I think hes exploring.
But I dont think he necessarily has a clear vision of what he wants to accomplish.
In some ways thats shaped by his cousin, who begins to steer him into going completely legitimate.
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I think he views himself as doing what is necessary to maintain order.
A lot of what he does is reactive.
Thats his reflex, to counterbalance what Luke is doing to him.
Otherwise, the things we see him do he wouldnt necessarily do.
So how to you tap into that mentality as an actor?
I mean youve played villains before…
Well hes kind of my first outright villain.
And his weaknesses, having a better understanding of his vulnerability.
For me, it was so well-written that I really just had to step up.
I didnt have to lift it, I just had to fill the space.
Do you have a particular favourite character to interact with?
I loved having scene withMike [Colter], especially when Cottonmouth is aware that hes a superhero.
But everybody was great, I wish Id had more to do with Simone (Misty Knight)!
Its an interesting dynamic.
Which is a real family thing.
You get that dynamic where the other person finds themselves trying to obtain approval.
Theres definitely that between the two of them.
This sounds weird, but I was actually more inspired by the city, by New York and Harlem.
I mean I grew up 3,000 miles away in California, but my father was a New Yorker.
Its still amazing, but when I was growing up Harlem was the Mecca of black culture.
I was so inspired by it, the aspirational feeling youd get spending time there.
Experiences that were really specific to that place.
Deep within my bones.
I was inspired by the energy that I knew to be a real thing.
So you were able to draw on your memories of how it was as a child?
Yeah, and the storys written as a bit of a dream.
It pulls from the older version.
Its very much undergoing gentrification which changes the vibe, the spirit of the town.
Hells Kitchen is the same way.
As part of building the character of Cottonmouth, did you go to any specific comics?
It blocks my instincts if I read too close to the source material.
I tried to listen to the cues were placed and planted in the script.
I wanted my handprint all over him.
It was a collaborative effort to make him feel as real as possible.
I think you have to look at where you are in your career, and what you want.
I was all up for this one shot, I really was.
If anything it gave me the chance to give it all I had.
But no, it didnt make me hesitant.
Mahershala Ali, thank you very much!
Marvels Luke Cage is available now on Netflix.
