Darkman (Peyton Westlake)

Overview

Sequels

Other Media

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Darkman
Biographical Information
Real Name	Peyton Westlake
Home country	United States of America
Homeworld	Earth
Physical Information
Species	Human
Gender	Male
Chronological / Political Information
Citizenship	American
Base of Operations	Darkman's lair, Detroit, Michigan
Fictional Information
Created by	Sam Raimi
Portrayed by	Liam Neeson
First Appearance	Darkman
Final Appearance	Darkman

“ I'm everyone... and no one. Everywhere... nowhere. Call me... Darkman. ”

—Darkman

Doctor Peyton Westlake was an American scientist and research developing a method of creating synthetic skin to assist with burn victims. After an attack by Robert G. Durant that led to his being horrifically scarred in a laboratory explosion, the unidentified and presumed deceased Westlake was subjected to the Rangeveritz Technique, a procedure that prevented pain impulses from reaching the brain. Unable to feel pain, and with incredible strength brought on by unmanaged adrenaline flow, Westlake sought to destroy Durant's criminal empire while searching for the man who had orchestrated the attempt on his life, while dealing with the uncontrollable mood swings and fits of madness caused by the procedure. Westlake's crusade against crime and search for vengeance pushed him further into madness, leading him to realise he was no longer the same man and to rechristen himself Darkman.

Notes

Behind the Scenes

• Darkman was portrayed by Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson. Director and character creator Sam Raimi had intended to cast Bruce Campbell in the role, but was overruled by Universal Studios. Thanks to the character's mastery of disguise, Campbell was able to cameo at the very end of the film in the role.
• Neeson has stated that acting through the makeup and with eyes was challenging, and that the requisite hours in the makeup chair would have led him to refuse the film later on in life. Neeson has also stated that he loved making the film despite the makeup process involved and the long hours. Neeson, reflecting in 2020, stated that he'd liked the script because it was something he'd loved to have seen as a boy, as well as the fact that it was a leading role. Hal Lipper of the Tampa Bay Times criticised Neeson's acting, referring to it as overracting.
• Arnold Vosloo took on the role in the two sequels, while Christopher Bowen played the role in a 1992 TV pilot. Darkman also appeared in a series of novels written by Randall Boyll, where Darkman is explicitly set in Detroit as in the scripts, and attracts the attention of the United States government.

Trivia

• The setting of the film is never explicitly stated in the film, nor its two sequels, though at least one review from the time of release identified the city as being Detroit.
• Trevor Henderson has cited Darkman's appearance as being one of his favourite live action character designs.

Appearances

• Darkman (first and final appearance)

Links

• Darkman on Wikipedia
• Peyton Westlake on the Darkman Wiki