Hawkeye's Piotr Adamczyk Dishes On The Tracksuit Mafia And The Biggest Action Sequences - Exclusive Interview

There's no denying that the Tracksuit Mafia "bros" are one of the best aspects of "Hawkeye." With a series boasting of holiday cheer and a festive premise, it's only natural to have a set of equally lighthearted villains to balance out some of the show's darker undertones — like Clint Barton's grief over Natasha and the heavy undercurrent of loss as a whole. Luckily, the series found a perfect trio of actors to portray the gang, including Polish actor Piotr Adamczyk, who plays Tomas.

Adamczyk is no stranger to the MCU, as Polish fans may recognize his voice as the Polish dub for Ant-Man. In addition to his "Hawkeye" role, Adamczyk plays Sergei in "For All Mankind" and scored a role in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video series, "Lightyears." However, Adamczyk's Hollywood roles are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to his acting resume. He's appeared in dozens of Polish films and TV shows dating back to 1996.

During an exclusive interview with Looper, Piotr Adamczyk spoke about working alongside "Hawkeye" veterans like Jeremy Renner, Hailee Steinfeld, and Alaqua Cox. He also covered the importance of Polish and deaf representation, revealed what he wished he could have told Vera Farmiga during "Hawkeye" filming, and touched on "For All Mankind" Season 3 and "Lightyears."

Tomas has some really fun scenes with Hawkeye himself. What was it like filming with Jeremy Renner, and do any moments behind the scenes stand out in working with him?

I remember, and I'm very thankful to directors Bert, Bertie, and Rhys Thomas [for allowing] us to add some new stuff to the characters — to the Tracksuit Mafia guys. So there was a moment during this scene when Tomas is interrogating Hawkeye that Rhys said, "You could try to improvise, just add some stuff." Improvising for me, not being [an] English speaker because English is my second language, it was something I was a bit afraid of. But to do it in this huge production was [a] really incredible debut for me to have [an] improvisation scene with Jeremy Renner.

And there was a moment I mispronounced something, and I said something like, "We are integrating you," or something, I don't remember. And Jeremy started to laugh about it, but he continued to be in the moment, in character. So we were improvising back and forth to the moment when the whole crew burst [into] laughter. And that was something for us as well, because the crew is our first audience. So we understood that these lovable idiots are really very funny. And probably [that] was the moment we understood how important this comedy release [would be] on our part.

Can you remember any of the specific things that you improvised that might have made it into the final product?

Because [the] Tracksuit Mafia guys are Eastern Europeans, Kazi, the character played by Fra Fee, an Irish actor, he is Kazimierz Kazimierczak. I was actually teaching him how to pronounce his name. That's a Polish character. So based on that, we thought that it would be good, me being from Poland, to use some Polish. And that's what I did with pleasure. So that was probably my own influence and idea. And I'm very, very happy because it had such a huge impact in my country. My countrymen are so proud of being a part of the Marvel Universe, which is so surprising.

What can we expect to see from your character and the Tracksuit Mafia in the future?

That's the question I don't know how to answer. I think that we should expect what we already got in the comic book. These guys are like comedy-release background. I'm, in a way, surprised [at] how important background [can] be and how we were treated on set and even being in the intros, in the credits at the beginning. We had our own poster, which is incredible. We are so, so happy about that.

And coming back to the thought about [the] reaction of my countryman, when the poster of the Tracksuit Mafia guys released on the Marvel Studios Instagram, I think that somebody from the social media there was very surprised. Because most of the comments, thousands of comments, were in Polish. So they had to be surprised with the [number] of comments and this Polish pride from a Polish actor being part of the Marvel Universe.

I'm the second Polish actor. There was already a Polish director and actor, Jerzy Skolimowski, who played a Russian in "Black Widow." But for Polish people to hear, in [the] original version, some Polish words in this funny mixture of very strongly Polish-accented English, and some Polish words in [a] Marvel show, that was something they didn't expect, and they are happy to hear.

I think it's so important for people to see themselves in media. The deaf representation in "Hawkeye" as well has been really cool.

Yes. And working with Alaqua Cox, watching her development as well as an actress, how powerful her performance is. And she is a hero in real life — [a] superhero in real life. And I was so, so happy to be a member of the group with her. I remember I also prepared a few sentences in sign language, but now I prove that I'm very close to my character because it was my ignorance that I didn't know that sign language is different in different languages.

