O-T Fagbenle Reveals He Almost Played Taskmaster in Black Widow – Here’s What Changed!

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In the movie “Black Widow,” it was O-T Fagbenle, who played Black Widow’s co-star, that shared he came close to portraying the main antagonist, Taskmaster. Interestingly, the character of Taskmaster underwent significant changes when introduced into the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). In the comic books, this super-powered villain, who can copy the abilities of anyone they fight, was a former S.H.I.E.L.D agent named Anthony Masters. However, in the “Black Widow” film, led by Scarlett Johansson, Taskmaster was transformed into the daughter of General Dreykov, portrayed by Olga Kurylenko.

During a special conversation with TopMob as he geared up for his role in Season 6 of “The Handmaid’s Tale”, actor O-T Fagbenle revealed an interesting tidbit about his career. It turns out, he initially tried out for a completely different character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie, “Black Widow”. Instead of landing the role of Rick Mason, as seen in the film, Fagbenle was initially approached to portray the main antagonist, Taskmaster, who recently reappeared in “Thunderbolts.” However, the character was eventually adapted into the version we saw in the movie.

Initially, he tried out for the role in the show known as Taskmaster. In this portrayal, his character spoke with an African accent and was more maniacal compared to Olga Kurylenko’s interpretation of the same character, who played a Russian assassin.

Initially, I tried out for the role of Taskmaster, and let me tell you, my audition speech was truly remarkable. I’m quite pleased with how it turned out, and I still have a copy of it saved somewhere. In this performance, I portrayed the character with an African accent, giving him a somewhat maniacal personality.

He mentioned that the decision boiled down to him or another person for the role; yet, since Black Widow underwent alterations during production, “the Taskmaster role as it stood was no longer available.” Instead, he got an opportunity to portray Rick Mason.

During the process of scripting and matters beyond my pay grade, I was informed that the role was essentially between me and another actor. For the specific portrayal of Taskmaster in one version of the film, it seemed like they were deciding, “Is it me or is it someone else.” However, in different versions of the movie, that version of Taskmaster was removed. Later on, I was approached with an offer to play a character named Mason instead. Needless to say, I eagerly accepted and was thrilled about the opportunity to portray Mason. Unfortunately, the Taskmaster I was initially set to play didn’t exist in the final cut of ‘Black Widow’.

In response to being queried about the possibility of presenting his spin on Taskmaster within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) down the line, possibly in a hypothetical ‘What If?’ storyline, Fagbenle expresses hope for “another chance…to dust off that mischievous character.

Wow, let me share with you… The persona I crafted for that project was something entirely new, something you may not have seen me attempt before. I was genuinely thrilled about it. However, there’s always another chance for me to unearth that unconventional character and bring it to life on the screen.

Regarding the character portrayed by Fagbenle, Rick Mason, it remains uncertain where this renegade SHIELD agent will resurface next. Most recently, we saw him in 2023’s “Secret Invasion,” making a brief appearance alongside Samuel L Jackson’s Nick Fury.

As soon as I receive the call, that’s when I’ll be set to move forward,” the MCU actor commented, gazing towards a possible future with Marvel Studios for his character.

Hey there, I just wanted to clarify something with Eric [Pearson]. I asked him, ‘Eric, why am I not included in ‘Thunderbolts’? I made a comeback, remember? I was part of ‘Secret Invasion.’ My character, Mason, even showed up there. So, I guess what I’m saying is, if the opportunity arises for me to join forces again as a true superhero, I’ll be ready and eager to answer the call.

You can now watch “Black Widow” on Disney+, which represents Scarlett Johansson’s last portrayal of Natasha Romanoff, the deadly Red Room assassin turned famous superhero who transitioned into a renowned figure. The movie picks up after the events of Captain America: Civil War, with Romanoff dealing with some haunting figures from her past, all while receiving support from her extraordinary makeshift family.

In the film, Johansson took the lead role, appearing alongside O-T Fagbenle, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz. The movie was helmed by director Cate Shortland, who is known for her work on “Berlin Syndrome”.

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Johansson served as the main character in the movie, acting alongside O-T Fagbenle, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, and Rachel Weisz. The film was guided by director Cate Shortland, who is recognized for her work on “Berlin Syndrome”.

Will O-T Fagbenle’s Taskmaster Ever Be Seen in the MCU?

Revelations that Black Widow star O-T Fagbenle was previously considered for the role of Taskmaster in the film are likely to spark discussions among fans, who can’t help but contemplate how the movie might have unfolded had Fagbenle taken on the Marvel Comics villain instead of his character Rick Mason.

If Marvel Studios were interested in revisiting this concept, the current state of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) provides an ideal opportunity for it.

As a devoted cinephile, I must say it was a treat for the die-hard Taskmaster fans when Black Widow made her appearance in the superhero series. However, alas, she met her end (taking a fatal bullet to the head in the Thunderbolts) and now there’s a noticeable gap if the studio decides to delve deeper into the character, staying truer to the comic book lore.

In the mainline Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), it might seem hasty to introduce a new Taskmaster so soon after the demise of the first version, but Marvel Studios has some tricks up its sleeve. At present, the MCU is engrossed in its Multiverse Storyline, which is set to culminate with the 2027 release of Avengers: Secret Wars. To learn more about Avengers: Secret Wars, click here.

In the “Secret Wars” tale, various iterations of Earth’s most powerful heroes face off against villains from diverse universes, including alternate versions of familiar characters such as Black Widow. Although this portrayal might not be the leading role some fans envisioned for the character, it could be the closest interpretation we get to their idea, unless there’s a full revamp of the franchise.

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2025-05-07 23:24