Exploring Joseph Quinn's Year of Triumph: Gladiator II, Fantastic Four, and Beyond
Entertainment Weekly reconnects with the beloved star of "Stranger Things" as he is honored with the Breakthrough Performer of the Year Award at CinemaCon.
Joseph Quinn admitted that he had never even heard of CinemaCon until he was announced as one of its 2024 headliners. Despite this, the Stranger Things actor made a significant presence at the Las Vegas-based event for movie theater owners.
Before receiving the convention’s Breakthrough Performer of the Year award, Quinn took the stage at Paramount’s major panel at Caesar’s Palace. There, he joined his Oscar-winning co-star Lupita Nyong'o to present footage from A Quiet Place: Day One. Additionally, Quinn made an appearance in a pre-recorded message from the cast of Gladiator II, introducing the eagerly anticipated sequel to Ridley Scott’s 2000 classic.
"Later, Quinn remarks on the Gladiator footage, saying, 'It's pretty crazy, huh? I noticed there weren't any boos, which is a relief, and nobody was hurling things at the screen. So, that's a good sign.'"
The London-based actor, aged 30, connects with Entertainment Weekly via Zoom from his hotel room on the same Thursday afternoon. Despite both of us being in Vegas for the event, schedules are meticulously planned, leading to a virtual discussion from different towers at Caesar’s Palace. Despite his packed schedule, he exudes a calm demeanor as he prepares to be recognized later that evening for his rapidly ascending career, highlighted by his role as Johnny Storm (aka the Human Torch) in Marvel's highly anticipated Fantastic Four film. "That's reassuring to hear," he responds with a smile.
Surrounded by an esteemed cohort of award recipients, Quinn finds himself amidst luminaries such as Nyong’o, Amy Poehler (recipient of the Vanguard Award), Geena Davis (honored with the Viola Davis Trailblazer Award), Shawn Levy (acknowledged as Director of the Year for his work on Deadpool and Wolverine), Dan Stevens (recognized for Excellence in Acting), Dennis Quaid (recipient of the Icon Award), and Ariana Greenblatt (celebrated as the Rising Star of 2024).
"This is my first time in Vegas," Quinn remarks, reflecting on the novelty of the occasion. "Awards ceremonies, they're something else. I mean, sure, it's an opportunity to be here in Vegas and all that," he adds with a wry chuckle, acknowledging the surreal nature of his situation. "Yeah, I was definitely excited."
Preparing for the moment when your career skyrockets is a challenge. For Quinn, glimpses of that life came early. Amidst the Game of Thrones frenzy, he secured a minor role in the seventh season's fourth episode, "The Spoils of War" (2017), as Koner, one of Winterfell's guards. He vividly recalls filming in Belfast alongside Danny Kirrane, who played Henk, the other guard. Reflecting on that time, Quinn reminisces about the excitement rippling through the industry, especially for those landing roles in Game of Thrones.
Coincidentally, filmmaker Matt Shakman, currently collaborating with Quinn on The Fantastic Four, happened to direct that specific episode. Quinn reflects, "It's a delightful full-circle moment. When discussing the role of Johnny Storm with him, we reminisced about our rainy days in Belfast with fondness."
Quinn's career trajectory saw steady momentum following his stint on Game of Thrones. He took on diverse roles, appearing in the Starz miniseries Howard’s End alongside Hayley Atwell and Matthew Macfadyen (2017), the World War II-themed horror flick Overlord (2018), the epic Catherine the Great led by Helen Mirren (2019), and the PBS/BBC One adaptation of Les Misérables (2019). However, it was his portrayal of Eddie Munson in Stranger Things that catapulted him into the spotlight. Playing the Dungeons & Dragons aficionado and high school metalhead, Quinn became an instant fan favorite when the fourth season dropped on Netflix in 2022.
Reflecting on his journey, Quinn embraces risk over comfort, expressing, “I think if you're looking too much at, ‘will this be good for my career?’ then you're not risking very much. I think you want to be in uncomfortable situations. I think that's the thing. You don't want to be returning to something that feels safe because I think that there's little risk there.”
"Did it seem like Stranger Things was a gamble? 'Did you catch sight of that wig?' Quinn quips."
When reflecting on his time with Stranger Things, he finds more delight in the camaraderie of the ensemble cast rather than dwelling on individual fan reactions to his performance. "The collaborative experience of pulling off those heists together was incredibly fulfilling," he remarks. Nonetheless, Quinn acknowledges the gratifying response from viewers: "Seeing people connect with the work you've poured yourself into is truly heartwarming."
One particular reaction still leaves him bewildered, involving Doja Cat. Following her Twitter praise of Quinn as "fine as s---," Noah Schnapp, one of the show's stars, shared screenshots on TikTok revealing private messages from the "Say So" singer, seeking assistance in connecting with the actor behind Eddie Munson.
