There’s no getting around the oft-hilarious and totally awkward world of motion-capture acting. Outfitted with a spandex onesie and a litany of dots and balls, it basically begs for giggles and jokes regardless of how serious (and seriously intricate) the acting usually needs to be. I mean, if I had to wear a motion capture outfit ever in my life I know it’d be hard for me to do anything other than make fun of myself the entire time—but I suppose that’s why I’m not a professional actor. (I have no chill.) Thankfully, someone with real chops—like James Spader—can work through all of that, even with a giant pole and glowing ball eyes atop his head. If that’s not professionalism, I don’t know what is, kids!
Which is exactly why we bow down to the above clip. There’s a lot to love about this clip of Spader acting alongside his Avengers: Age of Ultron co-stars, affixed in all the trappings of motion capture glory. Like the aforementioned pole and the pattern on his onesie, which I can only equate to something you’d see on the sweet, sweet winter gear of the world’s sickest snowboarders. Given that this is James freakin’ Spader we’re talking about, of course he pulls off looking completely ridiculous while maintaining major gravitas with casual aplomb—the man is the original Dr. Daniel Jackson, after all. (Stargate 4-eva.)
What are your favorite moments of motion-capture acting—and don’t say Andy Serkis all at once? Leave ’em (bonus points for clips!) in the comments below.
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Alicia Lutes is the Associate Editor of The Nerdist and one time got to touch James Spader’s fedora with her own bare hands. Find her on Twitter @alicialutes.
Image Credit: Marvel/YouTube
