MARVEL PRESENTS: THE AVENGERS
This is my cast for an Avengers TV series. I’d want it to be noticeably less light-hearted than the MCU. Not “dark and gritty,” just more Marvel Comics style. I think it would make sense to be on Netflix.
The Plan: 12 episodes for each of the 2 seasons. In the first season, the team would be assembled from the beginning, but each main Avenger (Cap, Iron Man, Hulk, and Thor) would have two episodes a piece to feature flashbacks (think Orange Is The New Black) of their origins and recruitment, while still keeping up with a current timeline. Each set of flashbacks would also feature one supporting character that will show up later in the show as a sidekick, love interest, or villain.
The Love Interests: I would prefer the series to only prominently feature the relationship between Hank and Janet, as opposed to several different relationships. Tony and Pepper’s relationship will be shown, just not heavily featured.
Also in the first season, a small group of newcomers are recruited.
The Conflict: The main villain in the first season will be the Taskmaster. A number of his trained henchmen will battle the Avengers throughout the series, but he will remain in the shadows until the first season’s finale.
The Second Season: Focuses heavily on the Taskmaster assembling the Masters of Evil. Several Avengers will be recruited with their own flashbacks involved in the second season. Once both teams are complete, the season’s final two episodes involve an intense battle where both sides suffer casualties.
Overview: It’s really just an overall plan, nothing too detailed. Just thought I’d throw a TV cast together for one of our favorite superhero teams. I obviously tried to find actors with talent and looks, but also who have been featured prominently in a TV series. A few of the actors portraying characters of the villainous Masters of Evil have, at some point, been featured in TV series (Christoph Waltz in his earlier days in Germany, Chow Yun-Fat in his earlier days in China, and Rosamund Pike in lesser known roles) and are featured for star-power and premier acting ability. Also, I do realize that Marvel does not own the TV rights to Spider-Man or Namor. Just roll with it.
The Avengers
Captain America (Steve Rogers) – Desmond Harrington [Dexter]
I chose Desmond because I feel he has a very underrated charisma about him. He always stood out to me as Joey on Dexter as the bad-guy-turned-good and I feel like that sort of feeling could be conveyed well with Cap, in a different sort of tone.
Thor – Charlie Hunnam [Sons Of Anarchy]
I chose Charlie because of his undying air of superiority on Sons. Not only that, the first few seasons of the show were about his character trying to live up to the legacy of his father. What a great comparison to Thor.
Hulk (Bruce Banner) – Rainn Wilson [The Office]
I chose Rainn because he is a very intelligent person. It shows in his roles. Granted, I don't want him to be an annoying prick like Dwight, but I obviously believe his acting skills are great enough to handle the conflicted role of Bruce Banner.
Iron Man (Tony Stark) – Alex O’Loughlin [Hawaii Five-O]
Originally, I had chosen Colin Farrell. It made sense because of the looks and the cockiness. However, when I was searching for my Dr Strange pick, I saw Alex O'Loughlin with a goatee. This is Tony Stark straight from the pages. I see it more here than I do with RDJ (no disrespect, RDJ kills it). I chose Alex also because of the banter he provides on Hawaii Five-O. It's clear he has chemistry with his co-stars which is a huge trait needed to play Stark.
Their Loved Ones and Friends
Bucky Barnes (later Winter Soldier) – Jensen Ackles [Supernatural]
I chose Jensen because I remember how favored he was as the pick for Cap before Chris Evans was cast. While not a bad choice, I think his size it what makes him lacking in the ability to play Cap. Beyond that, he is a great actor with great buddy-buddy chemistry, as shown in Supernatural. This makes me want to use him as a true sidekick Bucky in flashbacks.
Loki – Joseph Fiennes [Camelot]
I chose Joseph because of how I always saw him as the mischievous type. Every look he gives the camera just seems like he's pulling a fast one. I also have seen some interviews with him that make me believe he aspires to be a truly great actor to compete with his older brother, Ralph. I feel he could really bring that competitiveness to the role.
Rick Jones – Jared Padalecki [Supernatural]
I honestly don't know much about Rick Jones other than the fact that he is a major supporting character in the Hulk comics (of which I haven't read many). I chose to have him involved because he seems to be the only big character from that mythos that hasn't been explored on-screen yet. Of what I do know, he seems to be a loyal friend to Bruce and just an outstanding guy. This is why I chose Jared. He has always been the rock of whatever group he is a part of. Always the loyal one.
Pepper Potts – Kelly Reilly [Black Box]
I chose Kelly based on her roles in the Sherlock Holmes films and Flight. Surprisingly to me, she still isn't that well known of an actress. She plays on the drama in her films so well and even gets in on the action on occasion. Not to mention the unhealthy relationships she has developed in her roles. This is what made me think of Pepper.
More Avengers
Ant-Man (Hank Pym) – Simon Baker [The Mentalist]
I chose Simon because he can pull off the role of a sly, disturbed genius so well. His role in The Mentalist is one that reeled me in from the first scene. He is a truly charismatic actor.
Wasp (Janet Pym, née Van Dyne) – Eva Longoria [Desperate Housewives]
I chose Eva Longoria because it's [frick]ing Eva Longoria.
Falcon (Sam Wilson) – Jaleel White [Family Matters]
I chose Jaleel White because he is honestly one of the best TV actors I've seen. I know Steve Urkel was just a nerd-next-door, but Urkel is such a broad jump from Jaleel's personality. And that was when he was a teenager. Now, Jaleel has grown to be a heck of a cameo actor on several detective shows and he has developed quite a buff individual.
