Mark Ruffalo’s casting doubts for Poor Things movie nearly changed the film’s direction as he hesitated to accept the role of Duncan Wedderburn, an unpredictable lawyer. His initial uncertainty came at a pivotal moment for the acclaimed project directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, with a cast including Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe.
Why Ruffalo Questioned Taking the Part
When the opportunity to portray Duncan Wedderburn in Poor Things first appeared, Mark Ruffalo’s instinct was to turn it down. He found the role daunting, asking himself if he could convincingly portray the character’s eccentricities. Adapted from Alasdair Gray’s 1992 novel, the film centers on Bella Baxter, played by Emma Stone, with Willem Dafoe as her scientific guardian, and presents a blend of gothic drama and dark comedy.
Director Yorgos Lanthimos, renowned for The Favourite, led the project, which has since won two Golden Globes and sparked major Oscar speculation. Despite this, Ruffalo remained skeptical about his fit for the part, experiencing a serious crisis of confidence.
“I was like, ‘Yorgos, I don’t think I’m the right person for this,’”
-Mark Ruffalo, Actor
“I tried to talk him out of it, and he just laughed at me.”
-Mark Ruffalo, Actor
Breaking Out of the Comfort Zone
Ruffalo, familiar to audiences for his more reserved roles like the Hulk, found the transition to a brash, flamboyant figure such as Duncan Wedderburn intimidating. The fear went beyond the character’s appearance, with Ruffalo unused to portraying such unapologetic egotism and flamboyance. The role threatened to push him far from his usual creative boundaries, demanding a commitment to a personality both wild and, if mishandled, embarrassing.
“In the movie business, you start to feel like you’re in a box sometimes. I had never played anything like that, and I was scared,”
-Mark Ruffalo, Actor
The Risk Was Worth the Reward
It was a character that, in the wrong hands, could have easily become a caricature, but Lanthimos insisted Ruffalo was the right fit. As filming progressed, Ruffalo immersed himself fully, embodying Wedderburn’s outlandish style and ego, creating a performance that commanded attention. The story follows Bella Baxter’s journey to escape her troubled history and discover new possibilities alongside Wedderburn, traversing land, sea, and sky as themes of freedom and self-discovery are explored.
Though Ruffalo voiced doubts early on, his portrayal provided Bella’s journey with a pivotal dynamic, ultimately contributing to the film’s considerable awards buzz. The response from both audiences and critics has affirmed that Lanthimos’s faith in Ruffalo was well placed, as Poor Things maintains its place as a standout in awards season discussions. Ruffalo’s willingness to step outside his established screen persona has paid off, cementing his place as a versatile actor willing to face creative fear head-on.
