Jennifer Garner had to get “Marvel fit” for her “Deadpool & Wolverine” cameo as the sai-wielding assassin Elektra, and she revealed her workout plan in an Instagram video on Monday. Garner’s return as Elektra was one of the A-list superhero cameos in “Deadpool & Wolverine,” and she revealed that Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy originally pitched the role to her while working together on the 2022 film “The Adam Project.”
Garner posted her Elektra workout regime on Instagram, which included plenty of sai weapon training, aerobics, swimming, boxing, weight lifting, running, jump rope, rowing and more.
“Other than trying to convince my kids’ preschool buddies that I was secretly a ninja, I hadn’t picked up Elektra’s sais since 2004; I was fit, but not @marvel fit,” she wrote. ” As this impossible dream became reality, my bestie and OG stunt double @shaunaduggins and I amped up our training, led by @bethjnicely at @thelimitfit: 1x/day, plus whatever homework she assigned for a second workout. Boxing 3x/ week with @flvcothefuture from @matchroomxchurchillgym. And lots and lots of @onepeloton’s @becsgentry. 💃🏻🏋🏻♀️🥊🏃🏻♀️🏊🏻♀️ We had #SuperHeroSummer over here, twirling sais in the backyard and laughing at our sore old bodies.”
Garner originally played Elektra in Ben Affleck’s 2003 “Daredevil” movie from 20th Century Fox and she headlined her own “Elektra” spinoff in 2005. Neither movies were received particularly well, but she got to resurrect the character — along with fellow Fox heroes like Wesley Snipes’ Blade, Channing Tatum’s Gambit and Dafne Keen’s X-23 — and give her a proper MCU goodbye with “Deadpool & Wolverine.”
“I didn’t know that Elektra and I needed an ending, but Shawn and Ryan did,” she wrote. “They are gifted in many ways, but seeing and elevating people around them is at the top of the list. Shauna and I were in heaven on set with them, with my old pal @thehughjackman, @dafnekeen, @channingtatum, @realwesleysnipes. Shooting the fight was so fun, being there all together—truly like a dream. I’m proud of my friends and grateful to be up there with them. Thank you doesn’t cut it, guys, but it’s a good placeholder until I figure out what does.”
The Cameo’s Genesis
As Deadpool & Wolverine continues to conquer the global box office, many of the folks who made surprise cameos in the Ryan Reynolds/Hugh Jackman two-hander have spoken up about their involvement in the film. Channing Tatum, who finally got a chance to play Gambit, a role he’d worked four years towards making happen to no avail, spoke about how happy he was that Ryan Reynolds got in touch and offered him the opportunity nearly a decade after the two first met at Comic-Con in 2016. Chris Evans spoke about his opportunity to reprise his very first superhero role as Johnny Storm/The Human Torch from 2005’s Fantastic Four and how he relished the opportunity to deliver a raunchy monologue without cue cards for a Deadpool & Wolverine post-credits scene.
Evans’ Johnny Storm is part of a crew of discarded superheroes marooned in the Void by the Time Variance Authority for refusing to let their own worlds get clipped into non-existence. Those discarded supes also include Dafne Keen’s mutant Laura (from 2017’s Logan) and Wesley Snipes’ Blade, a history-making turn for Snipes who became the person to hold the longest career as a live-action Marvel character—beating out Hugh Jackman, no less—after first appearing as the Daywalker in 1998’s Blade. Snipes also made history as the person with the longest gap between performances, beating out Alfred Molina, who had a 17-year gap between his Doc Ock appearances in Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man: No Way Home.
Now Jennifer Garner is opening up about her own surprise cameo, returning to play Elektra, the super-skilled assassin she portrayed in 2003’s Daredevil (alongside Ben Affleck), and again in her stand-alone 2005 film Elektra. Garner appears in Deadpool & Wolverine alongside Tatum’s Gambit, Keen’s Laura, and Snipes’ Blade. In a recent Instagram post, Garner shared how the role came about after having recently worked with Reynolds and director Shawn Levy on The Adam Project, who she said share a “crazy artistic kismet.”
Getting ‘Marvel Fit’
Garner said that she was initially unsure, having not portrayed the character or wielded any of her weapons since 2004. But once she got to work with her stunt double, Shauna Duggins, and got “Marvel fit” as she puts it, Garner put in the work and was Elektra fit by the time filming began.
The Power of Ending
“I didn’t know that Elektra and I needed an ending, but Shawn and Ryan did,” Garner wrote. “They are gifted in many ways, but seeing and elevating people around them is at the top of the list.”
Jennifer Garner's Training Video
Garner gave a sneak peek into her “Superhero Summer” training routine, which includes boxing, weightlifting, swimming, and a whole lot of sai-twirling. The video shows Garner looking incredibly fit as she trains for her Elektra cameo.
More Than Just Physical
Garner’s training was not just about getting physically fit, but it was also about getting back into the mindset of Elektra. Garner said that she had to “convince my kids’ preschool buddies that I was secretly a ninja” to get back into character. She also said that she “laughed at our sore old bodies” with her stunt double as they trained. Garner’s training shows that she is dedicated to her craft and that she is willing to go the extra mile to give her best performance.
More Than Just a Cameo
While Garner’s cameo in Deadpool & Wolverine is short, it is a testament to the power of the Marvel universe and to the lasting legacy of Elektra. Garner’s performance is a reminder that even in a small role, an actor can make a big impact.
The video also shows that even after all these years, Garner is still a force to be reckoned with. She is a talented actress and a dedicated athlete. She is an inspiration to many people, and her story is a reminder that it is never too late to achieve your dreams. Her training, dedication and enthusiasm are inspiring.
A Lasting Legacy
Garner's cameo is a great reminder that even in a smaller role, an actor can still shine. It is also a testament to the enduring power of the Elektra character. Garner's performance is proof that she is still a force to be reckoned with in Hollywood. She is a gifted actress who is willing to go the extra mile to give her best performance. Her dedication to her craft is an inspiration to many people. We are now waiting with bated breath to see what Garner does next.
