Marvel stars Mark Ruffalo and Willem Dafoe have developed a close friendship in the last few months after they collaborated in Poor Things. In a recent promotional interview, Ruffalo revealed that the crew of the Emma Stone starrer teased him about being replaced by Oscar Isaac. Dafoe took it a step further and brought Isaac to set one day, humorously asserting that he was taking over Ruffalo’s role.
Poor Things is set to release this week after facing several delays. However, critics have already bestowed a positive verdict when it premiered at the 80th Venice International Film Festival. The Favourite fame, Yorgos Lanthimos, directed this black comedy fantasy film.
Mark Ruffalo Was Teased By Willem Dafoe On Poor Things Set
Fans likely observed the new look of Mark Ruffalo in Poor Things, a departure from his Marvel look. His fellow cast members were quick to notice the facial resemblance to Oscar Isaac and teased the Thor: Ragnarok actor about it. Ruffalo revealed this hilarious inside joke in an upcoming interview, and Jenelle Riley of Variety shared it through her X account.
Ruffalo added that Willem Dafoe took the joke further and brought the Moon Knight star to the set one day. He jokingly announced that Isaac would take over his role in further scenes. The joke was hilarious on so many levels, but the most amusing part was that Isaac became a willing participant in The Avengers actor’s teasing. Jenelle Riley’s X post read:
Hilarious convo with the POOR THINGS crew yesterday where Mark Ruffalo revealed they would tease him about replacing him with Oscar Isaac. One day Willem Dafoe even brought Oscar to the set to say he was there to take over.
— Jenelle Riley (@jenelleriley) December 6, 2023
The Hulk and Green Goblin actors could not promote their film earlier due to the SAG-AFTRA strike, but it did not prevent them from hanging out together at that time. Ruffalo shared an Instagram post in September, capturing the Marvel actors making a new friend. The two actors visited a llama farm where they clicked a photo with a llama.
The unlikely friendship has captivated fans on X, with one user (@AzraGames) commenting, “amusing and wholesome to hear about these guys being chummy with each other.” In Poor Things, Ruffalo plays a debauched lawyer Duncan Wedderburn and Dafoe plays Dr. Godwin Baxter.
Poor Things Received Critical Acclaim During Its Premiere
Poor Things explores Emma Stone’s Bella Baxter, a Victorian woman resurrected following her suicide, and her self-discovery journey. The film received critical praise with a high IMDB score of 8.5. The film garnered a 93% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with the Critics Consensus on the site stating, “Wildly imaginative and exhilaratingly over the top, Poor Things is a bizarre, brilliant tour de force.”
Stone’s performance in the film was particularly lauded, and many reviewers described the movie as hilariously insane in a positive way. Several reviewers highlighted the steampunk elements in the setting of the story. Poor Things was also named one of the top 10 films of 2023 by the National Board of Review.
