There are few plus-sized superheroes in the superhero universe. Marvel Comics debuted the character Big Bertha in 1989, and then there was the short-lived Fat Momma from Esteem Comics. Miles Morales' friend, Ganke, who seems to be the basis for Spider-Man: Homecoming's Ned, is at a sidekick status at best. Now, the ongoing series, Faith, from Valiant Comics and the indie webcomic, Assassin Roommate are going strong. (Oh, and the one time Superman wasn't his usual chiseled self.)
But there has yet to be a plus-sized superhero on the big screen—until now when Julian Dennison debuted as Firefist in Deadpool 2.
"This industry discriminates," said Dennison to The Hollywood Reporter.
"There isn’t just one kind of person that can play a superhero," he continued. "For me, playing a chubby or fat superhero, was so special because I would go and watch these movies with my friends and would never see anyone like me. I am excited to be that for other kids who look like me."
Dennison first starred in Taika Waititi’s New Zealand-set indie comedy Hunt for the Wilderpeople, which is where Deadpool star Ryan Reynolds saw him act for the first time.
"I'm very good friends with Taika," said Reynolds in a 2017 interview with NZ Herald. "So that's kind of how I found him. Obviously I saw Taika's film and I was like, 'Who is this kid and what voodoo did you put on him to make him this good?'"
Hopefully, that sentiment continues since Dennison is hoping to reprise the role in the future.
"I definitely think [Firefist] will be coming back," he told Complex. "I hope they don't just cut off my character. I'd love to play him again, in like maybe the X-Force movie."
