British actor Brett Goldstein, widely recognized for his role as Roy Kent in Ted Lasso, has shared unexpected details regarding his casting in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Speaking to Men's Health, the performer suggested that his natural chest hair may have been a deciding factor in his selection to play Hercules.
A two-week window to become Hercules
The transition from comedic actor to a Marvel superhero was remarkably sudden for Brett Goldstein.. According to a report from Men's Health, the actor only discovered he had been cast as Hercules just two weeks before filming was set to begin. He recalled the shock of the news, questioning if the casting was a "wind-up" or if people were simply joking with him.
This left the British performer with almost no time to prepare for the physical demands of the role. Goldstein had to quickly adapt his physique to meet the expectations of director Taika Waititi. He admitted to the director that he felt like a "skinny comedian" at the time,prompting an immediate and intense period of physical transformation. To bridge the gap, he even mentioned performing as many as 400 push-ups in a single day to prepare for the shoot.
Victor Del Valle's heavy-weight training schedule
To achieve the muscularity required for a Greek god, Goldstein turned to professional trainer Victor Del Valle. The training regimen is designed to be punishing, focusing on high-intensity superset circuits that utilize very heavy weights. As the source notes, the workload is concentrated into a specific weekly rhythm to allow for recovery.
Goldstein revealed that Del Valle "absolutely f*cking destroys" him three days every week, specifically on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. The remainder of the week is dedicated entirely to physical recovery, a necessary trade-off for the level of muscle mass required to inhabit the role of Hercules within the MCU.
The 'pest control' incident and Hollywood's hair standards
Beyond the physical training, Goldstein's natural appearance may have provided a unique advantage in a casting landscape that often favors a hairless aesthetic. The actor joked that his chest hair was likely a reason for his casting, noting that he only realized how unusual his body type was after moving to Los Angeles. He recounted a humorous moment at a rooftop pool where he believed someone actually called pest control due to his hirsute appearance.
Goldstein noted that he is among a rare group of leading men who still sport a full chest of hair, a trait that Marvel apparently had no issue with. this "hairy" identity is not new to his fans, as it mirrors a comedic moment from the Apple TV+ series Ted Lasso... In the ninth episode of the third season, his character Roy Kent famously defends himself against a comment from Rebecca Welton regardding his "hairy arse." This connection between his real-life traits and his most famous character adds a layer of meta-humor to his Marvel debut.
Will the MCU offer more than a post-credits appearance?
While the casting of Brett Goldstein is confirmed, several questions regarding his longevity in the Marvel Cinematic Universe remain unanswered. The source mentions a post-credits scene, but it is currently unclear if this is a one-off appearance or the beginning of a larger arc for Hercules. fans are left wondering if the studio intends to make the "hairy" Hercules a recurring figure in the franchise's mythological expansion.
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