Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3starChukwudi Iwujiknows precisely which character he wants to play inJames GunnandPeter Safran’snew DCU. During an interview for thePhase Zero podcast, Iwuji was asked which DC character he would love to play the most, choosing the fan-favorite rhyming demon Etrigan.
Created by comic book legendJack Kirbyfor 1972’sThe Demon #1, Etrigan is a demon from Hell who gets bounded to human knight Jason Blood. Jason and Etrigan share the same body, which means only one can exist each time. Their unusual bond also makes Jason immortal, using his centuries on Earth to learn the mystic arts. Despite being a demon, Etrigan frequently teams up with DC heroes, mainly because Jason Blood is an honorable man who does what he can to help the forces of good.
There’s no question Etrigan would be a perfect fit for “Gods and Monsters,”the first chapter of the DCU’s ambitious storyline. Despite being allies to DC heroes, Etrigan and Jason Blood’s unique condition turns them into morally ambiguous characters, sometimes at odds with one another. The duality of their relationship is what pulls Iwuji towards the demon. That’s why, when asked which DC character he would play if he could choose, Iwuji said “I was talking to a friend about it: I was like ‘This character… this is Jeykll and Hyde in the DC world. So Etrigan. If you told me to name one it would be Etrigan. Like I just love the idea of having two people existing in one. That’d be my DC one. Etrigan."
RELATED:‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’: Chukwudi Iwuji on Playing the High Evolutionary and a Narcissistic Sociopath
Chukwudi Iwuji Already Played a DC Character inPeacemaker
Iwuji had his big Hollywood breakout thanks to Gunn’sPeacemaker,the TV spinoff ofThe Suicide SquadstarringJohn Cenaas the titular antihero. In the series, Iwuji plays the role of Ik Nobe Llok, a member of the alien species known as Butterflies, who kills and takes over control of the body of the agent Clemson Murn. Ik Nobe Llok becomes an ally to Peacemaker and his team, sacrificing his life while working to stop the Butterflies from taking over the world. So, with Ik Nobe Llok dead, Iwuji could return for a different DCU role.
Recasting Iwuji in a new DCU role wouldn’t be unprecedented for Gunn. For instance, after appearing inThe Suicide Squadas Weasel,Sean Gunnwill take over the additional role of G.I. Robotfor theCreature Commandosanimated series. And since Gunn and Safran already told fansthe same actors who voice characters will also bring them to life in live-action, we got an unusual situation where one star plays two parts in the same franchise. So, since Iwuji’s first DC character is dead, giving him the Etrigan role should be a breeze.
You can watch Iwuji in theaters playing thevillainous High Evolutionaryin Gunn’sGuardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. You can also check our interview with Iwuji andWill Poulterfor the threequel below.
