Michael James Shaw gets deep about his acting, Twisted Metal, Avengers, The Walking Dead, bing a Blerd & more with Young Deuces

When I sat down with Michael James Shaw, I knew I was talking to more than just another actor. The man is a force — a Howard alum, a classically trained performer, a true Blerd, and someone who’s been part of three of the biggest fandoms in pop culture: Marvel’s Avengers, The Walking Dead, and now Twisted Metal.

From the moment the interview started, you could tell he’s grounded in his art. He’s thoughtful, humble, and hilarious — the kind of dude who can talk Shakespeare and superheroes in the same breath.

We kicked things off talking about his roots. Michael started acting through school plays and gospel choir — not the usual path for a kid growing up in a football state. His father and coaches had him lined up for a sports career, but the arts pulled him in another direction. He told me this story that honestly sounded like it came straight from a movie: he walked away from football to pursue acting, and his team literally trashed his locker and tore down his banners. So of course I had to ask — how do you deal with something like that at such a young age?

That moment says everything about who Michael is — fearless, focused, and unwilling to ignore what his heart tells him.

We dove deep into how Howard University shaped him as both a man and an artist. He lit up talking about the collaborative energy there — how the students didn’t just perform the classics, they reimagined them. “It was always our take,” he said. That same energy carried over to his experience on Twisted Metal, where he collaborated closely with the producers to bring Axel — one of gaming’s most iconic characters — to life.

When I asked what excited him most about the role, he smiled and said it’s that perfect mix of fantasy and grit. He’s big on authenticity, too — this man literally trained by swinging a mace to prepare for Axel. “You’ve gotta feel it in your shoulders,” he laughed. That level of dedication comes from his theater roots, and it shows.

Then, of course, we had to talk Marvel. A lot of people don’t know this, but Michael almost turned down his role in Avengers: Infinity War because of a scheduling conflict and a dream trip to Africa. Imagine that — passing on the MCU for a once-in-a-lifetime trip! We also talked about what it’s like to be part of the most secretive franchise in Hollywood — how you have to keep your lips sealed even when the whole world’s trying to guess your role.

Fun fact: he originally auditioned for M’Baku. I asked him what his approach was for that audition, and his answer gave me chills — but you’ll have to tune in for that part.

And for the real Marvel heads — yes, we talked about those Infinity War fight scenes. Michael’s character fought nearly every Avenger at some point, and I asked him which fight was his favorite and what it felt like to “kill Vision.” You’ll want to hear how he broke that down.

From there, we got into The Walking Dead and his role as Mercer, the armored man of duty with a moral compass. Michael shared what it was like stepping into such a massive world with a legendary cast — and who his favorite on-screen partner was. (Let’s just say his back-and-forth with Khary Payton, who played Ezekiel, got a special mention.)

We also had some fun with the Geekset Hypotheticals — everything from “Twisted Metal or Walking Dead world?” to “Makeup & prosthetics or bulky gear?” Plus, I had to ask: if two of your characters teamed up for a buddy cop movie, who’s riding shotgun? His answer? Pure gold.

Outside of acting, Michael’s a natural musician and producer influenced by Pharrell and Timbaland, and he’s a proud Potterhead — though you’ll have to listen to find out whether he’s Team Books or Team Films.

But my favorite moment came when we talked legacy. His father’s name was John Henry Shaw — and if you know your mythology, you know that name means something. So I had to ask… with that legacy in your blood, is that role calling your name? The way he responded gave me chills.

Michael James Shaw is the definition of multi-dimensional — a classically trained artist with superhero swagger, a thinker, a Blerd, and a man who’s still chasing new creative highs.

Check out our full conversation on 1-on-1’s w/Deuces to hear his story in his own words — from the locker room to Howard, from The Walking Dead to Twisted Metal, and from a dreamer to a franchise legend.

Trust me — this is one you don’t want to miss.