The New Mutants finally premieres in theaters today, August 28th, and we are ecstatic! The superhuman film by Twentieth Century Fox is grounded in Marvel comics, but will likely take a few liberties when it comes to these characters and telling their stories. Dedicated comic book fans have been waiting for this film for what feels like forever. The eager audience has been incredibly patient in the extended period between the end of production and theatrical release of The New Mutants film- a fact that the cast/crew acknowledges with gratefulness.
A lot has changed between now and then, but the excitement has never dwindled. With a basis on iconic X-Men Marvel comic books, a director who knows the story inside and out and a cast of Hollywood's best young actors, this film is sure to please. In a press conference promoting the film, Josh Boone and the superhuman cast talked with Ash Crossan from Entertainment Tonight.
The cast shared on-set memories, spooky moments that happened on location, and what audiences can expect from the anticipated film. Additionally, they share how they've changed in the past three years and how they believe they've grown more similar or distinct from their characters.
Check out The New Mutants in theaters near you starting today, August 28th!
The New Mutants Fans Got Creative During The Extended Period Between Production and Release Of The Film
Due to a variety of reasons, the release date of this film was pushed back time and time again. This movie definitely shows the reality of Hollywood as a business can sometimes get in the way of stories being told and being told promptly. It has been a long time coming, but comic book fans around the world are ecstatic to see this film.
“It’s so wonderful…there was a lot of uncertainty with this film and when it was gonna get released and to know that there was an audience that was still willing to wait as long as it took…even through this pandemic they’ve been so supportive…I can’t wait for people too finally see it!”
- Maisie Williams
Fan labor is real and especially prevalent in fandoms pertaining to comic books. Over the past few years, especially in the time of stay-at-home orders, fans have combined their excitement and artistic talents to create plenty of New Mutants themed art. And Josh Boone loves it! So much so, that he wants to make a book.
“They’re my favorite fans because they actually don’t complain, they just do really cool artwork of the characters. So there’s probably like a 100+ pieces of artwork that fans have done that I’d still like to figure out a way to do a book of…go get permission from everybody and do a book.”
- Josh Boone
The Stars Joke About The Timeliness Of A Film That's Kind Of About Quarantine
Quarantine was a word that was fairly foreign to the everyday vernacular before 2020, however, the youngsters in this film quarantined before it was trendy. While trying to gain control of their powers, the mutants are essentially held against their will in a facility that contains them. It will definitely be interesting to watch the film at a time that we might be able to relate more than ever.
"I haven’t thought about it that way before, but it kind of makes perfect sense now. I feel like the movie is supposed to come out now.”
- Anya Taylor-Joy
Director Josh Boone has a positive attitude about the long wait time, by saying there was a grand plan to the release of this relevant film.
“That’s why the universe made this movie wait because they knew they needed to wait for a time when nobody could leave their houses. I mean, we went and made this about the kids trapped inside this facility, and then Henry and I went and made a show about a pandemic. I think we need to stop making things that could happen in real life.”
- Josh Boone
It sounds like quarantining in a hotel in Norway with the cast of The New Mutants might be a little more fun than the kind we are used to.
“We were quarantining in the hotel all together.”
- Henry Zaga
Meet The New Mutants Cast
This star-studded cast is full of some of Hollywood's most talented young actors. Under the direction of Josh Boone and the storytelling umbrella of Marvel, this long-awaited film is sure to be as good as we all hoped. Since the production of this film wrapped three years ago, you might recognize these stars from more recent projects. Just in case you're spending the entire film thinking, "I've seen them before..." we decided to help you out.
Director: Josh Boone
Josh Boone has been making a name for himself in Hollywood as a talented writer and director. Projects like The Stand, Stuck In Love, and The Fault In Our Stars have been under his direction and this Marvel comic project could not have been more perfect for him. The cast claims he is an encyclopedia of comic book knowledge, which made him the perfect director for this kind of film.
Though he made some creative changes to the mutants, he was a wealth of knowledge for the actors who loved working with him. We can only imagine how excited he's been to have this film in front of audiences and we have no doubt it will be the first of even bigger projects.
Maisie Williams
Maisie Williams is a young, British actress who plays the role of Rahne Sinclair whose powers sort of mimic that of a shape-shifting werewolf. Rahne is sort of a guilt-ridden young woman who lacks confidence most when she's all human, finding it easier to be herself when she's in her wolf form. That is until she meets Dani in the facility. You might recognize Williams from her role as Arya Stark on HBO's Game of Thrones.
