Paul Warren (actor)

Paul Warren

Warren at High Wycombe Comic Con, 2016
Born (1974-10-28) October 28, 1974
Hillingdon, Middlesex, United Kingdom
Nationality British
Occupation Actor
Years active 2005–present
Website http://www.paulwarren.actor

Paul Warren (born October 28, 1974) is a British actor known for roles in the science fiction, fantasy, and horror genres, often wearing heavy prosthetic makeup and/or creature suits.[1] He is most known for playing 'Varmik' one of the Hassk triplets in Star Wars: The Force Awakens,[2][3] but has also appeared in such films as Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor: The Dark World, World War Z and Clash of the Titans.

Personal life

Paul was born in Hillingdon, Middlesex, United Kingdom.[4]

Career

Paul Warren began his film career as a body double for Daniel Radcliffe on the film Harry Potter and The Order of the Phoenix. "I spent much of my time 20ft up in the air on the hydraulic broomstick system and doing other physically demanding activities during the shoot, whilst building a good rapport with the cast/crew and a reputation as a versatile performer".[5]

In 2007, he was recommended to the legendary Stan Winston Studio as a good choice to portray an emaciated version of the title character (played by Mike Vogel) in The Deaths of Ian Stone. Crediting Winston and his team, he said "This door opening into the world of acting under silicone and foam latex, is what ultimately led to a film career playing characters in heavy prosthetics and creature suits".[6]

His first creature performing role was in 2009, where he played a tortured soul, who pulls the boat across the river styx in the 2010 remake of Clash of the Titans.

In 2010, Paul was used as a visual effect double for skinny Steve Rogers in Captain America: The First Avenger.[7] He was the original template for Skinny Steve in the pre-production VFX head replacement tests and was on set for the recruitment scene as a visual reference. Body double duties for the rest of production (which total about 5% according to director Joe Johnson[8]) went to stage actor Leander Deeny.

On getting the role of Varmik, one of the Hassk triplet's in Star Wars: The Force Awakens, he says "By the time they were casting creatures for The Force Awakens, I had already worked with a lot of the people in Star Wars creature shop on films such as Clash of the Titans, Thor: The Dark World and Guardians of the Galaxy, so I was recommended to Neal Scanlan (creature shop supervisor) and joined a core team they were putting together to perform and puppeteer the creatures".[9]

Varmik is of particular interest to Star Wars fans due to his origin. "The character is based on 2 classic pieces of Ralph McQuarrie’s Star Wars production art from 1975. The cantina showdown and early Chewbacca designs. The former is a particular favorite of J.J Abrams’ that he wanted to bring to life on screen."[10]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Children of Men Injured Refugee
2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Harry Potter (body double)
2007 The Deaths of Ian Stone Emaciated Ian
2010 Clash of the Titans Charon's Tortured Soul
2010 Hereafter Dying Patient
2011 X-Men: First Class Young Magneto (body double)
2011 Captain America: The First Avenger Skinny Steve Rogers (vfx body double)
2013 Wrath of the Titans Hermes Deleted scene
2013 Jack The Giant Slayer Not so strong man
2013 World War Z Zombie + cgi movement reference
2013 Last Days on Mars Infected Marko
2013 Thor: The Dark World Marauder Creature
2014 Guardians of the Galaxy Kyln / Knowhere Alien
2014 Kingsman: Secret Service Church congregation stunts
2015 Star Wars: The Force Awakens Varmik Credited as 'Creature and droid puppeteer'

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2008 That Mitchell and Webb Look Pisswiddle Crickteer Episode 2.3
2008 Sorry I've Got No Head Witchfinder Multiple appearances in seasons 1,2 & 3
2010 The Legend of Dick and Dom Goblin Season 2 Episode 1
2010 The Bill Drug addict Season 26 Episode 9
2011 Holby City Drug addict Season 13 Episode 32
2011 Eastenders Dan Peace Episode dated 11 July 2011
2011 Peep Show Supply teacher Season 8 Episode 2
2013 The Tractate Middoth Rant's Ghost TV Movie
2016 Houdini and Doyle First Alien Season 1 Episode 6

References

  1. ↑ "Paul Warren - Actor - Equity". www.equity.org.uk. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  2. ↑ "Official Star Wars: The Force Awakens Visual Dictionary". DK Publishing. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  3. ↑ "Official Topps Star Wars trading card". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 2016-05-20.
  4. ↑ "Paul Warren Actor Creature Performer". Paul Warren Actor Creature Performer. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  5. ↑ "Exclusief interview met Paul Warren (Varmik) | Star Wars Awakens". Star Wars Awakens (in Dutch). 2016-05-19. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
  6. ↑ "Exclusief interview met Paul Warren (Varmik) | Star Wars Awakens". Star Wars Awakens (in Dutch). 2016-05-19. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
  7. ↑ "Exclusief interview met Paul Warren (Varmik) | Star Wars Awakens". Star Wars Awakens (in Dutch). 2016-05-19. Retrieved 2016-05-19.
  8. ↑ "'Avenger' auteur: Joe Johnston shapes a muscular 'Captain America' | Film Journal International". www.filmjournal.com. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
  9. ↑ "Exclusief interview met Paul Warren (Varmik) | Star Wars Awakens". Star Wars Awakens (in Dutch). 2016-05-19. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
  10. ↑ "Meet Paul Warren - Varmik the Hassk Thug - RetroZap!". RetroZap!. 2016-03-06. Retrieved 2016-05-23.
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