Why Konstantine From Extraction 2 Looks So Familiar
Netflix dropped the "Extraction 2" trailer today, showing that Chris Hemsworth's Tyler Rake is back and bringing as much action as physically possible. While audiences will undoubtedly focus on the fact that Tyler Rake is alive and has returned after the first movie's climactic ending, plenty of new cast members are joining the high-octane film.
One of those cast members is Daniel Bernhardt, who plays Konstantine, someone who's sure to give Rake an issue or two. In an article detailing movies hitting the streaming service this year, Netflix announced the actor had joined the production earlier this year. Bernhardt is no newcomer to the action that will feature in "Extraction 2." An avid martial artist, he's appeared in an impressive variety of franchises, with the Netflix movie being his most recent foray into the action genre. Marvel and DC, television and films, big budget and low budget, you name it, Bernhardt's probably dipped his toes into it.
His first appearance dates back over 20 years ago, meaning that he's become one of those faces you just know you've seen before. If you're wondering where you may have seen Bernhardt before, keep reading because we've got you covered.
Bernhardt went toe-to-toe with Morpheus in The Matrix Reloaded
Daniel Bernhardt's first high-profile performance came as Agent Johnson in "The Matrix Reloaded." When Neo (Keanu Reeves) returns to the Matrix, he encounters a new and improved Agent Smith who, after Neo defeats him in the first movie, becomes a rogue program that can pretty much bend the computer program to his will. To flex his new-found powers, Smith creates new and upgraded agents, including Bernhardt's Agent Johnson.
Johnson is one of the many agents that hunt down Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) and Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) after they rescue the Keymaker (Randall Duk Kim). Bernhardt even got to feature in the iconic highway chase scene, arguably one of the greatest action scenes of all time. You may remember him as the Agent that fought Morpheous one-on-one on top of the semi-truck. He gets the upper hand on Morpheus, but Neo flies in to save the day.
While "The Matrix Reloaded" marked Bernhardt's first appearance with Keanu Reeves on the big screen, it wasn't his last appearance alongside the star.
Bernhardt reunites with Keanu Reeves in John Wick
While Keanu Reeves ended up taking the win in "The Matrix Reloaded," Daniel Bernhardt proved to be quite the challenger in their second meeting in "John Wick." In the movie, he plays Kirill, a former commander in the Russian military who Viggo (Michael Nyqvist) hires as a henchman. When John (Reeves) begins his destruction of Viggo's gang, searching for revenge against Iosef (Alfie Allen), he makes quick work of most of the Russians. However, Kirill gives John the biggest challenge in his vendetta quest.
Their first interaction comes after John arrives at the Red Circle nightclub. He manages to get to Iosef, but Kirill intervenes and throws him off the balcony after their hand-to-hand fight. Later in the film, after Marcus (Willem Dafoe) saves John from Viggo's henchmen, he and Kirill fight again. Although he gives him a run for his money, John manages to overpower Kirill, strangling him with his handcuffs.
Unfortunately, Bernhardt doesn't appear in any of the subsequent sequels, but John is sure to remember the man that gave him so much trouble after he returned to the hitman world.
Bernhardt continued fighting tired hitmen in Barry
Daniel Bernhardt only appeared in one episode of "Barry," but made a lasting impression on any fan of the HBO dark comedy. In Season 2, Episode 5, "ronny/lily," he plays one half of the titular duo, Ronny.
After Loach (John Pirruccello) blackmails Barry (Bill Hader) into killing his ex-wife's lover, Barry attempts a peaceful resolution, electing not to kill Ronny. As per usual, things don't go as he planned, and Ronny ends up being a Taekwondo master, with Bernhardt flexing his real-life fighting skills. Unfortunately for him, he collapses with a broken windpipe, allowing Barry to escape. However, their interactions don't end there, as the two run into each other at a drugstore. Before they can resume their fight, Loach arrives and shoots Ronny, who kills Loach before dying.
Barry and Ronny's hilarious fight further showcases the greatness of "Barry," as it perfectly balances comedy and action. Although Bernhardt's character couldn't stick around for more episodes, his brief appearance on the HBO series showcased his acting and martial arts talents.
Bernhardt appeared in the underrated series Altered Carbon
While "Altered Carbon" will likely never get the respect it deserves, Daniel Bernhardt did play a significant role in Season 1. The actor played Jaeger, the father figure for Takeshi Kovacs (Joel Kinnaman/Byron Mann). His recurring role in Season 1 comes primarily through flashbacks, detailing Kovacs life before he died and re-sleeved into a new body.
Jaeger was the CTAC Praetorian that found Kovacs as a kid, training and molding him into a future Praetorian. However, Kovacs betrays Jaeger, choosing to join the Uprising instead. Years later, Jaeger led the team that arrested Kovacs, killing his partner, Sarah, in the process. The arrest resulted in Kovacs moving his mind into another sleeve.
In a shocking twist, Jaeger returns in Season 2, revealing himself as Ivan Carrera. However, Bernhardt only plays him in flashbacks. Instead, the character re-sleeved himself, meaning he assumed a new body and looked completely different. Torben Liebrecht plays the new version of Jaegar, picking up the role where Bernhardt left off.
Bernhardt technically joins the MCU in The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special
Although it's his most minor role featured in this list, Daniel Bernhardt has appeared in the MCU, playing Gobot in "The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special." When Drax (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) arrive in Los Angeles on the hunt for Kevin Bacon, they stumble across the Chinese Theater, where Drax notices a man dressed as a Gobot. He threatens the cosplayer's life because Gobots killed his cousin, but luckily Mantis is there to hold him back. Unfortunately for Bernhardt and his Gobot, Drax eventually gets his hands on him, beating him to the ground.
The "Holiday Special" isn't the first time Bernhardt participated in a Marvel project. He previously played an unnamed Hydra thug in "Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.," lent his talents as a stunt worker on "Captain America: Civil War" and "Deadpool 2," and played Bone Breaker, a background soldier in "Logan." He also played Sionis' (Ewan McGregor) chauffeur in "Birds of Prey," making him one of few actors who have crossed between Marvel and DC. While he's already played a part in both, none of the roles have been all that significant, meaning Bernhardt could theoretically come back to either the MCU or DCU as a more substantial character.