69-year-old Pierce Brosnan is already a legend. But as if having four Bond films under his belt, including 1995’s GoldenEye, and a memorable role in Mrs. Doubtfire and 94 episodes of Remington Steele weren’t enough to cement the Irish actor’s legacy, he can now check “superhero” off his list. Brosnan’s latest endeavor finds him starring alongside Dwayne Johnson and Aldis Hodge in DC’s Black Adam where he plays Kent Nelson, aka Doctor Fate. As Brosnan enters into his fifth decade as an actor, he remains busy despite having five children and three grandchildren. As it turns out, he might have his children to thank for his latest role.
In an interview at Black Adam’s World Premiere, Brosnan explained how his son’s fascination with another comic book doctor, Doctor Strange, among other things, inspired him to take on the role of Kent Nelson in Black Adam.
I loved Doctor Strange and my sons, who are comic book aficionados, would say, “Dad, Doctor Strange.” Well we all know who Doctor Strange his and he is epically brilliant. Benedict…But then you have the bookend to that and it’s Doctor Fate. And Doctor Fate is much-loved, one of the senior members of the sorcerer’s world. Jaume Collet-Serra is the director. Dwayne Johnson as Black Adam. The cast. The text. The script works on many different levels. I think it covers them in a very subtle way and sometimes on the nose culturally…politically…socially. And, more importantly, in a grandiose, epic, entertaining way.
Pierce Brosnan
DC comic fans will know that Nelson is just one of several characters to take on the mantle of Doctor Fate but is considered to be the most powerful to have ever donned the Helmet of Fate. While the character has previously appeared in DC-related media, it’s likely that Brosnan’s version will be the one that enters into the collective consciousness of pop culture. Whether or not that means he’ll return in the role again, or if another character from the comics assumes the mantle, remains to be seen. Either way, it’s another checkmark on the legendary Brosnan’s list of achievements.
