Maria Bakalova, famous for her role as Tutar in Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, has talked about her new character, Princess Ilana Rostovic, in DC’s animated series Creature Commandos. She described Ilana as a unique and complex character.
At first, Ilana seems innocent and in need of help, but later, it’s revealed that she is actually manipulative and power-hungry. Bakalova pointed out that Ilana has some similarities to her character in Borat, as both require convincing the audience that they are genuine, despite having hidden motives. She found it interesting to portray this duality, showcasing how Ilana uses her charm and apparent vulnerability to get what she wants.
Creature Commandos has been confirmed for a second season, though the storyline details are still under wraps. The first season finale introduced a new team with characters like Nosferata, Khalis, and King Shark. The show includes a mix of various DC heroes and villains, many of whom aren’t what they seem, with Ilana as the main antagonist. The series has received praise for its mix of humor, emotional moments, and darker themes, similar to James Gunn’s The Suicide Squad. Bakalova’s role as Ilana, who uses charm and manipulation to her advantage, has been a standout aspect of the first season.
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She said, “I did get to play something similar when I was trying to convince people that my character is a real human being back in 2020 with Borat. Sometimes, you just have to let people believe what they want to believe, and I think that’s her goal as well. She just lets Rick and the creatures believe that they need to protect her. So that’s why she plays it like, ‘Okay, I need protection, just don’t stay [in] my way.’”
This marks Bakalova’s second project with James Gunn, as she previously lent her voice to Cosmo in Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3. She admires Gunn’s way of storytelling and character development, especially how he creates engaging stories around outcast characters who find a sense of belonging and heroism. She sees this theme in both Creature Commandos and Guardians of the Galaxy, where misfit characters come together to overcome challenges.
Bakalova continued, “She’s a complex woman. She can be seen as innocent and fragile and someone who really needs protection. But she is not as silly as she plays it to be and is not as fragile as she wants people to think she is… She wants to play with her charm, and she wants to play with her femininity. She wants to play with the idea [that] she is not dangerous, she is in danger — when she’s actually the biggest danger of them all.”
In the series, Ilana’s relationship with Rick Flag is explored, showing a mix of genuine connection and manipulation from Ilana. Bakalova explained how they filmed a scene that required intimacy but didn’t use an intimacy coordinator because of the comedic nature of the moment. Even though the scene might seem suggestive, it was handled humorously, contributing to the larger story that plays with expectations and examines the relationship between two complex characters.
Looking ahead, Bakalova speculated about which member of the Justice League Ilana might go after next, imagining the Bride as her toughest opponent since she could reveal Ilana’s true character. She also talked about the unclear nature of Ilana’s feelings towards other characters, suggesting that her affection might be somewhat genuine or just a smart act to further her own plans. She wrapped up the interview by hinting at interest in taking on other comic book roles in the future but didn’t go into specifics.
Source: io9
