiled bashfully, seemingly moved by the warm welcome. “I just wanted to make a living as an actor,” he said. “I didn’t know about this.” Ford was on hand to help present his new film, Cowboys & Aliens, joining a panel that included co-stars Daniel Craig, Sam Rockwell, Olivia Wilde and director Jon Favreau. The film looks like an old-fashioned Western when suddenly a spaceship arrives. Favreau said he aimed to balance the two genres without relying on too many computer generated effects. “The take was make a by-the-book Western right down the middle ... and mix it with the type of sci-fi movie I grew up with, before they had CG when it was verging on horror,” he said. “Then just use CGI to do what they couldn’t do back then.” Cowboys & Aliens is set for release next summer.

Dr. Gregory House has long battled the blues. Now, the actor who plays the acerbic physician plans to play them. Warner Music Entertainment said Monday that British actor Hugh Laurie has signed a deal to record an album of New Orleans-inspired blues. “I am drunk with excitement at this opportunity,” Laurie said in a statement. “I know the history of actors making music is a checkered one, but I promise no one will get hurt.”Despite his note-perfect American accent on House, Laurie is a long-standing member of Britain’s acting establishment, famous for his turns in the Blackadder comedies and as Bertie Wooster in Jeeves and Wooster. In 2007, Laurie was made a member of the Order of the British Empire. On House, Laurie’s character often plays piano and the guitar. According to his record company, Laurie is a predominantly self-taught pianist because, in a very House-like move, he had “creative differences” with his childhood teacher. The album is to be produced by Grammy winner Joe Henry, who has also worked with Ani Di Franco, Elvis Costello, and Loudon Wainwright III. Earlier this month, Laurie received his fifth Emmy nomination for his portrayal of House.

Front Section, Pages 2 on 07/26/2010

Upcoming Events