Marvel’s Iron Fist on Netflix introduced Danny Rand in live-action for the first time, bringing the iconic character’s nearly 50-year comic book history to the small screen in 2017. Though, it was one of the most polarizing shows on the streaming giant’s platform, Iron Fist the Marvel Comics character instantly became a prominent superhero to the casual fan.

Among the crew to work on the TV show was Paul Varacchi, a Security PA for the series who also did stunt work for the other Marvel Netflix shows like Daredevil, The Punisher, and others. Varacchi, as he will reveal in the interview, is a huge Iron Fist fan who had the rare privilege of working on the set of his favorite character’s show.

Needless to say, he’s thrilled to share his unique experience working with the cast, including Finn Jones, Jessica Henwick, Tom Pelphrey, and the stunt team led by Brett Chan. We also talked about his Iron Fist collection and the one-of-a-kind memorabilia he took home from the set of The Defenders series.

IAMIRONFIST:  I know you’re an Iron Fist fan based on our conversations and how we “met” on social media, but I still don’t know your full “origin story.” How did you first encounter Iron Fist and what made you a fan?

VARACCHI: Well, one of the first comics I remember getting from my brother was Power Man and Iron Fist #108. That’s the one where they’re both fighting the fire on the cover and I kind of became an Iron Fist fan after that and just started reading all of the comics. 

Besides Iron Fist, the only other comic book characters I was ever really interested in were Wolverine, Punisher, and Daredevil.

IAIF: Those are great characters! I’m a fan of both Wolverine and Daredevil as well. I’m not into Punisher but I love both seasons of his show.

How did you get involved in the production of Iron Fist seasons 1 and 2? Can you share a little bit about your background and your work as a stuntman and security personnel for Marvel?

VARACCHI: I got involved with the production of Marvel because at the time, I was a Krav Maga teacher and I was involved with Krav Maga organizations all over the place. I was pretty deep into it and it just so happened that the head of Marvel security knew who I was through Krav Maga. We started talking one day and he mentioned that he was working on [the] Iron Fist [Netflix show] and I sarcastically said, “Do you have a job for me?” He laughed and said, “I have a job. I don’t know if it’s something you want to do.” Then I’m like, “Dude, if it’s on Iron Fist I’ll take it.”

So that’s how it happened.

As for my stunt work on the Marvel shows, I didn’t do any stunt work until Daredevil season 3, which was just a preview for the first episode, and then, I finally got on screen in Punisher season 2 in the first episode. I was in a bar fight.

IAIF: That must be quite an experience being in a bar fight on a Marvel TV series. I’m sure it was a lot of fun!

What were your main responsibilities on these Marvel shows, specifically on the set of Iron Fist?

VARACCHI: My main job for Marvel was content security which meant making sure call sheets and scripts weren’t left on the set if the cast was walking around in their costumes. We also made sure that they had on their overcoats so nobody could get a picture of the costumes. 

We did our best to try and keep all of those things quiet as best we could. That was my main focus. Also, I would walk the cast to and from the set when we were on location. That was a very important part of my job, too.

IAIF: Ah, so that’s how you kept the tabloid photographers and the overzealous Marvel fans from taking unofficial set photos and leaking them to the media.

How involved were you with the stunt work of Finn Jones and Jessica Henwick, the show’s two stars? Can you share some stories about them?

VARACCHI: As for working with stunts, when it came to Jess and Finn, I really couldn’t attest to anything because I was not on the stunt team. That was Brett Chan and his wonderful team of stunt guys on the Hitz International crew and, you know, he had his right-hand man, Johnny Yang. I had nothing to do with it outside of watching in true and utter amazement at how beautiful I thought the choreography was.

I know we’ve all seen the show and we all wish Finn put in a little more effort towards the training of this character. But in regards to Jess, she was always training, always working hard and it showed in the show, you know. She was amazing.

I really didn’t talk with Jess that much outside of just normal work stuff, you know, but she was an absolute pleasure [to work with] and a wonderful person. I loved working with her. She treated everybody great.

IAIF: Awesome! I was surprised you didn’t get a photo with her. But I saw your photo with Finn and it looked like he had fun taking that photo with you.

VARACCHI: Omg with my tattoo! We were laughing our asses off. The P.A. taking the photo was like, “You guys are idiots.”

IAIF: Haha! Why? What was so funny about your tattoo?

VARACCHI: Here’s the post.

Varacchi’s Instagram caption reads:

“This guy @finnjones takes one look at my tattoo and starts accusing me of killing his damn dragon. Lol! What a weirdo!”

IAIF: Crazy! I get it now. Glad you had that moment with him.

Can you tell me about some of your most fun moments on the set?

