'Revolution' cast, crew reflect on Wilmington in DVD release

"Revolution" is set 15 years in the future after all electronic equipment has been disabled by a mysterious event.

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By Hunter Ingram

Hunter.Ingram@StarNewsOnline.com

Published: Monday, September 2, 2013 at 5:58 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, September 2, 2013 at 5:58 p.m.

NBC's "Revolution" may have packed up and moved production to Texas for season two, but the cast and crew can be seen in this week's first season Blu-ray/DVD release reflecting on their time in the Port City.

The 20-epsiode set, which hits stores Tuesday, features several special features that offer insight into the production process and the role Wilmington played in the series.

"We really lucked out with Wilmington," said series creator and executive producer Eric Kripke, in a featurette titled "Creating a Revolution."

Kripke spoke about how the region's abundance of abandoned factories and other unique landscapes complimented his original vision for the series.

"I thought it would be cool to have a 'Lord of the Rings'-style adventure take place in a transformed American landscape," Kripke said.

"Revolution" is set 15 years in the future after all electronic equipment has been disabled by a mysterious event.

Production designer Doug Meerdink spoke highly of Wilmington, calling it a "great environment."

Meerdink said the city "lends itself well to the enhancement of visual effects," such as the insertion of American landmarks that play a vital role in the "road series," which consistently has its characters on the move.

Highlighting behind-the-scenes stories and footage, "Creating a Revolution" details how Meerdink and the crew transformed the lazy river at the local Jungle Rapids Family Fun Park into an underground water treatment plant for the season's final episode. Kripke and Meerdink also talk about the challenges that came with building a dilapidated subway tunnel from scratch in Wilmington in fewer than six days.

The Blu-ray release includes exclusive interviews with the cast and creators from the 2013 Paley Fest held in March in Beverly Hills. 

Actor Giancarlo Esposito, who plays the villainous Major Tom Neville, found Wilmington to be a "great place to shoot the show."

"It has a wonderful southern charm, and people in the South are really accommodating and lovely," Esposito said. "It also has a very, very deep history, which is really marvelous to be working in. I love it there." 

While the cast and creators all nodded in agreement with Esposito's remarks, Billy Burke, who plays the sword-wielding Miles Matheson, added, "In Wilmington, we sort of live in this precious little bubble. It is one of those towns where everybody is so generous. We love being there and they seem to love having us there."

In April, NBC confirmed that "Revolution's" production would move from Wilmington to Austin, partly because of the creative direction of the series. Much of the second season will take place in Texas.

The season one collection also includes two deleted scenes, five webisodes and an in-depth look at the pilot episode, which filmed in Atlanta.

"Revolution" began filming in Wilmington in July 2012 and wrapped production in early April. The series will move from its original Monday night timeslot to 8 p.m. Wednesdays when season two premieres Sept. 25 on NBC.

Hunter Ingram: 343-2327

On Twitter: @WilmOnFilm