Florence Pugh is one of the most recognizable actors working today, and her trademark frown deserves at least a supporting credit. Pugh’s film work has long made the case that the talent runs deeper than the brow. However, the latest endorsement comes from someone who watched that talent up close: Christopher Abbott.

Abbott recently reflected on sharing the East of Eden experience with her, and the praise he offered went well beyond polite co-star courtesy.

Christopher Abbott, who has now joined Florence Pugh on the Marvel bandwagon, also worked with the actress on the John Steinbeck-inspired East of Eden. That shared experience left a lasting impression, and Abbott did not hold back when explaining to Rolling Stone what sets her apart from other performers.

“My litmus test for any actor is just, it's simply like, are they there in the room with you? And you feel like something is happening in the room. And Florence does that to the nth degree.”

Abbott's compliment for Pugh on the Rolling Stone podcast is the kind that explains why her frown draws so much attention, since there is always something happening behind it. Coming from an actor known for his own intensity, the remark carries extra weight. 

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The two have shared a stage and a set, and now they are sharing a franchise.

It was announced at the D23 Disney Entertainment Showcase earlier this year that Christopher Abbott will be stepping into the shoes of Professor X. The casting sets him right in the middle of a star-packed franchise and in very close vicinity of his East of Eden co-star Florence Pugh. However, the chances of them appearing on screen together on a Marvel set are quite low, especially with Abbott aborting the Doomsday mission. 

"I gotta do the ‘X-Men’ movie first before any of that stuff," Christopher Abbott said on Rolling Stone when asked if he would be in Avengers: Doomsday.

Abbott will play Charles Xavier in Marvel Studios’ X-Men, which is directed by Jake Schreier of Thunderbolts* and set to reach theaters on May 5, 2028. The cast announced alongside him includes Sadie Sink as Jean Grey, Kit Connor as Cyclops, and Adam Driver as the villain Mr. Sinister.

Marvel may keep them apart for now, but Abbott has already made his case that Pugh is an actor who fills any room, nth degree, litmus test and all.

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What do you think about Abbott's impression of Pugh? Let us know in the comments.