The "Lost in Space" cast reunites for "The Bolt Who Screwed Christmas" (PHOTOS)

Santa Barbara based filmmaker John "Wedge" Wardlaw’s animated short "The Bolt Who Screwed Christmas," will be screened at this year’s Burbank International Film Festival.

"How the Grinch Stole Christmas" fans will love the homage to Chuck Jones' holiday classic and sci-fi fans are in for a treat, too. The film features the final performance of "Lost in Space" villain Jonathan Harris and marked a reunion of his co-stars Bill Mumy, Angela Cartwright, and Marta Kristen.

In our exclusive interview with Wardlaw he talks about working with the legendary cast on his film.

Wardlaw had great advice for up-and-coming filmmakers with a seemingly impossible dream. When asked how he landed the “Lost in Space” cast for the project he explained, “I asked them! Honestly, if you are a filmmaker and you want to work with someone, be professional and ask. The worst thing they can say is ‘No.’”

He approached the actor who played Dr. Smith first, "I happened to know where Jonathan Harris lived. So I mailed a copy of my script to his house. A while later I received a handwritten note saying that his performance as the Bolt was possible and that his agent was expecting my call.”

The actor who portrayed Will Robinson soon followed. Wardlaw continued, “While talking to [Harris’] agent I was asked if I needed any other voices and he mentioned Bill Mumy. He felt that Bill would like to work with Jonathan on a small project like this.”

When he realized he could reunite Mumy with co-stars Marta Kristen and Angela Cartwright, he reworked the short to include them, “I wrote the scene specifically for them.”

Wardlaw recounted his experience working with one of TV’s greatest villains in the voice over session, “It was wonderful. What a wonderful man. The studio wasn't ready for us (myself and Michael Wilcox) when he arrived so [Harris] said something like, ‘Then let me tell you some stories.’ He proceeded to tell us about various aspects of his career.”

The session with the other members of the “Lost in Space” cast took place after Harris’ death. Wardlaw described the scene, “Bill, Angela, and Marta were already in a room together when I met them. They were having a bit of a reunion when I entered and we were all introduced. I don't remember how it started but Bill did some wonderful impersonations of Jonathan and the Robot having a conversation. Then they went into the booth and I had them listen to Jonathan's performance. There were tears and laughter at hearing his final project.”

For a complete transcript of our exclusive interview with John “Wedge” Wardlaw, including his favorite Jonathan Harris story from the recording session, visit www.popculturepassionistas.com.