Paul Warren (actor)

Last updated

Paul Warren
Paul warren actor 2019.jpg
Warren at The Camden Film Fair 2019
Born (1974-10-28) 28 October 1974 (age 50)
Hillingdon, Middlesex, England
OccupationActor
Years active2005–present
Website paulwarren.actor

Paul Warren (born 28 October 1974) is a British actor. He is best known for playing characters wearing heavy prosthetic makeup and/or creature suits, most notably in Star Wars and the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in films and television series such as Captain America: The First Avenger (2011), Thor: The Dark World (2013), Guardians of the Galaxy (2014), Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), Andor (2022), and The Marvels (2023). [1]

Contents

Warren also had creature acting roles in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice (2024), Clash of the Titans (2010), World War Z (2013), Ghost Stories (2017), Willow (2022) and Unwelcome (2023). [2]

Early life

Paul Warren was born in Hillingdon, West London. [3]

Career

He began his film career in 2006 as a body double for Daniel Radcliffe on the film Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007): "I spent much of my time 20ft up in the air on the hydraulic broomstick system and doing other physically demanding activities during the shoot, whilst building a good rapport with the cast/crew and a reputation as a versatile performer". [4]

Later that same year, he was recommended to Stan Winston Studio as a good choice to portray an emaciated version of the title character (played by Mike Vogel) in The Deaths of Ian Stone . Crediting Winston and his team, he said, "This door opening into the world of acting under silicone and foam latex, is what ultimately led to a film career playing characters in heavy prosthetics and creature suits". [4]

His first creature performing role was in 2009, where he played a tortured soul who pulls the boat across the River Styx in the remake of Clash of the Titans .

In 2010, Warren was used as a visual effect double for skinny Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger . [4] He was the original template for Skinny Steve in the pre-production VFX head replacement tests and was on set for the recruitment scene as a visual reference. Body double duties for the rest of production (which total about 5% according to director Joe Johnston [5] ) were performed by stage actor Leander Deeny.

On getting the role of Varmik, one of the Hassk triplet's in Star Wars: The Force Awakens , he says, "It felt very surreal. I wasn't told what it was that I was being asked to go in for; only that the production was putting together a team of core creature performers for a film at Pinewood Studios. I had been recommended to them by creature designer and makeup artist Martin Rezard, who I had worked with previously on Guardians of the Galaxy and Thor: The Dark World ." [6]

Varmik is of particular interest to Star Wars fans due to his origin: "The character is based on 2 classic pieces of Ralph McQuarrie's Star Wars production art from 1975. The cantina showdown and early Chewbacca designs. The former is a particular favorite of J. J. Abrams' that he wanted to bring to life on screen." [7]

In Star Wars: The Last Jedi , Warren plays a dowager alien called Gatha Elbaphay in the Canto Bight casino. [8] The character created quite a buzz online when it was revealed by director Rian Johnson that the animatronic space pug Awgree she holds was based on Carrie Fisher's very own pet pooch Gary, affectionately known on set as Space Gary. [9]

Warren is credited as Quadpaw performer in the Star Wars television series Andor . He was also a Troll in episode 6, season 1 of the TV series Willow . Both were produced by Lucasfilm. [10]

During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, Warren joined the cast and crew of the killer goblin film Unwelcome . As well as playing the Redcap goblin Mr. Sniff, he also took on a new role of Creature Movement Coach for Nick Chopping's stunt team. [11]

2023 saw Paul working once again with Neal Scanlan's creature workshop on the much anticipated sequel to Beetlejuice titled Beetlejuice Beetlejuice . He played the role of Shrinker Tom and was a puppeteer in the waiting room performing the hand for the man in a box. [12]

