For most actors, joining a massive comic book franchise comes with the obligation of taking on a grueling fitness regimen to get into superhero shape. But Emma Corrin‘s upcoming villainous turn in “Deadpool & Wolverine” came with slightly different instructions.
In a new video interview with British GQ, the non-binary actor explained that they were excited about the challenge of working out for the film, but were told by Marvel executives that it wasn’t necessary.
“This is funny because I did ask if I could have a personal trainer and they said no,” Corrin said. “They said I don’t have to undergo any physical training. I was so ready to undergo a huge transformation but they were like, ‘That’s absolutely not required of you. Please stand down.’ I tried.”
Corrin went on to explain that her take on the villain Cassandra Nova relies more on charm than being physically imposing. They cited Christoph Waltz’s performance as Hans Landa in Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglorious Basterds” as a key inspiration for the role.
“He’s so disarmingly polite and nice and unaffected, and it’s really creepy,” Corrin said. “It’s all the more sinister because he doesn’t need to do anything.”
Corrin added that their co-star Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy constantly encouraged them to envision the character as a departure from previous comic book villains, which likely softened the blow of not getting a personal trainer.
“Ryan and Shawn pitched this idea, which I was totally on board with: ‘We want this villain to not be a villain in the sense that you expect them to be. We want you to be so endeared by her, so charmed by her, and just when you think that maybe she’s totally seen into your soul and you are going to be best friends for life, you’re dead.’”
