Netflix viewers are keen to discover how many languages Yahya Abdul-Mateen II can actually speak.
The Marvel star has embraced a fresh action role in the brand new thriller series Man on Fire. It is an adaptation of A.J. Quinnell's book series, which began with a 1980 novel bearing the same title.
A film version was released in 2004, with Denzel Washington taking on the role of lead character John Creasy. This time around, it is Yahya who portrays the former mercenary.
Following a distinguished career as an accomplished special forces operative, John exits the field suffering from severe PTSD. However, his efforts to begin anew are disrupted by a fresh revenge mission, reports the Mirror.
While the series is primarily in English, the protagonist displays his Spanish-speaking abilities at several points. But is the actor actually fluent in the European language?
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Yahya Abdul-Mateen II does not speak Spanish. He studied portions of the language specifically for the Netflix programme, which is set in Brazil.
When questioned about how many languages he speaks, he told Revolt News: "I speak English[...]. If you teach me Spanish I can pick that up. I can pray in Arabic. And I can say a little bit of stuff in Portuguese. So I think we're probably still at one [language]. But I can be impressive."
In a separate interview with CineXpress, the actor disclosed that he had not spoken Spanish since his teenage years.
"I wanted to get that right, I wanted to be respectful of the culture," he explained. "It's a beautiful language and I hadn't spoken Spanish since high school, many years ago."
Further cast members include Queen of the South actress Alice Braga, who portrays a taxi driver drawn into Creasy's mission.
Meanwhile, Billie Boullet takes on the role of Poe Rayburn, the character Creasy is tasked with protecting throughout Man on Fire. The up-and-coming talent is perhaps best recognised for her appearance in The Worst Witch.
Netflix's official synopsis teases: "Man on Fire follows John Creasy, who was once a high-functioning and skilled Special Forces Mercenary known for surviving even the most desolate situations.
"However, John is now battling extreme PTSD and personal demons. As he attempts a fresh start, he'll find himself back in the (metaphorical) fire and fighting harder than ever."
Man on Fire is streaming on Netflix