Occasionally he still steps out from behind the prosthetics, for example when he provided mime/movement for Steven Spielberg's Ready Player One in 2018 and when he was a special action performer on Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014) for that stunt scene in the church choreographed by the late Brad Allan. [13]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
2006 Children of Men Injured Refugee
2007 The Deaths of Ian Stone Emaciated Ian
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry Potter Body double
2010 Hereafter Dying Hospital Patient
Clash of the Titans Charon's Tortured Soul
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Ministry Wizard
2011 X-Men: First Class Young Magneto Body double
Captain America: The First Avenger Skinny Steve Rogers Pre-production visual effects body double
2012 Wrath of the Titans Hermes Deleted scene
2013 Jack the Giant Slayer The Not-So-Strong Man
The Tractate Middoth Rant's GhostBBC film shown on Christmas Day 2013
Thor: The Dark World Marauder Creature
Last Days on Mars Infected Marko
World War Z Russian ZombieAlso visual effects movement reference
2014 Kingsman: The Secret Service Church congregationStunts
Guardians of the Galaxy Toothless
2015 Star Wars: The Force Awakens VarmikCredited as creature and droid puppeteer
2017 Ghost Stories Woolly
Star Wars: The Last Jedi Gatha ElbaphayCredited as creature and droid puppeteer
2018 Ready Player One IOI (special movement)
2018 Ghost Stories Woolly
2021LairAbyzou
2023 The Marvels SkrullAlso played the character 'Toothless' (deleted scene)
Unwelcome Redcap Mr SniffAlso creature movement coach
2024 Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Tom - ShrinkerAlso was a waiting room puppeteer for the man in a box

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
2008 That Mitchell and Webb Look CricketerEpisode #2.3
2008–2009 Sorry, I've Got No Head Witchfinder7 episodes
2010 The Legend of Dick and Dom GoblinEpisode: "Beastly"
Pete versus Life Paul the TrampEpisode: "Fankoo"
The Bill Drug AddictEpisode: "Tombstone"
2011 How TV Ruined Your Life Paul the TrampEpisode: "Aspiration"
Holby City Drug AddictEpisode: "Rescue Me"
2010–2011 EastEnders Dan Pearce
2012 Peep Show Supply TeacherEpisode: "Business Secrets of the Pharaohs"
2014 Rev. Steve's MateEpisode #3.4
2016 Houdini and Doyle First AlienEpisode: "The Monsters of Nethermoor"
2022 Willow TrollEpisode: "Prisoners of Skellin"
Andor Quadpaw PerformerSeason 1 Episode 6

Related Research Articles

<i>Return of the Jedi</i> 1983 film directed by Richard Marquand

Return of the Jedi is a 1983 American epic space opera film that is a sequel to The Empire Strikes Back (1980). It is the third installment in the original Star Wars trilogy and the sixth chronological film in the "Skywalker Saga". It is directed by Richard Marquand based on a screenplay by Lawrence Kasdan and George Lucas from a story by Lucas, who was also the executive producer. The film follows the ongoing struggle between the malevolent Galactic Empire and the freedom fighters of the Rebel Alliance. As the Rebels attempt to destroy the Empire's second Death Star, Luke Skywalker tries to bring his father, Darth Vader, back from the dark side of the Force. The film stars Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams, Anthony Daniels, David Prowse, Kenny Baker, Peter Mayhew and Frank Oz.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jar Jar Binks</span> Star Wars character

Jar Jar Binks is a fictional character from the Star Wars saga created by George Lucas. A member of the Gungan race, Jar Jar appears throughout the Star Wars prequel trilogy—as a major character in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace and with a supporting role in Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith—as well as having a role in the television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The first fully computer-generated supporting character in a live-action film, he has been voiced by Ahmed Best in most of his appearances, who also acted out the character with prosthetics prior to the CGI work. He also appears in various other media.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yoda</span> Fictional character in the Star Wars universe

Yoda is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. He is a small, green humanoid alien who is powerful with the Force. He first appeared in the 1980 film The Empire Strikes Back, in which he is voiced and puppeteered by Frank Oz, who reprised the role in Return of the Jedi (1983), the prequel trilogy, the sequel trilogy, and the animated series Star Wars Rebels. Other actors who voice Yoda are Tom Kane, Piotr Michael, John Lithgow, Tony Pope and Peter McConnell. In addition to films and television series, Yoda appears in comics, novels, video games and commercials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Daniels</span> English actor and mime artist (born 1946)

Anthony Daniels is an English actor and mime artist, best known for playing C-3PO in 11 Star Wars films. He is the only actor to have either appeared in or been involved with all theatrical films in the series, and has been involved in many of their spin-offs, including television series, video games, and radio serials.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Mayhew</span> British-American actor (1944–2019)

Peter William Mayhew was a British actor. He was best known for portraying Chewbacca in the Star Wars film series. He played the character in all of his live-action appearances from the 1977 original to 2015's The Force Awakens before his retirement from the role.

