Learning this behind the scenes detail about Cassandra Nova in Deadpool & Wolverine will make rewatching the villain in the smash-hit MCU Phase 5 movie an entirely different experience. English actor Emma Corrin joined the cast of Deadpool & Wolverine in February 2023, and had the honor of bringing Marvel Comics’ terrifying Cassandra Nova to life in live-action for the first time ever. The charismatic Cassandra Nova was the perfect antagonist for Deadpool and Wolverine’s team-up movie, as she is one of Marvel’s most unusual and sinister villains.
While Cassandra Nova initially seems happy living in the Void while the multiverse grows around her, an attempt on her life by Matthew Macfadyen’s Mr. Paradox convinces her that only her dominion in the Void should remain. Using the Time Ripper, she tries to unravel every timeline of the multiverse, but is thwarted by Deadpool and Wolverine. Cassandra Nova’s attempt at genocide underlines her villainous nature, and this is also highlighted in the character’s incredible physicality, which includes one piece of prosthetic that was added to Emma Corrin in Deadpool & Wolverine.
Cassandra Nova’s BTS Finger Extensions Make The Deadpool & Wolverine Character Even Wilder
Shortly after the premiere of Deadpool & Wolverine, Marvel Studios make-up artist Bill Corso revealed more about the process of creating Cassandra Nova’s simple look in the Phase 5 movie. While the make-up team didn’t need to do much to Emma Corrin to transform them into Cassandra Nova, the actor did sport a bald cap, and was also gifted prosthetic finger extensions to elongate Cassandra’s fingers and nailbeds. These made a noticeable difference to the length of Corrin’s fingers, adding a subtle touch that made Cassandra Nova even more frightening.
Deadpool & Wolverine’s BTS Cassandra Nova Prosthetic Finger Extension Stories Make Rewatches Very Different
At first glance, it may be easy to miss that Emma Corrin was sporting prosthetic finger extensions in Deadpool & Wolverine. This made the initial viewing experience even more uncomfortable, however, as something felt off about Cassandra Nova’s appearance, creating an uncanny feeling that was initially hard to put our fingers on – pun intended. After learning that Corrin was actually wearing prosthetic fingers, this makes much more sense, but perhaps makes rewatching Cassandra Nova in Deadpool & Wolverine even more unusual and creepy.
Additionally, Emma Corrin revealed more about their prosthesis for Deadpool & Wolverine in an interview prior to Deadpool & Wolverine’s premiere in July (via Pearl & Dean). Corrin revealed that, while wearing the prosthetic fingers, they weren’t able to do menial tasks alone, including going to the bathroom. They noted that the experience was “humbling,” but that the prosthetics actually helped inform the character further, and gave them more of an idea about how Cassandra Nova uses her remarkable gifts. This proves these weird inclusions were vital for Deadpool & Wolverine.
There was always a moment in make-up where they were like, ‘Right, put down your phone’ because I had these prosthetic fingers on and literally from that point there was nothing I could do. I couldn’t even go to the bathroom alone, it was humbling. The extension of your hands really changes the way you carry your arms. It’s just really helpful because all of Cassandra’s power comes through if not her mind, her gesture.
Why Deadpool & Wolverine’s Cassandra Nova Needed Her Prosthetic Finger Extensions
As Emma Corrin mentioned, Cassandra Nova’s formidable gifts demand physical touch. She notes in Deadpool & Wolverine that, while her brother, Charles Xavier, can alter a mind with thought, she needs to get her hands dirty. This usually involves literally clawing around in her victims’ minds, which was translated spectacularly from the pages of Marvel Comics to the screen in Deadpool & Wolverine. This proved the benefit of elongating Emma Corrin’s fingers, as the digits were able to reach further into and through the bodies of the likes of Deadpool and Mr. Paradox.
Cassandra Nova is one of the creepiest supervillains in Marvel Comics, and her unassuming appearance only adds to the impact of this. Deadpool & Wolverine pulled this off perfectly, and a big part of this was due to the prosthetic finger extensions. The prosthesis drew attention to Cassandra Nova’s creepiness and sinister tones, but also introduced yet another example of Marvel Studios using clever and inspired practical effects to fully create one of Marvel Comics’ weirdest characters on-screen.