Emma Corrin’s Mysterious “Deadpool & Wolverine” Villain Was Inspired by Willy Wonka and “Inglourious Basterds” (Exclusive)

Emma Corrin says Ryan Reynolds pointed to Christoph Waltz‘s ‘Inglourious Basterds‘ villain as a major reference for their ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ character

Emma Corrin found inspiration in other iconic movie characters to craft their Deadpool & Wolverine character.

Corrin, 28, portrays the mysterious villain at the center of Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman‘s movie set to alter the course of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. “I drew inspiration from Christoph Waltz in Inglourious Basterds, which was Ryan’s reference when we started,” they tell PEOPLE at the movie’s world premiere on July 22, noting 67-year-old Waltz’s Academy Award-winning performance as a Nazi Germany era military officer.

“And then not a villain, but I was really inspired by Gene Wilder‘s Willy Wonka,” Corrin says. “Sort of a nonchalant, detached power.”

With just days to go until Deadpool & Wolverine hits theaters, little is known about Corrin’s villain, listed in credits as Cassandra Nova. An article on Marvel’s official website describes the character as more or less an evil twin of the X-Men’s Professor X, portrayed in past X-Men films by Patrick Stewart and James McAvoy.

Related: Emma Corrin Hold Hands with Rami Malek in Soaked Pants During Barefoot Stroll on Beach in Brazil

Corrin appears alongside Jackman, 55, and Reynolds, 47, in the new movie, which meets Deadpool as he is tasked with teaming up with a Wolverine from an alternate timeline in order to save his own universe.

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“On films like this, the tone and the energy is really set by the people at the top, and it was a gorgeous thing to be a part of, because you really felt included and welcomed,” Corrin says of the leadership the movie’s stars brought to the production. “It was a little family.”

Related: Emma Corrin Wears All the Belts Imaginable — But Leaves Their Shirt at Home — on Deadpool & Wolverine Press Tour 

Corrin, best known for their work on The Crown, also noted that their experience with extensive prosthetics and makeup made for an interesting experience on the superhero film’s set. “It was basically just a lot of time in hair and makeup is what it was. I had a bald cap and long prosthetic fingers, which meant that I couldn’t do anything during the day,” they tell PEOPLE. “Great for my screen time. Not so great for going to the bathroom alone. I always had someone with me. It was very humbling.”

Aside from Corrin, Jackman and Reynolds, Deadpool & Wolverine also stars Morena Baccarin, Rob Delaney, Leslie Uggams, Succession‘s Matthew Macfadyen and Karan Soni; Reynolds’ frequent collaborator Shawn Levy directed the film.

Deadpool & Wolverine is in theaters Friday, July 26.

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