The Star Wars sequel trilogy is the third trilogy of the main Star Wars franchise, an American space opera created by George Lucas. It is produced by Lucasfilm Ltd. and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures. The trilogy consists of episodes VII through IX, chronologically following the prequel trilogy and the original trilogy, serving as the final act of the "Skywalker Saga". Lucas had planned a sequel trilogy as early as 1976, but canceled it by 1981. He produced only the first six episodes, and for a time described these as comprising the complete story. The sequel trilogy concept was revived when the Walt Disney Company entered negotiations to acquire Lucasfilm in 2011. Lucas produced new story treatments, but these were largely discarded. Both the acquisition and plans to produce the trilogy were announced in late 2012.

David Chapman is an English actor, presenter, puppeteer and voice artist.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Hamill</span> American actor (born 1951)

Mark Richard Hamill is an American actor. He starred as Luke Skywalker in the Star Wars franchise, in the original and sequel trilogies.

The Force is a metaphysical and ubiquitous power in the Star Wars fictional universe. "Force-sensitive" characters use the Force throughout the franchise. Heroes like the Jedi seek to "become one with the Force", matching their personal wills with the will of the Force, while the Sith and other villains exploit the Force and try to bend it toward their own selfish and destructive desires. The Force has been compared to aspects of several world religions, and the phrase "May the Force be with you" has become part of pop culture vernacular.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwendoline Christie</span> British actress (born 1978)

Gwendoline Christie is an English actress. She is known for portraying Brienne of Tarth in the HBO fantasy-drama series Game of Thrones (2012–2019), and the First Order stormtrooper Captain Phasma in the films Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015) and Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017). For the former, she received a nomination for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2019. Christie has since appeared in the Netflix fantasy series The Sandman and Wednesday.

<i>Star Wars: The Last Jedi</i> 2017 film by Rian Johnson

Star Wars: The Last Jedi is a 2017 American epic space opera film written and directed by Rian Johnson. Produced by Lucasfilm and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the second installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, following The Force Awakens (2015), and the eighth episode of the nine-part "Skywalker saga". The film's ensemble cast includes Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Andy Serkis, Lupita Nyong'o, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Gwendoline Christie, Kelly Marie Tran, Laura Dern, and Benicio del Toro. The Last Jedi follows Rey as she seeks the aid of Luke Skywalker in hopes of turning the tide for the Resistance in the fight against Kylo Ren and the First Order while General Leia Organa, Finn, and Poe Dameron attempt to escape a First Order attack on the dwindling Resistance fleet. The film features the first posthumous film performance by Fisher, who died in December 2016, and the film is dedicated to her memory.

<i>Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker</i> 2019 film by J. J. Abrams

Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a 2019 American epic space opera film produced, co-written, and directed by J. J. Abrams. Produced by Lucasfilm and Abrams's production company Bad Robot, and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it is the third installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, following The Force Awakens (2015) and The Last Jedi (2017), and the final episode of the nine-part "Skywalker saga". Its ensemble cast includes Carrie Fisher, Mark Hamill, Adam Driver, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Anthony Daniels, Naomi Ackie, Domhnall Gleeson, Richard E. Grant, Lupita Nyong'o, Keri Russell, Joonas Suotamo, Kelly Marie Tran, Ian McDiarmid, and Billy Dee Williams. Set after The Last Jedi, The Rise of Skywalker follows Rey, Finn, and Poe Dameron as they lead the remnants of the Resistance in a final stand against Supreme Leader Kylo Ren and the First Order, who are allied by the resurrected Sith Lord, Emperor Palpatine.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Poe Dameron</span> Fictional character in Star Wars

Poe Dameron is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. He was introduced in the 2015 film The Force Awakens, and is portrayed by Oscar Isaac. Poe is an X-wing fighter pilot for the Resistance who inadvertently brings the renegade stormtrooper Finn and the Jakku scavenger Rey into battle against the First Order. The character is featured in The Force Awakens media and merchandising as well as an eponymous comic book series. He returns in the film's sequels The Last Jedi (2017) and The Rise of Skywalker (2019), the animated series Star Wars Resistance (2018–2020) and the television specials The Lego Star Wars Holiday Special (2020), Terrifying Tales (2021) and Summer Vacation (2022). Isaac's performance and the character have received positive reviews, with Poe's characterization being compared to that of Han Solo in the original Star Wars film trilogy.

