Emma Corrin takes on the challenging role of Cassandra Nova in the eagerly awaited sequel, sharing the screen with the formidable Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman. As she prepared for her portrayal of the X-Men supervillain, Emma drew inspiration from a diverse array of iconic antagonists. In a revealing interview with British GQ before the release of Deadpool & Wolverine, Emma opened up about her research for the role and what initially captured her attention about Charles Xavier's sinister sister.
For her portrayal, Emma delved into the world of cinematic villains, citing Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka, whom she describes as "one of the best villains of all time," and Christoph Waltz's Nazi officer in Inglourious Basterds as particular inspirations. "There's a captivating extravagance in Gene Wilder's performance," Emma revealed. "And Christoph Waltz exudes a similar energy in Inglourious Basterds, where he sits there in his uniform, sipping milk, and almost playing the role of a mischievous fairy godmother."
During a captivating segment on YouTube's "Actually Me" series, Emma answered questions about her role. Asked what drew her to Cassandra, a character so different from her previous portrayals of Princess Diana in The Crown and Marion Taylor in My Policemen, Emma confessed, "I think it's the stark contrast to my usual roles and the fact that I've always wanted to play a villain. Plus, working with Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman was a dream. Ryan's improvisational skills were a masterclass in comedy and the genre, which I hadn't tackled before. What's not to love?"
Emma also shared that she had requested a personal trainer from Marvel before filming Deadpool 3, eager for a significant physical transformation. However, the studio politely declined, telling her, "That's not required of you. Please stand down." Despite this, Emma remained resolute, stating, "I tried."
Acknowledging the challenges of starring in a Marvel film during a time of superhero fatigue, Emma remained optimistic about Deadpool & Wolverine's potential to break the mold. With box office projections indicating a domestic opening of around $160 million to $165 million, Emma noted, "There's a lot of pressure, but I believe it's the right film at the right time. Deadpool has always pushed boundaries, and that's why Ryan Reynolds is a genius. I'm excited for audiences to see what we've created on July 26."
