Deadpool & John Wick Team Up: “The Boys” Hero Faces Brutal Action in New Film!

If you’re a fan of the edgy humor of Deadpool and the thrilling action of John Wick, then “Novocaine” is the perfect film for you!

Led by Jack Quaid, famed for his role in “The Boys,” and starring Amber Midthunder, Ray Nicholson, Jacob Batalon, and Betty Gabriel, the movie follows Nathan Caine, a banker with Congenital Insensitivity to Pain (CIP). When his girlfriend is kidnapped during a robbery, he turns his condition into an unforeseen advantage to save her.

A Role Reminiscent of The Boys

This role mirrors the one played by the son of Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid in “The Boys”: an ordinary man whose life is turned upside down following his girlfriend’s death, leading him to join a squad that hunts down corrupt superheroes. It was his portrayal of Hughie Campbell in “The Boys” that caught the attention of “Novocaine” directors Dan Berk and Robert Olsen.

Dan Berk mentioned in the press kit, “For months, we envisioned Jack Quaid in the role without telling anyone. He was our dream casting. We were fans of his work in The Boys and felt he had tremendous potential. When we brought the idea to the producers and the studio, they were immediately on board. Jack is a powerhouse of charisma. During our first Zoom call with him, it felt like we had known him for 20 years.“

Rigorous Training

Although Quaid, who was recently featured in “Companion,” is no stranger to action roles, he had to undergo extensive training for this physically demanding character.

He shares, “I underwent rigorous physical training for several months, followed by stunt training upon my arrival in South Africa, where the movie was filmed. I had practiced martial arts for previous roles, but this time I had to learn a fighting style unique to Nate. He doesn’t fight like a professional; he must improvise and survive.“

But the toughest part for Jack Quaid was learning not to react to pain: “It was a real challenge,” he explains. “Every instinct told me to wince when I was hit, but Nate feels nothing. I had to find other ways to convey tension and danger.“

And while his character does not feel pain—earning him the nickname “Novocaine” from a high school “friend”—the audience certainly feels it for him! Especially in the first action scene where Nate, in the midst of a fight, retrieves a weapon from a deep fryer filled with boiling oil… plunging his hand into it. He ends up with a raw and blistered hand for the rest of the film.

Jack Quaid comments, “I wore a prosthetic on my hand, but it was still quite shocking. After that scene, I started walking around with this burnt hand just to see people’s reactions on set.” These sequences are reminiscent of the dark humor and self-deprecation seen in Deadpool.

90s Films as References

While “Novocaine” delivers fight scenes reminiscent of John Wick, the directors drew inspiration primarily from iconic action films of the 80s and 90s, especially the Die Hard saga where Bruce Willis plays John McClane, an ordinary man facing adversaries far stronger than him, and films like Lethal Weapon for tone and Hard Boiled for action.

Screenwriter Lars Jacobson humorously adds, “I often compared my script to Bruce Willis’s shirt in Die Hard. It starts white and pristine, and by the end, he’s shirtless and covered in blood. Nate doesn’t always win his fights; he survives them. He overcomes insurmountable obstacles through his wit and ingenuity.“

With its blend of intense action and dark humor, “Novocaine” redefines the classic action hero by adding a more vulnerable and unexpected dimension. But be warned: it’s going to hurt!

Not suitable for viewers under 12, the movie is currently showing in theaters.