Priestley on 90210: Old Characters Muddy the Water

After seeing how producers wove Jennie Garth and Shannen Doherty into the new 90210, naturally fans wondered when the rest of the Beverly Hills, 90210 gang would stop by. TVGuide.com caught up with Jason Priestley at a CW reception at the Kokomo Café, aka the new Peach Pit, to talk about the 90210 episode he's directing (he's also directed five episodes of Secret Life of the American Teenager this season), and what would convince him to reprise the role of Brandon Walsh on the new show. Priestley also reports that we shouldn't plan on seeing Luke Perry's Dylan McKay on the show any time soon.

TVGuide.com: What did you think when you heard they were remaking 90210?
Jason Priestley: As a businessman, it made perfect sense. It's a pop-culture catchphrase. When you say "90210," everyone knows what you're talking about. So why not make use of that? And they certainly have. I think the show looks beautiful, and all the actors are doing a great job. It's a tangled web they've created thus far. It's great.

TVGuide.com: Have you ever considered where Brandon is now?
Priestley: I figured he ended up overseas covering wars or whatever -- not too far off from what the producers [on the new show] have revealed. We know he went to Washington, D.C., and I think he probably just kept going from there.

TVGuide.com: So come on, when is Brandon going to show up on 90210?
Priestley: If Jeff and Gabe were to come up with a decent storyline for Brandon, I'd consider it. I'm very happy to be directing though. It's a challenge, and it's a lot of fun for me to be on set.

TVGuide.com: Were you hoping that Brandon was the father of Kelly's son?
Priestley: No, I knew it wasn't me, I mean, I had a feeling. Brandon's more of an upstanding guy. He wouldn't have taken off.

TVGuide.com: Speaking of the baby-daddy, you still keep in touch with Luke Perry?
Priestley: I do, yes.

TVGuide.com: So will we ever see Dylan on the new show?
Priestley: I can honestly say that Luke has no interest in coming back.

TVGuide.com: But the fans want you guys back!
Priestley: It's a totally different environment and show. At some point in time, if you continue to bring back all the old characters, it just muddies the waters of the new show. The new show has to stand on its own.