For us Comic Book Movie fans it looks like more and more movies are going to be made over the next few years. This has raised a lot of talk among the fans and within the industry about what actors should represent our favorite characters from the pages of the comics. In this article I am going to take a look at four of my favorites from the Marvel Universe and who I think makes sense to play the roles. For the studios producing the movies it is a huge deal to get the casting right, just look at Robert Downey Jr. playing Tony Stark! Even a midst rumors that his run is coming to an end after the next Avengers movie it is hard to picture anyone else playing the role. So here is my two cents on the who and why I think the actor works. Have fun and let me know your thoughts.
Dr. Doom – To me Victor Von Doom is the best villain in the Marvel Universe. He has been a key antagonist of the Fantastic Four but has also battled the Avengers, the X-Men, and many others. What has always appealed to me about him is his intense, cold, genius, calculating manner of doing things. It always seems like he is one step ahead of everyone. Now that it has been reported that the Fantastic Four is going to have a reboot I am very curious if they use Dr. Doom once again as their primary villain. In the 2005 Fantastic Four movie the character was played by Julian McMahon. While I thought he was the best part of the movie there is no doubt they will be using a different actor.
To me looking at the brooding intensity of the character, there is only one actor I could see playing the part and he will be very familiar to those that have recently seen this summer's Star Trek: Into Darkness, and that is Benedict Cumberbatch.
In Star Trek he showed me that he has the ability to play the intense villainous role with how he portrayed Khan. From a personality standpoint they are very similar characters and it wouldn't take much to see him as the good doctor. He has the physical characteristics and the tools to portray the character accurately on screen. From a practical standpoint he is also a very in demand actor right now which studios will love. He not only did the great job with Khan in Star Trek, but he will be seen on screen playing the Necromancer in the Hobbit trilogy as well as voicing the dragon Smaug. To me he is the only actor I could see playing the part of the Latverian ruler. All hail Doom!
Luke Cage- Another fan favorite that has long been wished for is the super strong, damage resistant, street smart, take no prisoners, Luke Cage. In the comics he has had several recurring roles in many different major comics such as in the Avengers, Secret Avengers, New Avengers, along with Spider-Man and the Fantastic Four. In recent years he has also had key moments and roles in the Marvel story arcs of Civil War, Secret Invasion, and Shadowland to name a few. The character is a tough streetwise bruiser. I particularly always liked him because of the way he fights using his strength, and hard as nails approach to getting things done.
As for who should play him I think this is the easiest casting call for the Marvel Universe since Samuel Jackson became Nick Fury. That person is Dwayne Johnson, “The Rock” of WWE fame, and recent movie roles in GI Joe and the Fast and Furious. In fact an April fools joke already had listed this as the truth!
In reality though I do think he is the right one to play the role. Some may scoff at this but I think he is a perfect fit because Dwayne has the screen presence to hold his own whether you like him as an actor or not. I just picture a pumped up Dwayne Johnson on screen being recruited by Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Samuel Jackson. I think that could be a special moment on screen. Regardless, he has the size, bulk and look to bring the comic book character to life.
Ms. Marvel – Rumors, rumors, rumors is what we are hearing about Ms. Marvel in either the Phase Two or the Phase Three portion of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In fact with that much smoke it makes me believe it is no longer if she will be making a movie appearance, but when. Major Carol Danvers, aka Ms. Marvel, has long been in and out of the Avengers ranks, especially in the space story arcs, and is the most recognized female heroine in the Marvel bank of characters. If what has been laid out so far comes to fruition with Thanos, and where Guardians of the Galaxy movie leads us she most likely will fit nicely into Phase Two. Plus, when you think about the demographic standpoint, a strong female super hero could appeal to the female movie going audience as well.
That all being the case there is only one actress I can see, who both has the look (lets face it Ms. Marvel has to be a knockout) and sassiness of the character. The actress to me who fits the bill is none other than Yvonne Strahovski, the blonde bombshell that we most remember from the TV show Chuck. I think she has the look,
she is also 5' 9”, and the style of what I would expect Ms. Marvel to be on the big screen. In addition another factor to consider is that she already has ties with Marvel's parent company Disney with Chuck being an ABC show. She also would fit a similar mold that Marvel has used before like when they used Chris Hemsworth as Thor. She is known commodity but isn't an A-lister just yet. I think she would be a really good fit to play Ms. Marvel.
Gambit- For this one I will address immediately that I do remember that Taylor Kitsch already played the Ragin' Cajun in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, with Hugh Jackman. Do to the fact that there will be some time that passes between that movie and the next time we most likely see Remy LeBeau, I think the role will need to be recast to show an older wiser Gambit. In the comics one of the things that I have always liked about Gambit was that he has always been portrayed as having been around the block a couple of times, kind of like Luke Cage and Wolverine. That being the case, I think you have to use a little bit older actor to give that sense of depth to the character to really round him out. Apparently, Gambit will not be making an appearance in X-Men: Days of Future Past so when we will see him again on screen is anyone's guess, but I sure hope it is sooner rather than later.
To me again using the formula of a good actor albeit a little lesser known, I would look to Jason O'Mara. Most recently he was in the TV show Vegas and before that the ill fated Terra Nova on Fox. He is an Irish actor who being a little older would bring the depth to the character that I believe a Gambit would need to really work on screen.
From the work he has done I think O'mara could find that right mix between Gambit's sense of humor, flamboyancy and the cold hardness of the character from living in the shadows. I think it would be a good casting choice.
Well, that was just four of the characters from the Marvel Universe and the actors I would like to see play them on the big screen. To me the first question I always ask myself when I hear someone has been cast in role is can I see them in the part? I think these actors all fit the bill from both a practical angle as well as from their physical looks standpoint. Thanks for reading and let me know what you think!