Peter Dinklage and Elijah Wood Unleash “Toxic Avenger” at Comic-Con

July 25, 2025: San Diego, California – The highly anticipated superhero reboot, The Toxic Avenger Unrated, made a splash at San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, July 24, as stars Peter Dinklage and Elijah Wood joined filmmakers for an early glimpse of the film in the famed Hall H. The movie is set to hit theaters on August 29.

Dinklage, 56, who plays janitor Winston Gooze and voices the titular mutant vigilante, was joined on stage by co-stars Wood, 44, Jacob Tremblay, and Taylour Paige, alongside writer-director Macon Blair and producer Lloyd Kaufman. Dinklage called taking on the “mop-wielding superhero” role of Toxie “an easy yes,” citing Kaufman, creator of the 1984 original Toxic Avenger film, as a personal hero.

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“Environmental concerns are an ongoing thing, now more than ever,” said the Game of Thrones Emmy winner, explaining the film’s satirical approach to such issues. He also expressed his admiration for director Blair, stating the project felt “so perfect and necessary and needed.”

Elijah Wood’s appearance as the seemingly villainous Fritz Garbinger in the new Toxic Avenger had already surprised fans when the trailer premiered in September 2023. The film’s release was initially delayed due to distribution challenges after its Fantastic Fest premiere last year, but Cineverse and Iconic Events Releasing will now release an unrated version.

“There’s a beating heart in there,” Wood commented on his character, adding, “I love the horror genre because of the possibilities. This movie is filled to the brim with ideas, and fun and playing with the medium.” Taylour Paige, 34, humorously added, “That I’m in it,” when asked about the most charming aspect of the movie.

Jacob Tremblay, 18, who plays Winston’s sullen son Wade, admitted it was challenging to “hold it together and just pretend I didn’t absolutely love this guy” while working with Dinklage. Dinklage reciprocated the praise for the “top-notch” cast, highlighting his body double, Luisa Guerreiro, who performs over 70% of Toxie’s physical performance in a suit of prosthetics. “She studied all my movements like a hawk and does a better me than I do,” he explained.

The original 1984 Toxic Avenger spawned three sequels, an animated TV show, a stage musical, a video game, and a Marvel comic. The new film, The Toxic Avenger Unrated, also features Julia Davis, Jonny Coyne, and Kevin Bacon.

San Diego Comic-Con 2025 runs from July 24 to July 27.