Coming up this weekend on The CW is “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” the sixth annual Arrowverse crossover event, featuring episodes of the live-action television series Supergirl, Batwoman, The Flash, Arrow, and Legends of Tomorrow on The CW. The Supergirl, Batwoman, and The Flash episodes will air in December 2019, while the Arrow and Legends of Tomorrow episodes will air in January 2020. Additionally, events in the Black Lightning episode “The Book of Resistance: Chapter Four: Third Stone From the Sun”, airing between Batwoman and The Flash, will also tie-in to the crossover.
“Crisis on Infinite Earths”, which is inspired by the comic of the same name, continues plot lines established in the previous crossover, “Elseworlds”. Moreover, the preceding episodes of Arrow season eight and much of The Flash season six served as a prelude to the crossover. In “Crisis on Infinite Earths”, the Monitor gathers Green Arrow, the Flash, Supergirl, Batwoman, the Legends, and seven heroes from throughout the multiverse to stop the Anti-Monitor from destroying all reality.
Playing the role of The Monitor/ Anti-Monitor is LaMonica Garrett. His character was introduced in 2018 in the highly-anticipated Arrowverse series crossover “Elseworlds” for The CW, alongside the DC series’ casts and new characters including Ruby Rose (as Batwoman), Elizabeth Tulloch (as Lois Lane) and Casandra Jean Amaell (as Nora Fries).
In film, LaMonica can next be seen appearing in the award nominated indie drama “Clemency” opposite Alfre Woodard and Aldis Hodge. The film follows Bernadine Williams (Woodard), a prison warden who after years of carrying out death row executions must confront the psychological and emotional demons her job creates, ultimately connecting her to the man she is sanctioned to kill. “Clemency” debuted at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and is slated for nationwide release theatrically on December 27, 2019.
Blackfilm.com caught up with Garrett recently as he talked about playing dual roles and appearing on most of the comic book series on The CW
How much fun are you having appearing on all these shows?
LaMonica Garrett: It’s a blast. It’s a pleasure to be there. I’m a comic book fan and when I’m filming, I’m still on the set and taking it all in.
When you first signed up for this role did you know you’d be appearing on all these shows?
LaMonica Garrett: I had no idea. I thought I was going to do three episodes, maybe one more for last year’s crossover Elseworlds. And it just kept getting better and better. And then, the audience was really responding to the character, so they added more stuff. I didn’t know that this crossover episode Crisis on Infinite Earths was going to be a thing. Then when I found out and how pivotal my character would be, it was just getting better and better.
How would you describe your character?
LaMonica Garrett: He’s a cosmic being. Some might seen him as a god. He’s a character that’s been on all the Arrowverse shows, Legends, Supergirl, all of them. He’s this all powerful being and whenever he comes in, he’s causing disruption and he’s putting everyone to a test for a greater cause. That cause will be revealed during the December crossover within the five episodes.
What’s interesting is that Black Lightning had not been part of the crossover film now. Is your character part of bringing him in?
LaMonica Garrett: This is something that everyone wanted. The fans and the cast from the different shows. He’s a big part of the Crisis comic book and the fact that he’s just now making his appearance sets the table on the events that will come and other characters from different generations all lending a hand. It’s one of those events of “If not now, then when?”
What’s the makeup process like?
LaMonica Garrett: It takes about two hours to get into the Anti-Monitor, the prosthetics for the face. It takes about 20 – 25 minutes to take it off. To get into the outfit is another 15 – 20 minutes. For the Monitor, it’s about an hour and 10 minutes for the brain and the prosthetic beard, and it’s about 15 minutes to get in and out of it. No matter what I do, I try not to drink a lot of water when I’m working because it’s a process going to the bathroom and back. I have to take off layers just to do it. So yeah, it’s a challenge. This job was the most challenging job I’ve ever had as far as scheduling, the hours put in and just being patient sitting in a chair for three, four hours a day.
Have you kept up with the other shows so that you know what’s going on?
LaMonica Garrett: I have. He bounces around to the different shows. Certain shows have different tones and different energy, so you have to know what you are getting into. The Monitor is consistent on who he is and what’s he doing. It’s fun because when you see the Monitor in all these shows, it reminds the audience as well as the cast that a crisis is coming. The stakes are high and whenever you see him, something bad follows and it’s all leading to a big event.
How are you finding the time to catch up with the shows?
LaMonica Garrett: This is what I do anyway. Netflix and VOD. I binge watch a lot of animated movies on my downtime and weekends. Whenever a new movie drops like the Fatal Five, or Justice League I’m watching it. There’s time. If it’s important to you, you’ll make time.
Growing up, what was your favorite comic book growing up?
LaMonica Garrett: In my younger years, it was some Marvel and some DC. I love Batman, Superman, Spiderman and The Hulk. Once I was getting in my teens I started gravitating towards Green Lantern with John Stewart and the whole world of the Guardians. I couldn’t get enough of everything Green Lantern Hal Jordan, Kyle Rayner, Kilowog, everyone. Green Lantern is my favorite comic book series.
You also have a role in the film Clemency, which stars Alfre Woodard and coming up this month. Can you talk about that film?
LaMonica Garrett: I got that job. I was home for about a week when I was filming Designated Survivor about a year and a half ago. My agent called me up and said they want to see me. I didn’t know how the schedules would work because I was still filming Designated in Toronto. So I read for it, and I got it and the schedule seemed like it would work, but it wasn’t really specific, and I would have to make it work. I would work in Toronto on Monday, and Monday night I would fly to LA to shoot Tuesday. Tuesday night, I was brought back to Toronto and work Wednesday. Wednesday night fly back to LA and work Thursday. I was doing that for about five or six days. I read the script and I knew how good it was and I knew who was attached to it. I just wanted to be a part of it in some capacity and it turned out amazing.
How was working with Alfre?
LaMonica Garrett: She’s amazing. She’s been doing it for so long. I’ve been watching her work for a long time and just working with it, you see why she has longevity, why she’s looked at in the business how she is. I hope she’s considered for something big for this film.
You’ve been working for a long time, from Sons of Anarchy to Designated Survivor to the CW series. It doesn’t always come easy for a lot of actors, but you found this range and, and it’s working for you on the big and small screen. What are the challenges? So far for you, it seems to be working.
LaMonica Garrett: It seems that way. I’ve gotten doors shut my face more times than I can count. I had the attitude where I wasn’t afraid to fail. I also learned early, probably from my days of playing football that attitude gets further than talent. If you have the right attitude, no matter what it is you do, you’re going to end up on top at some point. You have to have the perseverance that goes with the attitude, stick around and it will keep getting better. This is one of those businesses if you stick around long enough and you keep putting the work in, it will show up and you’ll be in a good situation from it.
Loading…