VARACCHI: The most fun I had on the set would be when I was working securities on stage, not being at the shooting. I could walk around and watch the stunt team rehearse, then watch Brett Chan and Johnny put together their amazing choreography. Afterward, I would go to the set and watch it all unfold for the camera.

IAIF: What was it like getting signatures from the cast and who was the most willing signer?

VARACCHI: I didn’t ask for autographs except for the last day. I had the entire cast and crew sign the promo poster before they walked off stage. I was at a table at the exit door and everyone signed it as they walked by. 

The coolest thing I have is from The Defenders [set]. I have the wrap poster they gave us for a gift, but I had it signed by the entire cast, all of their stunt doubles, plus Sigourney Weaver, Stan Lee, Joe Quesada, and Jeff Loeb. That would be the only one in existence with all of those signatures! That is probably the coolest thing I had signed and took me a while to get it done.

IAIF: Awesome! I hope you got that poster framed!

VARACCHI: Of course!

So on the last day [of shooting], we all got the posters but then I came up with the idea that we should take all the posters and stack them up in the room, and then have the cast come in and just sign the stacks of them so pretty much everybody got their poster signed by the cast because of that idea. But then also I found out Sigourney Weaver was coming back into the office so there were only a select few who got their posters also signed by her.

And of course being the collector that I am, I went further to get more signatures on it and ended up with Stan Lee, Jeff Loeb, and Joe Quesada. Later on, I was able to get Rosario Dawson’s signature as well.

IAIF: That is some quick thinking on your part, brother. And the fact that you got the Marvel creators to sign it as well was a brilliant idea!

VARACCHI: Definitely the only one in existence with all of those signatures on it. I can pretty much guarantee that.

IAIF: I believe you! That was a stroke of genius.

 

VARACCHI: I try. And don’t forget at one point I used to own all of the Iron Fist Funko Pop prototypes but I gave one to you and then I sold the rest.

IAIF: I know and I’m forever grateful to you for that.

Who’s the actor from the series that you became most comfortable working with and who would you want to work with again?

VARACCHI: Tom Pelphry, who played Ward Meachum, was my favorite to work with. Such a nice guy and so talented.

As for who I would want to work with again, that would be Brett. I was just starting out in my production career, so I was not into stunts yet. I would love to have the opportunity to work with him again in that capacity.

IAIF: Let’s talk about your personal collection. From everything you’ve shared with me, I know you’re not just a casual Iron Fist fan. You’re legit! Tell us when you started your collection and how it has grown since then.

VARACCHI: My Iron Fist collection started when I was about 20. I was always a collector but I started to focus on Iron Fist around that age. I saw an Iron Fist Marvel Lead Mini at St. Marks Comics in NYC and that was when I really started to go after everything Iron Fist.

IAIF: What are your most prized memorabilia from working on the Iron Fist series, and what are your other prized possessions from comic books to toys, etc.?

My most prized thing from the set is having all of the electronic elements that made Finn’s hand glow for the show.

As for the most prized piece in my collection, that would be my Marvel Premiere #15 CGC 9.0 signed by [Iron Fist co-creator] Roy Thomas. But I own every licensed Iron Fist toy there is and even had some custom Funkos made.

IAIF: Love that you got to meet Roy Thomas and that he signed your Marvel Premiere #15 in front of you, too. That’s an experience I’d love to have someday.

I am so happy that you were the one who got the electronic stuff that made Finn’s hand glow in the show! That is one awesome piece of memorabilia from the set. It’s just so cool that now you are using it to cosplay as Orson Randall. What has that experience been like for you so far?

VARACCHI: I love the Orson Randall Iron Fist the most that’s why I cosplay him. I mean, guns and kung fu? Come on man! It’s a no-brainer for me. LOL!

IAIF: This is Iron Fist’s 50th anniversary year. What do you hope to see from Marvel regarding the character’s future?

VARACCHI: For the 50th I’d like to see them bring back the [original] Iron Fist [Danny Rand] and Orson for a team-up against Hydra again like in the Immortal Iron Fist series. 

One of my other favorite Iron Fist moments was when he became Daredevil helping out Matt Murdock for a bit. Every once in a while, Daredevil’s hand would glow during a fight [because it was Danny under the mask]. That was super cool.

IAIF: What are you up to now and where can people find you?

VARACCHI: These days I am a stuntman. I just got done working on The Walking Dead: Dead City.  I have a podcast called Fights with Friends. Hope you can check it out!

IAIF: Thank you so much for your time, Paul! I truly appreciate this!

You can also follow Paul on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kravmagachef/

Marvel’s Iron Fist Season 1 and 2 are now streaming on Disney Plus.