Black Widow actor equates Marvel experience to a painful blow

Ray Winstone, best known for his roles as tough guys in films like Scum, Sexy Beast, and The Departed, did not find working in the Marvel Cinematic Universe enjoyable. He likened the experience to "being kicked in the balls."

He has explored big-budget blockbusters such as King Arthur, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, and Snow White and the Huntsman.

However, his debut in a superhero film came with the role of the villainous Dreykov in Black Widow. A recent interview hints that the actor did not find the experience enjoyable.

Actor Ray Winstone's Experience with Marvel

Ray Winstone shared his experience working for Marvel, comparing it to "being kicked in the balls." Marvel's filming schedule can sometimes stretch out for days or even weeks to ensure that any editing issues can be addressed by recalling actors if needed. Unfortunately, this process did not work out well for Winstone.

Winstone shares his experience on Black Widow with the Radio Times, mentioning that everything was going well until the reshoots. He expresses his frustration about producers criticizing his performance as being too strong, a common occurrence in the Marvel process that can be demoralizing for actors.

Feeling disheartened, Winstone contemplated suggesting a recast for his role, but ultimately had to comply with the reshoots due to contractual obligations. He compares the experience to being forced to repeat a task despite feeling defeated, emphasizing the difficult position actors can find themselves in when working with major studios like Marvel.

Ray Winstone had better experiences on Damsel and The Gentleman, both set to be released on Netflix next week. Damsel, an action-adventure film starring Millie Bobby Brown, will start streaming on March 8. The Gentleman, a series based on the Guy Ritchie movie of the same name, will debut on March 7. Check out our 4-star review of the show here.

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Editor's P/S:

Ray Winstone's candid account of his experience working in the Marvel Cinematic Universe provides a sobering perspective on the pressures and challenges faced by actors within the blockbuster filmmaking machine. Winstone's comparison of the reshoot process to "being kicked in the balls" vividly captures the demoralizing nature of having one's performance criticized and dissected. His frustration over being forced to comply with reshoots despite feeling defeated highlights the difficult position actors can find themselves in when working with major studios.

Winstone's experience also sheds light on the disconnect between actors and the corporate interests that drive large-scale productions. While Marvel's meticulous filming schedule and quality control measures may ensure technical proficiency, they can also come at a cost to the creative process and the well-being of the actors involved. It is unfortunate that Winstone's debut in a superhero film was overshadowed by these challenges, but his honesty in sharing his experience serves as a reminder of the human toll that can be exacted in the pursuit of cinematic spectacle.