Marvel project are known for their comedy be it through the protagonist, sometimes antagonist, or smaller side characters. The Disney Plus shows are no exception some even leaning more heavily into the comedy. Hawkeye does an impressive job of balancing comedy with drama and action. One of the key comedic components in Hawkeye are the antagonistic henchmen, the Tack Suit Mafia.
We had the opportunity to speak with Aleks Paunovic about his new movie Zero Contact where he also takes on a more comedic role as Trevor. While speaking to Aleks we asked him about his time on Hawkeye playing Ivan one of the members of the Track Suit Mafia. Aleks shared his experience including the secrecy of Marvel’s production process, what it was like working with Jeremy Renner and Hailee Steinfeld, as well as a possible return in Echo. Aleks also talked about being able to improv quite a bit with the other members of the Track Suit Mafia.
ALEKS PAUNOVIC ON THE FUN OF IMPROVISING WITH THE TRACK SUIT MAFIA ON HAWKEYE
“Oh my god, we had so much fun with it. The best part of that was Carlos [Navarro] and Tomas, we became really, really great friends. We all became very close from shooting in New York and Atlanta. And so, a lot of improv also. Because we just got to play with each other. We were at the same level. So, there’s a lot of things that were cut off, that to us were just hilarious.
Because they just let us go. They just let us off the leash and some of the stuff that you see in the show is improv, too. Just because we had a great chemistry. And they allowed us to kind of do our thing, which is a testament to Marvel and letting us kind of go off and be the track suit mafia.”
Since it seems Marvel gave the cast a chance to experiment and improvise quite a bit, we asked Aleks if there were any scenes that were cut from Hawkeye with the Track Suit Mafia. While he didn’t share specifics he does explain that the cut scenes wouldn’t have worked within the context of the series, which was largely a mystery to him while filming.
Aleks also talked a bit more about how the secrecy of Marvel’s production style allowed him to fully experience Hawkeye as a fan as well as an actor:
“Yeah, there was a few scenes. I thought that show was so fun. And it is so interesting because Hawkeye was, Marvel’s very secretive. So, we never got scripts. We only showed up with our sides for that day and then learning the lines and handing in our sides. So, we never really got the full script. So, I had a viewing party at my house and I was watching a TV show that I literally had no idea what was going on. Just like everyone else, which was really fun to be a part of.
And then I even forgot about a lot of the scenes that we shot that didn’t make it in. And then you sit back and you go, “Oh, yeah, there is no way that would have worked, but man, was that a fun scene to shoot.” So, yeah, I don’t think it would have worked in the show, but it was definitely fun.”
Hawkeye is full of comedic moments and the Track Suit Mafia constantly proves to be one of the most hilarious parts of the series. Knowing that they were given the space to find that chemistry makes their dynamic even more fun to watch. Although we would love to see some of the scenes that were too ridiculous to include. Hopefully the Track Suit Mafia will return in some capacity with even more comedy as they fight against street level heroes.
Hawkeye is available now on Disney Plus. You can also see Aleks Paunovic in Zero Contact which is available on digital. What did you think of Hawkeye? Do you want to see the scrapped Track Suit Mafia scene? Do you hope to see the Track Suit Mafia return in the MCU? Leave your thoughts in the comments below or on our social media and check back with The Illuminerdi for more.
KEEP READING: HAWKEYE STAR ALEKS PAUNOVIC REVEALS MARVEL STUDIOS’ SECRET FILMING PROCESS: EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
