Actor Marti Matulis has carved a unique path in Hollywood, specializing in the intricate art of creature suit performance. Star Wars fans will recognize him as the imposing pirate “Vane” in The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew.

In a recent interview with journalist Nick Williams, Matulis offered a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of embodying characters hidden beneath layers of prosthetics and costumes. His recent credits include portraying the Demon in the television series EVIL and a role in the upcoming film Red One.

Marti Matulis on his journey to Star Wars: Skeleton Crew

Matulis’s journey began with a seemingly ordinary background role in a Star Trek film. This experience, however, opened doors to the world of special effects makeup and ultimately led to his first creature suit role. Over the past two decades, he has honed his craft, becoming a sought-after performer for bringing fantastical beings to life.

“Creature suit performance is the subset of character acting work that I’ve fallen relatively comfortably into for the last 20-plus years,” Matulis explains.

A typical day on set for Matulis is anything but typical. Long hours are the norm, often requiring him to arrive hours earlier than the rest of the cast to undergo the transformation into his character. “You show up anywhere from an hour to six hours ahead of pretty much everybody else,” he says. Despite the physical demands – the heat, the restricted movement, the hours spent in prosthetics – Matulis finds immense satisfaction in the collaborative artistry that brings these characters to life. “I love being able to witness this art happening,” he shares.

Marti Matulis on being able to play Vane in multiple Star Wars Series

Matulis’s passion for his craft is evident. He speaks with gratitude about the opportunities he’s been given and expresses excitement for future projects. “I just am absolutely appreciative to be given the responsibility to carry this character for them,” he says.

Williams and Matulis also explored specific projects, including Matulis’s experiences on The Mandalorian and Star Wars: Skeleton Crew. Matulis revealed that his character, Vane, was originally slated to be killed off in The Mandalorian. However, his performance resonated with the producers, who decided to keep him alive, ultimately leading to his appearance in Skeleton Crew.

Looking Ahead

The interview concluded with a thoughtful discussion about the future of the entertainment industry. Matulis acknowledged the challenges posed by streaming services and the increasing influence of large corporations. He expressed his hope to continue navigating this evolving landscape, pursuing both creature-suit roles and opportunities to explore more traditional acting roles.

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