Nicholas Chee Ping Kellington is a British actor and musician. He is best known for his roles in children's television series, the new Star Wars films and The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance. His television acting career began in 2007, when he portrayed Igglepiggle in the CBeebies show In the Night Garden....

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supreme Leader Snoke</span> Star Wars character

Supreme Leader Snoke is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise. He is an artificial being created by Emperor Palpatine who is aligned with the dark side of the Force. He was introduced in The Force Awakens (2015) as the Supreme Leader of the First Order and the master of Kylo Ren. He subsequently appeared in The Last Jedi (2017), in which he is killed by Ren. In the films, Snoke is a computer-generated character performed by Andy Serkis using motion capture.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Captain Phasma</span> Character in Star Wars

Captain Phasma is a fictional character in the Star Wars franchise, portrayed by English actress Gwendoline Christie. Introduced in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), the first film in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Phasma is the commander of the First Order's force of stormtroopers. Christie returned to the role in the next of the trilogy's films, Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), and in the animated television series Star Wars Resistance (2018) and several video games. The character also made an additional appearance in Before the Awakening, an anthology book set before the events of The Force Awakens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joonas Suotamo</span> Finnish basketball player and actor (born 1986)

Joonas Viljami Suotamo is a Finnish actor and former professional basketball player. He is best known for his role as Chewbacca in the Star Wars saga, taking over the role from Peter Mayhew, first as a body double, with Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), and later as the principal performer of Chewbacca in Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017), Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) and in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker (2019).

<i>Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens</i> 2016 video game

Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens is a 2016 Lego-themed action-adventure game developed by TT Fusion. It is the fifth entry in TT Games' Lego Star Wars series of video games and adapts the events of the 2015 film Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Under license from Lucasfilm, the game was released by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment for Nintendo 3DS, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Wii U, Windows, Xbox 360, and Xbox One, on 28 June 2016, and for Android, and iOS, on 28 July 2016. The game was ported and released by Feral Interactive for OS X on 30 June 2016.

Dee Tails is an English rapper, dancer and actor/creature performer best known for his work in the British boy band MN8, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Rogue One, Star Wars: The Last Jedi and Solo: A Star Wars Story.

References

  1. ↑ "Paul Warren - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  2. ↑ "Paul Warren - IMDb". IMDb. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  3. ↑ "Paul Warren Actor Creature Performer". Paul Warren Actor Creature Performer. Retrieved 19 May 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 "Exclusief interview met Paul Warren (Varmik) | Star Wars Awakens". Star Wars Awakens (in Dutch). 19 May 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  5. ↑ "'Avenger' auteur: Joe Johnston shapes a muscular 'Captain America' | Film Journal International". filmjournal.com. Archived from the original on 30 June 2011. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  6. ↑ "Paul Warren interview". Jedi News. 26 January 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "Meet Paul Warren – Varmik the Hassk Thug – RetroZap!". RetroZap!. 6 March 2016. Retrieved 23 May 2016.
  8. ↑ "Paul Warren on Twitter". Twitter. 15 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  9. ↑ "The Last Jedi Will Feature an Alien Version of Carrie Fisher's Dog". Nerdist. 6 December 2017. Retrieved 28 December 2017.
  10. ↑ "Filmography". Paul Warren Official Website. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  11. ↑ "Filmography". Paul Warren Official Website. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
  12. ↑ "Filmography". Paul Warren Official Website. 3 September 2024. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  13. ↑ "Filmography". Paul Warren Official Website. 3 October 2022. Retrieved 3 October 2022.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.