How’s your 2022 going?
Because, this year, I’ve endured a hangover delivered from Satan himself; I worked a four-day week which felt about as long and stressful as half a decade, and – more importantly – I spoke to one of the nicest geezer’s on this planet, Chukwudi Iwuji.
Seriously. Want proof of how lovely he is? After the interview, he DM’d me on Instagram just being all cute and friendly and – great – now I’m crying again.
Chukwudi’s having an amazing year, so far – and it’s only a couple of days in. He stars in Peacemaker alongside John Cena, which is set to debut on Thursday, 13 January, and – after his stint as original character, Clemson Murn, James Gunn insisted on casting him in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
Meanwhile, on the other hand, I once interviewed James Gunn, and he’s ignored me ever since, so if that doesn’t put it into perspective, I don’t know what will.
Chukwudi is set to star alongside Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldaña, Dave Bautista, Vin Diesel and Bradley Cooper, as well as franchise newcomer, Will Poulter, who is portraying the artificial being, Adam Warlock. (Look at that for some sweet, sweet SEO.)
It’s rumoured that Chukwudi is set to play Marvel’s High Evolutionary – a being with superhuman strength, intelligence and durability – so, naturally, I took it upon myself to ask Chukwudi about the speculation.
And, even more naturally, he couldn’t confirm nor deny the rumours. This is Marvel we’re talking about, after all. Now, if I was talking to Tom Holland, that would be a whole new story.
“I saw [the rumours] recently. I saw [High Evolutionary]. I saw Silver Surfer. I saw Nova,” said Chukwudi.
“For me to wrap my head around the fact that I am the subject of speculation on the internet is kind of fun.
“It’s kind of fun, but I have to stay mum,” continued the Peacemaker star, in a very delightful rhyme. “I can’t tell you. I’d love to.”
James Gunn confirmed that Chuk had joined the cast of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 on 8 November, 2021, when he said that he “wasn’t about to let go of one of the best actors [he’d] ever worked with,” after filming Peacemaker with him.
He later said that he gave Chukwudi “the role most every big name actor in Hollywood wanted”. (I don’t suppose James was referring to an interview with me, do you?
Filming began later that month, and is expected to wrap up in early 2022, with Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 scheduled for an official release in May.