The Troma Universe: Where It All Began
Before we dive into Peter Dinklage’s upcoming role as Toxie in the reboot of The Toxic Avenger, let’s take a trip down memory lane to the birthplace of this cult classic: Troma Entertainment. Founded in 1974 by Lloyd Kaufman and Michael Herz, Troma was the antithesis of Hollywood’s big-budget epics.
“Their goal was to make the types of films that were callbacks to a stranger time when monsters looked goofy, and the plots were strange,”
Troma’s library is a treasure trove of the weird and wonderful, catering to a niche audience that revels in the bizarre. Among their most famous creations is none other than The Toxic Avenger.
The Original Toxic Avenger: A Plot Like No Other
The original Toxic Avenger film debuted in 1984 and spawned three sequels. It told the story of Melvin Junko, a janitor at a health club who becomes the victim of a cruel prank.
“One day, during a particularly awful bullying session, the group forces Melvin into a pink tutu and chases him around the health club.”
In a desperate escape, Melvin dives into a barrel of toxic waste, transforming into a hulking, misshapen creature. He then embarks on a mission to fight crime and exact revenge on his tormentors, using a mop as his calling card and weapon of choice.
The film also introduced us to Sara, a blind woman who falls in love with Melvin, and Mayor Belgoody, the film’s main antagonist.
“After exacting revenge on his initial tormentors, Melvin and Sara run away together… However, when the National Guard is brought in to kill Melvin, the townspeople rise up to proclaim him as their own personal hero.”
Peter Dinklage: A New Twist on Toxie
Fast forward to today, and we have Peter Dinklage stepping into the oversized, mutated shoes of Toxie. This casting choice is nothing short of brilliant, considering Dinklage’s stature contrasts sharply with the traditionally hulking figure of Toxie.
“This new imagining of the famous character will include Peter Dinklage as Melvin. This is a brilliant bit of casting because the Toxic Avenger has always been portrayed as a huge yet strangely grotesque creature.”
Directed by Macon Blair, the reboot is not a sequel but a reimagining. Even the main character’s name has been changed to Winston Gooze. The film boasts a star-studded cast, including Kevin Bacon and Elijah Wood, and is produced by Legendary Pictures in partnership with Troma.
“This new film is produced by Legendary Pictures but with the full partnership of Troma. This is good news for fans of the studio as it means they can have faith that Troma had full access to the scripts, character changes, and even the ways the film was shot.”
The Future of Toxie: A High-Concept B-Movie?
With Troma’s involvement and a stellar cast, the reboot promises to be a unique cinematic experience. Will it manage to capture the essence of the original while offering something new? Only time will tell, but one thing is certain: the world is ready for another dose of Toxie’s bizarre adventures.
So, whether you’re a die-hard Troma fan or new to this strange universe, buckle up. Peter Dinklage‘s Toxie is about to take us on a wild ride.
