I am Johnathon Schaech - here to chat Legends of Tomorrow, DC Comics, Jonah Hex, Fatherhood, Fitness and More - AMA!

How can we get The Wonders to open to New Kids On the Block??

Got to get a man in camper to sign us

When you play a character like Jonah Hex, who has been portrayed by many actors, how do you prepare for making that role your own? Do you review how other actors have played that role? Do you review source material (I guess in this case comics) about the character? How do you determine how you will cultivate your portrayal of the character with or without other references?

I read as much as I could -- it's always a collaboration -- worked with make up / costume. I didn't watch the movie, I read the comics again

That makes sense, probably better to read the comics.

And I had a great script written by Marc GUGGENHEIM to play !

What is it like playing a such prominent and popular DC Comics character?

VIOLENT. ANGRY. SASSY Jonah Hex is like an outlaw lawmen. He’s a former confederate soldier raised by Apaches. He always got the short end of the stick, but always got out of the bad experience he found himself. He has staying power. HEX has gone through many stages in the comics. Bounty hunter, time traveler -- as well as a movie star and now prime time TV.

Is it true that you dated Ellen DeGeneres? I saw that online one time that someone said you had dated and didn't believe it, but when I googled you and Ellen, pictures came up! Were you just friends? I love Ellen! Her show is the best!

My manager asked me to accompany her to events. She was scared people would not watch the show, Her sitcom Ellen, because she was gay.  It was an honor. I grew up with two gay aunts and a gay uncle. My Aunt died of cancer. She was a proud woman and she didn’t get proper care because she didn’t want to be away from her partner. Hospitals didn’t allow partners the same rights as a spouse. When you have someone you love in your life that is gay or a lesbian it’s very clear that they deserve the same rights as anyone else. It's not about religion.  If you don’t love ELLEN now -- you don’t watch her show. She’s a great example for the human race.

So, you were Ellen's beard?? or was she already out? That is so cool. So kind of you to do that!

she wasnt out...I was suppose to perform in her coming out episode but I ran the marathon and couldnt walk the next day, the netowrk fired me cause they thought I was lame. I was lame, DONT RUN A MARATHON when your given a great gift

I noticed you included how to pronounce your name in your post. How do you usually get people to pronounce or spell your name right? Is it a pain?

I think the easiest way to remember it is -- its pronounced like SHREK without an R and the green ugliness.

You mention your ex Christina Applegate, are you friends now? Still talk? Are you friends with Jana Kramer now too?

First off! I have an incredible family in Nashville now. My wife is from there and we met in Nashville. I love my in-laws. They’re such good people.  Jana Kramer and I had a wedding but we were never married. It simply came down to this. She wasn’t ready to be married. She wanted a singing career and that was what she was focused on.   So when Camden googles my name in five years -- wikipedia will show my past relationships. He won’t see any gossip on either one. Jana or Christina. Just that I was a little bit country with Jana and a little bit rock and roll with Christina!!! And that it all worked out for the best.
Jana could be the fastest success ever in Country music and she’s now married with a beautiful baby girl. Happy finally. Christina and Martyn have a wonderful family. She’s cancer free and is an absolute hero for others and to my family. And me -- i have Camden and Jules. And by that time , maybe by the time he reads -- a sibling, I’m perfectly blessed.  All the Christina Appelgate and Jana Kramer fans should know -- I’m rooting for them too.   

Is there a different feel between filming movies and TV? Like the pace of filming/ scheduling? I have always wondered. Also, do you think DC will do shows on streaming media (Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, etc) instead of cable/ "regular TV"?

TV and indies don't have alot of time, Features usually have less page counts to do per day. Regardless -- as Tom Hanks always told me - just show up Knowing your lines and be on time!

And like RAY DONOVAN -- it's allowed to get dark and deeper!

How did you get the role of Jonah Hex?

Well, David Rappaport called my agents and got me in for a direct to producer’s audition on a Friday. I read one time. Made a joke about Sgt.Rock and left. Got it on Saturday. Flew out Wed. All day Make up/costume THURSDAY! On a horse Friday.  The HORSE wrangler asked me if I was a cowboy after the first take. I laughed. I told him I played one on TV. “He said most actors would race the horse back to the mark. I walked him back.”

What is your favourite character? And what is the worst experience that you've had?

