Why Murphy From Going In Style Looks So Familiar
In yet another example of Netflix reclaiming a film that was largely overlooked at the time of its release, "Going in Style" is beginning to find a new audience on the streaming platform. The 2017 heist comedy, starring Morgan Freeman, Michael Caine, and Alan Arkin, focuses on a trio of elderly men who decide to pull off a daring heist when their pensions are cut by their former employers. The film's supporting ensemble features plenty of notable character actors and numerous interesting supporting characters, such as Brooklyn and Murphy.
Eagle-eyed viewers may think Murphy from "Going in Style" looks quite familiar. That's because the character is portrayed by British actor and comedian Peter Serafinowicz. With a lengthy career and a long list of IMDb credits dating back to the 1990s, Serafinowicz has appeared in numerous roles that many audiences have likely seen. The following list contains some of his biggest and best.
Peter Serafinowicz was killed by zombies in Shaun of the Dead
One of the earliest notable roles for Peter Serafinowicz came in 2005 with the release of Edgar Wright's beloved horror-comedy film, "Shaun of the Dead." The offbeat take on the zombie genre saw Simon Pegg take on the titular role of Shaun, a slacker forced to step up and become a hero when a zombie outbreak takes over England. In the film, Serafinowicz portrays Pete, Shaun's no-nonsense roommate who ends up becoming one of the hero's first undead encounters.
One thing worth noting about Peter Serafinowicz is that he is actually a frequent collaborator with Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Nick Frost. In addition to his role in "Shaun of the Dead," the actor also appeared in numerous related projects such as "Spaced," and "The World's End," as well as the "Grindhouse" segment "Don't," which Edgar Wright directed. That said, his performance in Wright's classic zombie comedy arguably remains his biggest and most notable collaboration with the Cornetto Trilogy creative team to date.
He called The Guardians of the Galaxy a bunch of A-holes
Peter Serafinowicz has appeared in numerous franchises and crossed paths with plenty of beloved characters during his time as an actor. That said, his highest-grossing on-screen role (second only to "The Phantom Menace," which he lended his voice to) to date is 2014's "Guardians of the Galaxy," which saw him portray Garthan Saal. Saal is a member of the Nova Corps who teams up with the titular heroes during the film's climax against Lee Pace's Ronan the Accuser. Alas, things don't go well for Saal during the movie's final battle, as he is killed trying to defend Xandar from the Kree warriors.
Whether or not there is room for Peter Serafinowicz to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Garthan Saal remains to be seen. His death in "Guardians of the Galaxy" (coupled with the destruction of Xandar and the Nova Corps in the leadup to "Avengers: Infinity War") seems to suggest that he may not return in the current timeline. However, there is always room for him to show up in a prequel storyline, or a multiverse narrative spurred by Disney+ shows like "What If...?" or "Loki." Only time will tell.
Serafinowicz portrayed an Italian secret agent in Spy
Though Paul Feig's "Bridesmaids" was primarily a vehicle for "Saturday Night Live" veteran Kristen Wiig, one of the film's biggest breakouts was Melissa McCarthy. As such, that film led to numerous leading projects for the "Mike & Molly" actress, including 2015's "Spy." The film centers on McCarthy as Susan Cooper, a bored CIA analyst who volunteers for a dangerous mission. In the film, Peter Serafinowicz portrays an Italian agent named Aldo, Susan's contact throughout the film who takes the concept of Italian romance a little too far in almost every scene.
"Spy" arguably remains one of the best and most underrated entries in the Melissa McCarthy filmography to this very day. As such, many have clamored for a sequel to bring back her character for an all-new adventure. There is currently no word as to whether or not "Spy 2" will actually happen. Still, if it does, many fans may hold out hope that Peter Serafinowicz will return to his role as Aldo to accompany McCarthy's Susan Cooper.
He helped John Wick pick out an arsenal
The "John Wick" franchise has become well-known for its clever use of notable character actors, and "John Wick: Chapter 2" showed that off beautifully in how it deployed Peter Serafinowicz. Appearing in a single scene in the highly anticipated sequel, Serafinowicz portrayed The Sommelier, a weapons expert who helps outfit the titular assassin for a hit during the movie's second act. Serafinowicz proves himself to be a complete scene stealer in the sequence, utilizing his deep and soothing voice to make the act of purchasing firearms somehow seem sophisticated and classy.
Though Serafinowicz did not get much screen time in "John Wick: Chapter 2," he made enough of an impression in his single-scene role to become a central hook of the film's marketing. In fact, he appeared in numerous trailers as he wished Mr. Wick well at his "party." At this time, there is no indication that the Sommelier will return to the Keanu Reeves-led franchise when "John Wick 4" debuts, but it's easy to imagine that he would be a welcome sight for fans of the series.
Serafinowicz was The Tick
Throughout his career, Peter Serafinowicz has largely become well-known and highly-regarded for supporting roles. However, one of his most prominent leading roles to date was that of the titular hero in Amazon's reboot of "The Tick." As the central hero in a series full of bizarre and off-kilter heroes and villains, The Tick is a "nigh invulnerable" hero in a blue tick suit who has no memory of his past life before becoming a superhero. In the series, he partners with a mild-mannered man named Arthur ("Blank Check" podcast host Griffin Newman), who eventually becomes The Tick's sidekick in his crimefighting escapades.
"The Tick" was well-reviewed by critics and audiences alike upon its debut in 2016. However, the series only ran for two seasons on the streaming service before Amazon decided to pull the plug. Following the series' cancellation by Amazon, the folks behind "The Tick" went on a hunt to shop around and hopefully find a new home for the show. They were unsuccessful in their search, and as such, "The Tick" has remained canceled for the last few years.