Check out this fantastic interview, where Mark talks about the army, different accents and impressions:

On top of getting to perform breathless stunts and be the hero on a weekly basis, there’s another reason Mark Valley relishes his starring role on Human Target. “It’s nice to know that I’m playing a character that once saved Batman’s a–,” the actor jokes, referring to his character’s comic book legacy.

Based on the DC Comics character of the same name, Human Target (Tuesday at 9/8c) follows a bodyguard named Christopher Chance who will go to any lengths to protect a client. Chance enlists the help of not only his trained detective skills and physical prowess but his partners in crime Winston (Chi McBride) and Guerrero (Jackie Earle Hayley).

Watch full episodes of Human Target

Although the original Human Target was known for impersonating his clients to protect them — whereas Chance simply integrates himself into his client’s lives — Valley says the show stays true to its source material. “I’m always just impressed that everything from Chance’s wardrobe to what he would say is in there. I think, most importantly, the character himself had a real gallows humor about things, was a little bit dark and also enjoyed what he did. I’m trying to kind of bring that out as well.”

Valley says it’s important not to underestimate how much Chance enjoys his job despite — or because of — the danger that comes with it. In the series’ first two episodes, Chance has already saved clients on a runaway bullet train and a plane on the verge of crashing. “There’s a real sort of rush that comes from saving someone’s life or making it through some really challenging physical situation,” he says.

That rush is part of the show’s charm, thanks to its many fight scenes and real-life effects. “That’s what gives it a kind of gritty, throwback appeal that you had in Die Hard and some of the television stuff back [in the '80s] as well,” Valley says. “The action has been pretty thrilling … The fight scenes are the most fun and they’re probably the most dangerous as well.”

Fox lines up midseason premieres

Luckily, Valley is used to danger. Before making a name for himself on shows such as Boston Legal and Fringe, Valley served in the U.S. Army. “It’s helped me in strange ways. One is getting up in the morning when it’s still dark out; that reminds me of being in the Army. We use guns in the Army so I’m maybe a little bit more familiar with that,” Valley says. “We had to do a scene where I was wearing an Army uniform and I remembered how I used to tuck my pants into my boots so I wouldn’t trip.”

Beyond the action, more of Chance’s back story will come into play as the series progresses. Valley hints to a previous rift between his character and Winston as well as a woman from Chance’s past he has yet to get over. “We have mythology dumps, as the writers call it, in certain episodes and we’ll find out more about Chance, which I think is exciting. Every time I get a little clue, it’s just one more look into this person.”

Just like Chance, Valley says Human Target is not easily pigeonholed. “It’s going to take awhile to define itself.”

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Crave Online: What’s your take on the nonchalant action hero?

Mark Valley: I think what’s interesting is he’s nonchalant about certain things. I think what’s going to be interesting with this guy as we go on is deciding on what things that he is nonchalant about and what things that he really does care about. For some reason, he really thinks that no one deserves to die, which is one thing that is pretty specific with him. We’re going to find out. He’s not really concerned about his own safety and his own life. I don’t know if it’s because he’s taken so many chances in the past or there’s some sort of guilt.

Crave Online: Is it self-referential because he knows he’s the hero?

Mark Valley: It’s funny you mention that because I was trying not to kind of go into that too much wink wink at the camera. We’ll see where the show goes and how it works out but I was thinking that. I was watching a lot of action shows. Why is it that this person just sort of has this kind of smarmy grin about things? Why is because they know that they’re not going to die. The actor is having fun with it because he knows he’s the star of the show and he’s read the whole script and he’s not going to die. It sort of frees the actor to have fun but kind of grounding that in reality with the person becomes a little more complicated. Then again, I was in the army. I know some guys who were doing much more dangerous things than I was doing and they just have this kind of macabre sense of humor that not only is sort of endemic to those groups but is sort of necessary.

Crave Online: Sort of like the Hurt Locker guys.

Mark Valley: Yeah, I’ve heard the movie’s fantastic but it’s true. It’s more of a survival mechanism than it is some defiance of life or safety or anything.

Crave Online: Personally, I want somebody that confident in charge of danger.

Mark Valley: You do, wouldn’t you? Maybe that’s why people keep hiring him.

