In a recent interview, Elijah Wood opened up about his role in the upcoming horror-comedy film, The Toxic Avenger, and his collaboration with Kevin Bacon.
Elijah Wood Discusses His Role in The Toxic Avenger
The star of The Toxic Avenger, Elijah Wood, recently spoke with ComingSoon about the horror-comedy film that is finally set for release. Wood shared insights into his character’s grotesque appearance, his collaboration with Kevin Bacon, and much more. Cineverse will premiere The Toxic Avenger in theaters on August 29, 2025.
Synopsis
“When a downtrodden janitor, Winston Gooze (played by Peter Dinklage), experiences a catastrophic toxic accident, he transforms into a new kind of hero: The Toxic Avenger. Now, Toxie must rise from being an outcast to a savior, confronting ruthless corporate overlords and corrupt forces threatening his son, friends, and community. In a world where greed prevails, justice is best served radioactive,” states the film’s synopsis.
Interview Highlights
Tyler Treese: Elijah, congratulations on The Toxic Avenger. This film truly captures the spirit of Troma. As a cinephile, what has been your personal relationship with the Troma brand over the years?
Elijah Wood: It’s funny because, despite my obsession with horror films and genre movies, I had never seen any of Troma’s work until we started making this film, which is a bit embarrassing. However, I was familiar with Troma’s legacy and knew about their unique brand of wild genre exploitation films.
Now, I have a fantastic reason to catch up on their films!
Your character looks completely wild. How did that look come about?
Elijah Wood: The look was primarily based on the vision from the start. Macon sent me the script along with a rendering of what Fritz would look like. Once in Bulgaria, we fine-tuned it with the costumer and the hair and makeup team to achieve the right look. It was thrilling to read the script and have that image in my mind.
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How does such a distinct look influence your portrayal of the character?
Elijah Wood: It significantly impacts how I play the character. His physical deformity and sickly voice inform my performance. The transformation allows for immersion into the character, guiding how he should emerge.
Congrats on being one degree away from Kevin Bacon!
Elijah Wood: Thank you! Kevin is an incredible actor, and working with him and Julia Davis was a standout experience. His enthusiasm and commitment to this absurd character were inspiring.
Thanks to Elijah Wood for discussing The Toxic Avenger.
