Game of Thrones star Peter Dinklage will next take on The Toxic Avenger in an upcoming remake of the cult classic Troma film. Deadline reports that Dinklage has signed on to appear in the project, which is in the works at Legendary. Word is that Macon Blair is still on board to direct, following prior reports that he would write and direct the film. Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz of Troma will be serving as producers.
The new Toxic Avenger, described as a contemporary remake, is “steeped in environmental themes and subverts the superhero genre in the vein of Deadpool. When a struggling everyman is pushed into a vat of toxic waste, he is transformed into a mutant freak who must go from shunned outcast to underdog hero as he races to save his son, his friends and his community from the forces of corruption and greed.”
What isn’t clear is who Dinklage will be playing in the film. Given his star power, it seems likely that he’d be featured in the lead role, perhaps in a role similar to Mark Torgl’s Melvin Ferd — the man who becomes the vigilante superhero known as Toxie in the original film. No other casting announcements have yet been revealed, but with one star on board, the rest of the cast should begin filling up soon.
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Released in 1984, The Toxic Avenger is one of Troma’s most popular movies. It would go on to spawn three movie sequels along with the cartoon series adaptation, Toxic Crusaders. Rumblings of a remake have been swirling on the internet for years, and Arnold Schwarzenegger was even reportedly on board at one point. There’s still no word yet on when the remake of The Toxic Avenger will begin filming, but it’s certainly good news that the project is apparently moving forward with Dinklage attached.
Stay tuned for more updates!
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