Days Of Our Lives

DAYS Guy Wilson Speaks On Taking Over The Role Of Will Horton!

January 7, 2014

Courtesy/IMDB

In his first interview since taking over the role of Will Horton from two-time Daytime Emmy winner Chandler Massey, his replacement, Guy Wilson, spoke with TheWrap.com to share his thoughts on stepping into this key character in Salem and all of soaps. Wilson debuts tomorrow on the January 8th episode of Days of our Lives!

Guy discussed the challenges he faced taking over the role, who was most helpful and welcoming, the quick audition process to land the role, if he was intimated taking over the role of Chandler Massey, and if he was concerned about if the die-hard and loyal and passionate soap fans will accept the switch with the character currently firmly in the hands of Wilson.

Here are a few interesting excerpts below!

Guy on if he is worried about the fans accepting him as Will Horton: “I’m not worried about it, more just because I feel like I understand. It can be frustrating when you’re a fan of an actor or the character and it changes, because, going back to the concept of relationships, people connect with these characters. I certainly don’t take it personally, and if anything, it furthers my admiration for soap fans that they do develop such a connection to an actor or a character.”

Guy on if he was intimated by the performance of his predecessorin the role… Chandler Massey: “You know, I wouldn’t say I was intimidated, but knowing that Chandler won those two Emmys, it shows that he created something very special. So more than a sense of intimidation, I feel a great sense of responsibility to carry that role forward. And I really feel that I have what it takes to do that, provided I work as hard as I can. So there was never a sense of anxiety or intimidation, and I certainly don’t feel a need to measure up in terms of accolades or awards — certainly, those are always very exciting, but to me what matters most is just portraying the truthfulness behind the story of Will and Sonny. So knowing that Chandler did such an amazing job, and because he did such an amazing job, the groundwork is there. I just have to keep going in the direction that Chandler put it in. So if anything, he’s made my job easier, because he has established such an amazing character.”

So, are you ready to give Guy a chance to win you over the pivotal role of Will Horton? What do you think about his understanding of the soap fans and inheriting the role from Chandler Massey? Comment below!

Related Topics:Chandler Massey Days of our Lives Guy Wilson nbc Will Horton

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Click to comment

Guest

jimh(leave it to beaver)

I WILL give this GUY a chance…lol…ive seen many recasts on soaps the last 50 years…some were great, some were ok and some were terrible…but i still gave them all an equal chance!!!

Guest

jimh(leave it to beaver)

Meanwhile, i wonder if E.J. and Abigail was a one time thing or will it continue? Either way will Abby have a little Dimera and announce it at the wedding of E.J. and Sami(Days loves an interupted wedding…lets go 4 no. 3…lol)

Guest

Scott (ATWT Fan)

I’m sure Guy will bring something Chandler didn’t to the role of Will. I’m quite excited to see his take on the character. I was originally skeptical about the recast, but I have slowly come around to it and cannot wait to see how it turns out. Wishing him the best of luck in his new role and cannot wait what the future brings for Will Horton.

Guest

I’m going to miss Chandler, but I’m willing to give Guy a chance.

Guest

kay

I am a WilSon supporter and love the character of Will and also the relationship of Will and Sonny. So I am going to continue to support Guy Wilson. I loved Chandler and was sad to see him leave but understand his reasons for leaving. I hope Guy will be given the chance by fans to show his interpretation of the character of Will. I also hope he and Freddie will be given the chance to show Will and Sonny’s relationship and also on an individual level with good stories. It is up to the writers now.

Guest

toscanti

Looking forward to his take on the role!!

Guest

boes

If the guy gives have a good performance as he does an interview, he should be good. He’s well spoken.

Days is so good right now, and I hope he adds to the mix.

CM has been pretty wonderful, and he’s moving on with his life. I wish him all the best, and I do the same to the “new guy”.

Guest

Tom Welles

He will be fine in the role I am sure. At least, DAYS OF OUR LIVES is surviving, I was and am a long time fan of All My Children and it’s just heart wrenching that the show is gone, and didn’t work as an On-line presentation.
So, I plan on tuning in to Days on a regular basis, and I am sure that this new actor will bring another dimension to the character.

Guest

boes

I was/am an AMC fan too, from Day 1 of the show and feel as you do. Ditto with OLTL.
For me, DOOL is truest to the soap format I love best, and it has such a wonderful intergenerational cast, and features family heavily, just like AMC used to do – and OLTL.
DOOL has been the best of the surviving soaps for me personally, and I hope it is for you too.

Guest

4everDAYS

This is wild! I have always been a DAYS only fan, but I have relatives that were long term AMC fans. They called their show All My Kids. lol. They started watching DAYS and say it’s like watching AMK. They are hooked!

boes is correct in saying DAYS features family heavily. In fact, the character of Will is from two long standing families. He is a Horton and a Brady.

That proves how serious DAYS is about Will.

Guest

JENNNN

Well the current Will has this smirk on his face when he gets upset… which doesn’t go over well when he is trying to be serious. I hope the new Will does a better job.

Guest

madluv4ya

Jennnn!!! OMG! I thought I was the only one who noticed the smirk and just lazy acting style Chandler has exhibited for the past year or so. I feel like he didn’t feel challenged by the role any more so he kind of phoned in his performance. I for one am glad to see him go. Looking forward to the new guy!

Guest

Iakovos

I am just glad the character of Will Horton is not leaving with the actor as happens too many times these days.

Guest

Patrick

Guy Wilson: you are surrounded by thee best cast on daytime. so many dynamics play out… conferring, relating, just playing out… with each other I love it! put aside the two emmy wins and relate to your intuition… and focus on Sonny- DAYS took great pains.. to reach … and feature a select peoples… and stratosphere electric everything about DAYS is ON… just keep Daniel and Jenn… apart… and even give us a little break… all the rest of the show… takes hold and fires it’s not like the remaining shows… who are scrambling… to cohesively knit, package and sublimely… Read more »

Guest

Taeylor

I too will support Guy. I also hope that he will be more comfortable kissing another man. I think Freddie Smith is very passionate and seems very naturally and comfortable. Sometimes I felt Chandler was when it was a smooch. And he had some good kiss moments. I also really hope that they focus on their sex life. I mean we see Sami and EJ going at it all the time. If they focus more on them in bed, whether it’s just laying there etc. it will make it more of the “norm” and nothing but another love story unfolding.… Read more »

Guest

4everDAYS

Considering all the pressure he is under, Guy’s debut was great! He will settle in quite nicely!!!

Guest

boes

I think he did a fine job! Good start. He already has an ease in his scenes with Gabi and Sonny.

Guest

June Clayton

Was Chandler let go or did he quit. I loved him.

Guest

Rachelle

Personally i dont like the new will horton at all…we want the oid will back please.

Guest

I think guy wilson is doing a good job as will and lot of viewers do not like him and want chandler back, but we would have a new actor in the role anyway because chandler was not going renew his contract. So days higher ups took action and. I like chandler but he is recast to. Nobody likes change.

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