Why The Toxic Avenger Hailed as an Iconic Actor in a Suit Rather than a CGI Character in Macon Blair's Film

Article Summary

For his second feature film as a director, Macon Blair remade the 1984 Troma classic, The Toxic Avenger.

The story revolves around Winston Gooze, a janitor who undergoes a life-altering transformation due to a disastrous toxic waste incident.

During the world premiere of the film at Fantastic Fest 2023, Blair spoke with Our website to discuss the creation of a new Toxic Avenger movie. He aimed to strike a balance by appeasing loyal Troma fans while also captivating new audiences with its delightfully repulsive and entertaining content.

'Tis the season for Halloween movie recommendations, particularly for genre films. Alongside these suggestions, we would like to announce an exciting upcoming creature feature set to release in 2024: Macon Blair's remake of the Troma classic, The Toxic Avenger.

Blair's film stars Peter Dinklage as Winston Gooze, a janitor who survives a dreadful accident involving toxic waste. However, this incident drastically alters him, leaving him covered in unsightly boils, warts, and blisters. Yet, despite these physical changes, Winston remains the same person at heart. Empowered with incredible strength and armed with a luminous mop, he embarks on a mission to fulfill his lifelong aspiration – protecting his son (Jacob Tremblay) and standing up against power-hungry corporate villains who have caused him and many others harm.

I had the pleasure of watching The Toxic Avenger at Fantastic Fest 2023 during its world premiere screening, and later on had the chance to chat with Blair about the movie's production. He provided a detailed overview, discussing his collaboration with Legendary on the project, exploring the potential for a sequel, and explained how he tackled the challenge of appealing to both loyal fans of Toxie and a wider audience. Blair also shared insights on how he approached pitching the role to Dinklage, finding the perfect visual depiction of Toxie, and much more. You can either watch the video conversation above or read the interview transcript below.

The release date for The Toxic Avenger is yet to be announced. However, following its positive reception at Fantastic Fest, Beyond Fest, and Sitges, there are high hopes that Legendary will soon provide an update.

Image via Legendary

PERRI NEMIROFF: Wow, you really kicked off Fantastic Fest with a bang.

MACON BLAIR: Absolutely! We actually mentioned this last night, but when we were discussing the ideal place to debut our movie, Fantastic Fest was everyone's unanimous choice. It's practically tailor-made for a film like ours, and the audience seems to really enjoy it. We couldn't be more thrilled.

I would like to revisit the starting point of this situation. Did you approach Legendary with an idea knowing that they had acquired the rights to the original film?

BLAIR: Actually, it was the other way around. I had previously worked with them on some projects, and they approached me. They had recently obtained the rights from Lloyd [Kaufman]...

This significantly increases my admiration for Legendary, beyond what I already felt.

BLAIR: They didn't simply hand it to me. They inquired, "What approach would you take?" I imagine they asked the same question to several others, and I honestly anticipated them rejecting my idea at some point, saying, "Thank you for your time, but it's not our preference." I even half-expected them to seek a more family-friendly or mainstream PG-13 concept, whatever that may be. Yet, I insisted, "It must be rated R. It should feature a person in a costume. It should be absurd and intentionally childish." Surprisingly, they constantly responded, "Yes, we agree." Eventually, I decided to just write this thing and see how it goes. And now, here we are.

I am aware of your passion for Troma films, but why did you choose to direct a Toxic Avenger movie as your second feature in order to further develop your skills as a director? What did you hope to gain from working with this material that would benefit your future as a filmmaker?