Crave Online: So how do you capture that without playing the wink wink?

Mark Valley: Yeah, it’s a fine line. I’ve got to kind of remember the scene before and the scene after, what to take seriously and what not.

Crave Online: Have you guys already established a group dynamic in only a few episodes?

Mark Valley: We really are. A lot of us just sort of came into the show with a genuine love for the script and the idea. We all sort of bonded on that. We don’t make drama. We like to make good TV. So let’s just get together and work. That’s what happened. There is. There’s a bond.

Crave Online: Are there some missions where Guerrero is more directly involved with you and Chi McBride?

Mark Valley: Yeah, yeah. I’ve actually spent most of the time with Chi than Guerrero. I think Guerrero is involved more in Chance’s past. They worked on cases together because that’s another running joke that they talk about. “Remember that time in New Orleans? No, the job you did in Cleveland?” “Which one, the one on the roof?” “No, the one with the dog sleds.” So we’ll find out a little bit more about that but right now it’s sort of Chi and I running the company. Guerrero’s kind of like a contractor.

Crave Online: After Fringe, did they want to keep you in the Fox family?

Mark Valley: I think there was. I definitely think there was. I really like Kevin Reilly’s taste and I trust him. It’s always a pleasure working for him. So yeah, yeah. There wasn’t any specific agreement but Fox is a good fit for me.

Crave Online: Do you shoot near them in Canada?

Mark Valley: It shoots in Vancouver. Yeah, they shoot in Vancouver.

Crave Online: What cool stunts will you get to do?

Mark Valley: The only thing I know is the producer asked me once if I knew how to ride a horse.

Crave Online: Do you?

Mark Valley: Yes, yes. Not particularly fast.

Crave Online: That’s the old actor’s lie.

Mark Valley: It really is but I did do a job, I lied about it once before and made that mistake and had to learn how the hard way.

Crave Online: How much of the parachute out the tunnel stunt was you?

Mark Valley: It’s me except for the dragging on the gravel. I wasn’t being dragged across anything. I sort of got up from it. It was me jumping off and everything and flying through the air. When I’m getting dragged, it was somebody else and even so, I think he was on top of the girl too. It looked like she got the worst of it but they were all padded up anyways.

Crave Online: Was the parachute on a green screen?

Mark Valley: Yes, yes, we got pulled into a green screen.

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By now you are likely aware of Marvel’s movie plans. No, I’m not talking about rebooting Spider-Man, rather their plans to finally bring The Avengers to the big screen in a live-action film. Iron Man was a huge success, and we’re all eagerly awaiting the sequel with Robert Downey Jr. re-inhabiting the role of Tony Stark later this year. Chris Hemsworth has been cast as the Norse god of thunder, and Thor is currently in production. The Incredible Hulk accomplished the goal of rebooting that character, and Edward Norton is rumored to be involved in the Avengers movie in some way (ally? villain?). And don’t forget we also already have Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury. But before the Avengers can assemble in a new film slated for 2012, there are plans for a Cap-centric film, The First Avenger: Captain America. But that can go nowhere until an actor is found to don the red, white, and blue. So who should be cast? My vote is for Mark Valley. Read on to found out why.

First of all, just look at him. The blue eyes, the light colored (and easily dyed blond) hair, the strong, square jaw. He already has the look of Steve Rogers/Captain America going for him. And while Valley is a handsome guy, I’d qualify him as being ruggedly so. Other names that have been rumored for this role include Jason Lewis and Matthew McConaughey, but these guys are both just too pretty for the role. Captain America should have a look that intimidates enemies more than it makes the ladies swoon. Plus if you saw the premiere of Valley’s new television series on Fox (Human Target) you can attest that he has a lean, powerful physique that would serve him well playing the recipient of the experimental Super-Soldier serum.

