Peter Dinklage has played both an evil scientist and a Norse blacksmith in Marvel movies, but he’s never been the hero in a superhero movie. Now, the actor best known for playing Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones has found his superhero picture: The Toxic Avenger.
Dinklage will star in Legendary’s Toxic Avenger film, according to a report from Deadline. The original 1984 film, produced by Troma Entertainment and co-directed by founders Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz, sports Troma’s trademark low-budget visual effects and grotesque imagery. It tells the story of a man named Melvin who, after being pushed into a vat of toxic waste, transforms into a mutant. He has to save his family and town from organized crime and corrupt officials.
The original Toxic Avenger is the very definition of a cult classic. It didn’t get much traction during its initial release, but New York’s midnight cinema scene gave it new life. From there, it spawned multiple sequels, a children’s cartoon, a line of toys, and some video games. Legendary acquired the license in 2018.
Along with Dinklage in the starring role, Macon Blair is set to direct. Blair, who has mostly worked as an actor, made his directorial debut with 2017’s I Don’t Feel at Home in This World Anymore. Original directors Kaufman and Herz of Troma Entertainment are producing the film. In addition to his roles in Game of Thrones and Marvel movies, Dinklage has plenty of dramas under his belt, including The Station Agent, Living in Oblivion, and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Legendary has not yet revealed a release window or production timeline for Toxic Avenger.
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