Who doesn’t enjoy having a bit of fun at their co-worker’s expense every now and then? Apparently, Ruffalo’s doubts about his casting became a running joke among his “Poor Things” co-stars. “They were teasing me that Oscar Isaac was going to take the role from me when we were in rehearsal,” he explained, what with the “Ex Machina” and “Dune” star working in a nearby studio while filming was underway. Willem Dafoe, who plays Dr. Godwin Baxter (the bizarre scientist who “creates” Bella in the film), even went so far as to prank Ruffalo by bringing Isaac over to the “Poor Things” set one day.
“Willem brought him over at lunchtime and Oscar came up to me and he’s like, ‘Hey man, I’m sorry, but it’s just not going to work out,'” Ruffalo recalled. The poor guy didn’t immediately realize it was all a big joke, either, having had a similar experience on his first major theater production. “I literally got fired a week before opening. It was my big break, and I was literally so traumatized. So anytime I hit a bump, I’m like, ‘That’s it, they’re firing me,'” Ruffalo confessed. Dafoe, you scoundrel!
On the contrary, Ruffalo’s self-doubt is proof positive that he was always the perfect choice to play Duncan. The character’s devil-may-care attitude and playboy swagger should feel like it’s an act that could crumble the moment he doesn’t get his way. Only someone with Ruffalo’s apparent lack of ego and willingness to make himself look like an utter buffoon could play the role as convincingly as he does. If there’s any justice, “Poor Things” will ultimately net the actor his fourth Oscar nod (and perhaps his first win).
“Poor Things” is currently playing in theaters.