Mild spoilers for Deadpool & Wolverine.
By now, you’ve probably either seen Deadpool & Wolverine or, at the very least, are aware that there are a lot of cameos by actors who’ve previously played Marvel characters. Jennifer Garner is one of the appearances that was spoiled pretty early on. She returns as Elektra, a role she first played in 2003’s Daredevil with Ben Affleck and again in her own Elektra movie in 2005. When Jen first played the character, she was in peak shape, thanks to playing badass Sydney Bristow in Alias. Jen is a really disciplined actress when it comes to preparation for her roles and wanted to get into fighting shape (pun intended) in order to play Elektra again. So, Jen employed one of her own personal super powers, which is sticking to an insane workout routine. Earlier this week, she posted a video, which showed a montage of all of the different workouts she did to get into shape. The video is accompanied by her explanation of her entire fitness routine.
Jennifer Garner sent that message Monday with a video of some of the work that went into that cameo — one of many — in Deadpool & Wolverine. And it was substantial. Titled “Becoming Elektra,” the footage showed the actress whirling around with swords, jumping on mini trampolines, performing jump squats, and hopping up on boxes to throw kicks. She also swims, boxes, jogs, jumps rope, and rows. Just watching it is tiring!
Garner played Elektra the first time in 2003 Marvel film Daredevil, starring the actress’ ex-husband Ben Affleck, and she reprised the role for her own movie, Elektra, in 2005. So it’s been more than 20 years since Garner has appeared as the badass, super-skilled assassin.
“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,” the mother of three children with Affleck recalled on social media. “I was fit, but not @marvel fit.”
For her, playing the character again was an “impossible dream,” accomplished by having stepped up her workouts to multiple times a day and turning to a trainer.
“We had #SuperHeroSummer over here, twirling sais in the backyard and laughing at our sore old bodies,” Garner said.
I’ve watched this video twice now and it’s so badass that it inspired me to do two workouts yesterday. She’s 52 and just completely owning her super-hero-ness. I love it, and especially love when actors show us their process like this because I find it fascinating. I’ve always been a big fan of Jennifer and am happy that she was included in the movie. Deadpool & Wolverine is pretty heavy on the inside jokes, but one of the more obvious ones made by Elektra is about the absence of Daredevil. It’s a funny joke, given her and Ben’s divorce. When director Josh Horowitz appeared on the Happy Sad Confused podcast earlier this week, he was asked if they got Ben’s approval to make this very tame joke at his expense. He responded with the only right answer, which was, “No, we vetted it with Jen.” LMAO, hilarious. She’s kicking ass and taking (Marvel) names.
Photos credit: IMAGO/mpiRW/MediaPunch/Avalon, Getty, BlayzenPhotos/Backgrid and via Instagram
I watched the movie this weekend and it was very funny all the puns and jokes about their real lives that were told. She looked great!! I really enjoyed this move with all the people who made cameo appearances.
I did enjoy Jen’s aside about Daredevil:)
I made a laugh that is more accurately described as a bark at that line! Jennifer Garner is a forever favorite of mine, I still go back to the Alias blooper reels when I need a laugh. She and Victor Garber are particularly hilarious together.
Wow! The work she put in is astounding!! I’m one of those people who think the really in-shape actors are just that way naturally, I tend to forget about the workouts and diets needed to sculpt their bodies. *trotting off the grab my barbells*
I loved the movie. Jen apathetically saying “It’s fine.” Re: Daredevil. Hilarious. It was a really fun movie. One of my favorites this year. I thought she looked amazing as Elektra-no wonder, the workouts for these roles are truly bananas. Inspiring to see her killing it.
Jennifer’s social media presence is joyous and lovely. I would like to see her in kickass roles without a Taken/Death Wish violent revenge vibe. Hollywood seems to be deliberately tanking movies lead by women or diverse casts. I would watch Jeniifer Garner any day of the week and twice on Sunday before watching anything featuring Dakota Johnson. Because she is 50 doesn’t mean every role she plays has to be mommy/wife/grandma/supporting character.
She’s so full of light. I like her a lot.
I was probably one of the only ones who really got that Daredevil joke and laughed way too hard at it😂 Jennifer Garner looked amazing in the movie.
Wowza – that is inspiring indeed. Thank you for posting this video! It’s really amazing and it shows progress at actual human pace.
Love this!
Loved the movie, the plot, the dry humor, the everything – and this only made me enjoy her even more.
Plus it’s inspiring me a little bit- I skinned my knees on a hike a few days ago and I need to get back out there (oozey bandaids and all)