{"id":405002,"date":"2026-04-22T11:16:10","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T11:16:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/405002\/"},"modified":"2026-04-22T11:16:10","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T11:16:10","slug":"yahya-abdul-mateen-ii-knows-man-on-fire-is-a-risk-but-hes-got-thick-skin","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/405002\/","title":{"rendered":"Yahya Abdul-Mateen II knows ‘Man on Fire’ is a risk, but he’s ‘got thick skin’"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Smiles come easily for Yahya Abdul-Mateen II these days, especially when describing what it\u2019s like to be on \u201cthe train.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m incredibly blessed,\u201d he says. \u201cLife is good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since winning a supporting actor Emmy in 2020 for HBO\u2019s \u201cWatchmen,\u201d Abdul-Mateen has been on a nonstop roll with multiple projects. His year kicked off on a high note with Disney+\u2019s hit Marvel series \u201cWonder Man<\/a>,\u201d which was quickly renewed for a second season. His future slate includes Apple\u2019s sci-fi thriller \u201cLiminal\u201d and the civil rights drama \u201cBy Any Means\u201d with Mark Wahlberg.<\/p>\n

But when asked if his upcoming Netflix drama \u201cMan on Fire<\/a>\u201d could represent a risky gamble, the smile transforms into a full-throated laugh.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that right?\u201d Abdul-Mateen says, his chuckle filling a small room in one of the streamer\u2019s Hollywood offices.<\/p>\n

The seven-episode drama is the latest adaptation of A.J. Quinnell\u2019s first two novels about former French Foreign Legion soldier John Creasy. The most well-known version \u2014 2004\u2019s \u201cMan on Fire\u201d \u2014 repurposes Creasy as a burned-out counterterrorism agent who goes on the warpath after a young girl under his care is kidnapped.<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

Abdul-Mateen as John Creasy in Netflix\u2019s \u201cMan on Fire.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Juan Rosas \/ Netflix)<\/p>\n

That popular film starring Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning stands as one of the most solid showcases of Washington\u2019s edgy, magnetic screen presence, and director Tony Scott\u2019s flashy, kinetic intensity.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love, love, love, love that movie,\u201d says Abdul-Mateen. \u201cI love the performances of Denzel and Dakota. They were a team. There\u2019s a beautiful simplicity to their performances and their story.\u201d<\/p>\n

He acknowledges that a new \u201cMan on Fire\u201d may be met with furrowed brows by fans of the film, admitting his own initial skepticism about taking on a vehicle so strongly identified with Washington.<\/p>\n

\u201cSure, there was a responsible level of trepidation,\u201d Abdul-Mateen says. \u201cThat\u2019s respect \u2014 respect for myself, as well as Denzel and everyone who took part on that film. I had to respect that work to find a justification for doing this. Otherwise I\u2019m just setting myself for guaranteed failure.\u201d<\/p>\n

He adds, \u201cI\u2019m still setting myself up for the scrutinization. But that\u2019s fun. I can deal with that. I\u2019ve got thick skin. I can take it.\u201d <\/p>\n

The laugh erupts again.<\/p>\n

But he also sees the series as another opportunity to demonstrate his craft and the strong self-confidence he has possessed ever since he was young.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the light I have within me,\u201d he says. \u201cI\u2019ve always known it, but I also have humility about it. It allows me to try different things. It allows me to fail. It allows me to step into a \u2018Man on Fire.\u2019 Someone might say, \u2018You\u2019re crazy to touch that.\u2019 But I say, \u2018I don\u2019t mind stepping into the dangerous places. I don\u2019t mind failing or exploring publicly.\u2019 \u201d<\/p>\n

That confidence has propelled him through a diverse resume in the last several years. The actor played the villainous Black Manta in DC\u2019s \u201cAquaman\u201d and \u201cAquaman and the Lost Kingdom,\u201d and his film roles have included \u201cAmbulance,\u201d \u201cUs,\u201d \u201cThe Greatest Showman\u201d and 2021\u2019s reboot of the horror classic \u201cCandyman.\u201d<\/p>\n

He also has a track record of stepping into characters originated by other performers. In HBO\u2019s racially charged version of the comic book franchise \u201cWatchmen,\u201d Abdul-Mateen played the mysterious Doctor Manhattan<\/a>, who was portrayed by Billy Crudup in the 2009 \u201cWatchmen\u201d film.<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

\u201cSure, there was a responsible level of trepidation,\u201d Abdul-Mateen says about the Netflix adaptation of \u201cMan on Fire.\u201d \u201cThat\u2019s respect \u2014 respect for myself, as well as Denzel and everyone who took part on that film.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Bexx Francois \/ For The Times)<\/p>\n

And in \u201cThe Matrix Resurrections<\/a>,\u201d the 2021 chapter of \u201cThe Matrix\u201d franchise, Abdul-Mateen played Orpheus, a character previously portrayed by Laurence Fishburne.<\/p>\n

All those projects represent what he calls his continuous \u201csearch for truth, sincerity and honesty which has created a body of work that leaves the viewer curious about what else I can do. Hopefully when people see my work, they see me after something, trying to figure something out.\u201d<\/p>\n

This quest has proved to be particularly rewarding this year with the back-to-back debuts of \u201cWonder Man\u201d and \u201cMan on Fire\u201d: \u201cI\u2019m fortunate to be able to show my versatility as an artist, to show two different sides. You would never see these two guys in the same room. Hopefully there is a sense of honesty in both characters that shows a through line in my work.\u201d<\/p>\n

