Goose the cat was true scene stealer in Captain Marvel, and nothing seemed to faze this particular feline. But off-screen, the four cats that portrayed Goose weren’t quite as fearless as their character. According to a new interview in Vulture, the cats were initially terrified of the Skrull actors on set.
Animal trainer Ursula Brauner explained that the cats found the Skrull costumes very unsettling. She also praised Ben Mendelsohn, the actor who plays Telos, for being so patient with the cats before winning them over.
“That was one of our challenges because [Skrulls] look so different from people,” said Brauner. “Ben Mendelsohn was so amazing getting the cats used to the costume and makeup, though. He showed them how he moved and sounded, and he was just really great getting the cats to like him.”
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Brauner also noted that Reggie, the primary cat used as Goose, was very uncomfortable in a scene where Telos and his new allies were on the quad-jet.
“Reggie was a little unfurled,” recalled Brauner. “[Captain Marvel directors Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck] took the time to say, ‘Let’s stop what we’re doing and get the cat comfortable.’ We had Reggie sitting on a chair, and Ben was sitting in the chair next to him, and we let Reggie go to him and explore on his own volition, and pretty soon, he realized Ben was just like us, but he just looked different. It’s about taking the time to stop. And it shows onscreen.”
She went on to say that watching Reggie and Mendelsohn bond “was awesome. One of those surreal moments where you go, ‘Yeah, I dunno, I’m getting my cat used to a Skrull now.’ I guess if they see another one in the wild, they’ll be fine.”
What do you think about the cats’ performance alongside the Skrull actors in Captain Marvel? Let us know in the comment section below!
