Leslie Uggams is back as everyone’s favorite blind companion in Deadpool and Wolverine. Before joining Fox X-Men sub-franchise, Uggams was arguably best known for her work on the original Roots miniseries, for which she earned an Emmy and Golden Globe nomination, as well as her Tony-winning turn in Hallelujah, baby! and his music career in general. At the time of starring in the first Dead Pool as the blind roommate of the titular hero, Al, Uggams also began to resurface with his recurring role in Empire as the mother of Terrence Howard’s Lucious Lyon.
Deadpool and WolverineThe story begins six years after the events of its predecessor, with Ryan Reynolds’ Wade being abandoned by Vanessa and moving back in with Blind Al. During the titular hero’s birthday party, he is taken in by the Time Variance Authority and discovers that his timeline is about to be erased due to the lack of his anchor, Logan, although he is invited to join the Sacred Timeline of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Instead, he sets out to try and track down a worthy Wolverine, hoping to keep his friends and the people he loves alive.
Alongside Reynolds and Uggams, the ensemble Deadpool and Wolverine The cast features a mix of old and new faces, including Hugh Jackman as Logan, Emma Corrin, Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Aaron Stanford, and Matthew Macfadyen, among others. Like its two predecessors, the third Dead Pool The film quickly became one of the most talked-about box office hits of the year, not only taking the second highest-grossing spot in 2024 with a worldwide gross of over $1.34 billion, but also regaining the highest-grossing R rating . franchise film title after the first Clown he picked up.
In honor of this year’s New York Comic Con, Screen speech interviewed Leslie Uggams to discuss Deadpool and Wolverinehow she feels about joining the MCU, what she thinks Blind Al really thinks about Logan and his possible change for the duo, which characters she’d like to interact with in the future, and some interesting updates on Precipitation season 2.
Uggams knew Deadpool and Wolverine would be successful
“…but not like this.”
Screen Rant: You were in Deadpool and Wolverineone of the biggest films of the year, the highest-grossing R-rated film, the second highest-grossing film of 2024, and has excellent critical and commercial reviews. Could you have predicted this kind of reaction when you and the crew were filming the film?
Leslie Uggams: Absolutely not. I mean, I knew it would be a success, but not like this. I mean, that’s amazing. I’m on it, I’m on it! But the way fans embraced this film was spectacular.
Uggams couldn’t watch the Deadpool Corps fight directly (but knows what he wants next)
“…[Ryan] always wants to isolate me.”
Now, Blind Al has been seen looking out the window as she listens to the final battle with the Deadpool Corps. Did you witness any action with Ryan or Hugh filming on set? What was your reaction to that scene? And did you have any other big favorite moments from that film?
Leslie Uggams: Well, I couldn’t really see that part because they had all the people and everything, but I knew that certain things I had to say would be totally appropriate for that moment. [Laughs]
Now that Deadpool is part of the MCU, albeit in another universe, are there any other characters you’d like to see Blind Al interact with in the Sacred Timeline?
Leslie Uggams: My best moments are with Wade or Deadpool, so I’m jealous of other people. I have to say Wolverine is okay, but Wade was my guy. That’s my guy! A little jealousy going on there. “You’re taking up too much of his time.”
Now you met the X-Man, Wolverine, but are there any other X-Men characters you’d like to see Blind Al meet?
Leslie Uggams: Oh, my God, they’re all so wonderful. I wouldn’t mind seeing Blade.
Out of curiosity, was there ever a scene where Wesley, you and Channing were together?
Leslie Uggams: I wish. No. No. That would have been amazing. They’re all great characters and having a scene with them [would’ve been great]but you know, he always wants to isolate me. He goes out and has fun and leaves me at home.
Uggams and Reynolds’ relationship has gotten increasingly steamy since their first Dead Pool
“…it was instantaneous that we had this connection.”
What were some of the things that were left on the cutting room floor that you said in that movie that didn’t work out?
