Peter Dinklage Reveals Toxic Role In An ‘80s Classic Superhero Reboot

Peter Dinklage was all smiles when discussing his involvement with turning a fan-favorite '80s film back into something that the world could be proud of.

By James Brizuela | Published

This article is more than 2 years old

peter dinklage

The Toxic Avenger is easily one of the most over-the-top and crazy films that have ever come out of the 1980s. The killings in that film are hilarious and truly gory on another level. Though most of the general public were outraged and downright disgusted by it, it naturally garnered a much bigger cult following that has supported the film all the way into present times, as it is being rebooted. Who has been tapped to head up this reboot and play the titular role of none other than Toxie? Mr. Peter Dinklage himself.

Empire Magazine caught up with Peter Dinklage to talk about his upcoming projects, and naturally, his involvement with the reboot of The Toxic Avenger was asked about. Dinklage was all smiles when discussing his involvement with turning a fan-favorite ’80s film back into something that the world could be proud of. Dinklage was asked about what it means for him to be in this reboot and he had this to say: “I just wanted to do something that I’ve never done before, So why not be a monster in an over-the-top, crazy movie, and why not sing in another one?” Peter Dinklage is referring to being Cyrano De Bergerac in the upcoming musical, Cyrano.

the toxic avenger

The Toxic Avenger was created by the Troma production team who have released Tromeo and Juliet, Sgt. Kabukiman, NYPD, and Class of Nuke ‘Em High. Clearly, these films are of the much deeper indie film persuasion, but now their most popular of all is getting a new-age reboot and has Peter Dinklage, Elijah Wood, and Kevin Bacon tapped to be in it. That’s a pretty solid cast all things considered. Peter Dinklage alone garners a massive audience as he was a fan-favorite in Game of Thrones as Tyrion Lannister. Since then, he has appeared in a great number of roles and clearly has been given plenty of expanded and starring roles.

Peter Dinklage is a big appreciator of what the Troma team has done in the past and explained this in his interview. He stated that,”It’s not a remake. I just like guerrilla filmmaking. Those movies – they just made them, no matter what. They just did it because they love doing it. Some of them are not the best, but some are so much fun. When you make movies too clean, it can distance the audience. They want to feel the dirt under their fingernails. I think those Troma films definitely dipped the audience in toxic waste.” Dipping the audience in toxic waste sounds like the perfect designation for those clamoring for another The Toxic Avenger film.

Clearly, Peter Dinklage appreciates the grittiness of these films. This is interesting, since he’s also appearing in the musical as Cyrano soon. It sounds like what he really likes is diversity in his projects.

Another interesting note for the new movie is the involvement of James Gunn of The Suicide Squad and Guardians of the Galaxy. His interest in the Troma production team speaks to why his version of The Suicide Squad was so over the top, violent, campy at times, but perfect. Peter Dinklage is in good hands if the same formula is used in the reboot of The Toxic Avenger. That must be the case for someone as high-profile as him to even want to join in on the madness that the world is likely to see. The reboot is currently without a release date.