ABC’sInhumansTV series has just taken a major step in the right direction. The eight-episode series is slated to debut this September and the network has to get the ball rolling in order to make that happen. A very important piece of the puzzle has just slid into place, asGame of ThronesstarIwan Rheonhas been officially brought on board to play the lead role in Marvel’sInhumans.
Varietybroke the news that the 31-year-old, best known for his role as Ramsey Bolton on HBO’sGame of Thrones, will be the lead actor in the upcoming Marvel series. While many Marvel fans would have expected Black Bolt to be the main character in theInhumansshow, it is being reported thatIwan Rheonis actually playing Black Bolt’s brother, Maximus the Mad. Here is what head of Marvel TelevisionJeph Loebhad to say about it.
“Iwan’s ability to be charming, roguish, and still completely unexpectedly dangerous were all the different sides we needed to bring the character to life. We’re thrilled to have him on board.”
Maximus the Mad has always had a complicated relationship with Black Bolt in the comics. Though Maximus does not have any powers nearly as strong as Black Bolt’s ultra-powerful quasi-sonic scream, he does have some mental powers in addition to being an extraordinarily gifted inventor, as well as having a very high level,superhuman intellect. Maximus always intended to take the Attilan throne away from his older brother Black Bolt, but he feels theInhumansare superior to other forms of life and ultimately wants to see humanity wiped out. To say the least, their relationship is a bit complicated. Here is whatMarvel’s InhumansshowrunnerScott Buckhad to say about the character and the casting.
“Maximus is a complex character. Likable, charming, tragic and villainous all in the same moment, and I’m very excited to have someone of Iwan’s considerable talent.”
ABC will surely be bringing on someone to play Black Bolt as well, a role whichVin Dieselwas reportedly going to play in theInhumansmovie that has since been scrapped. The decision to make Maximus the Mad the lead in the series is definitely an interesting one, since that means we may primarily be following a bad guy and getting a story from his perspective. For those who may not know,Inhumansdebuted inMarvel Comicsback in 1965 and were created by comic book legendsStan Lee andJack Kirby. The main story followed a royal family of superbeings ruled over by their silent king Black Bolt, whose voice is capable of destroying cities.The Inhumansgained their powers via DNA altering Terrigen Mist, as opposed to being born with their mutations like theX-Men.
DirectorRoel Reinewill be tackling the first two episodes ofThe Inhumansfor ABC. The episodes will be shot in IMAX and will be screened in theaters over Labor Day weekend upon their debut. The first two episodes ofInhumanswill debut in theaters on September 1, kicking off a two-week theatrical run. ABC will then air the first episode of the eight-episode series on Tuesday, September 26.
