The new movieGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3bringsChukwudi Iwujito the big screen as the newest villain in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and for many fans, the character may be the most dastardly of them all. In the film, Iwuji plays the High Evolutionary, a threat to the Guardians that some say is more despicable than the likes of Thanos and Kang the Conqueror. The actor’s performance has drawn high praise, as filmgoers and critics have suggested how the casting is perfect given how effective Iwuji is in the role.
In an interview withVariety, Iwuji remembers when he was first cast in the role, revealing how he came very close to turning it down. At the time the offer came in, the actor had already been working with James Gunn on the HBO Max seriesPeacemaker, so he was quite familiar with the director. Even so, he doubted he would actually get the part, believing there were other Black actors in Hollywood he presumed would get the offer before he would.
“I was like, I could name three or four go-tos further up the ladder than me that this is going to, so I’m not going to bother,” Iwuji reveals. “I just thought they should get the late, great Lance Reddick to do it.”
Ultimately, Iwuji recorded an audition for the role witht he help of his wife, Angela Travino, who found the material to be “hilarious.” Even if the actor was not expecting to get the part, his audition made an impact on Gunn, who also shared why he wanted to cast Iwuji as the High Evolutionary.
“He was able to play an alien of extraordinary empathy and integrity who took over the body and memories of a sociopathic mercenary and was somehow able to convey all of those character aspects at once… His performance was nuanced and layered and unlike anyone else who auditioned,” Gunn explained.
Related:Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.3: Chukwudi Iwuji Says His Agent Found It Hard Speaking To Him Due To his Villain’s Cruelty To Animals
Iwuji and Gunn were working onPeacemakerwhen the latter became certain he wanted the former as his High Evolutionary inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. On the set, Gunn approached Iwuji to let him know he had big plans for him in the role, and the actor admits he had trouble believing it.
“I jokingly said to him, ‘James, is this when you tell me that you actually had meant to hire Chiwetel Ejiofor, and you got our names mixed up?’" Iwuji recalls. “He said, ‘Actually, what I want is for you to be the main villain inGuardians of the Galaxy 3.' It was like that moment inThe Simpsonswhen you confuse Homer Simpson, and he just sort of blinks. I just kept staring at him.”
To finalize the casting, Iwuji had to do a screen test. He now confesses he wasn’t thrilled about doing that part of the process, though he reveals that it wasn’t your typical Hollywood screen test when he arrived. He says that he wasn’t competing with other actors at the time, but rather showing Gunn what he specifically could do when actually in character as the High Evolutionary.
“There was a side of me that was secretly hoping I wouldn’t have to do a screen test, that I’d just get the role,” the actor says. “But it was a screen test for one. When I arrived, I did not see five other actors that looked like me. It was just for me.”
you’re able to watch Iwuji’s performance as the High Evolutionary inGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, now playing in theaters.
