Legends aren’t born — they’re built. Aleks Paunovic builds them on-screen, in business, and in every venture he pursues.
Photo credit: Charles Zuckermann
From playing Polyphemus in Disney+’s Percy Jackson, to co-founding beverage company Legend Water, he brings the same intensity, thoughtfulness, and humanity to every role and venture, often without anyone knowing the full story until he decides to share it.
“I was in the original Percy Jackson movie playing a cyclops,” he told SWAGGER. “When I got asked to do this role, I didn’t think they knew I’d been in the first one. I didn’t say anything until we were in production, and then I was like, just by the way, you know I was in the first one.”
This time, Paunovic takes on Polyphemus, a legendary cyclops with depth and complexity. “Polyphemus is such an interesting character,” he said. “He wants to keep the golden fleece. He protects it. He lives on his own private island… he’s a loner, but he also likes company.”
Transforming into the mythical creature took sweat, skull and a bit of movie magic. “It was close to five hours in the makeup chair and about an hour to take off,” Paunovic recalled. Filming in the summer heat of Osoyoos, British Columbia, added another layer of challenge. “It was 90 degrees, and I was in this massive suit and makeup, running up and down hills for fight scenes. After one or two takes, I’d be wringing sweat out of my costume. I probably lost ten pounds in those five days.”
Paunovic praised the artistry behind the scenes. “The makeup team was phenomenal. We have such a beautiful, interesting look for Polyphemus.” Cinematography techniques added even more complexity. “The camera was angled to show my enormity. Acting with forced perspective is tricky, but we pulled it off.”
Known for his commanding presence in roles that often lean villainous, Paunovic doesn’t see his characters as evil. “A villain never thinks he’s a villain,” he explained. “He’ll just go that much further to get what he wants. There have to be layers, not just playing a bad guy.”
That depth comes from meticulous preparation. Working with acting coach Andrew Mcilroy on Percy Jackson helped refine his process. “He gave me a binder a foot thick on who Polyphemus was,” Paunovic said. “Sometimes I make a playlist that matches the tone of each scene, just to get in rhythm. I read my scenes at least a hundred times, not to memorize, just to feel the story. Every time I do, I find a new layer.”
Paunovic’s passion for storytelling extends beyond acting. His work on The Greatest, Prime Video’s upcoming series about Muhammad Ali, executive produced by Michael B. Jordan and Jay-Z, marked a personal milestone. “I have three generations of boxers in my family,” he said. “I’ve been a Muhammad Ali fan since I was five.” Meeting Ali’s wife, Lonnie, on set left him completely starstruck.
The role also connected him to his past. “I met Muhammad Ali years ago when I worked an event as his bodyguard for a night,” he shared. “I got emotional just talking to a man who has always been a hero and mentor figure to me. How he lived his life, and what his word meant to him, is something I really try to live by.”
Walking onto set for The Greatest, Paunovic admitted, “I was the most nervous I’ve ever been in my career. I just wanted to serve the piece. I was playing a character I don’t usually get to play — and it was a gift.”
One defining career moment came through another legend, 87-year old Academy Award winner Anthony Hopkins (Silence of the Lambs). “I told myself, ‘Don’t fangirl,’” Paunovic said, laughing. “We started talking, and he asked if I played sports. When I said I boxed, he told me he used to box too. Then he asked, ‘Do you mind if we just improvise and play?’ So there I was, basically in acting class with one of the greatest actors of our generation.”
Paunovic asked Hopkins what separates him from other actors. Hopkins told him, “What we did yesterday — the way we improvised and played — that’s it. Prepare, do the work, be present, and keep doing what you’re doing. Just be present, and do the work. Remember, we’re all human.”
For Paunovic, the advice was simple but profound: focus on the craft, stay grounded in the moment, and let the work speak for itself. That advice continues to guide him. “I wasn’t stressed about getting the role in The Greatest,” Paunovic said. “I was just excited to be part of the process. I got lost in the moment.”
Outside of acting, Paunovic channels that same mindfulness into Legend Water, his sustainable Canadian water brand. “It’s an alkaline canned water,” he explained. “We started it because I was tired of seeing so many plastic bottles on set. If you drink from plastic bottles consistently, studies have shown you could end up ingesting microplastics equal to the weight of a credit card each week.”
He beamed, recalling how the product unexpectedly appeared on set: “I saw someone drinking it at lunch and asked, ‘Where did you get that?’ They said craft services. I told them, ‘I own the company!’”
For Paunovic, Legend Water isn’t just about hydration — it’s about purpose. “It has a QR code linking to suicide and mental health hotlines,” he said. “We just want to take the stigma away. It’s okay to talk about it. We all go through something.”
That initiative reflects his broader philosophy of balance and kindness. “I’ve had close friends who struggled,” he shared. “Sometimes you don’t know what to say or how to help. So we figured, why not start the conversation in the simplest way possible?”
That compassion, he said, is the thread connecting everything he does; from performing in front of a camera to co-founding a company. “Legend Water became an extension of what I wanted to put out there. It’s not just about being hydrated. It’s about being mindful, being kind, and checking in.”
Paunovic doesn’t see his ventures as separate worlds. “It’s all storytelling,” he said with a smile. “Whether it’s through a character, a brand, or a message — it’s about finding truth and connection.”
That mix of strength, humility, and heart defines Aleks Paunovic on and off screen. “I love being part of something that serves the story,” he said. “Whether it’s a cyclops, a boxer, or a man just trying to do good, I just want to be present and tell the truth.”
Catch Aleks Paunovic as Polyphemus in Percy Jackson and the Olympians: Season 2, premiering December 10, 2025, on Disney+ and Hulu, or follow him on social media @Alekspaun.
