Half a year afterGame of Thronesstar Peter Dinklage joined the intriguingToxic Avengerreboot fromLegendary Pictures, it seems the upcoming film is still adding big names to its roster. This time, the newest cast member will cause tremors, or at the very least, will keep things at a brisk 6 degrees, because it’s Kevin Bacon.
The Hollywood Reporter learned the seasoned movie star has joined up with Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, and Taylour Paige in Legendary’sreboot of the 1984 cult classicToxic Avenger. Not only that, but he’ll be playing the villain opposite Dinklage’s hero. Directed by Macon Blair, the movie is set to finally begin filming later in June, hopefully putting it on track for a timely release.
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The 1984 original was almostlike a proto-Deadpoolwith an impressively low budget and overarching environmental themes. Coming from lovably schlocky horror film production company Troma Entertainment, the movie saw its outcast hero as just a regular average Joe who fell into a vat of toxic chemicals, heavily disfiguring him and giving him superpowers. In a reversal of what would normally be a pretty standard villain origin story, he instead decides to use his powers for good, becoming the superhero known as The Toxic Avenger.
Bacon, best known for being connected to everyone on the planet via no more than 6 degrees of separation, has made a more than a substantial mark on the film industry over the years. Starring in films likeFootlooseandApollo 13, he’s been well established as a powerful dramatic actor while also proving his comedic skills with movies likeNational Lampoon’s Animal House. Plus, he really wants to beinGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. In a film likeToxic Avenger, he’ll likely have to tap into both skill sets in order to bring what is sure to be an over-the-top villain to life.
Many are likely afraid that Legendary’s reboot ofToxic Avengerwill skew too far into serious territory. Some would argue that more recent attempts to bring back ’80s classics like2014’s disappointingRoboCopremakehave been more concerned with the action and maximized profits than capturing the spirit of the original, and it’s rather easy to see where that argument comes from.
But considering the versatility of actors like Bacon and Dinklage, there could be a glimmer of hope withToxic Avenger. While both accomplished dramatic actors, they can also play it up for the yuks with relative ease, and a balance of the two skills will go a long way in repeating the original’s success. Here’s hoping it’s just as bizarre and schlocky as its predecessors. Or at the very least, maybe it’ll generate as much buzz asthe door fromFinal Fantasy VII Remake.
Toxic Avengeris in development.
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