Franco Zefferelli's film SPARROW was the worst experience. He would yell a lot. My favorite changes everyday, I like playing a cop and I like Jonah Hex.

I saw Jonah Hex on The Flash!!! Will he be on that show too?

i HOPE

What role you want to play next?

In the last three years I’ve starred in films with Ed Harris, Bill Paxton, Jon Voight, Bruce Willis, Liev Shrieber, Donnie Wahlberg and David Duchovny for a reason. i’M ON THE RIGHT PATH. I'm a LEADING MAN in life so I'll be a LEADING MAN AGAIN. Having a son and a supportive wife. I’m ready. I lost it there for awhile. But whether or not me playing Jonah HeX, Mosely or Mims in MARAUDERS (new film coming out in August with Bruce Willis) makes Hollywood take notice. I’m gonna be FINE.   “It is only when a man tames his own demons that he becomes the king of himself if not of the world.”

Will Legends of Tomorrow make Jonah Hex a regular character on the show, or will he get his own show? There is a ton of online ramblings this could be the case! I hope so! A Jonah Hex series would be awesome!

I think a NETFLIX spin off like DAREDEVIL would be great! But I so enjoyed the cast up there, and if they need Hex's help I'm game. FYI. I had a tattoo of DAREDEVIL on my neck AFTER the movie I had it removed, NETFLIX has made me want it back on!

Are you and William Shatner good buddies? You are always talking on social media, he's awesome!

Yeah, he's my buddy. Good good man. Heart of Gold

Do you think you will ever visit Australia again and come and have a beer ?

i gotta come see my Wandaful! xx

Hi Johnathon. I know you supported Barack Obama in the last presidential election and were in a video for him. It's crazy this time around. Who are you supporting in this election?

I'm waiting for a candidate that understands that we need less government and equality of social issues. These two parties have now become like someone's favorite football team.

Your son is adorable, love seeing pictures on your Instagram, are you going to have more kids?

That's up to GOD

Let's chat food! What would your last meal request be? Favorite cocktail? Favorite wine? Favorite dessert? Are you a good kisser? ;)

Have you seen my lips? I havent had a drink in a while -- Axios wine and Worthy wine are my favorites -- Love a vodka Soda, but I gotta be a great example for my son -- so I don't drink unless it's time too

What is it like to be part of such a large universe? How much research did you do into Jonah Hex before you started with the character?

My father gave me Jonah Hex and Sgt. Rock comic books growing up -- I must have read those a thousand times. He always had a dry sense of humour, even in the worst of times. So I played with the scenes like that and I just imagined I was what I thought of Hex when I was a boy.

I'm DC fan. I always have been. It's exciting!

Let's get straight to the point: waffles or pancakes?

no carbs!

How did you first get started in the acting world? What has been your favorite role to play so far?

I love these two roles I just played -- Ive always wanted to be in the Comic book world -- Jonah Hex is a dream come true. And Blue Bloods -- my father was a cop for 30 some years. My favorite role is being a father BY FAR

How has being a dad changed you? Does it effect how you prepare for roles? Do you want more kids?

Being a DAD I realize I have to be true to who I am. I need to lead by example. Im calmer, cooler and I don't take for granted the love this is giving me

I met my first acting coach, ROY LONDON, hE ASKED IF i COULD DO ANYTHING ELSE WITH MY LIFE. "i SAID NO." hE SAID, " THEN WE HAVE ALOT OF WORK TO DO."

Hi there Johnathon, what is your "Go-To" kinda beer?

Natty BO

hey Johnathon....the forsaken is one of my favorite movies! i think you were amazing (and very sexy villain!) in it...can you talk about your experience and thoughts on making that film? thanks for doing this AMA!

I got to meet AJ buckley IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YUMA arizona desert! It was like 3 am in the morning. We did the first take and BAM! I was like this kids on fire! There's something about talent that just POPS when you work with them -- take after take -- he was relentless. Reminded me of Mark RUffalo when I did Houdini. I had to bring my A game. The movie itself was fun and I liked it. BUT the studio was so pissed it didn't have FANGS in it, how can you sell a vampire film without any fangs! they said

What did you do to prepare for the role of Jonah Hex?

I knew how to ride, to shoot, to punch, to be angry, to be bitter, to be worldly and I LOVED READING him as a kid! I was born to play him! :)

What motivates you the most to keep on the hard training?

