Despite months of intense training and dedication, the actress’ heroic transformation for “Deadpool & Wolverine” faced unexpected backlash.
Jennifer Garner went all out for her cameo in the new “Deadpool & Wolverine” movie. While some appreciated her hard work, others did not.
A fan comment, dated August 6, 2024 | Source: X/sailoryouranus
On Monday, August 5, 2024, the “13 Going on 30” star took to Instagram to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at her preparation for her role as Elektra. In her post, she shared a dynamic clip showing how she got “Marvel Fit” for the film.
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner training with swords for her role as Elektra, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
The video revealed Garners intense workout regimen. It was a compilation of rigorous exercises shed been doing for months.
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner training on a trampoline for her role as Elektra, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner during a boxing workout, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
It featured cardio, weight training, trampoline jumps, swimming, boxing, and even water aerobics. Its a full-on fitness montage!
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner training for her role as Elektra posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner training with dumbells for her role as Elektra, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
In her caption, Garner reminisced about the moment Ryan Reynolds and director Shawn Levy pitched the idea of reviving her Elektra role for the third installment of the “Deadpool” franchise.
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner training for her role as Elektra, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
“I remember the moment @slevydirect and @vancityreynolds had the idea for Elektra Natchios to show up in @deadpoolmovie 3,” she posted.
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner doing some high kicks while training for her role as Elektra, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner training for her role as Elektra, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
She continued, “We were on the set of The Adam Project, and they gave each other this look they have that can communicate an idea,” adding, “There is a crazy artistic kismet between those two.”
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner doing some squats as part of her training for her role as Elektra, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
Garner also spent hours perfecting stunts for her fight scenes. In the video, she acknowledged that it had been two decades since she last wielded Elektras sais.
A photo of Jennifer Garner as Elektra in the film, “Deadpool & Wolverine,” posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/vancityreynolds
A photo of Jennifer Garner as Elektra in the film, “Deadpool & Wolverine, on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/vancityreynolds
“Other than trying to convince my kids preschool buddies that I was secretly a ninja, I hadnt picked up Elektras sais since 2004; I was fit, but not @marvel fit,” she wrote.
A photo Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool and Jennifer Garner as Elektra, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/vancityreynolds
Even though she never thought Elektra “needed an ending,” Garner is grateful to Reynolds and Levy for giving her the chance to close that chapter in style.
A photo of Jennifer Garner on the set of “Deadpool & Wolverine,”posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/vancityreynolds
Netizens have had mixed reactions to Jennifer Garners video revealing her intense prep for her “Deadpool & Wolverine” cameo. Many were less than impressed, with some saying Garner seemed too slow for the role.
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner training for her role as Elektra, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
One critic remarked, “She looks awkward and slow…she still gots it? No she dont man [sic]!” Another chimed in with, “And she was still the worst part of the movie.”
A fan comment dated August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/accesshollywood
Some argued that Garners efforts were pointless, suggesting, “Imagine going through all this trouble to come back for a role nobody asked for.”
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner in the pool as she trains for her role as Elektra, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner training with trampolines, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
Others focused on her age, with one person , “Shes in great shape but shes too old for this character.” Another joked, “All this training for 5 minutes of screen time.”
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner running, as part of her training for her role as Elektra, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner training with weights, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
Despite the backlash, a few fans found joy in her performance. Others appreciated her physical transformation, with one joking, “This is why Ben and J-Lo are splitting up,” and another admiring, “Her biceps were the sexiest thing in D&W.”
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner during a boxing workout, as part of her training for her role as Elektra, posted on August 6, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
Others called her “HOT” and some even thought she looked so good that it must have been computer-generated imagery, with one , “Wow. I honestly thought her body had to be CGI bc she looked so good[sic]!”
Garner first brought Elektra to life in the 2003 film “Daredevil,” starring alongside her now ex-husband, Ben Affleck. In her recent cameo for “Deadpool & Wolverine,” Garner delivers a joke about Affleck, whom she was married to for over a decade.
A photo of Jennifer Garner on the set of “Daredevil,” posted on December 2, 2021 | Source: YouTube/@RottenTomatoesCLASSICTRAILERS
The Joke about Affleck, which has become a highlight of the movie, had audiences in stitches. One fan praised the line, saying, “Her Daredevil comment in the movie was HILARIOUS, shoot the ENTIRE movie was HILARIOUS[sic].”
Another echoed, “That dig at Daredevil (played in that universe by Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner’s ex-husband) had me laughing out loud.”
Director Levy, in a recent appearance on Josh Horowitz’s “Happy Sad Confused” podcast, admitted that he did not get Affleck’s approval for the joke. “Affleck wasnt given a heads-up about that line in Deadpool & Wolverine,” Levy said.
Director Shawn Levy on the “Happy Sad Confused” podcast in August 2024 | Source: YouTube/@JoshHorowitz
Levy did note that he had a conversation with Affleck regarding another aspect of the film. He explained that he spoke with Affleck later because the end credits feature a tribute reel celebrating the legacy of Fox Marvel movies.
This provided an opportunity to discuss the project with everyone involved, as their permission was both necessary and desired. He clarified, “That joke was not, as far as I know, vetted by Ben.” But he added, “We made clear to Jen — as we made clear to everyone — everything’s on the table in Deadpool.”
Shawn Levy walks onstage during “Marvel Studios: The Ultimate Deadpool & Wolverine Celebration of Life” in Hall H at SDCC in San Diego, California on July 25, 2024. | Source: Getty Images
It seems Garner was having fun with her character while on set. She posted a fun behind-the-scenes video where shes seen whipping up a smoothie while dressed as Elektra. Dubbed the “Elektra Smoothie,” Garner describes it as a “great and filling way for all superheroes—cape-wearing or not—to start their day.”
A screenshot from a video of Jennifer Garner preparing her “Elektra smoothie” posted on Wednesday, August 7, 2024 | Source: Instagram/jennifer.garner
In the video, Garner starts by adding 1 serving of protein powder, a handful of ice, fresh spinach, berries, one tablespoon of chia seeds, ground flaxseed, almond butter, and a cup of almond milk to a blender. She then blends everything until smooth.
The highlight? She stirs the smoothie with Elektras signature weapon, the Sai, and licks it clean before enjoying her delicious and nutritious Elektra Smoothie.
As Garner blends her Elektra Smoothie with her iconic Sai, it’s a playful reminder of her dedication. Despite the online criticism, her months of rigorous training reflect her passion for the character.
