Marvel’s Aaron Stanford Reflects on Iconic Pyro Scene in X2: X-Men United

Marvel's Aaron Stanford Reflects on Iconic Pyro Scene in X2: X-Men United

As a long-time Marvel fan who grew up watching Aaron Stanford‘s electrifying portrayal of Pyro in X-2: X-Men United, hearing him recount his experiences was like revisiting an old friend. His humility and dedication to making the character feel real, even amidst the film’s grandiose moments, are truly commendable.


X-Men United with ComicBook. On the Phase Zero podcast, Stanford opened up about his journey within the Fox Marvel Universe. Fans who have been following along will recall the pivotal moment in X-2 when Pyro fought off an entire police precinct to aid the mutants’ escape – a scene that’s synonymous with the first movie trilogy’s grand, action-packed moments. Stanford shared that he had to carefully balance his lines while preparing to set those cars on fire. You can read more about his insights on this experience in the section provided below.

Stanford shared with us that he had never considered the scenario in that light before. His focus, instead, was simply on delivering his best performance. For the X-2 movie, authenticity and realism were crucial. The filmmakers wanted to present a unique perspective for this comic book adaptation, one that would resonate deeply with viewers. Consequently, he aimed to make the dialogue not sound like a typical Arnold Schwarzenegger one-liner.

Marvel's Aaron Stanford Reflects on Iconic Pyro Scene in X2: X-Men United

The actor expressed that he had intended to convey the line as such, and recalled writer Mike Dougherty’s response after delivery: “He said, ‘I really appreciate that, you captured it wonderfully, like a kid discovering his father’s weapon.’ You understand? He senses the intensity of it.” The actor went on to say, “He yearns to be the infamous mutant character everyone’s heard about. However, he’s facing a group of mature, armed police officers – something he’s never encountered before. It’s intimidating, yet he tries to maintain his tough facade.”

Continuing The Work From X-2

Marvel's Aaron Stanford Reflects on Iconic Pyro Scene in X2: X-Men United

During our chat, Stanford delved deeper into his role as Pyro in X-Men 2. When the initial trailer for Deadpool & Wolverine appeared online, many fans quickly recognized him as a returning figure from the Fox Universe. This sparked discussions about whether this version of Pyro was indeed the beloved one from those movies. Stanford clarified that he portrayed this character as if it were the same one from X-2. Interestingly, there are indications that his character might willingly join Cassandra Nova’s peculiar protection scheme in The Void.

In his conversation with Phase Zero podcast on ComicBook, Stanford explained, “I perceived it as an extension, yet with a shift in tone. Essentially, I recalled Pyro from X-Men 2, but made some adjustments. The original character was a troubled, outcast youth who becomes violent and radicalized, eventually turning into a terrorist. In the Deadpool universe, I adapted this compelling narrative to fit the specific circumstances of that world.”

Did you feel joyful upon his return? Don’t forget to join our pop culture conversation at @ComicBook on social media!

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2024-08-13 17:40