My son. Is the easiest answer. I wanna be there for him when he's older, i want to be able to throw the ball to him. Play catch. Here’s the long version. There was a moment where I stopped believing in myself, I didn’t get a nomination for Houdini, a couple movies tanked and I broke my shoulder really bad. I really got reclusive and bitter. Bitterness really keeps you from flying. The divorce from Christina was hard for me because getting married to her was a religious experience for me, being raised catholic and having parents that are still together over 50 years. I felt I failed everyone. I thought God had given up on me. Sex, drugs, alcohol and dark nights became who I was. I knew I needed to find someone who loved me as much as I loved them. I eventually found that in my wife, Julie. When Julie was pregnant the first time, I really had this awakening that I needed to be a better man. Or that I needed to be more of the man I am. I realized I lost it around the time I was injured. I train everyday to stay strong inside not just for what is on the outside. My soul is not buried under my muscles -- it is one with them.

Why did Legends of Tomorrow take a character like Firestorm and turn him into a carbon copy of Marvels Human Torch?

As someone who is also a fan of the Jonah Hex character, do you think his portrayal in Legends of Tomorrow is accurate, or did the CW take liberties with Hex as well

I think it's accurate, but we've never seen it in any book or comic. We visit Hex in the WILD WILD WEST. Firestorm i'M NOT SURE OFF

What would be your dream role to play?

Who would you want to work with that you haven't had a chance to yet?

My dream role would be one that puts me among a group of actors and writers that I could call family. I've always moved from one circus to the next. I would love to work along many actors again. Emily Hirsch, Jason Patric, Djimon hounseu, Clifton Collins Jr, Max Martini and bring on Jennifer Lawrence...

I saw on Twitter you are also going to be on Blue Bloods, one of my favorite shows. I love Tom Sellick! Who do you play on Blue Bloods? Did you get to work with Donny Wahlberg? You both got your start in boy bands, figuratively and literally, did you bond over that? ;)

i play Det. Jimmy Mosely -- I’m a Brooklyn detective who use to date Maria Baez played by Marisa Ramirez.  Danny Reagan doesn’t like that too much.  Marisa is awesome, she was pregnant when we filmed so she had this wonderful glow about her. I have a two year old so I loved being around her. Love babies and the hope that comes with them.  And Donny I can’t tell you how much a good dude he is -- good father, loving husband and a great actor. We shared TOM HANKS as a common director. Kinda cool. I don’t think that’s ever happened before. As for me in the role. My father was city cop so I grew up Blue. I had a gun pulled on me when I was like six years old -- I was playing in the front yard with my toy soldiers and next thing I know I got scooped up by my father and thrown in the house. I still remember him loading the chamber as he ran out the front door. Turned out an ex con came looking for him. He wished he never did. So i get it, I grew up with Blue in my blood.  PLUS my Mom’s Brooklynese. She gave me a couple dialect lessons and I was ready to step on set. We filmed around where my Mom grew up. Kinda cool. As for BANDS -- Of course, we even discussed The Wonders opening for the New Kids on The Block for our twentieth anniversary.

OMG The Wonders SHOULD open up for NKOTB! That would be the best concert ever! You think that could really happen, or were you just joking?

Its up to the powers that be

I love following you on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook...you are really funny and I love your posts. Do you like social media? How do you feel about it since it wasn't something so prominent when you first started out...

I’ve had serious stalker problems, severe enough that I went into hiding -- the stalker went to federal prison for a long time.  In fact the NYPD was wonderful helping protect me and MY FATHER'S Blue brothers of Maryland had the freeways patroled. When the stalker was coming to kill me. He had to go off road, and got in a car wreck. The fbi put him away for quite a long time.   Another incident I got beaten up at a sport’s bar for being Jimmy from That thing You Do. I guess they were mad I broke up the band. So being out in the public is a very scary thing sometimes, not something an artist necessarily looks forward too but I realize it’s necessary to connect with people who enjoy your work and it’s a great way to help others.  Shay Carl told me this “When Reality TV stopped being real he started Vlogging. It was real.” People need that connection nowadays -- You gotta have integrity with it or it’s gonna bite you in the butt. My wife Julie is blogger and a publicist. She’s been on me to make more of an effort to make it a habit. It’s not giving anything away -- it’s staying part of the FUTURE and finding an audience! 

someone really beat you up for being Jimmy? How lame! Was it a sucker punch? Can't imagine someone getting a beat up on you.

