Originally cast for just two scenes, Harris' role expanded during filming thanks to director James Gunn’s appreciation for the subtle depth he brought to the character.
“In contrast to the usual tough-guy stereotype, I played him as someone who appears strong in public but is submissive and nervous around the president,” Harris told Poland's PAP news agency in Los Angeles.
"James liked what I did and ended up using every single frame of my performance," he added.
The film, which premiered globally in July, has already drawn more than 40 million viewers.
Despite the high-profile launch, Harris skipped the official premiere due to his work on an independent film, though he attended a later screening at Warner Bros. Studios.
Harris’ performance in Superman adds to a growing list of Hollywood credits that includes Stranger Things, Amsterdam, Red Notice, The Hunt, and The Gray Man.
His early screen work also included a guest appearance in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, where he portrayed a Polish priest.
“That was one of my most meaningful roles,” he said, recalling how showrunner Amy Sherman-Palladino told him the wedding scene he featured in was a favorite from the entire series.
Born in Wrocław, southwestern Poland, Harris moved to Los Angeles 17 years ago, initially intending to stay for one year to study acting. He trained at the Stella Adler Studio and later at the Beverly Hills Playhouse.
A former music and sports journalist in Poland, Harris began performing stand-up comedy in the United States to make ends meet.
His comedy show caught the attention of the Wayans Brothers and eventually led him to perform regularly at the prestigious Comedy Store, where he shared the stage with some of the biggest names in American comedy.
Despite his success, Harris eventually left stand-up to focus fully on acting, a decision he credits to advice from the late basketball star Kobe Bryant.
“He said that if I wanted to succeed, I had to give 100 percent to one thing,” Harris recalled. “So I chose acting.”
Harris believes his multilingualism and distinct background help him stand out in Hollywood.
Fluent in several languages, he has performed in Croatian, Czech, Slovenian, German and Russian, and is often cast in both Slavic and German-speaking roles.
He sees no reason to erase his accent. “If I had spent years trying to perfect an American accent, I wouldn’t have had time to learn all those other languages,” he said.
'Be on time and know your lines'
Robert De Niro, with whom Harris worked on Amsterdam, also offered him some practical career advice: “Be on time and know your lines, and you’ll have a long career in Hollywood.”
Harris took the words to heart, saying he approaches each project with discipline and focus.
Now 47, Harris says he has achieved nearly every goal he has set, from appearing in Stranger Things and Better Call Saul to landing a role in Superman.
“Next up is James Bond,” he added with a laugh. “And one day, I’d love to play a lead role in a Polish film. Not for my career, but for personal reasons. My family is there, and I love Poland.”
Harris serves as jury director for the annual Polish Film Festival in Los Angeles and continues to champion Polish cinema.
On the Superman set, he and Croatian actor Zlatko Burić reportedly spent so much time discussing Polish filmmakers Andrzej Wajda, Krzysztof Kieślowski and Krzysztof Zanussi that Gunn asked them what they were always talking about.
Though Harris lives and works in Hollywood, he says his patriotism remains strong.
“I read Polish history for pleasure,” he said. “And if a great project comes along in Poland, I’ll be ready.”
(rt/gs)
Source: PAP