The Toxic Avenger: A Gory, Unrated Sequel That's a Bigger Experience Than a Superhero Origin Story

Strategic Insights -

Actor Peter Dinklage, known for his Emmy-winning role as Tyrion Lannister in HBO's "Game of Thrones," stars as Winston Gooze, a hard-luck janitor turned reluctant superhero in the new "Toxic Avenger" film. The unrated movie, set to hit theaters on August 29, is a dark and gothic take on the 1984 original, directed by Macon Blair.

Key Takeaways:

  • Peter Dinklage's character, Winston Gooze, is a hard-luck widower and stepdad working as a janitor for a shady corporation that refuses to pay for his medical treatment.
  • Winston is transformed into a superhero after being exposed to toxic waste and becoming a popular folk hero.
  • Director Macon Blair chose Dinklage for the role because he wanted an actor who could quickly gain audience sympathy, making the transformation more believable.
  • Dinklage listened to Motörhead and Ozzy Osbourne to get into the mindset of an aging metalhead who is insecure but has an angry side.
  • Dinklage's performance was influenced by the character's heartbroken rather than humorous nature, and he wanted to convey that Winston was still the same person despite having superpowers.
  • The film's transformation scene was inspired by Hitchcock's "Vertigo," the tornado scene in "The Wizard of Oz," and other classic films that used creative budgeting to achieve their visual effects.
  • British stunt performer Luisa Guerreiro, credited as "the Bod," performed 70% of the movie's stunts, with Dinklage performing the remaining 30%.
  • Dinklage had to overcome his control-freak tendencies to let Guerreiro perform as Toxie, the superhero.
  • Dinklage enjoyed the experience of playing a less intelligent and more kind character, compared to the intelligent and clever Tyrion Lannister in "Game of Thrones."

Statistics:

  • 70% of the movie's stunts were performed by Luisa Guerreiro (the Bod)
  • 30% of the movie's stunts were performed by Peter Dinklage
  • August 29: Release date of the "Toxic Avenger" film
  • 1984: Release year of the original "Toxic Avenger" film
  • Macon Blair was the director of the new "Toxic Avenger" film
  • David Prowse and James Earl Jones were the creative team behind Darth Vader in the original "Star Wars"
  • Hitchcock's "Vertigo" and the tornado scene in "The Wizard of Oz" were inspirations for the film's transformation scene

Sources:

  • USA TODAY - "Peter Dinklage, 'Game of Thrones' star, brings 'Toxic Avenger' to life as a gory, unrated superhero"
  • Macon Blair's statement: "I really wanted someone who the audience could get really sympathetic with super-quick so that when the transformation does happen, they want the best for him and they're on his side."