Exclusive: Interview with Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje on Thor: The Dark World, Black Panther and Bullet to the Head
Meet Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. You may know him as Mr. Eko from Lost or Heavy Duty from GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra. If those characters aren’t familiar to you, then you’ll definitely see more of him this year. We recently had a chance to talk to Adewale on his role as Algrim/Kurse in Thor: The Dark World and working with Sylvester Stallone in Bullet to the Head, which is now out in theaters.
John Nguyen: It looks like Marvel news is just surrounding you lately, with you campaigning for the Black Panther and being in Thor: The Dark World.
Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje: I’m just taking it as it comes. I’m really happy to make my Marvel debut in Thor. And obviously I’m having a great relationship with Marvel. We’ll see what comes out of it.
If you’re playing two characters in the Marvel universe, do you think this might be a concern?
It’s really up to Marvel, but a good example would be Chris Evans. He did a really good job as Captain America and as Johnny Storm in Fantastic Four. When you’re an actor, you’re playing a different character, and that’s really all it is.
So what’s it like to play as Kurse/Algrim in Thor: The Dark World?
It’s a really exciting opportunity. It was a really juicy and challenging role and something I really enjoyed. Algrim, as you know, is from the Dark Elf world. Without giving away too much of the plot, we’ll see who and what he becomes. I will say no more.
Yeah, you don’t want to piss off Marvel.
No we don’t.
As for his wardrobe and makeup, it’s like wearing a pair of shoes. You have to break them in. Once you’re in it, you have to be in tune with the costume and be flexible. It’s challenging, but ultimately it’s fun. The moment I put on the costume, I’m the character. You forget about who you are, and it possesses you to get on with the job.
You’re in Bullet to the Head with Sylvester Stallone. How does it feel to be next to another badass?
I’m quite familiar with playing the badass, and obviously Stallone is a legend in that genre. It’s just an honor to be playing against the guy I grew up with. I mean, he’s the guy that did Rocky and Rambo. He’s also inspiring to aspiring writers and directors, since he’s not only an actor, but also a writer and director. He’s good to be around.
What’s the most challenging project you’ve worked on?
Every time there’s a big tent-pole or superhero project that I’ve acted in, they are normally very physically and mentally demanding, by their very nature. I think they would have to rank up their as the most challenging films.
Obviously dramatic films; I did a small independent British film called Best Laid Plans where I play a paraplegic. It’s based on the Of Mice and Men story. And again you have to go there emotionally and psychologically. When you do that for a month, that can get challenging.
Each films have their own unique challenges, but certainly the high impact action sci-fi/fantasy movies like GI Joe and Thor. You have to be mentally and physically prepared for those.
Do you have any nerdy/geeky hobbies?
I’m a bit of a gadget freak. I love computers and technology. But I do love writing. That discipline in studying, analyzing, and researching has always been in me. As for as the nerdy aspect in me, I think I’m a bit of a writer.
Bullet to the Head is now in theaters. Thor: The Dark World opens in theaters on November 8, 2013. You can also follow Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje on his Twitter.