Anya Taylor-Joy
Anya Taylor-Joy is a gifted actress who has already shown great range on screen. Her listing of acting credits varies from dark, dramas to light-hearted period pieces and comedies. She starred alongside fellow X-Man, James McAvoy in the psychological thriller Split.
You most likely recognize her from the brilliant dramedy Emma, in which she played the titular role based on Jane Austen's novel. In The New Mutants, Anya Taylor-Joy plays the role of Illyana Rasputin whose power in the comic books is teleporting.
Charlie Heaton
Charlie Heaton has already had an incredible career and adding this iconic Marvel film to his resume will only add to his iconic status. It goes without saying that you recognize Heaton from his role as big brother Jonathan Byers on Netflix's Stranger Things. As Sam Gutherie in The New Mutants, Charlie gets to explore a new side of the supernatural by being superhuman.
In the Marvel comics, Sam has an array of fiery powers in which he harnesses the power of thermal energy in a variety of ways. We can't wait to see how The New Mutants introduces Sam Gutherie. The amazing performance by Heaton that is practically guaranteed.
Alice Braga
Alice Braga takes on the kick-butt role of Dr. Reyes stunningly. Her origin story in the Marvel comics involves a sworn oath to become a doctor. She procrastinates recognizing her mutant powers for as long as possible as she loves her job as a trauma surgeon. You may recognize Alice Braga from films like I Am Legend or The Shack.
She also plays the leading protagonist in USA Network's Queen of the South. We can't wait to see Dr. Reyes embrace her mutant powers in this film. It sounds from the press conference that the gorgeous actress kept her castmates laughing when the cameras weren't rolling.
Blu Hunt
Blu Hunt adds this film to the growing list of iconic roles she's played. You most likely recognize her from her time on The CW's The Originals where she played Inadu or perhaps her portrayal of August Catawnee in Netflix's Another Life. In this film, she plays opposite Maisie Williams as their two characters form a relationship. Danielle Moonstar has the power to visually show and predict the death of those around her- that sounds pleasant! We can't wait to see how she plays this complex character.
Henry Zaga
Henry Zaga's success in the industry, especially television in recent years, can't be overstated. The young, Brazilian actor has starred in Trinkets, Looking For Alaska, 13 Reasons Why, and Teen Wolf. In this film, Henry Zaga takes on the mutant role of Roberto De Costa, who has all of classic, coveted superpowers like larger-than-life strength and flight. Henry Zaga is sure to wow us with his performance in Marvel's The New Mutants as he does time and time again.
The Dani & Rahne's Love Story In The New Mutants
A fan-favorite aspect of the film is the same-sex relationship between Maisie Williams' and Blu Hunt's characters. The two young women are coming into their powers and find love, strength, and comfort in one another.
“We met at Blu’s screen test…yeah, I’ve done a couple of screen tests before and this was the first time I had to kiss a stranger in the screen test…pre COVID…so that’s a nerve-wracking experience.”
- Maisie Williams
Blu Hunt, who was a fan of Maisie on Game of Thrones prior to auditioning, talked about her nerves about the audition. However, the talented actress was confident the role was hers after an undeniably authentic screentest.
“I think I knew I got the part as soon as we kissed. I was like, that was real...That character relationship was really important to me. It was probably my favorite part of Dani, honestly.”
- Blu Hunt
Comic book fanatic, Josh Boone was thrilled to film a larger-than-life Marvel movie, but so much of the story is grounded in the characters humanness rather than their powers. He anticipates audiences seeing Rahne and Dani's relationship as much as the large scale superhero fight scenes.
“People ask me what are you most excited for people to see? Yes, all the cool visual effects and the big fights at the end and all that, but just seeing these two girls under that dome looking up…I don’t know I’m excited for that stuff just as much as the action and the Marvel stuff.”
- Josh Boone
Director Josh Boone Debunks Rumors That They Did Tons Of Reshoots Over The Years
Many people thought that the cast and crew spent the prolonged period between production and release doing an insane amount of reshoots. After joking that they reshot the whole film multiple times, Josh Boone explained that none of the delay was due to reshoots. When putting the film together in post-production they used only what they had from the original shoot.
“We never did reshoots. We were supposed to do reshoots. People in general, movies do reshoots or pick-ups and things like that, but because of the merger, once it was done it was done, so we never went back and did reshoots. So, we were always using the same footage and the same material from the start of editing and all the way to the end of it.”
- Josh Boone
A Horror Superhero Movie Filmed On Location Is Almost Unheard Of
As mentioned previously, The New Mutants stands out from its Marvel counterparts, as it tells the story of supernatural abilities in the horror/sci-fi genre, rather than sticking to the usual categories of action/adventure. This big budget Marvel movie was filmed on location like an indie film would normally be, which contributes to the film's authentic sense of place and feeling.