BLAIR: That's a great question. When I was young, I watched the movie at a very influential time and it really made an impression on me. It shaped my taste in films in some ways. As I grew older, I explored other genres and it wasn't like I always had this idea to remake The Toxic Avenger. It wasn't until Legendary approached me that I even considered it. However, I had attempted to create several movies with specific elements, such as a big, absurd comedy with a mature rating, monsters, and a touch of sentimentality. These projects ended up being expensive, rated R, and most importantly, not based on existing intellectual property. They were never going to be made, and they never were. I ended up revising some of them into comic books. I felt like I could never create that type of film. Then out of nowhere, Legendary approached me with the opportunity to work on The Toxic Avenger. I thought to myself, "Well, damn!" If there was ever a character or franchise that demanded a film that was large, chaotic, silly, sentimental, gross, and everything else I was striving for, it was this one. This was the chance for me to finally scratch that itch and make the type of movie I wanted, with the backing of a studio like Legendary who has the resources to bring it to life. It was also exciting to know that they were interested in catering to the Fantastic Fest audience, which aligns with the type of film I wanted to create.

Image via Troma Entertainment

Indeed! This brings me to another pressing question I had. Troma enjoys a substantial fan base, as does the individual work Toxic Avenger. However, this fan base is quite specific, and it can be challenging to attract new members into this circle if they are not inclined towards this genre. Hence, I am curious to know, what aspects of the original 1984 film did you aim to preserve for the dedicated fans? Additionally, could you also shed light on the intentional deviations you made to reach out to a wider audience?

BLAIR: We faced the challenge of appeasing the devoted fan base while also engaging a wider audience who may not be familiar with The Toxic Avenger. We prioritized the fan base and ensured their satisfaction, while also catering to newcomers. We aimed for a deliberately silly and juvenile sense of humor that would amuse people through physical gags and exaggerated makeup. Our goal was to preserve these elements.

Regarding the main character, we made the decision to deviate from the original teenage outcast narrative. It felt repetitive to follow the same path. Instead, we aged the character and portrayed him as a struggling single parent, trying to raise his stepson. He encounters difficulties in connecting with the child and fulfilling his role as a father. This emotional storyline intertwines with the mutant mayhem that unfolds. This shift in direction allowed us to offer something new and different.

BLAIR: ...but overall, we wanted to maintain that low-budget '80s cult classic vibe while incorporating new filmmaking techniques. Dana Gonzales, our talented director of photography, played a crucial role in achieving this. We had extensive discussions about restraining ourselves and limiting camera movements. We aimed to create a visual style that felt indie and self-contained, even though we had the option to use digital assistance and elaborate camera movements. Although we occasionally strayed from this approach, it was our intention to uphold the nostalgic feel throughout.

I can envision some incredibly impressive shots where you challenged conventions and it proved to be worthwhile!

BLAIR: Precisely, we aimed for a grand scale while maintaining a simplistic approach to the camera angles and framing. This gave the film a sense of urgency, as if it were shot within a limited timeframe of 16 days, where capturing a particular shot was crucial before the authorities intervened without any official permission. It created a thrilling, on-the-go atmosphere akin to a high-stakes pursuit.

The appeal of Troma films lies in their charm!

BLAIR: Exactly! It's all about embracing those small imperfections. Instead of having Toxie portrayed by a CGI creation like Andy Serkis, there was a conscious choice to have an actor donning a suit. I emphasized the need for a rated R film with a suited actor, and the team agreed. This decision adds a physical and tangible quality to the character, showcasing the intricate details like bubbles and lines. It adds to the overall texture that fans of this character would expect.

Image via Legendary Pictures

Regarding that astounding suit, can you pinpoint the major disparities between the initial draft of the design that you observed and the final portrayal of Toxie in the completed feature?

BLAIR: Initially, he looked more like a decayed zombie, very monstrous. During the art phase, we worked with talented artists like Vanessa Menendez and Jonas McCluggage, who brought different artistic perspectives. We initially explored a Night of the Living Dead-type appearance, but then decided to add more human elements to his look. Despite his grotesque features such as boils, warts, blisters, and a distorted eye, we wanted to retain a sense of humanity within him. So, we emphasized the monster aspect, but also pulled it back to find a balance.