Quinn reflects on the situation, finding humor in it. "The whole experience was odd, but amazing," he remarks. "I have immense admiration for her as an artist. It's surreal to see people connecting with something I've created, especially considering the extent of its reach. She's incredibly talented, and it's cool that she liked my character." His enthusiasm doesn't wane when he mentions Jack Black calling Eddie his favorite Stranger Things character. "I'm bragging a bit," Quinn admits. "But it's surreal that Jack Black even knows me."
In certain aspects, Quinn acknowledges the profound impact Stranger Things had on his life and career, but he's cautious not to dwell solely on his newfound fame. His upcoming role in A Quiet Place: Day One (releasing June 28), a prequel to the popular monster franchise initiated by John Krasinski, situated in New York City during the initial hours of an alien invasion, marks his debut in a significant American film project post-Stranger Things buzz. Following this, Quinn is set to star as Roman Emperor Caracalla in Gladiator II, slated for release on November 22. Despite his escalating resume, Quinn remains grounded, crediting his friends and family for their support. Reflecting on his experiences, he shares, "I ensured that my family had the opportunity to witness the Colosseum," alluding to the iconic arena featured in Scott's epic film. "Such experiences are truly rare, and sharing them with the individuals who've been instrumental in my journey is incredibly meaningful."
On screen, Quinn embodies Caracalla with palpable enthusiasm, though he modestly shrugs off the acclaim. When asked about his immersion in the role, he simply responds, “I dunno about that. Yeah, I guess so.” Meanwhile, Paul Mescal portrays Lucius, the matured offspring of Lucilla, played by Connie Nielsen, and the nephew of Joaquin Phoenix's Commodus. In the preview footage unveiled at CinemaCon, Quinn captivates in a billowing white toga, adorned with a golden laurel-leaf crown, his skin dusted with white powder as he theatrically signals the fate of vanquished gladiators with a downward thrust of his thumb. Reflecting on his performance and its resemblance to Phoenix's portrayal, Quinn admits, “Honestly, barely even thought about that.” Any parallels may have arisen organically, yet he acknowledges, “More is always more for Ridley. He always wants to play the chords louder and turn it up and go for the more brave or bold form of communicating it.”
Quinn attributes much of his success to Nielsen. Despite Nielsen's consistently calm demeanor, Quinn vividly recalls the anxiety he felt when taking on the Caracalla role. "We were all acutely aware of the weight of the original film's legacy," he reflects. "Many hold it in high regard, which made revisiting it a daunting prospect." However, once on set, Quinn was awe-struck by the immense scale of the Colosseum. "It's staggering, truly unbelievable," he remarks. "Working on a project of such magnitude alters your perspective. Witnessing the recreation of ancient Rome in Malta for the film was nothing short of incredible."
Nielsen stepped in to guide their conduct in the Colosseum, according to him. The actress, present in many of Quinn's scenes and even featured in the CinemaCon footage, brought a reassuring aura amid his nerves. "I was quite anxious, but she exuded a calming presence," he fondly recalls. "She's truly remarkable."
Though the film hasn't hit theaters yet, with no public trailer to speak of, Quinn is gearing up for a different kind of challenge. While Gladiator II promises an otherworldly, once-in-a-lifetime blockbuster experience, The Fantastic Four delves into the realm of family heroes: Marvel's First Family. Quinn reunites with his Gladiator co-star Pedro Pascal, who takes on the role of Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic), alongside Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm (Invisible Woman), Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm (The Thing), and Julia Garner as the female incarnation of the Silver Surfer from the comics. "I'm eagerly anticipating building this familial bond with them," Quinn remarks, nodding towards Shakman's expertise in character development.
"Quinn hints at the uniqueness of this Marvel film, emphasizing its departure from the usual formula. "There are aspects of it that set it apart, making it truly distinctive," he suggests. "The script itself is outstanding, truly brilliant." Reflecting on Chris Evans' portrayal of the Human Torch in the earlier Fantastic Four movies, Quinn recalls enjoying Evans' performance and sees this new role as an exciting challenge. "You have to put your own stamp on it, right?" he muses. "It's a big task, stepping into those shoes."
The upcoming release of the new Fantastic Four film coincides with a pivotal moment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe's journey. With recent lukewarm box office performances of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania and The Marvels, industry insiders ponder whether this signals a shift in audience interest away from blockbuster superhero fare. "Superhero movies are fundamentally about people," remarks Quinn. "It's the characters, their struggles, and the grandeur of the spectacle that draw audiences to theaters."
Regarding Fantastic Four, Quinn asserts, "We're not just dipping a toe in the water here; we're diving in headfirst. We're fully committed to delivering something extraordinary."
In all of Quinn's current roles, including the upcoming Warfare directed by Alex Garland, the actor is committed to exploring new territory. He describes the film as an attempt to redefine the war genre in an innovative way. Quinn is fully invested in tackling whatever challenges come his way.
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