The Marvel Actor Who Almost Played The MCU’s Taskmaster Before Olga Kurylenko – SlashFilm

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It seems we might have had a really, very totally different model of Taskmaster within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, had issues gone one other approach. That is as a result of one other actor auditioned for the position, an actor who ended up taking part in another person fully in “Black Widow.” The actor in query is O-T Fagbenle, who performed the S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Rick Mason within the 2021 movie. However earlier than he landed the gig, he almost grew to become a foul man for Scarlett Johansson’s Natasha Romanoff to duke it out with.

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In a latest interview with The Direct, Fagbenle confirmed that he auditioned to play Taskmaster in “Black Widow.” Finally, the position went to Olga Kurylenko (“Quantum of Solace”). Fagbenle beforehand confirmed in 2021 that he auditioned for a distinct character within the Marvel Studios movie, however he declined to specify who it was on the time. Now, he is pulling again the curtain on what went down behind the scenes. This is what he needed to say about it:

“I first auditioned for Taskmaster, and it was this, it was a very unbelievable speech, truly. It was an audition I used to be very pleased with. I’ve nonetheless obtained it within the again someplace. And, he was this — I made him with an African accent, and he was this type of maniacal-like character.”

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It took a very long time for the “Black Widow” movie to come back collectively, with totally different iterations of the script being put collectively all through the event course of. So it isn’t simply {that a} totally different actor almost performed the half. As Fagbenle tells it, this might have been a distinct tackle the character altogether.

“I mainly obtained [told] that [the role] was down to love, ‘Is it me or is it another person.’ That form of factor for that model of Taskmaster. And within the numerous iterations of the film, that model of Taskmaster went away, after which they only got here to me and was like, ‘Hey, there may be this character referred to as Mason, do you wish to play Mason?’… So I used to be like, ‘Hell yeah,’ I would like to play Mason!’ And so, the Taskmaster that I used to be going to be did not exist in that iteration of ‘Black Widow.'”

Whereas mileage goes to fluctuate from individual to individual, the model of Taskmaster we obtained shouldn’t be significantly properly regarded when it comes to MCU villains, within the grand scheme of issues. The character is thought for emulating enemies with precision. There’s a sturdy feeling that the model performed by Kurylenko was wasted, considerably.

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To not get into spoiler territory right here, however her latest look in “Thunderbolts” did little to assist issues. There is no want to return in time and ponder whether or not Marvel made the correct alternative. Trying in the direction of the long run, Fagbenle revealed that he is prepared to tug the character he created for his Taskmaster audition out sooner or later sooner or later, even when it isn’t for a Marvel film:

“The character I created for that was one thing I’ve not achieved earlier than, or one thing individuals haven’t seen me do earlier than. I used to be being actually hyped. However anyway, there will be one other alternative for me to tug that maniac out of the bag and put it on display.”

Who is aware of what the long run holds? The MCU’s Multiverse Saga has provided ample alternative to see totally different variations of the identical characters on display. And if the MCU will get a tender reboot after “Secret Wars,” acquainted characters might get new leases on life. Taskmaster might very properly be delivered to life once more down the road. It does not appear possible that it might be Fagbenle behind the masks, however stranger issues have occurred. The actor concluded by making it clear that he is able to return to the MCU, most certainly as Rick Mason, each time the decision comes by.

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“Pay attention, this what I stated to Eric [Pearson], I stated, ‘Why are you leaving me out of ‘Thunderbolts,’ man? I did come again. I did some ‘Secret Invasion,’ Mason appeared there. And so, yeah, I imply, like a real superhero, once they give me the decision [I’m ready to go].”

You can grab “Black Widow” on 4K, Blu-ray, or DVD from Amazon.