Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Sir Ben Kingsley, both now prominent stars in the Marvel universe, recently discussed the lengths they went to in auditions earlier in their careers, including telling major lies. The topic came up while promoting the new MCU series Wonder Man, which offers a meta commentary on Hollywood, where Abdul-Mateen II’s character Simon fabricates details in an audition for an in-show Wonder Man film. This resonated deeply with Abdul-Mateen II, reminding him of a significant untruth that helped him land a previous comic book role.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s Audition Deception and Preparation
During his audition for the Aquaman film, Abdul-Mateen II admitted to falsely claiming he could swim. He explained,
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In the Aquaman [movie] series, I said that I could swim, and I could not swim,
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revealing the pressure to present skills he did not possess at the time. He laughed as he said,
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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.’
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Despite this fabrication, Abdul-Mateen II took it upon himself to learn swimming in secret before production started. Reflecting on his choice, he expressed no regrets about the dishonesty, highlighting the reality that actors often need to stretch the truth in pursuit of opportunities.
Ben Kingsley Shares His Own Audition Story
Inspired by Abdul-Mateen II’s experience, Ben Kingsley recounted a similar incident from his early television career. He recalled,
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He just reminded me of something, I actually lied [in an audition] as well,
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explaining how he was asked during an audition whether he could ride a motor scooter. Kingsley responded affirmatively, though he lacked the skill. He humorously recalled,
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When I was a theater actor, I also had lovely opportunities to bounce in and out of television. It wasn’t an episode of Coronation 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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This anecdote highlights the sometimes risky promises actors make to secure roles.
Determination and Risk in Pursuing Acting Roles
Both actors emphasized the necessity of doing whatever it takes to succeed in the competitive acting world. Abdul-Mateen II stated plainly,
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That’s the most important thing, you get the job,
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while Kingsley added,
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You could swim and I could ride the scooter. It all worked out.
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Their reflections underscore the pressures faced by actors early in their careers and the fine line between truth and performance required in auditions.
Wonder Man’s Release and Its Reflection on Acting
Wonder Man, which features both performers, is currently available for streaming on Disney+. The series not only entertains but also offers insight into the anxieties and compromises actors encounter while attempting to break into the industry. For Abdul-Mateen II and Kingsley, recalling their past audition lies serves as a reminder of the uncertainty and intensity involved in carving out a career in Hollywood.
