Ashton Kutcher, who has recently maintained a low profile, appeared on stage at New York Comic Con with his co-stars from FX’s The Beauty.
During the panel, director Ryan Murphy disclosed that a substantial amount of lubricant was used during filming. He mentioned, “Jeremy [Pope] came back and that day, Jeremy, you were covered in 30 pounds of YK lubricant… There was a shortage. We bought all the lube in New York.”
The audience burst out laughing when Ashton humorously remarked, “Sorry to anyone who was, uh…” The focus then shifted to the next topic as Ryan hinted at his upcoming project following the huge success of his Monsters series.
The Beauty is an upcoming series set for an early 2026 debut, featuring Ashton, Jeremy, Evan Peters, Rebecca Hall, and Anthony Ramos, who were all present at the Oct. 11 panel. Isabella Rossellini also stars with Ashton as the antagonist’s wife, although she was not at the event.
Based on the 2016 graphic novel of the same title, the 11-episode show revolves around an STD that transforms individuals into perfect and youthful beings before claiming their lives. The narrative follows various characters, including Drew Foster and Kara Vaughn, as they explore the repercussions.
Furthermore, in the series, the chemicals are integrated into the cosmetics industry within the show’s world, offering an Instagram-like filter effect that is marketed as a profitable drug to consumers.
Ashton portrays the leader of the company utilizing the technology. While perceived as a villain, Ashton emphasized that his character has more depth than meets the eye.
“You can’t ever judge your character,” he conveyed to the audience. “Because people that are doing things, no matter how nefarious they seem, they think they’re doing the right thing.”
While initially critiquing the cosmetics and medical sectors during the panel, Ashton expressed empathy later on. He defended the idea of aesthetic enhancement, suggesting his character believed in enhancing beauty as a positive contribution to society.
Ryan found Ashton’s character intriguing for being a contemporary type of villain. He noted that older villains were often tied to World War II, whereas Ashton’s character embodies a more tech-oriented persona resembling a magnate in the industry.
The former That ’70s Show star pointed out that tech leaders instill fear due to their immense wealth and influence in various spheres, including politics and decision-making processes.