Jamie Foxx returned as Electro in 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home after his debut appearance as the character in The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The character had a significant upgrade from his first appearance with a more sophisticated look and a more dynamic portrayal from Foxx.
Foxx was delighted to return in an upgraded version of the character in the film. During the promotions of the film, Foxx revealed that he was more comfortable with the modern and comic-accurate upgrade to the character than the tedious process he had to go through with his first go-through as the character.
Jamie Foxx is Happy That Electro is Not Trying Too Hard in No Way Home
Jamie Foxx made his debut in the Marvel Universe in 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2 where he played Max Dillon/ Electro. Despite Foxx’s committed performance, the characterization deviated significantly from the comics and received backlash from fans. The overdone CGI on top of the already prosthetic-heavy Foxx made things worse.
However, in Spider-Man: No Way Home, his character got a significant upgrade which was more comics accurate and one in which Foxx did not have to undergo hours of blue-makeup for the part. There was less CGI involved and Electro is given the classic yellow lightning powers.
He talked about in an interview with the film’s villains, saying that the upgraded costume was more comfortable and modern. He also pointed out that the character is not trying too hard (like the overdone and ridiculous blue skin Electro in The Amazing Spider-Man 2) and this version of Electro is more relaxed and fun. He said (via YouTube),
“With this one, it just feels more comfortable, and I think it feels more today, modern; like not trying so hard. I sort of relate it to R&B. Back in the day in R&B, you used to have to have fringes on your outfit, and like shoulder pads, and now you can just sing.”
Fans were indeed pleased with the upgraded and more dynamic portrayal of Electro with Foxx’s lively performance receiving praise from audiences. Many of them even wanted the character to come back in a future film. It remains to be seen whether Marvel and Sony bring back Electro in future Spider-Man films.
Jamie Foxx Loves Playing a Villain in the Marvel Universe
Jamie Foxx‘s return as Electro in Spider-Man: No Way Home was met with overwhelmingly positive reactions from fans who deemed it a significant improvement from his dismal debut in 2014’s The Amazing Spider-Man 2. The actor reflected on returning as the character and why he loves playing a villain in the Marvel universe.
Foxx claims that Marvel villains don’t start out wanting to be bad. He explains that something tragic and unfortunate happens to most villains and this forms the catalyst of them raging against the world and becoming an antagonistic presence in front of the protagonist. He told NBC News,
“I love being a villain. What’s great about the villains in Marvel, they didn’t start off being bad. Something happened to them — so it doesn’t come off where they just want to do bad.”
As of 2024, Foxx will star in the upcoming action comedy film Back in Action which will be directed by Seth Gordon. Fox will star alongside Cameron Diaz who is making his acting comeback after almost 10 years. The film will stream on Netflix sometime this year.