“I mean to me it was more about the smell. I think there was something really creepy about the smell that just got into your soul before you thought about it…it was spooky.”
- Henry Zaga
The actors discussed the way that filming on location in Norway helped their performances by making the process of getting into character more natural.
“I think filming there really helped to get the feel of the reality of it…having actual walls and actual energy for a film like this. It felt kind of in a way that we were doing an independent film sometimes because we were on location, so it wasn’t only blue screens. Of course we had that, but also, it brings a sense to it- a sense of smell, a sense of real feel. And filming at night was kind of scary, I wouldn’t walk by myself.”
- Alice Braga
The Filming The New Mutants In An Abandoned Psychiatric Hospital
There's something to be said about dedication to genre when filming takes place in a once functioning psychiatric hospital. Their ability to focus on the craft in the midst of the spooky surroundings is nothing short of impressive.
“There were several crew members who weird experiences there. Had to be walked to their car at night because they were scared to walk by themselves after they’d been in the buildings all day. People definitely had weird encounters.”
- Josh Boone
“The groundskeeper that worked their for years, had some really awful stories to tell us.”
- Henry Zaga
The New Mutants Is For The Teenage Outcast
The New Mutants wants to speak to their younger audience. Though viewers of all ages will find something to enjoy about the film, there is a sort of YA feel because the movie is speaking into a teenager's experience of feeling almost out of body sometimes.
“I think we all came into this knowing that whilst we were making a superhero movie, we weren’t really making a superhero movie. We were making a film about people who were having a tough time understanding themselves and figuring out their place in the world.”
- Anya Taylor-Joy
“I think any teenager that’s going through…the growing pains and trying to understand where you fit in…you’re no longer a child, but what is this weird adult world. I think they’ll definitely connect with it.”
- Anya Taylor-Joy
It helps when your director is a total movie lover who understands the comfort that certain entertainment brings. I love that he says this movie is meant to feel like a friend.
“It was really made for teenagers who are outsiders. People who feel out of place and who are going through a tough time in general… I sort of always say I’m making couch movies…When I was a teenager and I was really depressed I’d have like a certain movie I’d pop on and go lay on the couch and it made me feel better. So, it’s like these kind of movies are those kind of movies where hopefully they’ll be your friend.”
- Josh Boone
Memories From Filming In Norway
There's no doubt this cast had a blast together even when they were somewhere as isolated as this set. Three years later, they were cracking up upon recalling memories of the fun they had and the trouble they got into.
“Togetherness. I mean you have no choice, but to hang out…We were there, I think, 3 months, all in all and there was really nothing. Sorry Norway, there’s to do in Norway. It really made those bonds as people and learn about each other like those characters do. It’s kind of like life’s meeting art.”
- Charlie Heaton
Between giggles, the cast told a story about Charlie Heaton's first and last time as their chauffeur.
“I had just learned to drive…I literally had just gotten my license. I’d never driven at night before. You know, you do all your lessons in the day…I had decided to take everyone to the cinema and try out my driving, I was driving at night and the lights in the car weren’t on...I was like, I can’t see anything!”
- Charlie Heaton
I think I speak for a lot of us when I say, can we be friends with this cast? I mean, come on!
3 Years Later: How They've Changed
I lot can change in three years, especially with a cast so young. The actors reflected on the experiences they've had since filming the movie, what they understand in retrospect and how they would play the characters now.
“I feel like I did realize a lot of things about Dani after filming…I think usually you feel like you get to play a character, so I think it was very strange for me to play someone that was so much like me and that wasn’t something I really realized until a lot of time passed. Honestly, having 3 years pass since making the movie…If I would play Dani 3 years later again, it would be interesting cause I feel like she would still be just like me and she would have come into her body for the first time. I think she was a very uncomfortable teenager.”
- Blu Hunt
Why Being Uncomfortable Can Help Your Performance
“I think at the time we were all a lot younger. It’s only 3 years, but I feel like at this time in our lives you just do change a lot. At the time, I was just very uncomfortable…like when I was playing Rahne and I have on the wig and the tacky clothes, it made me feel as an actor very uncomfortable. It’s hard to do your job right when you feel like unattractive or whatever it is…you can’t get your ego out of the way…For me, looking back now, that was all perfect. To feel that way and feel uncomfortable, that’s who she is. She isn’t born with every ounce of confidence."
- Maisie Williams
There's no doubt that The New Mutants was worth the wait and that this cast is elated to have it finally in theaters in front of their undoubtedly adoring audience. What are you waiting for? Go see The New Mutants in theaters now!
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