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 completely different model of Taskmaster within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, had issues gone one other method. That is as a result of one other actor auditioned for the position, an actor who ended up enjoying another person solely 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 turned 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.” In the end, the position went to Olga Kurylenko (“Quantum of Solace”). Fagbenle beforehand confirmed in 2021 that he auditioned for a unique 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, really. It was an audition I used to be very pleased with. I’ve nonetheless acquired it within the again someplace. And, he was this — I made him with an African accent, and he was this sort of maniacal-like character.”

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

“I principally acquired [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 varied iterations of the film, that model of Taskmaster went away, after which they simply got here to me and was like, ‘Hey, there may be this character known as Mason, do you wish to play Mason?’… So I used to be like, ‘Hell yeah,’ I might 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 range from individual to individual, the model of Taskmaster we acquired just isn’t notably properly regarded when it comes to MCU villains, within the grand scheme of issues. The character is understood 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 isn’t any want to return in time and ponder whether or not Marvel made the appropriate selection. Trying in the direction of the longer term, 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 is not for a Marvel film:

“The character I created for that was one thing I’ve not finished 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 longer term holds? The MCU’s Multiverse Saga has provided ample alternative to see completely different variations of the identical characters on display. And if the MCU will get a gentle reboot after “Secret Wars,” acquainted characters might get new leases on life. Taskmaster could very properly be dropped at life once more down the road. It would not appear possible that it could 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, probably as Rick Mason, each time the decision comes via.

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“Pay attention, this what I mentioned to Eric [Pearson], I mentioned, ‘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, after they give me the decision [I’m ready to go].”

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