Deadpool and Wolverine’s villain was inspired by Willy Wonka

Casual comic book fans probably haven’t heard of Cassandra Nova until Deadpool and Wolverine . That’s because this will be the X-Men villain’s first time appearing in a live-action film. But when it came time to develop Cassandra’s on-screen character, Emma Corrin had an unconventional source of inspiration: Gene Wilder’s portrayal of Willy Wonka in Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory .

“There’s something extravagant about Gene Wilder’s performance,” Corrin told GQ. “And it’s a similar energy to Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds because he’s wearing a uniform so he can sit and drink a glass of milk and pretend to be a fucking fairy godmother.”

Cassandra Nova’s origin in the comics is extremely convoluted and will likely be simplified in the film. But in short, Cassandra is the evil twin sister of Professor Charles Xavier who managed to enter the world without being born. She has all of his mental powers and none of his moral qualities. According to Corrin, Cassandra may have a more charming and sinister personality in the film than she did in the comics.

“Ryan[Reynolds]and Shawn[Levy]pitched this idea, and I was totally on board with it,” Corrin added in an interview with EW. “We want this villain to not be a villain in the way that you expect her to be. We want you to be so attached to her, so charmed by her, and just when you think maybe she’s totally seen into your soul and you’re going to be best friends, you’re dead.”

Deadpool and Wolverine will be released in theaters on July 26.