The 53rd Annual Saturn Awards kicked off today in Los Angeles, transforming the red carpet at the Hilton Universal City Hotel into a vibrant hub for the best in genre entertainment. It was a beautiful but intensely hot day for the festivities. The weather was unusually warm for February, and while the bright sun and lack of shade were notable, they couldn’t dampen the excitement or anticipation of the arriving guests, including iconic performer, Doug Jones.
As photos were snapped of stars braving the heat, the event, hosted by Joel McHale, gathered an incredible roster of creators and performers. The Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films welcomed a star-studded list of honorees and presenters, including Laurence Fishburne, Geena Davis, Norman Reedus, and William Shatner, among many others. The evening was also marked by prestigious special honors, such as the Visionary Award presented to Christopher McQuarrie by Tom Cruise, the Lance Reddick Legacy Award to Titus Welliver, and the George Pal Memorial Award celebrating the 40th anniversary of Aliens with James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd.
Championing Practical Effects
Among the industry icons walking the carpet was the legendary Doug Jones. A performer whose career has become synonymous with the technical artistry of prosthetics and creature work. Jones shared an enthusiastic moment with Temple of Geek, noting his genuine affection for the outlet.
When asked about the movie magic that has recently captured his imagination, Jones pointed toward the resurgence of tactile, old-school filmmaking. Despite the prevalence of modern digital tools, Jones highlighted two specific projects that stood out to him for their originality and technical execution:
Sinners: Jones praised the film as a “very originally told story” that offered a fresh perspective he hadn’t seen before.
Frankenstein: Directed by his longtime collaborator Guillermo del Toro, Jones noted that the director truly “knocked this one out of the park.”
Jones expressed a deep appreciation for del Toro’s commitment to the craft. Specifically his decision to champion practical effects over computer-generated imagery.
“He’s an old school film director that made such cinematic magic on set,” Jones remarked, illustrating the scale of the production. “He built a ship. He built a ship. You know what I’m saying?”
For a performer who has spent a career within the intricate layers of makeup and physical sets. Jones’s excitement served as a powerful reminder that even in an age of CGI, the art of physical construction remains a vital heart of the genre.
Also check out: Inside the 53rd Annual Saturn Awards – Photo Gallery
