Matthew Macfadyen Is The Unsung Hero Of Deadpool And Wolverine - TJCS Newsletter
MATTHEW MACFADYEN DESERVES A LOT MORE ATTENTION FOR HIS DEADPOOL ROLE THAN WE GIVE HIM
Deadpool and Wolverine has been getting a lot of attention lately, and there’s nothing wrong with that since it’s been arguably the most anticipated movie of the year and could end up being the #1 or #2 box office film of the year as well. I mean it’s already set a ton of box office records (including the biggest R-rated opening of all time and the #6 biggest opening of all time for any film of any rating.
And since seeing the movie we’ve had a lot to talk about. Sure, Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman get the lion’s share of the credit and love. Fans have also spent a lot of time heaping joyous praise on the likes of Wesley Snipes, Channing Tatum, Jennifer Garnder, Emma Corrin and Dafne Keen. All are well deserving (although Corrin deserves more flowers than she’s getting).
But one name I don’t hear mentioned much in those conversations is Matthew Macfadyen, AKA Mr. Paradox.
Ann and I went to see our 5th viewing of Deadpool and Wolverine last night (damn thing just keeps getting better with every viewing) and this time I really picked up on the importance of Paradox in the film and just how perfectly Macfadyen manifested that character in such an entertaining way, that I don’t think the movie works quite as well as it does without him.
Think about it. As Deadpool and Wolverine kicks off, we are brought instantly into the familiar. Deadpool being Deadpool (and killing a bunch of guys while doing it in one of the best opening credit scenes ever). It’s when we meet Paradox that the movie really starts. Macfadyen is the bridge needed to connect the Deadpool universe as we know it, to the MCU (via the TVA).
But it’s not just done through exposition. Macfadyen brings a charm and a slick/sleazy brand of charisma to the character that has us hanging on his every word like Deadpool is. And I LOVE that shot (seen in the image above) where we see Paradox watching the final moments of Logan with true emotion and admiration. Macfadyen's performance made Paradox more than JUST a villain. There’s a part of Paradox that really does love and respect heroes (like Logan). I even think at the end of the film when he’s trying to cover his ass with B-15 after the explosion he’s actually being sincere when talking about how Wade and Logan died as heroes. There is a part of him that admires them (until they reveal they’re still alive thus destroying his alibi).
Oh… and one of the funniest moments of the entire movie is when B-15 and Peter are just looking at each other in a prolonged silence and Matthew breaks the silence blurting out “WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING?!?!”
So let’s raise a virtual glass to Matthew Macfadyen. Truly one of the unsung heroes of Deadpool and Wolverine!
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Just like we did a live stream reacting to the Marvel Hall H panel at Comic-Con, we’re going to be doing the same for the presentation coming from Disney’s D23 this Friday night.
Jonathan is back in, so we should have a full regular crew today for the first time in a week. Thanks for your patience as we’ve been keeping everything going a little short-handed.
OTHER INTERESTING STORIES WE’RE NOT COVERING ON THE SHOW
1) ‘Stranger Things’ Prequel Play Coming to Broadway
"Stranger Things: The First Shadow," a prequel play set 25 years before the Netflix series, will open on Broadway on April 22, 2025.
The play, written by Kate Trefry with an original story by the Duffer Brothers, Jack Thorne, and Trefry, tells the story of Hawkins, Indiana in 1959, focusing on young Jim Hopper, Bob Newby, and Joyce Maldonado.
The play features special effects, similar to "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child," and will be co-directed by Stephen Daldry and Justin Martin.
MY THOUGHTS - Normally when I think of a popular IP going to Broadway, I think of a direct translation like in the case of Beauty And The Beast or perhaps The Lion King. The idea of making a prequel is kind of interesting. Maybe they’ll use this as a sort of test ground to see if the story works with an audience before transitioning it to the screen? Lots of possibilities.
2) ‘You’re Making It So Hard’: Dafne Keen Recalls Channing Tatum Making Her Break Character While Filming Deadpool 3
Dafne Keen, who plays X-23 in Deadpool & Wolverine, revealed that Channing Tatum's portrayal of Gambit made it difficult for her to stay in character.
