When Avengers collide with the world of Friends, you get a cocktail of stardom and insecurity! One Avengers star found themselves grappling with imposter syndrome after receiving a coveted invite to the Friends series finale. Despite their high-profile status, the star felt like a fish out of water among the iconic cast—Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, and Matt LeBlanc.
Dive into the intriguing tale of how this Avengers star’s moment in the Friends spotlight became a struggle with their own self-doubt and a surprising twist on the red carpet!
Ant-Man’s imposter syndrome: Paul Rudd felt like an outsider on the Friends finale set
You wouldn’t think the guy who wields the power to shrink and grow would feel small, but Paul Rudd, aka Ant-Man, confessed to feeling like a tiny speck on the Friends finale set. While the rest of the world was busy envying his spot in the iconic sitcom’s grand finale, Rudd was battling a serious case of imposter syndrome.
Paul Rudd says he 'shouldn't have been' in the #Friends final episode…😲 pic.twitter.com/Ve7An6rLHH
— Heart (@thisisheart) February 17, 2023
Joining the Friends family in Season 9 as Lisa Kudrow’s Phoebe’s hubby, Mike Hannigan, Rudd admits to feeling like a total outsider during the emotional wrap-up. The last episode, titled The Last One, premiered on May 6, 2024—with over 52.5M people watching (the fourth biggest finale audience ever!), per The New York Times. The finale episode showcased all the core cast members, including Matthew Perry, Jennifer Aniston, Matt Leblanc, and others, parting their separate ways.
The Avengers star confessed this during an interview with the British radio show Heart while promoting Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. Even though his recurring character played a significant role in the final 2004 episode, he described the tear-jerking finale as a ‘Whoa’ moment, revealing:
I shouldn’t be here. I’m getting like a front-row seat to things I’m not supposed to see. They were all crying, it was all emotional, and I was just like, ‘Whoa!,’I mean, I felt very privileged.’ But I also was like, I just want to sit back here and not get in the way.
Can you imagine being the only one with dry eyes, surrounded by a sobbing cast? Even Matt LeBlanc was crying, according to Perry’s memoir. From supporting roles in flicks like Anchorman and The 40-Year-Old Virgin to becoming a bonafide Marvel superhero and People’s Sexiest Man Alive, Rudd’s journey is nothing short of epic. But even this Hollywood heavyweight felt like a little ant in the world of Friends.
Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas Rock Out in New Musical Comedy, Power Ballad
Get ready to rock out, movie lovers! Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas are trading their superhero suits and boy band days for microphones and spotlights. Their upcoming musical comedy, Power Ballad, just landed a sweet deal with Lionsgate (via Deadline).
The film follows Rudd as a washed-up wedding singer and Jonas as a rising rock star. And guess what? They’re gonna have a megawatt showdown over a killer tune. We’re talking about a classic battle of the bands but with a hilarious twist.
Director John Carney, the mastermind behind Sing Street and Flora and Son, is at the helm. And, with a cast that includes Jack Reynor, this movie is shaping up to be a total banger. Carney is pumped about teaming up with Lionsgate, calling it the perfect home for his musical masterpiece. He shared his excitement in the Deadline interview, saying:
I am so delighted this film, which has been in my heart for so long, has found its home. Musically themed films are meant to be watched together, and what better studio than Lionsgate to bring this movie to the world in the way it was intended: with a crowd, in the dark, next to strangers who, for a few hours, become friends.
With a plot that promises to be as catchy as the tunes, Power Ballad is already generating major buzz. We can’t wait to see Rudd and Jonas belt out some power ballads and steal the show!
Watch Friends on Max and Apple TV!