It was a couple sucker punches. And I think they were girls. I never saw them coming. I got fired from the movie I was doing i was so beat up. A meryl streep movie

you got fired from a Meryl Streep movie bc you got beat up? Thats awful! Did she know what happened?

no, she didn't. They couldn't wait for me anymore.

You are in incredible shape, I love your workout videos that you make, its inspiring. is it important for you to work for your roles? Or is fitness something you have always been interested in? Were you ever out of shape in your life? If so, how did you bounce back? What health advice do you have to share?

I know PHYSICAL RELEVANCE is important for the roles they'll cast me as -- I came to Hollywood muscular but that was because as a kid I was always the littliest guy, I was little and hated getting cut from everything. I was a star athlete but I wasnt allowed to play football cause I was to small ---so I trained.

As for health - I hate watching the people I love suffer from things that fitness could have prevented. Not all things are preventable but some are. Eating for the future -- eating for those that you love and truly love you shouldn't be taken for granted

Have you seen the jonah hex film? What are your thoughts on it and was your character inspired from it?

Not inspired by the film AT ALL.

Hex isn’t just a outlaw or a bounty hunter, he’s a man who stood up for people who can’t stand up for themselves.  I personally know that giving back and helping the next person in line is the most important thing we can do -- while we’re here. And I was always fighting growing up. I was always the littlest guy, i wrestled 98 lbs in high school, but I learned fighting wasn’t a good thing early on. In a fight in High School I watched my best friend get stabbed in front of me. He nearly lost his life. That's how I relate to HEX. Hex has seen alot. Alot of injustice.

Glad to hear that!! cant wait for your take on jonah hex!!

Hes a BAD ASS!

who is your fitness inspiration? do you ever watch the biggest loser?

Bob Paris was my child hood inspiration, he made it about more then just the GORILLA SUIT! I use to train with Bob Harper I love ERIC THE TRAINER AND my buddy KY EVANS from the new Biggest loser, STRONG

What is your favorite reality show? do you ever watch The Bachelor? I saw on your social media something about Dancing With The Stars....Are you really going to be on Dancing With the Stars, or was that a joke? Can you dance?

april fools joke.. Im not a fan of reality. Id rather watch SHAY CARL and the SHAY TARDS but I can dance. So can Camden

Did you have a feeling you were right for Jonah Hex? With roles, do you just "know" sometimes?

i DON'T seek out ROLES -- they find me. My acting teacher always made me look for roles I could heal a part of my self with.

Hey John! I went to UMBC with you and we lived on the same floor. How do you look back on those times in college in good ol' Chesapeake?

I remember UMBC and being able to try ALOT of new things, studied economics, Physics, calculus, Statistics, philosophy, dance and ACTING! loVED ART HISOTRY! Loved playing JEOPARDY and loved that someone was watching Jeopardy an hour before we all got together so they looked smarter then all of us!

yeah, I remember those Jeopardy times!!...funny how you remember things like that so many years later. I actually remember your first night coming back to the dorm from Hammerjacks. To think you are where you are today...been following you for many years (not stalking, mind you :))

STALK away I need friends to help me NOWADAYS, WE DIDNT HAVE SOCIAL MEDIA in college!!!

You're a great bad guy! Do you prefer those darker roles? What have been some of your favorite bad guy roles to play?

Pumped to see you as Jonah Hex!

How about a comedy! I think my look gets me cast as the bad guy. But playing the bad guy -- you don't see him as bad -- he's just trying to get something he needs really badly. He'll do anything to get it. Loved playing KIT, XAVIER RED, JIMMY -- tHY'RE ALL JUST MR. MISUNDERSTOOD

A. Can you talk a tad about playing Judas? B. Any other NT Biblical characters you'd like to portray? C. What is your criteria for working in Independent Film? D. You're awesome.

Judas is the ultimate betrayer. The film was made so that people would be able to better understand. That we all need to forgive those that betray us, holding onto that regret or pain ONLY keeps you from the love that is waiting out there for you. The BIBLE is full of great stories, I love to play a modern JESUS! There's a great book KILLING JESUS i'D love to play in the modern world