It may not be widely known, but Broadway veteran Leslie Uggams plays a supporting character named Blind Al – friend and roommate to the superhero Deadpool played by Ryan Reynolds – in the upcoming action-adventure movie based on the superhero.

In the comics, Deadpool is sent to kill Blind Al, but ends up bonding with her. How she’s used in the film isn’t public info yet – at least, not until the film is released this Friday, February 12.

Although a "Deadpool" casting notice last year described Blind AI as: "Worldly, great sense of comedic timing, sarcastic, dry, funny." Also, If the film is a box office smash, there could be more Blind AI for Uggams to play, because the role called for a 3-picture deal.

Leslie Uggams Deadpool began his journey as Wade Wilson, an Army Ranger who later became a mercenary – the “Merc with the Mouth.” After being diagnosed with cancer, Wade seeks help from a rogue lab – “Weapon X” (the same program that turned Logan into The Wolverine) – that is actually engineering mutants. They “cure” Wade – but his face is disfigured, his life ruined, and he knows they are going to do the same and worse to others. His mission now: get his life back and seek vengeance on those responsible so that it doesn’t happen to others.

Blind Al and Deadpool The film’s cast also includes T.J. Miller as Weasel, Gina Carano as Angel Dust, Brianna Hildebrand as Negasonic Teenage Warhead, Morena Baccarin as COPYCAT and Ed Skrein as Ajax. Directed by Tim Miller from a script by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick, Deadpool is scheduled for a release on February 12, 2016.

Below, watch a new behind-the-scenes interview with Leslie Uggams (courtesy of 20th Century Fox) talking about her role as Blind Al in the film.

Leslie Uggams starred in "Hallelujah, Baby!," which premiered on Broadway in 1967, and won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a musical. She appeared on Broadway in the revue "Blues in the Night" in 1982 and in the musical revue of the works of Jerry Herman, "Jerry’s Girls" in 1985. Later Broadway roles include Muzzy in "Thoroughly Modern Millie" (2003 – 2004) and Ethel Thayer in "On Golden Pond" at the KENNEDY Center in 2004, and on Broadway at the Cort Theatre in 2005. In 2001 she appeared in the August Wilson play "King Hedley II," receiving a nomination for a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play.

Watch the veteran actress talk Blind Al below:

Leslie Uggams

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