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ONE TO WATCH: 'Deadpool 2's Julian Dennison
06-01-2018

Don’t feel bad if you haven’t seen the
highest-grossing film in New Zealand’s history. Even though
it did hit some American theaters, there wasn't a wide audience for
2016’s Hunt for the Wilderpeople here in the States.
If you did see it, you know how funny and heartwarming it is, and
you know that Julian Dennison as teenage orphan
Ricky Baker completely steals the show. Luckily enough, one
American who did see Hunt for the Wilderpeople wasRyan Reynolds. Once he saw the movie, he decided
to cast the young Dennison as his sidekick in Deadpool 2.
Dennison plays Firefist, a young mutant with the power to control
and shoot fire. Deadpool becomes his mentor once he realizes that
Firefist will become a villain if someone doesn't intervene. Check
out Deadpool 2 now to see how it all goes down for
Deadpool and his protege!
Even before Deadpool 2, Julian Dennison has been huge
in New Zealand. I can’t guarantee this because I’ve
never been to New Zealand, but it sure seems like he has. He was in
the most popular recent New Zealand movie, he’s in
commercials (watch his silly Lynx Australia ad if you get a chance), he’s on
the news, and he even does promotional charity work for Air New
Zealand. And there’s a reason. Julian Dennison is naturally
funny and charismatic, and very very talented. The director ofHunt for the Wilderpeople, Taika Waititi,
cast Dennison after directing him in an ad for the New Zealand
Transport Agency. If you recognize that name, it’s because
Waititi is another New Zealander currently conquering Hollywood. He
directed Thor: Ragnarok, one of the most unique and funny
Marvel movies to date. With these two both breaking into more
mainstream movies, it feels like Waititi and Dennison could be at
the beginning of a wonderful and hilarious partnership.
Dennison is very down to earth and is proud of his heritage.
Dennison is Maori, which means he has native New Zealand roots.
He’s fifteen years old and goes to a normal high school in
New Zealand. He has fifty first cousins and a twin brother, who
runs his social media accounts. His goals are to keep acting and
one day try directing and producing as well. Dennison’s days
of being unknown in America seem to be coming to an end, and I
can’t wait to see what’s next for this promising actor.
Keep your eyes out and your ears open (for his unmistakable Kiwi
accent) for this rising talent!
(Image via Bennett Raglin/Getty
Images)
- Meg Spaulding, YH Contributing Writer