LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The late 'Friends' star Matthew Perry had discussed working with director Adam McKay on a superhero project that would be semi-autobiographical and called 'Mattman', inspired by his own life.
In the past, the 'Don't Look Up' director and Perry talked about a Mattman project that would have involved a show about a 50-year-old actor who becomes a billionaire upon the passing of a distant cousin.
The adored actor unexpectedly passed away at 54 in his Los Angeles home on October 28. A private funeral service was held in the city for Perry on November 3.
The idea behind the semi-autobiographical superhero project 'Mattman'
McKay revealed in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, about speaking with Perry regarding the Mattman project while they were working together on 'Don't Look Up'.
"It’s about this guy," McKay recollected. "You’d recognize him. His name is Matt and he’s very famous and about 50 years old."
"His life is a little bit of a mess. He’s lost. Out of the blue a distant relative dies and leaves him $2 billion — and he uses [it] to become a superhero."
The pitch captivated McKay, not because he wished to create 'Mattman', but rather because it provided an insight into Perry's ideas.
Perry and McKay discussed Perry assuming the lead on the new project. The concept was primarily inspired by Perry's personal experiences, particularly his struggles with addiction and mental illness.
McKay added, "My idea was just to do a show about being this incredibly popular, well-known TV guy who’s dealing with addiction…a fictional version of what you’ve struggled with."
"The idea that everywhere you go, people yell your catchphrases, a little bit of your past, the addiction, what it’s like, because everyone views you through this lens of this cheery, bright, multicolored show."
McKay continued: "And then, meanwhile, you’re a human being who’s dealing with real addiction, real pain. It could be an incredible show. It could be really funny. It could really affect people’s lives."
Perry, however, wasn't interested in that idea. Furthermore, McKay added, "It’s not the kind of idea you push on someone. So I was like, ‘OK'."
Matthew Perry considered himself as 'Mattman' in superhero project
Perry was apprehensive about the project's status as a movie or series, but he saw himself as the main character. In response, McKay offered his own concept, which was less conceptual but just as autobiographical.
More than ever, mental health is a topic of conversation in today's society. McKay declared, "The world has changed."
"You could actually do that show now. Ten years ago, people would have said you’re crazy. But now people can be more upfront about their mental health issues, their addiction issues, and it’s kind of wonderful."
McKay pondered whether Perry's obsession with superpowers was an attempt to invoke a higher force within himself. Perry might have given in to his own mortality.
Similar to Batman, Perry had committed a substantial amount of his life and his personal wealth to helping others. His goal was for other addicts to achieve sobriety.
Furthermore, the recently established Matthew Perry Foundation will carry on that mission posthumously.
Perry was struggling with drug addiction, but prior to his untimely death, he appeared to be getting healthier.
On October 28, he was discovered dead in a hot tub; no drugs were discovered there, and there was no indication that foul play had occurred.
His post-mortem study yielded no conclusive answers, per NME, and his official cause of death remains unclear. However, a toxicology result clarified that it was not caused by fentanyl or meth.
