Ah, Q&As, the bane of journalists. While I usually detest this fire-and-forget form of "journalism" occasionally it does manage to impart some interesting tidbits, too bad the reader has to do all of the work and hunt for them.

Gamespot recently had a chance to speak with Joe Kucan, the man rehired to voice and play Nod leader, Kane. Here's some of the better bits of the interview:

GS: Why do you think EA brought you back to appear in the new game? What do you think you bring to the role of Kane that a look-alike or sound-alike might not be able to capture?

JK: The real reason they brought me back was because I'm cheap and easily persuaded to help move heavy pieces of scenery in between shots. In all seriousness, Mike Verdu, the game's executive producer, has made his enthusiasm for the original C&C series and the methodology behind his vision for the game very obvious from the start. He had an early love of the game even before he started working at EA, and when he flew out to my house to pitch the project, I could tell right away that he was a big C&C fan because he had my face tattooed on his chest. I thought that was sweet.

I honestly think that I might be the only one in the world who understands the humor in Kane—the wry sense of absurdity behind a lot of the megalomaniacal snarkiness. It's a fine line to tread between that sort of humor and the over-the-top, hyperdramatic, almost-Shakespearean villainy. It's a really tough distinction that I've worked very hard to create, right from the beginning of the C&C franchise.

If you want to read about his beauty secrets and how he likes to play a 1969 Pontiac GTO in Need for Speed 3, then hit the link. Brian Crecente

Q&A: C&C3's Kane speaks! [Gamespot]

If this was about any game but Command & Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars I probably wouldn't have bothered posting, but anything that has the words Command and Conquer in it gets me all hot and bothered.

EA LA announced today that Joe Kucan, the actor who has played the character Kane in all of the Command and Conquer games, will once more be playing Kane.

Fortunately, EA threw in a little bit of interesting background on the game's plot as well to keep my interest. I slapped the full press release on the jump. Brian Crecente

EA Los Angeles (EALA) is thrilled to reveal today that Joe Kucan, the original actor who portrayed the character Kane in Command & Conquer (C&C) games over the last decade, is reprising his role as the megalomaniacal leader of the Brotherhood of Nod (Nod) in Command & Conquer 3 Tiberium Wars (C&C 3). Kucan will appear in an array of high-definition, live action video sequences that seamlessly tie the game's epic story together. These full-motion video sequences will also feature an unparalleled, diverse cast and will help bring the story behind the Tiberium Universe to life.

"Kane lives indeed!" said Joe Kucan, the actor who originated the popular villain over a decade ago. "I am looking forward to capturing the imagination of a whole new generation of C&C fans and the series' avid supporters. EALA has done some amazing work, and I am truly honored to be back in the Brotherhood."

About C&C 3
March, 2047. A massive nuclear fireball explodes high in the night sky, marking the dramatic beginning to the Third Tiberium War and long-awaited return of the most groundbreaking Real-time Strategy franchise (RTS) of all time.

The critically-acclaimed C&C series returns with C&C 3. Setting the standard for the future of RTS gaming once more, C&C 3 takes you back to where it all began—the Tiberium Universe.

In 2047, Tiberium has blanketed the Earth, which is now divided into zones based on the level of Tiberium infestation. Pristine Blue Zones represent 20% of the planet's surface and are the last refuge of the civilized world. Partially habitable Yellow Zones make up 50% of the planet's surface; most of the world's population lives in these war-torn and ecologically ravaged areas. The remaining 30% of the planet is uninhabitable, a Tiberium wasteland swept by violent Ion Storms. Red Zones are like the surface of an Alien planet.

The infamous Kane has returned to lead the Brotherhood of Nod in a massive global assault on the Global Defense Initiative and the few remaining Blue Zones left on the planet. Only you can stop him. The fate of humanity - and the planet - is in your hands.

Featuring state-of-the-art, next-generation graphics, an epic story with live action, full-motion video sequences, and the classic fast-paced C&C style of play, C&C 3 sets the standard for the single player RTS experience. When you decide to test your skills online, a suite of truly innovative features, such as the ability to transform online battles into a spectator sport, unfold.

The Gaming Steve podcast let a real juicy rumor drop yesterday about the possible existence of Command and Conquer 3 as an upcoming title for the 360.

I know for a fact that they're doing this because these are the same guys, same team doing Command & Conquer 3. And they're definitely going to release it for the 360. You heard it here. And so what they're doing is really using Battle For Middle Earth 2 to use it as a springboard to test, to see how it's going to work for Command & Conquer 3.

This isn't an official statement or anything, but for us Command and Conquer loving crazies, this is incredibly sexy news. Keep your fingers crossed. Florian Eckhardt

C&C3 Rumored for 360 [1UP]

A slew of Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars scans from German mag Game Replay have hit Ruliweb. The PC game will hit computer screens in 2007 and will pick up with the Global Defense Initiative battling the Brotherhood of NOD from the previous titles. The third installment in the trilogy will even feature a brand spanking new alien race. Ruliweb also has an image of a giant ION cannon. Kerpow,

"We're building a next generation Command & Conquer game that is true to the spirit of this classic franchise, but is updated with state-of-the-art visuals, added strategic depth, and gameplay innovations that will move the genre forward," says EA Los Angeles executive producer Mike Verdu.

These early images look as though EA's on the right track.

More Here [Ruliweb] Thanks, Torokun!

The cover is supposed to be for the June issue of the mag.The comments bin for the photo are abuzz with all kinds of fancy rumors. Here's a couple:

The game will be set in the Tiberium Universe.
The game will be serious.
The game was developed by EA LA.

The rest of the rumblings are way too inside baseball to really post about. Check out the site and the forums if you want to discuss which timeline the game might be in and whether Joe Reprise will reprise his role as Kane.

Picture of the Day [PlanetCNC]