‘Plus-size’ superhero Julian Dennison stars alongside Ryan Reynolds in Marvel’s Deadpool 2
JULIAN Dennisonis the world’s first plus-size super hero. At 15, the New Zealand teen is changing the way Hollywood portrays its leading Marvel men with a starring role alongside Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool 2.
Confidential
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Julian Dennisonis the world’s first plus-size super hero. At 15, the New Zealand teen is changing the way Hollywood portrays its leading Marvel men with a starring role alongside Ryan Reynolds in Deadpool 2.
“You don’t see super heroes who look like me,” Dennison told Confidential.
“You always see in super hero movies buff guys and pretty girls. Being able to play a plus-size super hero was amazing for me because as a little kid I always wanted to be a super hero but never thought I could be one.”
Deadpool 2 opens in cinemas nationally on May 18 and introduces Dennison as Russell “Firefist” Collins, a fictional super hero with pyrokinesis, the ability to generate fire with the mind.
“I read a few of the comics and it was funny because he does not look like me,” Dennison said.
“He is like this jock; he was in the navy and is very muscly.”
Dennison made himself known to Hollywood thanks to his starring turn inTaika Waititi’sHunt For The Wilderpeople. His other previous role was in the Aussie flick Paper Planes.
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“I wouldn’t call myself a star yet but I guess I want to get to that point where I can change people’s lives and influence people in a good way,” he said.
“I want to be different. I want to change the world in a different way and not be like anyone else.
“I don’t want to get too cocky because it could always come back to bite me. I just can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Dennison is in Year 11 in New Zealand and despite his movie star success, still shares a bedroom with his twin brother, Christian.
“I love how they don’t treat me like the family souvenir,” he said. “They are really understanding and supportive.
“My twin brother runs my social media and just having him there and all my siblings (he is one of four).
“For me at the moment this is a job but it is also a hobby.
“I have my movie life as an actor and then I have my home life where it is me and my family where we can be private and enjoy our life.”
Deadpool 2 was shot in Vancouver and there’s talk of a third movie as well as an X-Force spin-off with his character.
School is also a priority for the young actor.
“No one likes a stupid anything,” he laughed. “I do want to finish school and I do want to be well educated.
“I am not the smartest acorn in the basket but I’ve still got a couple of years of school to go, so as long as I’ve got a back-up because when I have kids, I want to be able to provide for my family.”