I'm not sure how much you can discuss the technical aspects from their team's perspective, but what kind of discussions did you have to ensure that Peter's design allowed for expressiveness? Because it appears to be a complex prosthetic.

BLAIR: Extremely.

But when I'm watching the film, I can see things as small as eyebrow movements, and that makes all the difference in a performance like that.

BLAIR: The eyes are the key. An actor in a suit can't replicate the reactive detail that comes from a simple movement of the eyelid during an important line of dialogue. It's a small detail that doesn't cost anything, but it has the most impactful effect on the audience. It gives the sense of a beating heart inside the character. We collaborated with the suit designers and makeup artists to ensure that this type of performance would shine through. It was crucial to maintain continuity and connection with the human character even after his transformation into a mutant monster. We wanted the audience to still see the human within the grotesque exterior. And we achieved great success in accomplishing that.

Legendary Entertainment presents the image.

Returning to Peter's introduction, what was it about him that led you to believe, "He is the ideal Toxie?" Furthermore, what was his initial response when you presented the idea to him?

BLAIR: The key is to captivate the audience within the first 20 minutes of the movie, where we introduce and establish the main character's struggle to connect with his child and his dissatisfaction with society. It's crucial that viewers sympathize with him before he transforms into the monster; otherwise, they won't be invested in the story. We were determined to find an actor who could effortlessly evoke sympathy, be humorous in both dialogue and physicality, portray darkness and rage, and tick all these boxes. While some actors can handle certain aspects to a degree, very few can excel in all these areas simultaneously. Furthermore, only a select few have the level of fame necessary to propel the movie forward, which was also essential for us. Thankfully, I had the good fortune of meeting Peter at a film festival, and we had casually kept in touch over the years, discussing script ideas and such.

That's the most rewarding part of attending film festivals.

The same goes for Kevin Bacon. When I approached him and mentioned that he would be playing the villain, he initially hesitated as he often gets offered corrupt cop roles. However, I reassured him that the villain character in this movie was silly and absurd. It wasn't a typical "capital V" villain. After reading the script, he called back and understood the concept. He realized it was an opportunity for him to explore a different kind of role, not what he's used to.

Which character in the movie was the most easily cast, where the perfect person effortlessly came to you? On the other hand, which role required the most effort to find the perfect fit?

BLAIR: Oh, absolutely Fritz. Elijah Wood played Fritz, the henchman who carried out the dirty deeds for the villains. He had this Gothic and creepy appearance, with a bald head. The main goal was to make him unrecognizable as the sweet and kind-faced Elijah Wood, and to make him equally as monstrous as Toxie. I specifically wrote that part for him, and I didn't consider anyone else for it. Luckily, when I pitched the character to Legendary and to Elijah, everyone quickly agreed. That was the easiest part to cast.

Having him in that role and bringing this movie to Fantastic Fest with him feels absolutely perfect. It feels like it was destined to happen.

I am concerned about it because I will only do it if I come across it and genuinely enjoy it.

BLAIR: He has an extensive assortment of Fantastic Fest tattoos on his arm accumulated throughout the years. He attends the festival annually, so having him be a part of the film and premiering it here truly felt like a complete circle.

If they have a Toxie tattoo, are you gonna get it?

BLAIR: 100%! Oh lord, yeah.

Image via Legendary Entertainment

I would hope so! So now I need the other half of that question, the role that took the most leg work to find the right fit for.

BLAIR: The task of gathering information to bring down the evil corporation wasn't as impossible as it seemed, but the biggest challenge for us was finding the right person for the character of J.J., who is a new addition. She serves as a renegade investigator, setting an example for Toxie as he initially wants no part in fighting.

