Suzanne Tenner/Marvel
Wonder ManactorsYahya Abdul-Mateen IIandSir Ben Kingsleyare now major Marvel stars, but they still remember what it was like to be a struggling actor so desperate to land a role that you'd do anything in auditions ... even lie.
In the new MCU series thattakes a meta look at the Hollywood industry, Abdul-Mateen II's character Simon lies in his audition for the fakeWonder Manmovie-within-the-show. And it's an experience that Abdul-Mateen II found all too relatable, because it reminded him of the massive lie he told that helped him get his previous comic book role.
"In theAquaman[movie] series, I said that I could swim, and I could not swim," Abdul-Mateen II tellsEntertainment Weeklywith a laugh. "I could not swim to save my life! But they asked me if I could do that. 'Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, sure, sure, sure. Absolutely.'"
Courtesy of Marvel Television
Thankfully, it all worked out — Abdul-Mateen II secretly taught himself how to swim for a few weeks before filming began on the firstAquamanfilm. Looking back on it now, he doesn't regret being dishonest in that pivotal audition.
And listening to hisWonder Mancostar's story sparked a similar memory for Kingsley, who reprises his MCU role of Trevor Slattery in the series.
"He just reminded me of something, I actually lied [in an audition] as well," Kingsley says. "When I was a theater actor, I also had lovely opportunities to bounce in and out of television. It wasn't an episode ofCoronation Street,but around about that time, early BBC drama. They said, 'Can you ride a scooter, a motor scooter?' 'Yeah.' I crashed it. And they had to get the stunt driver in immediately. But I got the job!"
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Both Kingsley and Abdul-Mateen II agree that as an actor, sometimes you have to do whatever it takes to get the job.
"That's the most important thing, you get the job," Abdul-Mateen II says.
Kingsley adds, "You could swim and I could ride the scooter. It all worked out."
Their aspiring actor characters would be so proud.
Wonder Manis now streaming on Disney+.
Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly