British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson makes his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe when he takes on the role of Quicksilver in Marvel’s “Av...
British actor Aaron Taylor-Johnson makes his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe when he takes on the role of Quicksilver in Marvel’s “Avengers: Age of Ultron.” Taylor-Johnson says that the offer was “hugely exciting” and comments, “First, I was flattered to be thought of and then second that Joss Whedon approached me for it and thought I could be another addition to the story. It was very overwhelming and surreal all at the same time. It was like being asked to be on a big league team. It was very cool.”
Taylor-Johnson admits that it was somewhat unnerving stepping on set for the first time with all of The Avengers, who had already done three or four films. “They’re very comfortable with the way that they want to portray their characters and comfortable with each other,” says the actor. “So, it felt kind of daunting, but that was eliminated pretty quickly when I met the guys. Everyone’s super friendly and down to earth and it’s a very grounded set and the environment that we work in is family oriented. I anticipated there would be an initiation of sorts, but there was none of that and I sank in pretty quickly.”
Informing how the character Quicksilver is set up in the film, Taylor-Johnson offers, “It continues on from where it left off at the end of ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier,’ where we did a little tag where Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch were basically experiments in Hydra’s basement and they’re out to seek revenge on Tony Stark due to what they’ve been through in the past. They’re Eastern European and in a place called Sokovia. They lost their parents. The country is in a recession of sorts and they’re very angry and they’re putting their anger towards Tony Stark. These two characters survived the experiments that Hydra was doing and became enhanced. My character has super speed and Elizabeth Olsen, who plays Quicksilver’s sister Scarlet Witch, has psychological powers.”
Taylor-Johnson continues, describing the relationship between Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. “His super power is being as fast as the speed of sound, but he’s quick at everything,” says the actor. “He’s quick tempered and becomes frustrated with everything because he’s already there. Everything moves too slowly for him. It’s been fun to play with this character and, more importantly, discover who he is. It’s Pietro more so than Quicksilver because he and Wanda are at an early age. They only have one another. It’s just them against the world really and they can’t do without each other, which is nice. This is also a yin and yang thing. I’m very fatherly and physical and protective over her and she’s sort of that motherly nurturing and caring and more emotional and thoughtful person. They balance each other out. You couldn’t really have Quicksilver without Scarlet Witch.”
Finding how best to costume the speed-demon Quicksilver was left to costume designer Alexandra Byrne. Relating how all the elements come together, Taylor-Johnson says, “One thing that Joss wanted was that he didn’t ever want to see Pietro [Quicksilver] in the same pair of shoes twice as he’d just ruin them and they’d burn out. Then he’d pick up some other shoes somewhere else. The look that we were going for is very Eastern European labels with a sporty feel. His trousers are very much like a motocross biker’s jeans. They’ve got that padding in the knees and the lining to protect him, like as if he was running in the woods and he’d gotten nicked by a tree or something because he’s going so fast.”
Working with writer/director Joss Whedon for the first time was an experience that Aaron Taylor-Johnson is not soon to forget. “Joss is the ultimate Avenger, essentially,” enthuses the actor. “He is the team leader. He can see behind everyone’s eyes. He’s genius. I rely on him and put all my trust in him. He’s just open to talk about everything, our thoughts and ideas. He’s brilliant.”
]Q: How exciting was it when you found out that you would be playing this character?
A: It was hugely exciting. First, I was flattered to be thought of and then second that Joss Whedon approached me for it and thought I could be another addition to the story. It was very overwhelming and surreal all at the same time. It was like being asked to be on a big league team. It was very cool.
Q: Did the other actors make you feel welcome right away?
A: Absolutely. It was definitely a daunting feeling to come on set with all of The Avengers, because for the majority of the cast this is their third or fourth film. So, they’re very comfortable with the way that they want to portray their characters and comfortable with each other. So, it felt kind of daunting, but that was eliminated pretty quickly when I met the guys. Everyone’s super friendly and down to earth and it’s a very grounded set and the environment that we work in is family oriented. Robert [Downey Jr.] did a lovely thing. Two nights before we all had a big scene together, he called a cast dinner together where we could just catch up. So, it was really nice. I anticipated there would be an initiation of sorts, but there was none of that and I sank in pretty quickly.
Q: In the beginning of the film, where do we find the characters of Quicksilver and his sister Scarlet Witch, played by Elizabeth Olsen?
A: It’s great that I came on the film with Elizabeth, especially when I just worked with her. So, it was like having at least a friend to come in with so we’re both in the same boat. It could have been someone I’ve never met before. So, it was really cool. It continues on from where it left off at the end of “Cap 2,” where we did a little tag where we were basically experiments in Hydra’s basement and we’re sort of out to seek revenge on Tony Stark due to what they’ve been through in the past. They’re Eastern European and in a place called Sokovia. They lost their parents. The country is in a recession of sorts and they’re very angry and they’re putting their anger towards Tony Stark. These two characters survived the experiments that Hydra was doing and became enhanced. My character has super speed and Elizabeth’s has psychological powers.
Q: Talk about Quicksilver’s powers and character.
A: Quicksilver has always been really fun to portray as a Super Hero. His super power is being as fast as the speed of sound, but he’s quick at everything. He’s quick tempered and becomes frustrated with everything because he’s already there. Everything moves too slowly for him. It’s been fun to play with this character and, more importantly, discover who he is. It’s Pietro more so than Quicksilver because he and Wanda are at an early age. They only have one another. It’s just them against the world really and they can’t do without each other, which is nice. This is also a yin and yang thing. I’m very fatherly and physical and protective over her and she’s sort of that motherly nurturing and caring and more emotional and thoughtful person. They balance each other out. You couldn’t really have Quicksilver without Scarlet Witch. We get a long really well and to play a brother/sister thing has been natural and easy.
We do these Eastern European accents. We’ve done dialect sessions together so we can sound the same, especially because I’m English and she’s American. The idea is to meet in the middle and try and make it sound similar, which I think we’ve done pretty well.
Q: Did the costume designer, Alexandra Byrne, work with you to show you the looks of how your character was going to come to life?
A: Yes. Alexandra Byrne is fantastic; she’s phenomenal. One thing that Joss wanted was that he didn’t ever want to see Pietro [Quicksilver] in the same pair of shoes twice as he’d just ruin them and they’d burn out. Then he’d pick up some other shoes somewhere else. The look that we were going for is very Eastern European labels with a sporty feel. His trousers are very much like a motocross biker’s jeans. They’ve got that padding in the knees and the lining to protect him, like as if he was running in the woods and he’d gotten nicked by a tree or something because he’s going so fast.
Q: If you could have one other Avenger’s powers for a day, which one would it be?
A: It’d be kind of cool to be the Hulk. Just to kind of be insane, mad. Whose other powers would be good? If you were to be like Cap, you would be a complete badass all day long because he’s the ultimate athlete. Probably one of the most impressive physicality wise is Thor because he’s got to be a god, but he’s really like six foot something and he’s huge. His arms are the size of my thighs and he’s got hammer work and can like fly and make thunderstorms. It’s pretty awesome.
Q: What has been the most difficult day on set?
A: I don’t really have challenging days. Nothing’s really been that difficult, maybe because it’s just a joy to be on and it’s just a really nice environment. For me, it’s enjoyable.
Q: How is it working with director Joss Whedon?
A: Joss is the ultimate Avenger, essentially. He is the team leader. He can see behind everyone’s eyes. I’d like to see him when he’s writing, just being like some schizophrenic man and be talking to himself in five or six different kinds of characters. He’s genius. I rely on him and put all my trust in him. He’s just open to talk about everything, our thoughts and ideas. He’s brilliant.
Taylor-Johnson admits that it was somewhat unnerving stepping on set for the first time with all of The Avengers, who had already done three or four films. “They’re very comfortable with the way that they want to portray their characters and comfortable with each other,” says the actor. “So, it felt kind of daunting, but that was eliminated pretty quickly when I met the guys. Everyone’s super friendly and down to earth and it’s a very grounded set and the environment that we work in is family oriented. I anticipated there would be an initiation of sorts, but there was none of that and I sank in pretty quickly.”
Informing how the character Quicksilver is set up in the film, Taylor-Johnson offers, “It continues on from where it left off at the end of ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier,’ where we did a little tag where Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch were basically experiments in Hydra’s basement and they’re out to seek revenge on Tony Stark due to what they’ve been through in the past. They’re Eastern European and in a place called Sokovia. They lost their parents. The country is in a recession of sorts and they’re very angry and they’re putting their anger towards Tony Stark. These two characters survived the experiments that Hydra was doing and became enhanced. My character has super speed and Elizabeth Olsen, who plays Quicksilver’s sister Scarlet Witch, has psychological powers.”
Taylor-Johnson continues, describing the relationship between Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch. “His super power is being as fast as the speed of sound, but he’s quick at everything,” says the actor. “He’s quick tempered and becomes frustrated with everything because he’s already there. Everything moves too slowly for him. It’s been fun to play with this character and, more importantly, discover who he is. It’s Pietro more so than Quicksilver because he and Wanda are at an early age. They only have one another. It’s just them against the world really and they can’t do without each other, which is nice. This is also a yin and yang thing. I’m very fatherly and physical and protective over her and she’s sort of that motherly nurturing and caring and more emotional and thoughtful person. They balance each other out. You couldn’t really have Quicksilver without Scarlet Witch.”
Finding how best to costume the speed-demon Quicksilver was left to costume designer Alexandra Byrne. Relating how all the elements come together, Taylor-Johnson says, “One thing that Joss wanted was that he didn’t ever want to see Pietro [Quicksilver] in the same pair of shoes twice as he’d just ruin them and they’d burn out. Then he’d pick up some other shoes somewhere else. The look that we were going for is very Eastern European labels with a sporty feel. His trousers are very much like a motocross biker’s jeans. They’ve got that padding in the knees and the lining to protect him, like as if he was running in the woods and he’d gotten nicked by a tree or something because he’s going so fast.”