He had a good feeling that Marvel\u2019s \u201cWonder Man\u201d would strike a chord with audiences. The comedy-drama stars Abdul-Mateen as Simon Williams, a struggling Hollywood actor who wants to star in a remake of the superhero saga \u201cWonder Man\u201d while hiding his own superpowers. Co-starring in the show is Ben Kingsley, who plays fellow actor Trevor Slattery.<\/p>\n

\u201cI always thought \u2018Wonder Man\u2019 was special, so I felt I had the win in my pocket even before we put it out,\u201d he says. \u201cThe win was in the making of it. That\u2019s what all my jobs should feel like. Ben Kingsley and I had a high level of respect for each other. The show really resonated with artists who didn\u2019t feel seen. Everyone has dreams, and that\u2019s what really resonated in that show.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPlus,\u201d he adds, \u201cI really wanted to remind people that I can smile, that there\u2019s a light.\u201d<\/p>\n

Abdul-Mateen rarely smiles in \u201cMan on Fire,\u201d which shares some parallels with the Washington film (the first film version released in 1987 and starring Scott Glenn is largely forgotten).<\/p>\n

Kyle Killen, who created the series and is the showrunner, declared that he is also a huge fan of the Washington film. \u201cIt\u2019s a super-compelling character and narrative. I think that\u2019s why it\u2019s had so many adaptations. It lends itself to finding a place in the world even as it evolves.\u201d <\/p>\n

Killen does not consider the series as a gamble: \u201cWe\u2019re not trying to copy anything. What the film does do is set a bar. There was something unique about the visual language and the way that all came together. That gave us license to try and find our own. \u201c<\/p>\n

\"A <\/p>\n

In addition to starring in \u201cMan on Fire,\u201d the actor starred in Marvel\u2019s \u201cWonder Man\u201d earlier this year: \u201cThe show really resonated with artists who didn\u2019t feel seen.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Bexx Francois \/ For The Times)<\/p>\n

The 2004 film is set in Mexico City and introduces Washington as Creasy, who is despondent and an alcoholic when he takes on the assignment of being a bodyguard to Pita (Fanning), the young daughter of wealthy automaker Samuel Ramos (Marc Anthony). When Pita is kidnapped, Creasy, who has formed a strong bond with the youngster, sets out on a blood-soaked mission of violence and torture.<\/p>\n

The Netflix series takes more time in setting up Creasy\u2019s character, introducing him as a cocky Special Forces leader who descends into despair and alcoholism after a mission he\u2019s in charge of goes horribly wrong.<\/p>\n

Following an unsuccessful suicide attempt, Creasy\u2019s best friend Paul Rayburn (Bobby Cannavale) recruits him to join him in Brazil and help lead an anti-terrorist operation. When the skyscraper where Rayburn and his family lives is destroyed in an explosion, Creasy attempts to regain his military prowess in his determination to protect Rayburn\u2019s rebellious teen daughter Poe (Billie Boullet), who has been targeted by the terrorists.<\/p>\n

Adbul-Mateen characterizes Creasy as a great character who has reached the depths of desperation but sees a glimpse of hope: \u201cIf this alcoholic had some fight and military leadership skills, what would it look like for him to build himself back up long enough to keep his friend\u2019s daughter safe?\u201d<\/p>\n

He compares his Creasy to Hamlet or Othello. \u201cHe\u2019s incredibly hurt, human and broken,\u201d he says. \u201cHe was put in a position he was not ready for, and that was exciting for me. The whole time I was filming, I was saying to myself, \u2018This man should not be here.\u2019 So getting an opportunity to give my take on a great character helps a lot to push me out of the shadows of that large ghost that could otherwise be hanging over the project.\u201d<\/p>\n

In addition to starring, Abdul-Mateen is an executive producer on the series, and says he took a direct approach to his behind-the-scenes role.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was always advocating for what\u2019s going to be the most honest and the most entertaining,\u201d he says. \u201cI would ask, \u2018Why would he do that? Why would we do this?\u2019 or \u2018I\u2019m talking too much.\u2019 The audience wants to see me work. They don\u2019t want to see me talk.\u201d<\/p>\n

While feeling \u201cextremely gracious\u201d that he has kept busy, Adbul-Mateen is concerned about \u201csome of my fellow actors who are working, but I would like to see them more.\u201d<\/p>\n

He\u2019s founded a production company, House Eleven10, to develop projects for himself and those performers. \u201cWhere is the great material, the material that I want to do and that I know they want to do? I am driven to create that environment for myself and other artists.\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s all part, he says, of being \u201con the train.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Smiles come easily for Yahya Abdul-Mateen II these days, especially when describing what it\u2019s like to be on…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":405003,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[191559,6935,191558,745,146,878,5210,191562,85,46,20606,191560,191563,52054,5458,730,191561,1264],"class_list":{"0":"post-405002","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-entertainment","8":"tag-abdul-mateen","9":"tag-character","10":"tag-creasy","11":"tag-denzel-washington","12":"tag-entertainment","13":"tag-film","14":"tag-fire","15":"tag-honesty","16":"tag-il","17":"tag-israel","18":"tag-man","19":"tag-multiple-project","20":"tag-rayburn","21":"tag-respect","22":"tag-series","23":"tag-washington","24":"tag-watchmen","25":"tag-work"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/405002","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=405002"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/405002\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/405003"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=405002"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=405002"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=405002"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}