I was really surprised. I thought, forgive my stupidity, but I thought that it's quite unique. So I said something, I signed something to her, and she didn't understand, but then we [had] a laugh about that. We were comparing different signs: How is it in English? How is it in Polish? And I'm happy that I got to have important scenes with her. Observing her was a great pleasure. She has very powerful presence, and it's a very powerful performance because of the strong look she has and the information which is flowing from her eyes. I'm proud of her as well.

Which MCU characters and movies are your favorites? And is there another character or actor from the franchise that you'd love to work with in the future?

I had a similar question on the red carpet. I was very nervous to walk on. First thing, the interview's in English, this big opening night. And I remember I said something, somebody asked me, "Would you like to meet some superhero from Marvel in real life?" And I said, "I already met Ant-Man." And the journalist was very surprised. The thing is that, yeah, I would love to meet Paul Rudd, not because he was chosen the sexiest man on the planet, but because I'm his Polish voice of Ant-Man.

So with these films, I could treat him as a tutor as well, because when you work on a performance as a dubbing actor, I don't know how to depict it well, but you're trying to copy the rhythm, the emotion, the truthfulness of the voice of the original version of the original character and actor. That's one of the best lessons of acting. It's so great when we have [the] opportunity to be [the] voice of a great actor. And [so] being [the] Polish voice of Paul Rudd, in [that] way, I'm a Polish Ant-Man already.

I love the animated show "What If...?," which basically puts a spin on all of the classic Marvel stories that we know and love. If you could have your character appear on "What If...?" and change something about his backstory, make him a hero, make him a villain, or put him in a different universe, a different world, what would you like to see happen to Tomas in that kind of situation?

I know this series because Ant-Man is in it as well. So [I voice] the animated character of Ant-Man. If Tomas could be in "What If...?," I was thinking [of a] possible scenario [where the] Tracksuit Mafia steal some of the superpowers — [that] could be really very dangerous. Because, as I told you, stupidity can be very dangerous because it's unpredictable. And imagine having these stupid guys have [access] to some really dangerous arms or superpower — [that] could be a real threat. So why not? Maybe it would be a good idea for Marvel producers, for Kevin Feige. And he'll read this interview, and he'll go, "Oh yeah. Why don't we do that?" I hope so. That's my dream.

Either that, or he becomes Ant-Man [laughs]. That would be really meta.

Oh yes, why not? Maybe that could be their superpower. Imagine these small Tracksuit Mafia, the ants walking on your desk right now. Yeah, that's a great idea.

Was Hawkeye what you expected going in? Or is there anything about the show, the set, or the actors that surprised you?

If something surprised me? To be honest, there's so [much] gossip about stars and Hollywood and the huge contracts, and I was coming into the set having these strange expectations and not knowing actually anything. So for me, in a way, it was a big surprise that films are done the same way everywhere. Of course, here is a big, big, huge budget — best of the best professionals, time, tweaking. We could come back to the same scene again and again and again, and make it better and better and better.

So that's my answer to the question: how films, great films, are done. They are constantly made better every take, every moment. A lot of people are working on it to make it perfect. And then we have a perfect effect after it all. So it's strange, but what surprised me is that the films are being made everywhere in the same way. And the stars are approachable, are great. We became friends. We were like a family. And the last moments of shooting, people were crying [and] hugging each other.

I don't know if I can say that they were hugging each other, but yeah, in masks. So yeah, it was so many hugs. But we definitely missed each other. And then seeing the faces, a few of the faces on the opening night and seeing even Jeremy Renner, who's waving to me and shouting, "Bro!" I'm so proud of, yeah.

We shoot in New York and in Atlanta, and then when I was watching this show, I was like, "Oh my God, this scene was done in Atlanta, but it's totally New York, it's totally New York." I love this job. And this strange world of filmmakers who are telling the stories. And I'm happy to be a part of this perfect production, which is giving so much joy and tears as well. Because a few of the scenes, I was watching the cousin of Alaqua playing young Maya, and I couldn't stop crying. I was like, "Oh my God. How touching these moments are."

It's really very important for a lot of communities. So as you said, for deaf representation, right? Or even me, I'm proud to be a [part of] Polish representation, even if it's this stupid guy representing Poland. But it's the comic characters, and I understand that everybody knows what's the joke about. It's not the Polish joke at all.

