Tatiana Maslany, superheroine and lawyer in She-Hulk on Disney+

Tatiana Maslany talks about her character as one would talk about a friend. Flattering terms, intimate interpretations of his actions and even the nickname “Jen” … It must be said that the actress, revealed and awarded an Emmy Award for Orphan Black, dreamed of landing the role of Jennifer Walters. In this new feminist comedy from the Marvel universe, this protagonist juggles between her profession as a lawyer and her powers as a superheroine. A last facet that she never wanted.

Cousin of Bruce Banner alias Hulk (Mark Ruffalo), her life changes after a car accident when their bloods mix. But surprise, the transformation is not accompanied by fits of rage like his male counterpart. Through this double physique and status, the series highlights the daily discrimination and condescension suffered by women. The actress puts her talent at the service of this message that she wishes to carry loud and clear in She-Hulk.

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LE FIGARO. – Why did you accept the role of Jennifer Walters/ She-Hulk?
Tatiana Maslany. – In reality, I didn’t accept the role, I had to audition and do everything to get them to take me! (laughs). Before passing the casting, the reading of the script really delighted me. On each page, I laughed, found it very unexpected and singular. Besides, my character is really awesome.

What differentiates your character from the original Hulk?
Even though She-Hulk’s physique is bigger and more imposing, Jennifer remains herself. Unlike the Hulk, she doesn’t feel any inner conflict, her emotions don’t take over to the point of forgetting who she is. When her body changes, she gains confidence and is more respected. Against her will, she suffers the repercussions. She is a woman who is very involved in what she undertakes and she feels that her personality has been devalued.

Has this double appearance made it possible to highlight certain discriminations in everyday life?
Completely. In the form of Jennifer or that of She-Hulk, my character experiences the changing attitudes of her interlocutors. Everyone, and especially men, fetishize her, categorize her, don’t listen to her. Depending on how a woman is dressed, people will talk to her, look at her or manifest themselves differently. As in a dating scene, the man does not speak to her the same way when she introduces herself as She-Hulk or Jennifer Walters. We develop a real critique on this subject through the series.

Beyond the physical, in what form is it most powerful?
When she is the combo of both. In scenes in court for example. I think it’s great to see her pleading with Jennifer’s skills, intelligence and spunk and getting all the attention with the charisma that She-Hulk looks give her. This is where it is very powerful.

How was She-Hulk’s physique shaped?
Even if I didn’t have a say, I was able to witness all the development and the different versions proposed, whether for the body, the hair, the clothes of She-Hulk. There were really very detailed discussions to come up with a cohesive makeover and I was lucky enough to witness it from start to finish.

“The Hulk played by Mark Ruffalo is a very powerful allegory of man and the expression of his anger”.

Tatiana Maslany

Initially, Hulk was perceived as “the monster” of Bruce Banner. What does this ambition to offer a feminine version reveal?
In the past, we have been able to explore many facets of the original Hulk. The character of Mark (Ruffalothe interpreter of Bruce Banner Editor’s note) took time to channel his emotions and keep all his clarity. It is a very powerful allegory of man and the expression of his anger. In their rage, they are perceived as powerful beings leaving behind collateral damage. For Jennifer, on the other hand, society taught her to suppress her anger so as not to appear hysterical. She has always had to internalize these emotions to protect herself from the gaze of others. It is for this reason that she otherwise manifests them as ‘She-Hulk’.

How?
For starters, even if she has the strength, She-Hulk isn’t going to throw someone against a wall (laughs). Her rage is put at the service of her job as a lawyer and her ambitions. She fights to defend the clients she represents. More than she does for herself. Personally, she is content to be a target in many ways.

What message on self-control induces this metamorphosis?
We can perceive struggles in many ways. Jen’s problem is not self-control, but the way people perceive her and place their expectations on her. Becoming She-Hulk upset the life she had imagined. The message is no longer about what Jennifer has inside her but more about the external factors that take over.

Your character regularly addresses viewers. What does this narrative device bring?
She-Hulk already speaks to her audience in the comics and reading it brings her a higher form of consciousness than others. On the screen, I have to evoke flea bag and Phoebe Waller-Bridge who uses this process with such finesse and talent! As an actress, I discovered this nuance of acting to be able to speak to the audience, to grab them without seeing them, knowing them or even knowing what they think of us. I found this dynamic very amusing.