In a few weeks, fans are about to see a different Emma Corrin, who uses they/them pronouns, in the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine. The Crown star will play the villainous role of Cassandra Nova, the evil twin sister of the X-Men founder Charles Xavier / Professor X, who will make life harder than it seems for the threequel’s titular characters. But despite transforming into a villain, Corrin revealed Marvel Studios denied their request for a personal trainer.
In their appearance on British GQ’s Actually Me on YouTube, Corrin answered fans' questions and discussed whether they underwent any physical training for Deadpool & Wolverine. There, they revealed how Marvel Studios denied their request, stressing that a physical transformation wasn’t necessary for their character.
“This is funny because I did ask if I could have a personal trainer, and they said no,” they said. “They said I don’t have to undergo any physical training. I was so ready to undergo a huge transformation, but they were like, ‘That’s absolutely not required of you. Please stand down.’ I tried.”
So far, Marvel Studios has yet to reveal how Corrin’s Cassandra Nova will factor into the movie’s storyline. However, fans have seen the villain going in a fight against Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) in the trailer, though she’s only using her fingers to manipulate the adamantium-clawed superhero’s move.
Emma Corrin Reveals Character Inspirations for Cassandra Nova in Deadpool & Wolverine
Meanwhile, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Corrin revealed the character inspirations behind Cassandra Nova in Deadpool & Wolverine. After revealing in May that Christoph Waltz’s Hans Linda from Quentin Tarantino’s iconic movie Inglourious Basterds inspired their character, they said that it also included Gene Wilder’s Willy Wonka from Mel Stuart’s 1971 Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory.
“Ryan and Shawn pitched this idea, which I was totally on board with: 'We want this villain to not be a villain in the sense that you expect them to be,” they recalled. “We want you to be so endeared by her, so charmed by her, and just when you think that maybe she's totally seen into your soul and you are going to be best friends for life, you're dead.”
The 28-year-old star continued that they wanted Cassandra Nova to be unpredictable, who could be likened to Waltz’s Hans Linda for being “disarmingly polite, nice, and unaffected.” But behind these good traits, a sinister attitude was hiding, and he didn’t have to do anything to frighten the audience—his stare and knowing what he could do could instantly send chills down the viewers’ spine.
“Because he’s in that uniform, that says everything you need to know,” they told Harper’s Bazaar.
Corrin described Hans as someone who looked wholesome and could talk to anyone without revealing a hint of evilness. However, for them, he was the “worst person on the planet,” hiding his true intentions through his great composure and calm demeanor.
Though Corrin didn’t reveal the similarities of their character to Hans and Willy Wonka, there are enough hints that Cassandra Nova is as evil as it gets. Behind her good looks and pleasant appearance, she is deadly and extremely dangerous.
Deadpool & Wolverine is scheduled to release in theaters on July 26.
