The climb to play a popular superhero role is not only for Dwayne Johnson or Channing Tatum. Adam Brody has also gone through a unique journey. It is a little ironic because his character Seth Cohen from The O.C. is a passionate geek.
Brody even worked in a comic book shop. Given this background, it seems natural for him to play a real superhero. However, this opportunity came much later than he expected.
Brody’s first attempt to join a comic book movie happened back in 2007. He was supposed to star in George Miller’s canceled project, Justice League: Mortal. A little-known fact is that he also auditioned for James Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy.
Although he did not join that film series, he later found his superhero break in the now-defunct DCEU with Shazam!. While he would have been a great Star-Lord, this journey shows he is eager to be part of these comic book universes.
Adam Brody Auditioned for the Role of Star-Lord in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy.’ Yes, Brody did not just audition for any role; he wanted to play Peter Quill, also known as Star-Lord.
Chris Pratt eventually got the part, although he also appeared on The O.C. as Ché. Looking back, playing Star-Lord would have been perfect for Brody. His career shows he can play charming geeky characters who end up in awkward situations.
Still from the show (MAX)
From The O.C. to Scream 4 and Ready or Not, Brody is someone you’d want by your side in trouble. Many of his roles, even if morally questionable, have heart, and he portrays them with charm. These traits would have fit well with Gunn’s vision and the MCU’s take on Quill.
However, Chris Pratt made the role of Quill completely his own. Pratt’s version of Star-Lord is equally goofy and lovable, even if he is more muscular. Brody was familiar with superhero excitement.
When he was linked to Justice League: Mortal, he was set to play Barry Allen, known as The Flash. If this version had been made, Brody would have been the first actor to play Barry on the big screen.
The troubled production had already sent cast and crew to Australia, and they held table reads and costume fittings.
Brody described his costume as “only kinda nerdy,” showing he would have fit perfectly as the speedy hero. Problems from the WGA strike and Warner Bros.’ lack of commitment to the DC Comics franchise led to the cancellation of the film.
Finally, in 2019, Brody got the chance to play a superhero. He appeared as the superhero version of Jack Dylan Grazer’s Freddy in Shazam!
His role was kept secret as it was a surprise cameo. In the final moments of the film, viewers saw Brody in all his comic book glory, along with D.J. Cotrona, who was supposed to be Superman in Justice League: Mortal.
Brody’s ability to adapt made him a great fit as the adult version of Grazer. Fortunately, this role carried over into the sequel Shazam! Fury of the Gods, where he had more screen time.
If Brody had been cast in Guardians of the Galaxy, his career would have changed dramatically, leading to new heights of fame.
With the Guardians franchise now including a trilogy, a Christmas special, and a possible Star-Lord spin-off, Brody would have fit in better with the MCU than the DCEU.
Even though Brody never joined the MCU, his career is not stagnant. He currently stars in the Netflix series Nobody Wants This with Kristen Bell. Plus, we will always remember him as the lovable Seth Cohen from The O.C., and that is still pretty awesome.
Netflix’s The Perfect Couple is one of the most popular shows of the season. This series follows the messy and rich Winbury family. It is based on a novel by Elin Hilderbrand and has many strong points.
The show has an interesting mystery and well-developed characters. In its six-episode season, The Perfect Couple offers many memorable scenes that show the tone of the series and the relationships between its characters. Among all these scenes, one scene stands out.
In Episode 4, called “Someone Could Get Hurt,” Billy Howle’s Benji Winbury and Jack Reynor’s Thomas Winbury have a fight.
This happens because Thomas wants to eat the wedding cake that Benji and Amelia (Eve Hewson) had for their wedding, even though Benji does not want him to.
This scene is funny and enjoyable to watch, but its timing and importance become clear as the mystery unfolds. This moment captures the whole essence of the Netflix mystery series. It also shows why The Perfect Couple has become very popular, with over 3 billion minutes watched.
The Perfect Couple gives many hints that lead to the final reveal that Dakota Fanning’s Abby Winbury is the murderer of Meghann Fahy’s Merritt Monaco.
Merritt is Amelia’s best friend and maid of honor. Upon rewatching, these hints show how showrunner Jenna Lamia and director Susanne Bier have made a tightly woven mystery that allows the audience to join the detectives Chief Dan Carter (Michael Beach) and Detective Nikki Henry (Donna Lynne Champlin) in solving the case.
The wedding cake scene includes Benji and Thomas, as well as Thomas’s pregnant wife Abby. It shows Benji and Thomas fighting over Thomas and Abby trying to eat the wedding cake, even though the wedding was called off. This upsets Benji.
After the wedding cancellation, Benji is emotionally vulnerable and does not go along with Thomas and Abby’s game. He pushes Thomas’s face into the cake. The situation escalates into a struggle between the two brothers, and Abby steps in to stop the fight, even telling Thomas that he started it.
