Tag Archives: Brunker

Taraji P. Henson talks about her character as a super Villain in PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie

When a magical meteor crash-lands in Adventure City, it bestows superpowers upon the PAW Patrol pups, transforming them into The MIGHTY PUPS! Skye, the team’s smallest member, finds her dream come true with these new abilities. However, the situation takes a dark turn when the pups’ archrival, Mayor Humdinger, escapes from jail and joins forces with Victoria Vance, a meteor-obsessed mad scientist, to steal the pups’ superpowers and become supervillains. Produced by Paramount Pictures and Viacom 18 studios, ‘PAW Patrol: The Mighty Movie’ is set to release across India on October 13 in English, and Hindi.

In this sequel, viewers are introduced to a new memorable villain, Victoria (Vicky) Vance, voiced by Taraji P. Henson. She’s a meteor-obsessed scientist conducting risky experiments from an abandoned observatory on the outskirts of Adventure City. Her latest invention, the Meteor Magnet, aims to bring meteors down to Earth from their orbit.

During a meteor shower, Vance attempts to use the magnet but inadvertently causes a meteor to crash into Adventure City, resulting in widespread destruction. When the PAW Patrol gains superpowers from the mysterious meteor crystals, Vance becomes furious. Those powers should belong to her since it was her meteor! Now, Vance is willing to go to great lengths, even partnering with the PAW Patrol’s arch-nemesis, Humdinger, to steal those crystals and powers from the heroic team.

Henson embraced playing the role of Vance, showcasing both her villainous side and some of her more complex qualities. She emphasizes Vicky’s intelligence and her creation of a massive magnet capable of pulling objects from the sky. Vicky insists that she’s entitled to the meteor’s superpowers.

Talking about her role as Vicky, Henson says, “I love how she plays against the ‘mad scientist’ thing. That term really rubs Vicky the wrong way. If you want to tick her off, call Vicky a mad scientist because she honestly doesn’t see herself that way. Vicky really thinks she’s doing good in the world. But of course, she’s not.”

Talking about Henson, director Brunker says that she brought unexpected dimensions and energy to the character. “Taraji was game for any and every idea we threw at her, and often came up with her own ideas,” he remembers. “Taraji’s Vicky walks the line between being a great villain and a character who’s fun to watch.”

Beyond Taraji P. Henson’s involvement, the comedy-adventure also showcases the comedic talents of Marsai Martin, who reprises her role as Liberty, a long-haired miniature Dachshund and devoted PAW Patrol fan from the previous film. Lil Rel Howery takes on the character of Sam Stringer, a charming and modern news anchor who becomes Adventure City’s new voice. Additionally, famed comedian/actor Chris Rock briefly lends his voice to one of Humdinger’s beloved felines, thanks to the magical meteor crystals, granting it the power of speech.