Black Adam star Pierce Brosnan reveals that, despite its aesthetic flare, his on-set Dr. Fate costume is actually an embarrassing piece of wardrobe. Brosnan is set to play Dr. Fate in the upcoming DCEU movie Black Adam, in which he will likely come to blows with the titular antihero played by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. With both considered two of the most powerful characters from the comics, Black Adam has all the potential to be one of the DCEUs most explosive installments yet.
Bathed in regal gold and blue, the caped and armored Dr. Fate strikes an imposing figure to match his power level. Early promo shots and trailer footage of Brosnan's iteration of the character have shown off his gold-plated gauntlets and warrior-like helmet, surely increasing fans' excitement to finally see the sorcerer in action. The battle-ready costume certainly does not come across as ornamental, and sets the stage for some chaotic action within the film.
However, speaking on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Brosnan reveals that his on-set experience with the costume was far less glamorous. While the final on-screen result of Brosnan's Dr. Fate costume promises a flashy, armored sorcerer, the actor spent his time behind the scenes dressed in unflattering motion capture suits and a helmet which all but blinds him. See exactly what the star had to say below:
Everybody wants to know what it was like putting on the costume. “What was it like putting on the helmet?” You know, you can’t see a thing, it’s darkness. There were two helmets. There was this gorgeous-looking, sleek helmet that’s in the photograph[s]. Then there’s one that I could actually put on. But of course, you’re standing there in a mocap suit… which is the most inelegant and, kind of, humorous thing to wear. Ping pong balls, grey tights, you know you’ve got to have a sense of humour. [...]
I remember Jaume Collet-Serra, the director he said-- there was a point where I had to find this crown... I'm standing there, I'm giving it my best heroic acting, and he said, 'Okay, put the helmet on.' I said, 'Don't worry, I can see [the crown], it's right there.' I put it on. Of course, I couldn't see anything. [Mimes blindly searching with his hands]
What Are Doctor Fate's Powers In Black Adam?
While Brosnan may have been slightly embarrassed by the method of forging such an on-screen aesthetic, the star's good sense of humor comes through in that he's able to look back on his time filming Black Adam with fondness. Equally, it looks from all early footage that his sacrifice in pride will be well worth it come the final product's full reveal. Importantly, Dr. Fate's choice of costume is not simply an aesthetic one, possessing both practical uses and linking to the source of his powers.
Wielding the Amulet of Anubis, Cloak of Destiny, and Helmet of Fate, Dr. Fate inherits the powers of Nabu and becomes the mythic sorcerer from the comics. These mystical powers include spellcasting, flight, super strength, the manipulation of fire and lightning, and telepathy. With all of these threats in his arsenal, Dr. Fate is also be able to protect himself through the conjuring of force fields and by counteracting spells already cast at him. It is the diversity and god-given power of these abilities that have left Dr. Fate with such a notorious legacy from the comics, and will certainly leave a lasting on-screen impression if Black Adam stays true to the source material. From what has been teased so far, with Brosnan's costume displaying the key sources of Dr. Fate's powers, DC fans can likely remain confident that one of the most powerful characters within the DCEU is soon to be introduced.
Source: The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon/YouTube