Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania star Jonathan Majors says Heath Ledger’s Joker serves as inspiration for his acting.
The 33-year-old Yale graduate plays Kang the Conqueror in the upcoming Marvel flick, which is set to be released in just a couple of days.
So far, those who have been privy to early screenings have praised the actor’s portrayal of the time-traveling enemy of the Avengers and the ruler of Chronopolis.
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Growing up, Majors experienced his fair share of hardships - being arrested for shoplifting and forced to live out of his car as he attempted to hold down jobs.
However, Majors found much solace after watching Christopher Nolan’s 2008 Batman movie, which led him down a path of acting.
But it was Ledger’s performance in particular that left its mark.
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He told Entertainment Weekly: "Okay, first of all, he's gorgeous.
"He's got that f**king jawline, and he didn't give a f**k. He threw his body around. He was so full. And I went, 'I'm coming for that. I'm inspired.' It takes a lot, you feel me? To be inspired."
Yes, agreed. The Aussie's jawline could’ve won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor alone.
However, it wasn’t just Ledger’s acting chops that struck a chord with him.
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In an essay Majors penned in Variety celebrating the movie, he marveled at the film’s capacity to navigate between light and dark.
He wrote: ”The Dark Knight etches so vividly the agnostic morality of survival and the discipline of goodness. Nolan’s second installment of the Dark Knight trilogy holds in its run time an impregnable truth: Life and people are beautifully complicated and evolving.”
Perhaps a sentiment he has tapped into for his new villainous role, which is already receiving critical praise.
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On Twitter, Variety's Jazz Tangcay said of his performance: "Had an absolute blast watching Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania. Creative, irresistibly energetic and filled with some great action sequences. Welcome Jonathan Majors - such a bad a**. The effects are superb."
While Collider's Steven Weintraub said: “I now understand why it’s called Quantumania. Jonathan Majors is excellent as Kang and cannot wait to see where this all goes. 2 after the credits scenes and both are very good.”
Onwards and upwards for Majors.
Topics: Celebrity, Film and TV, Marvel, Marvel Cinematic Universe, News, Heath Ledger