Fil-Am actor Jacob Batalon joins Jack Quaid in ‘Novocaine’
Jacob Batalon arrives at the premiere of “Novocaine” on Monday, March 10, 2025, at Paramount Theatre in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
With thrilling stunts and sharp comedic wit, Filipino American actor Jacob Batalon, best known for his role as Ned Leeds in the Spider-Man and Avengers films, takes on a new adventure in the action-packed comedy “Novocaine.”
Starring alongside Jack Quaid – the son of Hollywood icons Meg Ryan and Dennis Quaid – Batalon brings his signature charm and humor to the film.
From left, Jacob Batalon, Amber Midthunder, Jack Quaid and Ray Nicholson, cast members in “Novocaine,” pose together at the premiere of the film at Paramount Studios on Monday, March 10, 2025, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)
Taking to Instagram, the Fil-Am actor posted a series of photos with his co-actors, writing, “Novocaine would not have been possible without all these amazing people. we got another HIT BABY NOVOCAINE IN THEATERS MARCH 14TH.”
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The said film follows Nathan Caine (played by Quaid), an ordinary man with an extraordinary condition: He is completely insensitive to pain. When his girlfriend is kidnapped, his rare medical condition becomes his greatest weapon, allowing him to bulldoze through danger without feeling a thing.
Batalon plays Nathan’s best friend who brings comic relief and loyalty to the chaotic quest.
In a playful twist, his character is even described in the film as a “Jason Momoa look-alike” – a comparison that Batalon found particularly amusing, as he shared in a recent interview.
Meanwhile, in another Instagram post, Batalon said that the film was shot in South Africa: “[Novocaine Movie] [Paramount Pictures] goddamn we was COOKIN in South Africa!! it’s another hit.”
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The film opened at No. 1 at the box office with $8.7 million, leading an otherwise slow weekend for movies.
Dennis Quaid, a two-time Golden Globe nominee, praised his son’s achievement. “I just talked to him last night. His movie’s no. 1,” Quaid told People. “I mean, that’s incredible, really great. He certainly deserves it. He’s just getting started. You haven’t seen nothing yet when it comes to him.”
Jacob Batalon – born in Honolulu to Filipino migrant parents, Billy Batalon and Vangie Andres from Pangasinan – made his acting debut in the 2016 film “North Woods.”
As part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he first appeared as Peter Parker’s best friend Ned Leeds in “Spider-Man: Homecoming” (2017).
He reprised the role in “Avengers: Infinity War” (2018), “Avengers: Endgame” (2019), “Spider-Man: Far From Home” (2019) and “Spider-Man: No Way Home” (2021).