Leslie Uggams: Well, it was probably more of a cocaine thing, but I think we’ve had enough of that. So they probably cut some of that out, but basically when it came to my character, they really let me roll. So, it’s great, because this is Blind Al.
Was there a lot of improvisation between the two of you?
Leslie Uggams: There always is. We have the basic script and everything, but then comes this madness that’s even better than what’s on the page.
Now, you and Ryan seem to have an amazing relationship, and you were even the first confirmed character for Deadpool 3. Can you talk about the evolution of your working relationship as these films progressed with Ryan?
Leslie Uggams: Well, the first time we worked together, we were feeling each other out, but it was instantaneous that we had this connection. And I remember after we shot the first one, I was getting undressed to go home, and he knocked on the trailer door and said, “Oh my God, I love working with you.” So, I knew at that moment that we had something going on. And of course, as we did in the second and third, we became even more comfortable. But I love it, because he comes up to me and says, “Leslie, do you mind saying this?” And I say: “No, let’s go!” [Chuckles]
Blind Al isn’t ready to invite Wolverine as a roommate yet
“…there’s nothing better in the world than Deadpool and this relationship…”
How does Blind Al feel about Wolverine as his new roommate?
Leslie Uggams: Well, he’s fine. He’s fine. I mean, there’s nothing better in the world than Deadpool and that relationship, so she’s like the mother, in a way. He can tell her anything and stuff like that, and they really like playing with each other. [Wolverine’s] It kind of gets in the way, but it’s okay because he’s okay. I mean, you can’t complain about those muscles. I mean, they’re definitely there. He is a handsome man. Blind Al, she may be blind, but she’s not dead!
Hugh is an incredible actor, but also an incredible human being. When we got to set, he wanted to know about my career working with Ella Fitzgerald and people like that. That’s what we talked about most of the time. He was like, “Oh my God. You worked with Ella and you worked with Louis [Gossett Jr.]”, and stuff like that. So we had a lovely relationship. And he’s so good at it. So good!
Now, Deadpool doesn’t often use Althea’s full name in films. Can you explain the significance of him using Al’s full name at the end of the film to introduce her to Wolverine, just as he also introduced Logan with his real name?
Leslie Uggams: Yes. Well, I think it’s also to remind people, because they’re so used to our characters’ names that they forget what our real names are. I always think he does it really to give her a little jab by using his full name, because you notice when I meet Wolverine, I’m smiling and everything, but I’m thinking, “He’s not going to move or anything.” So, it’s like a little message that he gave.
Uggams is thrilled to return Precipitation Season 2 (which may be sooner than previously thought)
“…Betty has a few things up her sleeve.”
Now listen, you’re part of the Precipitation universe on Prime Video, which received incredible reviews this year. Was there anything specific about this story that stood out to you? And is there anything you’d like to see from your character in Season 2?
Leslie Uggams: This is an incredible, incredible show. I’m with the Vault People, so I couldn’t see what the Earth people were doing. So when it started, I was impressed. But Betty has a few things up her sleeve. Just stay tuned.
Have you started filming season 2 yet?
Leslie Uggams: We started in November. I’m excited about it.
Is there anything else you can hint at that’s coming?
Leslie Uggams: Right now, those are the things. People might not know, but I sing, so I have some of these things that I do in New York, and I’ll do a show or something, but I basically became an action star. [Laughs]
On Deadpool and Wolverine
Marvel Studios presents its most significant mistake yet – Deadpool and Wolverine. An apathetic Wade Wilson works hard in civilian life. His days as the morally flexible mercenary Deadpool are behind him. When his home world faces an existential threat, Wade must reluctantly suit up again as an even more reluctant… reluctant? More reluctant? He must convince a reluctant Wolverine to… oh, hell, just watch the movie. The synopses are stupid.
Check out our previous Deadpool and Wolverine interviews with:
Source: Rant Plus Screen