A new interview reveals how that major cameo was planned in the reboot of The Toxic Avenger, with its director stating it was “a box that needed to be checked.” The Toxic Avenger Unrated was released on August 29 to a strong critical reception. In fact, the 2025 superhero black comedy splatter film has scored an 85% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Directed by Macon Blair, The Toxic Avenger serves as a reboot of Lloyd Kaufman’s cult 1984 Troma classic, and stars Peter Dinklage as Winston Gooze, a janitor-turned-mutant vigilante battling corruption and chaos with nothing but a mop. The new movie also stars Kevin Bacon, Elijah Wood, and Jacob Tremblay. However, it is the unexpected cameo from Kaufman that has people buzzing.

Speaking with ScreenRant‘s Ash Crossan, Macon Blair revealed how Troma co-founder and original director Lloyd Kaufman’s cameo came to be. According to Blair, Kaufman’s role wasn’t just a fun afterthought; it was actually one of the earliest creative decisions made during The Toxic Avenger‘s development, before the story even came to be. Check out Blair’s full explanation below:

That was before we had any sort of idea what the story was going to be. The idea that there would need to be a Lloyd cameo at some point in the movie in some way was sort of baked into it. That seemed like it was a box that needed to be checked.

Kaufman appears briefly at the end of 2025’s The Toxic Avenger, in a role cited as The Hospital Grump/Lloyd, where Kaufman essentially tells Blair’s Dennis character to shut up, in a hilarious moment that marks a clash between the old director of The Toxic Avenger and the new. Kaufman also served as a producer for the reboot.

What This Cameo Means For The Toxic Avenger Reboot

Kaufman’s unexpected cameos in things like Guardians of the Galaxy and the recent Superman are always a welcome delight, but this one carries extra weight. Kaufman’s brief but pointed appearance as the grumpy hospital patient in The Toxic Avenger not only offers a laugh for audiences but, this time, also directly connects the reboot to its original roots.

By locking in Kaufman’s cameo before The Toxic Avenger‘s plot was written, Blair emphasized his respect for the franchise’s legacy. The scene is a clever, self-aware moment that honors the past while acknowledging the new creative vision behind the reboot, reminding audiences that no matter how much The Toxic Avenger evolves, Kaufman’s spirit remains embedded in its DNA.

Our Take On Lloyd Kaufman’s Toxic Avenger Cameo

There’s a strong sense of sentimentality in Kaufman’s cameo in The Toxic Avenger, as, unlike Superman, it isn’t just any cameo; it’s a humorous homecoming for the creator of a cult classic that redefined indie horror and comedy. Kaufman’s Superman appearance is brief and a nod to James Gunn’s origins, but his The Toxic Avenger cameo is direct and personal.

In an era where reboots often sideline original creators, Blair’s decision to include Kaufman from the start is a very meaningful gesture, showcasing how the film (and particularly Blair) values The Toxic Avenger‘s origins. The witty “shut up” moment is more than just a line; it’s a nod to every fan of the original and a mark of Kaufman’s approval.