In this episode, Tony connects over Zoom with actor Aleks Paunovic, whose towering physicality and grounded emotional presence have made him a standout across genre television. Most recently, he brings the iconic Polyphemus to life in Percy Jackson and the Olympians, delivering a performance that’s equal parts monstrous, tragic, and unexpectedly human.

👁️ Transforming into Polyphemus The prosthetics, the costume, and the artistry behind creating a believable cyclops on screen.

🔥 Heat, endurance, and on‑set challenges How extreme weather conditions shaped the shoot and tested his stamina.

🎭 Finding character beneath the creature Aleks’ approach to performance when his face is partially obscured by makeup.

🥊 His time on Reacher 

🐐 Stepping into The Greatest Why the Muhammad Ali story resonates with him and what audiences can expect from the new series.

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