Still from the show (Netflix)
This scene is very important for many reasons. Its timing and the character dynamics it reveals are key. Most importantly, Abby’s role in this scene becomes even more significant once we learn about her connection to Merritt’s murder.
Throughout the season, Thomas shows himself to be the family troublemaker who enjoys stirring up issues with his relatives.
Earlier, he reveals Tag’s (Liev Schreiber) affair with his brother Will’s (Sam Nivola) French tutor during dinner, knowing it will hurt Tag’s relationship with Will. He also has an affair with Isabelle Adjani’s Isabel Nallet, a family friend.
At first glance, it seems that Thomas only wants to satisfy his and his pregnant wife’s hunger. However, knowing how cruelly the Winbury family treats each other, we can see that Thomas and Abby’s actions might be meant to annoy Benji. The Winbury family appears to be united but secretly they act with hostility toward one another.
As seen throughout the season, each character pursues their own interests. The family seems unbalanced by Merritt’s death on Benji’s wedding day and does not support him emotionally, revealing their flaws.
The scene between Benji and Thomas is also important because it is one of the few times Benji stands up to his family.
Benji seems to live a distant life, which is shown by his choice to marry Amelia, who comes from a different social class. Marrying someone from another class is rare in such families, which explains why they do not take the wedding cancellation as seriously as they should.
Abby’s presence in the scene makes Thomas’s actions look suspicious, as we learn later that he usually acts on Abby’s wishes.
In the Season 1 finale, it is revealed that Thomas tried to kill Merritt after Abby told him to do it. When he did not succeed, Abby decided to do it herself.
In the cake scene, Abby can be seen encouraging Thomas and playing along with the situation, pushing the argument further.
Although she starts the chaos and enjoys the fight, Abby also plays the savior role. She calls out Thomas even though she is just as guilty in the whole situation.
As we discover later, Abby had a good reason to be happy about the otherwise sad occasion because she saved herself from financial ruin by killing Merritt
If Tag’s child had been born through Merritt, Abby would have had to wait 18 more years to get the Winbury trust fund money and the apartment she wanted.
Knowing Abby’s role in Merritt’s murder shows that she knows when to stay in the background and when to act. Earlier in the season, she even tells Amelia to keep to the sidelines in the Winbury family. This is a strategy she often uses.
Still from the show (Netflix)
Abby usually prefers Thomas to do her dirty work while she stays out of sight. It seems that Abby understands how important it is to remain unnoticed by Greer (Nicole Kidman), who would quickly remove Abby if she ever posed a threat to the family.
Abby wants to be part of the Winbury family because of their influence and wealth, which she admits several times.
While the cake scene seems like fun banter between brothers that goes wrong, it highlights the family dynamics involved. The jokes in the scene hint at the larger mystery surrounding Merritt’s death.
Dakota Fanning’s cunning presence in the scene enhances what appears to be a random moment in the story, especially given its absurd nature.
The five-tier wedding cake that Thomas carries seems too heavy for someone to hold casually, even considering Reynor’s impressive physique.
In the grand picture of The Perfect Couple, the cake scene in Episode 4 is a carefully crafted part of the puzzle. It shows how the Netflix series balances comedy and mystery, which explains its massive success since its release.
The Perfect Couple cleverly intertwines humor and mystery, creating a unique viewing experience that keeps audiences on the edge of their seats.
Each character’s journey contributes to the larger narrative, demonstrating how personal interests and family dynamics can lead to unexpected consequences.
The wedding cake scene stands out not only for its comedic value but also for its deeper implications regarding character motivations and relationships.
It emphasizes the show’s ability to blend light-hearted moments with serious undertones, showcasing the complexity of the Winbury family and their tangled relationships.
Moreover, the series highlights how humor can serve as a coping mechanism in the face of dark circumstances. Characters like Benji and Thomas often engage in playful banter that masks their emotional struggles and family tensions.
This layering of comedy over drama invites viewers to relate to the characters on a more personal level, making their journeys feel authentic and engaging.
The show skillfully moves themes of loyalty, betrayal, and ambition, all while maintaining an entertaining pace that encourages viewers to keep guessing until the very end.
As the story unfolds, the tension builds, leading to significant revelations that change the dynamics among the characters.
Viewers are drawn in, trying to piece together the clues alongside the on-screen detectives, which enhances their engagement with the story.
This interactive element makes The Perfect Couple not just a passive viewing experience but an active puzzle for the audience to solve.
The Perfect Couple succeeds as a mystery that effectively uses humor and family drama to find the darker sides of human relationships.
The series encourages viewers to reflect on the complex motivations behind each character’s actions, making it a thoughtful yet entertaining addition to Netflix’s lineup.
