Another episode of American Gods, another Old God or two. Jumping around America in the most recent installment of the Starz series brought us face to face with Anubis and the Jinn. Mr. Wednesday didn’t speak to either of them about the upcoming battle (the Jinn appeared in the diner with Mr. Wednesday last week), but instead focused on gaining funds for the purposes of recruitment. His plan: Creating a snowstorm and robbing a bank.
After watching each episode, I make it a point to hop over to Twitter and soak in the fascinating behind-the-scenes images and notes shared by showrunners Bryan Fuller and Michael Green and co-producer Loretta Ramos. Basically, I can’t get enough of American Gods and need more, more, more. I bet I’m not alone, so I’ve gathered the highlights for you in for the form of Anubis’ metallic toes, god form concept art for Anubis, Jinn and Salim special effects, and more.
The apartment scene was shot, at least in part, on the first day of filming for the series; it was initially going to open the pilot rather than the third episode. Look at this art for the endless stairs:
The endless stairs from Queens to the Scales. #AmericanGods @BryanFuller @neilhimself @obidon1 pic.twitter.com/ltTC6vBTBd
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 15, 2017
It looks pretty close to the finished set, except for the whole not-reaching-into-infinity thing.
Anatomy of a set, part 2. #AmericanGods BTS pic.twitter.com/y70VGXTIOm
— Loretta Ramos (@lorettaramos) May 15, 2017
.@neilhimself ASCENDS TO THE DUAT FILMING INTRODUCTION TO @obidon1âs ANUBIS @AmericanGodsSTZ @andmichaelgreen @DAVID_A_SLADE #AMERICANGODS pic.twitter.com/1h7isPawDT
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) May 15, 2017
CLIMBING THE STAIRS TO THE DUAT, THE ANCIENT EGYPTIAN REALM OF THE DEAD, ON TORONTO BACKLOT @obidon1 #JacquelineAntaramian @AmericanGodsSTZ pic.twitter.com/Ia08yra79h
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) May 15, 2017
Cat problems, amirite?
THAT DARN CAT NEVER BEHAVED AND WAS REPLACED BY A GOOD KITTY WHO ACTED AGAINST GREEN SCREEN @AmericanGodsSTZ #AMERICANGODS @andmichaelgreen pic.twitter.com/7V5r0HLRBX
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) May 15, 2017
Much was made of Chris Obi’s shiny Anubis toes:
Day 1, Scene 1 of #AmericanGods shoot April 18 2016 introduced Anubis & his fancy feet. @BryanFuller @neilhimself @DAVID_A_SLADE & @obidon1! pic.twitter.com/TT900PwTaA
— Michael Green (@andmichaelgreen) May 15, 2017
That @obidon1 has some fancy toes. #AmericanGods BTS pic.twitter.com/HtYVzE9TD3
— Loretta Ramos (@lorettaramos) May 15, 2017
American Gods costume designer Suttirat Larlarb continues to kill it.
COSTUME DESIGNER SUTTIRAT LARLARBâS INSPIRATION AND DESIGN FOR #ANUBISâ ROBES @obidon1 @andmichaelgreen #AMERICANGODS @neilhimself pic.twitter.com/50qjvLPANR
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) May 15, 2017
Though I hope we see Anubis god form at some point, I completely agree with Fuller’s comments about Obi being so compelling that you want to watch him rather than a VFX character. Still, look at this concept art:
ANUBIS WAS ORIGINALLY TO REVEAL GOD FORM TO MRS. FADIL, BUT @obidon1 WAS SO CAPTIVATING WE WANTED HIM NOT VFX @andmichaelgreen #AMERICANGODS pic.twitter.com/vKFMIn94DA
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) May 15, 2017
Back in Chicago, at the home of Czernobog and the Zorya sisters, Shadow met the mysterious third sister. Fuller shared concept art for Zorya Polunochnaya and her costume design.
ORIGINAL CONCEPT ART: ZORYA POLUNOCHNAYAâs ROOFTOP OBSERVATION DECK @ErikaKaar @MrRickyWhittle @andmichaelgreen #AMERICANGODS @neilhimself pic.twitter.com/fqesbmKFLi
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) May 15, 2017
COSTUME DESIGNER SUTTIRAT LARLARBâS ILLUSTRATION ZORYA POLUNOCHNAYAâS NIGHTGOWN @ErikaKaar @AmericanGodsSTZ #AMERICANGODS @andmichaelgreen pic.twitter.com/Aav4epjEaI
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) May 15, 2017
Switching locations to New York and catching up with Salim and the Jinn, Ramos shared some glimpses at the sets and the BTS SFX.
Baubles and trinkets and s*%$. #AmericanGods BTS pic.twitter.com/9WZVBG77rF
— Loretta Ramos (@lorettaramos) May 15, 2017
Anatomy of a taxi scene. #AmericanGods BTS pic.twitter.com/fUT2FL3a4I
— Loretta Ramos (@lorettaramos) May 15, 2017
#AmericanGods BTS Rehearsal with @AbtahiOmid and @MousaKraish. Have crane, will get fancy camera shots. pic.twitter.com/d2zpvTllZb
— Loretta Ramos (@lorettaramos) May 15, 2017
#AmericanGods BTS SFX with @MousaKraish pic.twitter.com/Wu1p8n6UzM
— Loretta Ramos (@lorettaramos) May 15, 2017
#AmericanGods BTS SFX with @AbtahiOmid. #DirtySheets pic.twitter.com/s5R6VPATZ3
— Loretta Ramos (@lorettaramos) May 15, 2017
You know the helpful Kind Man who picked up Mad Sweeney? Well, you’ll enjoy this.
IN PREPARATION TO PLAY THE KIND MAN, @ScottThompson_ PRACTICED ACTS OF KINDNESS @lorettaramos #AMERICANGODS @andmichaelgreen pic.twitter.com/ADm0mQG9sH
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) May 15, 2017
Remember Technical Boy? His origin story was almost introduced in this episode. Here, have a terrifying image.
TONIGHTâS @AmericanGodsSTZ ORIGINALLY FEATURED A #TECHNICALBOY ORIGIN STORY FOR @BruceJLangley THAT WAS CUT AND RECONCEIVED @andmichaelgreen pic.twitter.com/WtAdhdizpO
— Bryan Fuller (@BryanFuller) May 15, 2017
Finally, for recipes for Mrs. Fadil’s last supper, don’t forget to visit Janice Poon’s website.
Images: Starz