Yahya Abdul-Mateen II knows his ‘Man on Fire’ is a ‘dangerous’ risk: ‘I’ve got thick skin’

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Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has been particularly cheerful lately, especially when talking about his experience working on the show, which he affectionately calls “the train.”

“I’m incredibly blessed,” he says. “Life is good.”

Since winning an Emmy in 2020 for his role in HBO’s “Watchmen,” Yahya Abdul-Mateen II has been consistently working on a variety of projects. He started the year strong with the popular Disney+ Marvel series “Wonder Man,” which has already been picked up for another season. He’s also slated to appear in the Apple sci-fi thriller “Liminal” and the civil rights drama “By Any Means” alongside Mark Wahlberg.

So, someone asked me if my new Netflix series, “Man on Fire,” was a bit of a risk, and honestly, I just burst out laughing. It really caught me off guard!

Abdul-Mateen asks with a laugh, the sound echoing in a small office at the streaming service’s Hollywood location.

This seven-part series is a new take on the first two novels by A.J. Quinnell featuring John Creasy, a former soldier in the French Foreign Legion. The story was previously adapted most famously as the 2004 film “Man on Fire,” which reimagined Creasy as a troubled counterterrorism expert seeking revenge when the young girl he’s protecting is kidnapped.

The film featuring Denzel Washington and Dakota Fanning is a prime example of Washington’s powerful and captivating performance style, combined with director Tony Scott’s fast-paced and visually dynamic approach.

Abdul-Mateen is a huge fan of the movie, especially the performances by Denzel and Dakota. He feels they worked incredibly well together, and that both their acting and the story itself were beautifully simple.

Look, I get why some fans might be hesitant about a remake of “Man on Fire.” Honestly, I was too! When I first heard someone was considering taking on a role so strongly associated with Denzel Washington, I was pretty skeptical myself.

I was definitely a little nervous, but that was a good thing,” Abdul-Mateen explains. “It meant I respected the original film, Denzel Washington, and everyone involved. I needed to feel that respect to find a good reason to make my own version – otherwise, I was setting myself up to fail.

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He admits he’s prepared for criticism, even welcoming it. He says he’s tough enough to handle the attention and doesn’t let it bother him.

The laugh erupts again.

He also views the series as a chance to showcase his skills and the unwavering confidence he’s always had.

He explains it’s an inner confidence, a light he’s always carried. But it’s not arrogance, it’s a quiet knowing that lets him take risks. It gives him the freedom to try new things, even if they might not work out. He’s willing to dive into challenging roles, the kind people might warn him against – like taking on a really intense, difficult character. He doesn’t shy away from the messy parts, the potential for public failure, or pushing boundaries. He actually wants to explore those dangerous, uncertain spaces.

He’s built a successful career with a variety of roles recently. He’s known for playing the villain Black Manta in the “Aquaman” movies, and has also appeared in films like “Ambulance,” “Us,” “The Greatest Showman,” and the 2021 remake of “Candyman.”

I’ve noticed he’s really good at taking on roles that actors have already made famous. For example, in HBO’s take on “Watchmen,” he played Doctor Manhattan – a character Billy Crudup did such a great job with in the 2009 movie. It’s cool to see him bring a fresh perspective to an already iconic role.

In the 2021 film “The Matrix Resurrections,” Yahya Abdul-Mateen II took on the role of Orpheus, a character originally played by Laurence Fishburne in earlier “Matrix” movies.

He describes his projects as a lifelong pursuit of truth, sincerity, and honesty. This dedication has resulted in a diverse collection of work that he hopes sparks curiosity in viewers, leaving them wondering what he’ll create next. Ultimately, he wants his art to reflect his ongoing journey of discovery and the questions he’s constantly trying to answer.

This year has been especially fulfilling for me with the release of both “Wonder Man” and “Man on Fire.” I’m grateful for the chance to demonstrate my range as an actor and portray such distinct characters – they’re complete opposites! I hope both roles feel authentic and reflect a consistent approach to my work.

Everyone involved was optimistic that Marvel’s “Wonder Man” would be a hit with viewers. The show centers on Simon Williams, played by Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, a Hollywood actor trying to land the lead role in a “Wonder Man” reboot, all while secretly possessing superpowers. Ben Kingsley joins the cast as Trevor Slattery, another actor in the series.

I always believed in ‘Wonder Man,’ so I felt confident it would succeed, even before it was released. The real victory was in the process of creating it – that’s how I want to feel about every project I do. Ben Kingsley and I had a strong mutual respect, and the show connected with people, especially artists who felt overlooked. Ultimately, it’s about everyone pursuing their dreams, and that’s what viewers really responded to.

“Plus,” he adds, “I really wanted to remind people that I can smile, that there’s a light.”

Abdul-Mateen doesn’t often smile in “Man on Fire,” a movie that has similarities to the earlier film starring Denzel Washington. The original 1987 version with Scott Glenn isn’t well remembered.

Kyle Killen, the creator and showrunner of the series, shared his admiration for the original Washington film. He believes the story and its central character are incredibly engaging, which explains why it’s been adapted so many times. He feels the story’s core elements allow it to remain relevant and connect with audiences even as it’s reimagined.

Killen doesn’t see the series as a risk. He explains, “We’re aiming for originality, not imitation. The film established a high standard with its distinctive visuals and overall style, which gives us the freedom to develop our own unique approach.”

The 2004 movie takes place in Mexico City and features Denzel Washington as Creasy, a troubled and alcoholic man who reluctantly agrees to protect Pita (Dakota Fanning), the daughter of a rich car manufacturer, Samuel Ramos (Marc Anthony). After Pita is kidnapped, Creasy, having grown close to her, embarks on a brutal and violent quest to rescue her, using any means necessary.

The Netflix show spends time developing Creasy’s personality, portraying him as a confident Special Forces leader who falls into depression and struggles with alcohol after a disastrous mission.

After a failed suicide attempt, Creasy is asked by his friend Paul Rayburn to come to Brazil and assist with an anti-terrorist mission. When an explosion destroys the building where Rayburn and his family live, Creasy focuses his skills on protecting Rayburn’s teenage daughter, Poe, who has become a target for the terrorists.

Adbul-Mateen describes Creasy as a deeply troubled man who finds a reason to hope. He wondered what it would take for this struggling alcoholic, with his hidden military skills, to overcome his problems and protect his friend’s daughter.

He sees his character, Creasy, as similar to tragic heroes like Hamlet or Othello. He describes Creasy as deeply wounded, flawed, and vulnerable. He was thrust into a situation he wasn’t prepared for, which the actor found compelling. Throughout filming, he kept thinking Creasy was out of his depth. He felt playing such a strong character allowed him to step out from under the weight of expectations and make the role his own.

Besides acting in the series, Abdul-Mateen is also an executive producer, and he was very hands-on with his work behind the camera.

I’ve always believed in keeping things real and fun, and that’s what I tried to bring to everything I did. I was constantly questioning things – like, ‘What makes sense for this character?’ or ‘Am I dominating the scene?’ – because honestly, the audience isn’t there to hear me chat. They want to see me perform, to see the work happen, and that’s what I focused on.

Look, I’m grateful to be working consistently, but honestly, it worries me when I think about some of my fellow actors. I’m happy to see some of them landing roles, but I really wish more opportunities were out there for everyone. It’s something I think about a lot.

He started his own production company, House Eleven10, to create projects both for himself and for other talented performers. He explains, “I want to find and develop amazing roles – the kind of work I know both I and other artists will be passionate about. I’m determined to build a space where that can happen.”

It’s all part, he says, of being “on the train.”

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2026-04-22 13:32