We didn't necessarily require a recognizable superstar for this role, but luckily, we were able to bring on Taylour Paige. At the time of shooting, I had recently seen her exceptional performances in both "Zola" and "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." We wanted someone with toughness and authenticity, someone who wasn't preoccupied with vanity. Taylour perfectly embodied these qualities. She effortlessly embraced the physicality required for the action scenes, displaying a rawness and vulnerability that sets her apart from the typical polished action hero like Black Widow. Her character, J.J., has a charming clumsiness, constantly facing setbacks and making mistakes in her pursuit of justice against the villains. It adds comedic value to the story, and Toxie eventually joins her on this unpredictable journey.

The chemistry between Peter, Jacob, and her is absolutely impeccable, which is crucial for creating a heartwarming dynamic that makes you instantly root for them as a close-knit family. BLAIR: Exactly. They start off as these separate entities, but as the story progresses, they gradually find themselves forming an unlikely alliance, which adds an enjoyable element to the narrative.

Blair's delivery of lines is impeccable, featuring pitch-perfect and well-timed comedic moments. She possesses a super deadpan style where she effortlessly balances the humor without overplaying it.

There are so many things I want to repeat right now, but I’m not gonna ruin it for everyone!

Image via Legendary

BLAIR: Working with Lloyd on this collaboration was a great experience. He provided valuable notes and suggestions, but always made it clear that the final decisions were up to me. There was no pressure or specific expectations placed on me. Some of his ideas made it into the film, while others didn't align with what I had in mind. When Lloyd visited the set in Bulgaria, you could tell he had a lot of fun witnessing his original concept come to life after all these years. He showed unwavering support and repeatedly emphasized that he didn't want to interfere with my vision. Although, at times, I wouldn't have minded a little more input from him! [Laughs]

The involvement of Lloyd and Michael [Herz], Lloyd's behind-the-scenes partner, in crafting the story was as important to me as creating a captivating narrative that would resonate with Troma fans. It would defeat the purpose if we simply took the title and ventured off on our own without bringing along the original team. I draw a parallel to characters like Batman, with different actors portraying him such as Adam West and Christian Bale, and James Bond, with multiple actors in the role. Similarly, Toxie is a character that can withstand reinvention and reintroduction. He has the original movies, the comic book, and the cartoon, and now this new version serves as an extension rather than a replacement. In the future, there may be further extensions as long as they are rooted in Troma's legacy.

Your comment leads me to my final question, a bit of a selfish one. I only watched the movie last night, and now I yearn for more. You make a playful reference to this in the film, but if another installment materializes, do you already have Winston's next chapter stowed away?

BLAIR: I don't have a fully developed chapter prepared, but I have a clear vision of the direction it should take and the future developments for him and his small family unit. If there is interest in making another one, I would definitely have some suggestions to offer.

Image via LegendaryThe Toxic Avenger Reboot

The downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze, undergoes a catastrophic toxic accident which leads to his astonishing transformation into a new breed of hero known as THE TOXIC AVENGER!

Director: Macon Blair

Cast: Peter Dinklage, Jacob Tremblay, Taylour Paige, Elijah Wood, Kevin Bacon

Rating: R

Main Genre: Horror

Studio: Legendary

Editor's P/S

1. Macon Blair's decision to use an actor in a suit rather than CGI to portray the iconic character Toxie in his remake of The Toxic Avenger is a commendable choice that pays homage to the original cult hit. By opting for a practical approach, Blair captures the gritty, R-rated essence of the character and maintains the unique charm and authenticity that made Toxie a fan favorite. This decision demonstrates Blair's understanding of the source material and his commitment to delivering a faithful adaptation while also adding his creative vision to the story.

2. The Toxic Avenger is a beloved character with a devoted fan base, and Blair's approach to the remake acknowledges and respects the expectations of these fans. By choosing to utilize a physical suit, Blair retains the tangible and visceral qualities that make Toxie so iconic. This choice also allows for a more nuanced and expressive performance, as the actor's movements and emotions can be translated directly to the character. Furthermore, the use of practical effects and makeup enhances the realism and believability of Toxie's transformation, creating a more immersive and engaging experience for the audience.