Oh wow, okay, so this is just too perfect. It's been announced today that Game of Thrones actor Iwan Rheon has been cast in the role of Maximus for Marvel and ABC's planned INHUMANS live-action series! Recently, Marvel was granted a straight-to-series order (because of course they were) in their effort to bring the cosmic-level shenanigans of Black Bolt and the royal family to life.
In accordance with Marvel comics and the INHUMANS rich history therein, Maximus is known as an intelligent and manipulative member of the royal family, whose persistent devotion to his race has prompted him to commit unspeakable acts against those outside the noble bloodline time and again. As the brother of the silent king of Attilan, Black Bolt, Maximus will undoubtedly act as a harbinger of bad tidings as he works to usurp the crown from his kin.
In speaking about the casting news, Marvel Television and executive producer of INHUMANS, Jeph Loeb, had this to say, "Iwan’s ability to be charming, roguish, and still completely unexpectedly dangerous were all the different sides we needed to bring the character to life. We’re thrilled to have him on board."
As it was previously announced, the first two episodes of INHUMANS will run worldwide exclusively in IMAX theaters for two weeks at the beginning of September 2017. After that, the series will make its television debut in the fall on ABC – complete with content that is exclusive to the channel. Scott Buck will serve as the executive producer and showrunner for those first two episodes, and he's got something to say about Maximus being an integral part of the program as well, "Maximus is a complete character. Likable, charming, tragic and villainous all in the same moment, and I'm very excited to have someone of Iwan's considerable talent."
Damn right you are, Scott! I personally think this casting choice is spot-on, and I can't wait to see what Rheon does with the role. For my money, Ramsay Bolton has been one of the most terrible and insidious characters to come out of HBO's GAME OF THRONES, and that's really saying something. That show is chock full of awful, greedy, and sadistic individuals, but holy cats was Bolton just the worst.
So what do you all think? Does this news have you more excited about INHUMANS? Has the up-and-down quality of Marvel's AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. soured you on adding yet another comic book-related program to your schedule? Let us know what you're thinking in the comments section below.
And just as a point of note, don't forget that AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR is slated to dominate the box office beginning on May 4, 2018.