For those of you who think Valley is too old for the role (he’s 46), I’d offer this. Robert Downey Jr. is 45. Edward Norton is 41. Samuel L. Jackson is 62. The actor playing Captain America not only has to hold his own in scenes with these men, he (assuming the film stays true to the comics) needs to be able to believably assume (or at least contend for) a leadership role in the group. Other younger actors that have been (or could be) associated with role include Jensen Ackles (32) and Channing Tatum (30), or another 20-something, popular with the teen crowd actor. IMHO, this would be a mistake. Casting a young actor in the role would either completely change his interactions with the Avengers (a brash Captain America that bucks authority?) or would permeate scenes with an “in over his head” vibe a la Jake Lloyd in The Phantom Menace (okay that’s not really fair, but you get my point, right?). Let me just say it would take one helluva young actor to go toe-to-toe with RDJ and Jackson, and I’m skeptical one will be found. Valley, on the other hand, doesn’t suffer from those potential problems. His age would bestow Captain America with the aura of an experienced, battle-hardened veteran that he should have.

Related to that last idea, Captain America is supposed to be as much a symbol (if not more so) of American patriotism than Superman. The actor portraying Cap should be able to convey that sense of duty and honor simply by breathing. Aside from the fact that Valley is an actual, real-life graduate of the United States Military Academy who served in the Army during the Gulf War, Valley’s body of work would be a boon in this regard. He’s not enough of a star that his real-life persona would compromise his integrity in the role with audiences, and (likely unintentionally) he’s built a resume damn-near tailored for the role of Captain America.

Some people might know him from his appearances on Boston Legal as the straight-laced marine-turned-lawyer Brad Chase. Others might recognize him from his brief stint on Fringe as FBI Special Agent John Scott. And then there’s the afore-mentioned new series Human Target, in which Valley plays the lead character Christopher Chance, a heroic body guard and security expert. Do you see a pattern here? I sure do, and it’s one that would be just under the surface of viewers’ minds. Josh Holloway could be a good physical match for Cap, but he’s so firmly established himself in as the self-serving, duplicitous Sawyer on Lost that it would be hard to accept him playing so against type. And regarding Jason Lewis, do you know what people think of when they see Jason Lewis?

That’s the guy from Sex and the City who had to pretend to be attracted to Kim Cattrall. Acting ability aside, is that what you want to be thinking of when you finally get to see Captain America on the big screen?

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Last week, I sent an e-mail to my nephew, Mark. I’ve written about Mark in the past — he’s a West Point graduate/Iraq War veteran turned actor. He’s appeared in several movies and has had some plum roles on various television shows. It feels weird at times, not only knowing, but, being related to someone who’s … well … famous. He admitted to me, recently, that even he finds it strange, seeing himself on screen.

He’s the star of a new program being aired on the Fox Network called “Human Target.” I sent him regards and wished him “good luck” with the show — which was premiering a few days from the time I wrote.

We had talked this summer about the project, but at the time he had only completed the pilot episode. Back then, he mentioned that production was at the hands of the network as to how many shows it ordered … or something of that nature. (What? Like I can remember?)

Mark is a great guy. Now, I know what you’re thinking: I’m only saying that because I’m his uncle. Not at all! Nor is it because Mark has dropped the stalking charge he filed against me while he was on a show called “Boston Legal” (I think it was him). That’s not it, either. You see, it’s because he’s a down-to-earth, regular type of guy. Whether it’s acting, writing or mountain climbing, he attacks each venture with a passion that leaves little — if any — room for the extraneous nonsense of ego. Notoriety isn’t bad, it’s just not that important to him.

I’m not even sure if he understands his stature in the business (or cares) as evidenced by the return e-mail he sent me. I figured it was a column-worthy anecdote and so I’ll share it with you (with his permission, of course).

First, you have to realize that here’s a guy who just last week had his full-page picture splashed across the country in all of the major newspapers. TV promos for “Human Target” have been airing regularly during major network programming. And a couple years ago he was listed in People magazine’s 50 sexiest stars. He’s also been the feature image on that iconic sign towering over Times Square several times during the last few years.

Now with that said, I offer this small nugget — his e-mail to me oozing with excitement — to demonstrate how admirably-grounded he is.

“Thanks, Uncle Tom, things are going well, really well. Reviews have all been good.” He was glad to hear about the reviews — a natural pride that anyone would have for something they had worked hard on.

But then it’s what came after that, that I found amusing. Mind you, this guy has made movies with the likes of Bruce Willis, Denzel Washington and Madonna, and he says: “Highlight of the day, today: I got a call from my publicist saying that Lee Majors had called! Can you believe that?”

