10 Actors Who Criticised Their Own Recent Movie Roles
3. Yahya Abdul-Mateen II As Black Manta - Aquaman
Comic-book movies have typically found a strong balance between big-name and lesser-known actors. The MCU alone has turned many of the latter into the former, but the DCEU has typically leaned towards more well-known faces.
Joining the likes of Ben Affleck, Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, and more in the franchise was Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. The actor has a long list of impressive roles, from Watchmen to The Trial of the Chicago 7, but his most famous was as Black Manta in 2018's Aquaman.
As something of a secondary villain behind Patrick Wilson's Orm, the actor brought a lot to the role, but has since spoken out against it. Bautista called Drax silly, but that may not seem quite so harsh compared to Abdul-Mateen II's words about Aquaman.
The actor told Vulture that working on these types of movies and in these types of roles is "clown work", which feels rather condescending to the entire genre. What's more surprising is that, even in spite of clearly viewing his role in Aquaman as lesser than many of his other roles, he is still set to return for the sequel later this year.