What's one piece of advice that you would give your "Hawkeye" character?

I know that he would not understand the deep thoughts. So I would actually encourage him to speak Polish, more Polish, because I've seen the reaction of my countrymen. And I ask, "Please, I hope there'll be more Polish in the next episode." And things like that. So yeah, I would encourage him speak Polish because the audience likes it.

What's your favorite movie of all time and what makes it special to you? If you can think of one.

I remember, I don't know how to say that, when I was a child and in primary school, [what] do you call the moment you just are so afraid of exams that you are running away from school?

Anxiety?

No, no, not anxiety, but the moment that you skip the lessons and just run away from school.

Cutting class.

Oh yeah. Okay. So I did this, and I hid myself in the cinema. It was a special cinema in Warsaw, and it still exists, and I love it. It's a cinema [that shows] old films, some weeks of an actor or weeks of a director, [and] famous movies from the past. And so it's great to be able to see old films, classic films, on screen.

So I run away to the cinema, and I've hidden behind the row. And I watched "The Graduate" a few times in a row. And that was the moment I think, watching the performance of Dustin Hoffman, that I understood that that's my dream to be an actor — probably that was the moment. I enjoyed watching it over and over again, and finding new stuff, new small gestures, small emotions, small tweaks — understanding that this performance is much deeper than you could see it from just watching the film.

Is there an actor or a director, either from the past or the present, that you would have loved the opportunity to work with?

It's so difficult. I think it's my mind or my character that I can't find answers to these kinds of ranking questions. Of course, I could use the opportunity to say some important name, thinking that maybe the universe will help me to make it true. But what I'm enjoying as an actor is every encounter, meeting new people. And sometimes, you could learn more even from somebody like you who's looking for answers, who's still being on the new land. Sometimes you could learn from young actors reminding yourself [of] your first steps.

And I'm just, to honestly answer this question, I just love to work. And that's my dream, to continue doing it, meeting different people, different directors. Because every new person in your life is a big, big experience.

So I was amazed [how] important your performance as an actor is, that it could actually change the way they had an idea about the character. So there is a big influence for actors. Actors could be influential in the storytelling. And I'm happy that my Sergei survived the second season. We already finished shooting the third season.

Yesterday, we [found out] that "For All Mankind" was nominated for the Critics Choice Award for Best Drama. So, that's awesome. And it's really deserved because the scripts are incredible and the way they tell the story — the idea of this alternative history — this series is becoming more science fiction with every season. Because at the beginning of the season, it's this alternative history: 'What would happen if Russians were first on the moon?' And from that point, the [show's] reality and the real history are taking different paths. So yeah, maybe it'll be more science fiction with every season. And it's a great idea.

Is there anything else about "Hawkeye" or "For All Mankind" or any upcoming projects that you wanted to talk about?

If you'll allow me to tease and throw the one title, the title will be "Lightyears," and it's an Amazon series. The first season [is] with Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons. And that was [an] incredible, incredible adventure. So as I told you, I said that I feel young again because I [understand] that it is never too late. In a way, [the] pandemic influenced me to move to [the] United States for a while and give it a try. And it worked incredibly, so I'm really very, very happy to have these joyful moments of my life.

I feel like I'm having the best moment of my life, in a way. And starting again, being like a debut, starting from scratch. Nobody is judging me as, "Oh, I know this actor from so many roles." But here, it's like I'm just a new climber, and everybody's judging me from the point, what person I am or if I'm credible as an actor, if I'm credible as a character. So it's a new chapter in my life. I'm very proud, happy of it.

You mentioned a couple of big names on your upcoming Amazon series "Lightyears." What was it like working with some of those guys?

As I told you, the big, big names are so approachable. This is sometimes a big surprise. Of course, they have to sometimes be hidden. And this big popularity is probably a burden for them. But my experience is that I was just [acting with] my friends. And it's an honor to be able to call Sissy Spacek or J.K. Simmons your friend. But yeah, they were so friendly on set. And very helpful, understanding. I can't find words, that's not only because my English is limited, but it's really indescribable how [many] beautiful [moments] I received from the universe, having a chance to meet them and work with them.

New episodes of "Hawkeye" air Wednesdays on Disney+.