In an interview with People magazine, Mark once mentioned that while growing up, Lee Majors was one of his favorite TV stars. Majors had seen it, read it and contacted Mark.

Lee Majors! He’s not star-struck by the big hitters of the industry but when the “Six Million Dollar Man” comes a-knocking, Mark’s on cloud nine.

Mark further wrote that when he returned Majors’ call, he “was like an 8-year-old trying to dial the phone.” Majors thanked Mark for the kind words and returned the compliment, telling him he was also a fan of Mark’s.

I thought I’d share that story with you to illustrate how proud I am that Mark represents what most of us would like to see more of in our world today — an innocence untainted by the narcissistic values that have somehow permeated our society as a way of being hip. That’s all I’m saying. I’m done.

As my nephew said to me about that chat with his childhood idol: “True story. Can you believe it? Too cool.”

Mark is the son of my brother, Mike … and my wife’s sister, Martha.

And, for this week, that’s the way it looks from the Valley.

Tom Valley is a Medina resident. His column appears every Thursday. Contact him at tvalley@rochester.rr.com.

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Spot on and Hilarious!

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He first appeared in the comic books 38 years ago, fighting evil in the same issue as Superman. He’s even joined forces with Batman. But Christopher Chance—the heroic security expert played by Mark Valley in the new Fox series Human Target—can’t lay claim to any superpowers. He’s just your average wiseass adrenaline junkie with Mensa-level smarts and a big, fat death wish.

“This character has been sneaking around under the radar in comics and graphic novels for decades, never hugely famous, but somehow he’s managed to avoid obscurity because of one thing: The guy has unbelievable balls,” says Valley (Fringe, Boston Legal). “He’s the ultimate in suicidal bravery.”

And how. This bod-for-hire has no qualms about inserting himself into any dangerous—or dangerously stupid—situation in order to guard a client. He’s even willing to take on your identity if someone wants you killed, hence the name Human Target. In the show’s premiere episode, Chance gets on board a futuristic bullet train that’s headed toward a crash so that he can protect a dishy damsel (Battlestar Galactica’s Tricia Helfer) from death threats.

“There’s something so interesting about a character who looks like a movie star and is hilariously funny but lacks any sense of self-preservation,” notes series creator Jonathan Steinberg (Jericho). “It’s a conceit that allows us to do a show with no rules. Because Chance is not a cop tied down to solving crimes in the same old city, we can take him anywhere in the world and make the equivalent of a high-octane action movie every week.”

Chance’s backstory in the comics has him driven by childhood demons—he tried but failed to protect his father, who was slaughtered by a loan shark, and vowed to never again be so physically helpless. But it’s unclear if the series will borrow from that lore. “We probably won’t find out about Chance’s past this season,” Valley says. “But I do know there’s some sort of unconventional mentor who trained him, and that’s fascinating to me. It means we’re not doing a remake of ‘Die Hard’ completely.”

Not even Chance’s confidant and business partner Winston, played by Chi McBride (Pushing Daisies), is privy to his history. “There’s got to be some pretty big issue that makes Chance willing to go headfirst into a buzz saw, and my character wants to get to the bottom of it,” McBride says. It’s a double-edged sword. Winston, who has a past in law enforcement, brings in all these cases for Chance to solve, then he’s concerned that Chance isn’t being careful. But Chance lives by his own rule: ‘Don’t be careful. Careful will get you killed.’”

Also in the mix is Oscar nominee Jackie Earle Haley (Little Children, Watchmen) as Chance’s shadowy backup man Guerrero. “You can’t help but wonder what’s up with my character—he’s the cleaner and the fixer, yet his ethics are questionable,” Haley says. “The three form this weird sort of team. It’s like Chance is the recovering addict, Winston is the sponsor, and Guerrero is the drug dealer. Basically, they’re a dysfunctional family.”

Not only does Valley need to be intellectually and verbally acute for this show (and speak fluent Japanese!), but the intricately choreographed fight scenes put him in true danger. “With every other TV show I’ve done, it’s no big deal if you miss your mark or you’re slightly late on a cue,” Valley says. “If that happens on this show, I get myself punched in the head. So far I’m surviving on ice and ibuprofen.”

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