RHENZY FELIZ [MARVEL'S RUNAWAYS]
From New York to Florida and now Los Angeles, actor Rhenzy Feliz has been continuously setting the stage for himself as one of the most promising actors to watch in the near future. He currently plays Alex Wilder from Marvel’s Runaways.
Although Alex Wilder’s character does not possess any superpower in the series, Rhenzy, would love to be able to control time.
Now onto its second season, it’s exciting to see how the TV Series will develop and explore Alex’s character in relation to the comics.
In this exclusive interview, read more about Rhenzy’s career as an actor and his experiences playing Alex from Marvel’s Runaways.
Tells us about your most memorable audition story.
There’s a few for sure but I'd have to say it'd be my first one.
It was my first audition and I walk into the Warner Bros. lot, mind you I had never been on a (studio) lot before. I find my way to the audition room (took me a while). Every 4 minutes or so one kid who looks way too much like me walks in and 4 minutes later they walk out, and about 5-6 people go in and out and then they call me in.
It was for a series regular so there was a bit of pressure but it was also my very first audition and I thought “Screw it! Let’s just go in and see what happens and I'll do the best I can!”
To shorten the story they really liked what I did, and we end up talking in the room about me and my life for maybe 20 minutes so I thought this must be a good sign.
Just before I leave the casting director tells me I want you to meet Ava. She was of course talking about Ava Duvernay, the one and only so I didn't know what to do or say I just said "I'd love to". About a week later I come in and do the audition again, this time for everyone including Ms. Duvernay. I did it and they must have liked it because again I talked to her for about 20 minutes as well just talking about me. I ended up getting pinned for it a couple days later (which just means it’s down to you and maybe a couple other people) and after a few weeks they ended up going another direction, but it taught me a lot that audition, and got a lot of my nerves out of the way, while giving me a big boost in my confidence.
What led you into acting?
The love for it. The love of performing, I did a play my junior year of high school, the first time I'd ever really tried acting and being up on that stage gave me a feeling I'd never had before. So that feeling gave me all the drive I needed.
Where do you draw your inspirations from?
Other great artists. Most recently Bradley Cooper's performance in a Star is Born blew my mind. It was so honest and true, it makes me second guess myself and think am I doing enough? Because I want to be able to do that. The emotions, the places he was able to take me, in terms of my experience watching the movie. It stopped from being me watching a movie to me seeing these 2 people fall in love and it was beautiful and it made me forget. I want to be able to do that when I act. Something so real.
What’s the best part of playing Alex Wilder in Marvel’s Runaways?
The larger story that he's a part of. The world that he inhabits. When else am I going to get to act like a badass in the face of death. Hopefully never but I get to do that every day I go to work. I love it!
If you can choose a superhuman/mutant power, what would it be and why?
I've given this a lot of thought and it would definitely be to control of time. If you think about you can do so much with that.
If you can choose a superhuman/mutant power, what would it be and why?
I've given this a lot of thought and it would definitely be to control of time. If you think about you can do so much with that.
Have you read the Runaways comic books prior to booking your role?
Prior to booking yes. I knew the plot line to the entire first volume and then had read about half the issues in it all the way through. I didn't read more because I didn’t want to confuse the character they were having me portray in the show as opposed to the comic. Still pretty similar but some changes.
What keeps you busy if you are not auditioning or acting?
Ever since I was A star is Born I haven’t been able to put down a guitar so hours of my day is dedicated to that now, acoustic specifically. And of course getting to hang out with my close friends. From going to eat at our favorite places to just hanging out all night watching Game Of Thrones, as long as I'm with them I'm good.
If you can have a private dinner with any actor dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Leonardo DiCaprio. There's just so many questions, that guy is a mystery to me and I need the answers.
Top 3 music in your playlist right now.
Not gonna lie I really liked that last Shawn Mendes album. I've been listening to DiCaprio 2 by JID and just about any J Cole feature. The guy is a legend.
Have you read the Runaways comic books prior to booking your role?
Prior to booking yes. I knew the plot line to the entire first volume and then had read about half the issues in it all the way through. I didn't read more because I didn’t want to confuse the character they were having me portray in the show as opposed to the comic. Still pretty similar but some changes.
What keeps you busy if you are not auditioning or acting?
Ever since I was A star is Born I haven’t been able to put down a guitar so hours of my day is dedicated to that now, acoustic specifically. And of course getting to hang out with my close friends. From going to eat at our favorite places to just hanging out all night watching Game Of Thrones, as long as I'm with them I'm good.
If you can have a private dinner with any actor dead or alive, who would it be and why?
Leonardo DiCaprio. There's just so many questions, that guy is a mystery to me and I need the answers.
Last book you read.
I'm reading Looking for Alaska right now, really liking it so far.
If you were a book, what book would you be?
I'd be The Odyssey. I got a destination in mind and right now I'm on the path to get there.
See Rhenzy on Marvel’s Runaways with Season 2 premiering December 21st on Hulu!