If youve got a blockbuster that needs a villain, theres really only one guy you turn to.
Mendelsohn technically plays two roles one as Talos (under prosthetics) and one as the human S.H.I.E.L.D.
agent he impersonates on Earth.
Credit: Chuck Zlotnick/© Marvel Studios 2019 (2)
His human version isposing as Nick Furys S.H.I.E.L.D.
bossand secretly helping to spearhead the Skrull invasion of Earth.
For his part, Mendelsohn is thrilled to join the pantheon of Marvel Cinematic Universe baddies.
Chuck Zlotnick/© Marvel Studios 2019
These Marvel flicks, they keep getting better and better, he says.
Its just so fun to see him really dig into that character of Talos.
Hes just so charismatic and dynamic and colorful.
Chuck Zlotnick/© Marvel Studios 2019
As part of EWsCaptain Marvelcover story,we sat down with Mendelsohn to talk all things Talos.
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: How did you get involved withCaptain Marvel?
And they were on to do this thing.
They asked me aboard the good ship, and no one blocked it.
But I knew it was going to be Skrullin.
I knew Id be Skrullin, and that had a certain appeal.
You play both the Skrull leader Talos and the S.H.I.E.L.D.
Its a got a certain flow to it that this guy [gestures to human costume] doesnt have.
Because this guy doesnt sound like this.
A lot more buttoned up.
Skrullin is a bit more laid back, a bit tougher.
A little bit nastier?
You got sharper nails, stuff like that.
This guys got to follow protocol because its S.H.I.E.L.D.
Skrullin, youre punchingthroughshields.
Youre taking shieldsoffpeople and using them on people.
So its kind of more fun to play.
So what can you tell me about Talos M.O.
The Kree are punks.
And the Skrulls, I mean, were just misunderstood.
At the end of the day, the Skrull is really misunderstood.
I still think we can take her.
If we had to if we had to, had to,had to we could take Carol.
Obviously you know Anna and Ryan well.
And whats great aboutCaptain Marvelis its really beautiful.
Its actually a really beautiful, badass superhero story.
As people, Ryan and Anna are very sweet, and theyre very switched on.
meter for weeding out notes that arent going to hit right and true.
I think theyre an inspired choice for this.
I mean, you want her to win.
Now, unfortunately, not every fairytale turns out that well.
Sometimes you meet a Skrull.
Shes going to have a few films to get over this and maybe come back from this.
Villains have more fun.
What do I like about it?
It leaves an imprint on people when you do it right.
I think thats nice.
I think its nice to provide the counterweight that people have got to get over, you know?
to make it get ahead in the heros journey.
Its a job of honor.
Its not for everyone.
[Laughs] But I do take it as an honor.
Because Skrulls are important!
Were kind of like the thrash metal component of the Marvel universe.
Were tough, were brash, were loud.
People want us to have warning stickers on us, like explicit lyrics.
The Skrulls are such an iconic part of Marvel Comics history.
Were you a comics fan going into this?Yeah.
I mean, Ive read bits and pieces in the Marvel universe.
I like Skrulls a lot more now that theyve asked me kindly to come and represent.
But I was always aware of what punks the Kree were.
I mean, why would you try and start a war with the Skrulls?
What sort of an idiot is gonna venture to start a war with us?
Ugh, c’mon.
Go get some help from Captain Marvel.
So theyre just misunderstood.
[Laughs] You know what I say.
It aint easy being green.
Kermit knows!It aint easy.
But first, its… [slams hand on table].
Have you gotten it down to a faster pace?They have.
What do I do?
No, they have.
Its a couple of hours.
Its not that big a deal, you know?
Its get it on, youre Skrullin.
And we have an alright time while we do it.
We listen to music.
Lots of Skrull music.
So you take Jammin by Bob Marley.
[sings] Were Skrullin!
Another one that I like is theres an album by Freddie Gibbs and Madlib calledPinata.
Skrullin is just such a good term that it’s possible for you to transpose it easy.
So we do a bit of that.
You could make a whole album.Yeah, I could do a Skrullin mix tape.
What can you tell me about that?Well, you know, Skrulls sound good.
So strangely enough, weve discovered that Skrulls sound a lot like Australians.
Theres a certain kind of earthy correctness to an Australian delivery.
So I think thats probably what tipped it in favor of me.
And then my other guy sounds like Don Rumsfeld.
Don Rumsfelds a good kind of read for my other guy.
Very buttoned up.Strictly business.
And you know what?
Hes doing a good job of it too, until…. Skrullin!
Theyve got a big fan base.And you know what?
[knocks on wood] I dont want to disappoint them.