Working with writer/director Joss Whedon for the first time was an experience that Aaron Taylor-Johnson is not soon to forget. “Joss is the ultimate Avenger, essentially,” enthuses the actor. “He is the team leader. He can see behind everyone’s eyes. He’s genius. I rely on him and put all my trust in him. He’s just open to talk about everything, our thoughts and ideas. He’s brilliant.”
]Q: How exciting was it when you found out that you would be playing this character?
A: It was hugely exciting. First, I was flattered to be thought of and then second that Joss Whedon approached me for it and thought I could be another addition to the story. It was very overwhelming and surreal all at the same time. It was like being asked to be on a big league team. It was very cool.
Q: Did the other actors make you feel welcome right away?
A: Absolutely. It was definitely a daunting feeling to come on set with all of The Avengers, because for the majority of the cast this is their third or fourth film. So, they’re very comfortable with the way that they want to portray their characters and comfortable with each other. So, it felt kind of daunting, but that was eliminated pretty quickly when I met the guys. Everyone’s super friendly and down to earth and it’s a very grounded set and the environment that we work in is family oriented. Robert [Downey Jr.] did a lovely thing. Two nights before we all had a big scene together, he called a cast dinner together where we could just catch up. So, it was really nice. I anticipated there would be an initiation of sorts, but there was none of that and I sank in pretty quickly.
Q: In the beginning of the film, where do we find the characters of Quicksilver and his sister Scarlet Witch, played by Elizabeth Olsen?
A: It’s great that I came on the film with Elizabeth, especially when I just worked with her. So, it was like having at least a friend to come in with so we’re both in the same boat. It could have been someone I’ve never met before. So, it was really cool. It continues on from where it left off at the end of “Cap 2,” where we did a little tag where we were basically experiments in Hydra’s basement and we’re sort of out to seek revenge on Tony Stark due to what they’ve been through in the past. They’re Eastern European and in a place called Sokovia. They lost their parents. The country is in a recession of sorts and they’re very angry and they’re putting their anger towards Tony Stark. These two characters survived the experiments that Hydra was doing and became enhanced. My character has super speed and Elizabeth’s has psychological powers.
Q: Talk about Quicksilver’s powers and character.
A: Quicksilver has always been really fun to portray as a Super Hero. His super power is being as fast as the speed of sound, but he’s quick at everything. He’s quick tempered and becomes frustrated with everything because he’s already there. Everything moves too slowly for him. It’s been fun to play with this character and, more importantly, discover who he is. It’s Pietro more so than Quicksilver because he and Wanda are at an early age. They only have one another. It’s just them against the world really and they can’t do without each other, which is nice. This is also a yin and yang thing. I’m very fatherly and physical and protective over her and she’s sort of that motherly nurturing and caring and more emotional and thoughtful person. They balance each other out. You couldn’t really have Quicksilver without Scarlet Witch. We get a long really well and to play a brother/sister thing has been natural and easy.
We do these Eastern European accents. We’ve done dialect sessions together so we can sound the same, especially because I’m English and she’s American. The idea is to meet in the middle and try and make it sound similar, which I think we’ve done pretty well.
Q: Did the costume designer, Alexandra Byrne, work with you to show you the looks of how your character was going to come to life?
A: Yes. Alexandra Byrne is fantastic; she’s phenomenal. One thing that Joss wanted was that he didn’t ever want to see Pietro [Quicksilver] in the same pair of shoes twice as he’d just ruin them and they’d burn out. Then he’d pick up some other shoes somewhere else. The look that we were going for is very Eastern European labels with a sporty feel. His trousers are very much like a motocross biker’s jeans. They’ve got that padding in the knees and the lining to protect him, like as if he was running in the woods and he’d gotten nicked by a tree or something because he’s going so fast.
Q: If you could have one other Avenger’s powers for a day, which one would it be?
A: It’d be kind of cool to be the Hulk. Just to kind of be insane, mad. Whose other powers would be good? If you were to be like Cap, you would be a complete badass all day long because he’s the ultimate athlete. Probably one of the most impressive physicality wise is Thor because he’s got to be a god, but he’s really like six foot something and he’s huge. His arms are the size of my thighs and he’s got hammer work and can like fly and make thunderstorms. It’s pretty awesome.
Q: What has been the most difficult day on set?
A: I don’t really have challenging days. Nothing’s really been that difficult, maybe because it’s just a joy to be on and it’s just a really nice environment. For me, it’s enjoyable.
Q: How is it working with director Joss Whedon?
A: Joss is the ultimate Avenger, essentially. He is the team leader. He can see behind everyone’s eyes. I’d like to see him when he’s writing, just being like some schizophrenic man and be talking to himself in five or six different kinds of characters. He’s genius. I rely on him and put all my trust in him. He’s just open to talk about everything, our thoughts and ideas. He’s brilliant.