New Recruits (Season One)
Hawkeye (Clint Barton) – Matt McGorry [Orange Is The New Black]
I chose Matt because of his role as Bennett on Orange Is The New Black. I have never seen him outside of that show but he is one of the many reasons I come back every episode. He is a very convincing guy. Actually, if it weren't for Laura Prepon and Jason Biggs, I would honestly believe the show was a reality series.
Quicksilver (Pietro Maximoff) – Aaron Paul [Breaking Bad]
This is a big one for me. As you can probably tell from my username and avatar, I'm a Quicksilver fan. Quicksilver is my favorite character in all of comics. I've cast the character before in an X-Men movie, but I wouldn't feel right using the same actor because of his lack of TV experience. So I went searching. I usually just search for popular TV shows and strip the actors from it based on what I've seen of the show or the actors' other works. I decided to browse the Breaking Bad cast (a show of which I am a huge fan) and knew I wanted to use Aaron Paul as someone here. Then it hit me: brash, quick-thinking, co-dependent smartass. That is Pietro Maximoff. That is my Quicksilver.
Scarlet Witch (Wanda Maximoff) – Rachael Leigh Cook [Perception]
I chose Rachael the same way I chose my Wanda actress for my X-Men movie: I found the perfect Pietro and googled actresses born in the same year (twins, duh). After some narrowing down, I really like my pick. She is a talented actress and has done some decent TV work in the last few years.
Vision – Jim Parsons [The Big Bang Theory]
I chose Jim because he may, well, as well be a robot. I saw him in The Big Bang Theory (which I really don't care for) and thought he was weird. Then I saw him in Garden State and he was acting similarly. It hit me that it's not his roles that make him weird, it's his weirdness that makes the roles.
S.H.I.E.L.D. Operatives
Agent Maria Hill – Cote de Pablo [NCIS]
I chose Cote because of he role on NCIS. Although I am not really a fan of the show, I have seen it a number of times, thanks to my grandma who is obsessed with Mark Harmon. Anyways, I've seen her act and she could really pull off a role like Hill. She acts like a real tough-ass and works that detective angle very well.
Nick Fury – Nathan Fillion [Firefly]
C'monnnnn, like you need to know why Nathan Fillion is cast for anything. He's the mannnnn.
Black Widow (Natalia Romanova) – Joanna Garcia [Once Upon A Time]
I chose Joanna because I've seen her act in a few shows and she has a lot of charisma. She's very likable. While Widow doesn't technically need likability as an attribute, she does when she's undercover. Otherwise, I feel Joanna has what it takes to pull off the role. And she's a beauty, which I feel is needed. No offense to the Scarlett lovers, I'm not a fan of her face. Great everything else, just not feeling the face.
The Villain
Taskmaster – Matt Bomer [White Collar]
I chose Matt because there is something mysterious about him. Or at least his character on White Collar seems shrouded in mystery. I feel he could play a menacing, mysterious leading villain.
New Recruits (Season Two)
Dr. Strange (Stephen Strange) – David Duchovny [The X-Files]
I chose David Duchovny because of his role in Californication, mostly. A rich narcissist with problems he can't fix. And his character in The X-Files shows his experience working with supernatural material. And he's handsome.
Captain Marvel (Carol Danvers] – Hayden Panettiere [Heroes]
I chose Hayden because she has blossomed as an actress. From her spunky role in Remember The Titans to her rising fame in Nashville and Heroes, she just seems to have what it takes. We need someone like that to play Carol. A strong woman who built herself up to what she is today.
Black Panther (T’Challa) – Dulé Hill [Psych]
I chose Dulé because I love every role he's ever played. He's a really talented actor and deserves more recognition. One main role I focused on is Gus from Psych. He's always trying to stand up for what's right and helping Shawn save the day by fixing his mistakes. Black Panther could be a huge part of season two in this aspect by being a natural leader.
Spider-Man (Peter Parker) – Ken Baumann [Secret Life Of The American Teenager]
I chose Ken because of his role in Secret Life Of The American Teenager. I can sense nerdiness in his personality even if he does come off differently on the show. His age and the fact that so many actors his age are just pretty boys, he stands out to me.
Namor – Zachary Quinto [Heroes]
I chose Zachary Quinto for Namor because he is the obvious choice for Namor. I have heard others say they prefer Jonathan Rhys Myers (understandably so) I feel like Zach is a better actor. He has impressed me in so many roles and I feel he could shine in a role like Namor.
Masters Of Evil (including Taskmaster and Loki)
Baron Zemo – Gabriel Macht [Suits]
I chose Gabriel because, of the roles I have seen him play, he stood out as a sort of society-loathing prick. His roles make him seem like he feels he is above everyone.
Mandarin – Chow Yun-Fat [Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon]
I chose Chow Yun-Fat because he is a legend. He is a highly respected actor and deserves all the recognition given to him.
Red Skull – Christoph Waltz [Inglourious Basterds]
I chose Christoph for the same reasons I chose Chow Yun-Fat. I mean, these guys are acting kings. And their nationalities don't hurt.
Enchantress – Rosamund Pike [Gone Girl]
I chose Rosamund based on he role in Gone Girl. I was honestly surprised she didn't win the Best Actress Oscar. She brought everything she had to that role and it paid off with award nominations galore. Her psychotic role proved to me that she could easily handle a role like the Enchantress.
Executioner - Hafþór Björnsson [Game Of Thrones]
I chose this guy because he was the damn Mountain on Game Of Thrones. He's a massive person with European ties and sufficient acting talent. He is easily my first choice for Skurge.
There you have it. Thanks for reading!