She explained that Tatum's comedic delivery and over-the-top performance, particularly his accent, caused her to break character multiple times.
She found it challenging to maintain her serious and brooding persona while Tatum was delivering his lines, which she described as "yapping in my ear."
MY THOUGHTS - Look, I’ve seen Deadpool and Wolverine 5 times now (yes, 5), and every time that scene comes up where Gambit starts talking I laugh harder and harder. Each time funnier to me than the last. I can’t even imagine what it must have been like being there in the room with Tatum going off like that. There is NO WAY I would have been able to keep a straight face while he was doing that. NO… WAY.
3) Patti Yasutake Dies: ‘Beef’ & ‘Star Trek: TNG’ Actress Was 70
Patti Yasutake, known for her roles in "Beef" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation," passed away peacefully on August 5th at the age of 70.
Yasutake, a Los Angeles native, graduated from UCLA with honors in theater and began her career at East West Players.
She made her feature film debut in Ron Howard's 1986 comedy "Gung Ho" and received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her role in the 1988 film "The Wash."
Yasutake's career spanned three decades and included numerous television appearances, including roles in "The Closer," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Bones."
Her last TV role was as Fumi Nakai, George's mother, in Netflix's acclaimed limited series "Beef."
MY THOUGHTS - Someone like me will remember her most for her 16 episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation (her character Nurse Ogawa also appeared in Star Trek: Generations and First Contact). I think it’s wonderful that her final role was probably her most successful one in Beef which won all the limited series prizes during awards season and even got her a couple of international best supporting actress nominations.
4) ‘Umbrella Academy’ Stars Tease “Ending That We’re All Proud Of” and Pitch Who Should Get a Spinoff
The cast of "The Umbrella Academy" is excited about the show's upcoming finale, which they believe will provide a satisfying conclusion to the series.
They describe the ending as a "clean-cut" and "non-cliffhanger" resolution that ties up loose ends and leaves fans feeling fulfilled.
The cast members expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to finish the show on their own terms, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of saying goodbye to their characters and the close-knit community they formed during filming.
Several cast members pitched potential spinoff ideas, including a Hargreeves origin story, a focus on the dynamic between Robert Sheehan and Aidan Gallagher, and a deeper exploration of the show's compelling villains, such as Gene and Jean, The Handler, and Hazel.
My THOUGHTS - I straight up LOVE The Umbrella Academy. Maybe no on the same level as The Boys, but it’s one of my favorites nonetheless. Right from the beginning the chemistry between the characters has been the glue of the show and they’ve never veered away from that. At the same time, I feel good that this is the last season. You could start to feel in season 3 the story was winding down. I think this is the perfect time for the show to take its final bow.
5) ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ Star Matt Berry on Delivering Unfamiliar American Cultural References: “I Haven’t Got a Clue!”
Matt Berry, who plays Laszlo Cravensworth in the FX comedy series What We Do in the Shadows, is nominated for an Emmy for his performance.
Berry discusses the importance of the show's set design and costumes in informing his character's actions and dialogue.
He also credits his co-stars, Kayvan Novak and Natasia Demetriou, for their ability to improvise and keep the comedic energy flowing.
Berry explains that he often struggles with American pop culture references, which he delivers with his own unique spin.
He sees Laszlo as a celebration of queerness and a welcome escape from the current trend of dark comedy and antiheroes.
MY THOUGHTS - I’m sure you guys have heard me say this before, but this is one of those shows that I thought was a TERRIBLE idea… and then fell absolutely in love with it. What We Do In The Shadows is one of only 4-5 shows Ann and I have that is “appointment television” in the sense that we don’t plan things on nights new episodes are dropping because we MUST be at home to watch them immediately. And Lazslo is one of the best pieces of the puzzle. JACKIE DAYTONA! HUMAN BARTENDER!
VIDEOS SEGMENTS FROM THE LAST SHOW
House Of The Dragon To End With Season 4 - Finale Hits Highest Ratings Of Season
The Two Reasons Henry Cavill Agreed To Be In Deadpool And Wolverine
Jenna Ortega, Glen Powell To Star In New J.J. Abrams Film
Deadpool 3 Director Shawn Levy Almost Directed Channing Tatum’s Gambit Movie