Hey guys, I’m having my first crack at a fan-cast here, so apologies in advance if its terrible, haha! I’ve been a huge fan of the Justice Society for a number of years now, having been introduced to them through James Robinson, David S. Goyer and Geoff Johns’ brilliant comic run in the early 2000s. Since then, I’ve always loved the idea of the JSA getting some big screen attention – or at least a TV mini-series.
I’ve put together a group of thirteen heroes who I’d like to see form the line-up in this incarnation – hopefully balancing it with enough famous faces and rising talents to work. I’ve also in the past thought about a story for a JSA reboot (heavily influenced by the three writers above), and while I haven’t included that, I’ve slipped in a few details about how I’d like these characters personalities to be onscreen.
The story would focus on the formation of a new team, guided by the original Golden Age members like Jay Garrick, Wildcat and Sentinel. Current generation heroes such as Starman, Mr Terrific and Sand all join the line-up, while junior members such as a new Star-Spangled Kid and Jakeem Thunder are introduced as well – creating an exciting mixture of crime-fighting youth and experience.
Anyway, enough of me rambling, here ‘s the main cast below – I hope you enjoy it!
Sanderson Hawkins/Sand
Actor: Sam Claflin
Notable Role(s): The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Sanderson Hawkins (aka ‘Sandy The Golden Boy’) was once the sidekick to Golden Age detective Wesley Dodds/Sandman. The 1999 run portrayed Sand as a young man ‘lost in time’ (a bit like Captain America) after time-travelling to the present. He is both humble and a good leader, but lacks confidence in himself - and is plagued by nightmares.
In my opinion,
Sam Claflin is one of the most promising young stars around. He has so far impressed in big blockbuster affairs including both the
Pirates Of The Caribbean and
Hunger Games franchises, and would do great as the JSA’s future leader.
Michael Holt/Mr Terrific
Actor: Michael Ealy
Notable Role(s): Almost Human,
Seven Pounds
Michael Holt is the “third smartest man in the world”, possessing genius-level intellect and a comprehensive knowledge of nanotechnology. Also an Olympic-level athlete, Holt is selected by the JSA to be their new ‘Mr Terrific’. He is one of the most significant African-American superheroes around, and a personal favourite of mine.
Though perhaps a slightly strange choice, I feel
Michael Ealy captures a lot of what Mr Terrific is about – a perfect mix of youth and experience. His turn in last year’s
Almost Human proved he can handle drama, and could step-up to play this underrated hero
Courtney Whitmore/Star-Spangled Kid
Actress: Chloë Grace Moretz
Notable Role(s): Kick-Ass
Arguably the real ‘main character’ of the JSA during Johns’ run, and most definitely the most relatable one for new readers, Courtney Whitmore is a teenage superhero-wannabe, whose step-father was the sidekick to the original Star-Spangled Kid. Initially a junior entry-level member of the JSA, she grows into her own, as the hero ‘Stargirl’.
Chloë Grace Moretz is possibly the biggest name on this fancast, as well as one of the most talented teenage actresses in the business (with previous CBM experience from the
Kick Ass franchise) – making her perfect for this fan-favourite character.
Ted Grant/Wildcat
Actor: Jon Bernthal
Notable Role(s): The Walking Dead
One of the more famous faces on this list, Ted Grant helped train the likes of Batman and Black Canary. He is also one of the senior members of the JSA, acting as an ‘uncle’ to many of the younger heroes, but also has a hot head and a notable temper. An old-school ‘tough guy’, he can still go toe-to-toe with the best of them.
Fitting in a similar age group to the other two senior JSA members,
Jon Bernthal would make an excellent Ted Grant. Famous for his role as resident hothead Shane on
The Walking Dead, Bernthal brings the intimidating physicality that Wildcat needs.
Jay Garrick/The Flash
Actor: Patrick Wilson
Notable Role(s): Watchmen,
The A-Team
Jay Garrick was the original Flash, and a founding member of the JSA. He has since gone into retirement, but acts as one of the senior members of the present-day team. He is perhaps the most approachable of the three, and adopts a fatherly role to this new generation of superheroes.
Very popular in CBM fancasts, having impressed in the role of Nite-Owl in
Watchmen, Patrick Wilson is my pick to play Jay Garrick. He shares a similar physique and appearance, and although reasonably young, fits in age-wise with the rest of this cast.
Alan Scott/Sentinel
Actor: Alan Tudyk
Notable Role(s): Firefly
The third and last of the senior members of the JSA, Alan Scott was the Golden Age Green Lantern, before taking the name of ‘Sentinel’. Hugely respected in the hero community, he recently came out as gay (in the New 52). He is perhaps the most level headed member of the team, and often provides advice to the new generation.
Always entertaining in every role he plays,
Alan Tudyk is a big favourite of mine, having first impressed me in his much-loved turn as Wash in
Firefly. He possesses serious acting chops, as well as an inherent likeability that would make him perfect for Sentinel.
Jack Knight/Starman
Actor: Robert Sheehan
Notable Role(s): Misfits
The son of Ted Knight, the Golden Age Starman, Jack once looked up to his father’s colleagues – but became more rebellious and arrogant as he grew older. Initially regarding the role with disdain, he reluctantly accepts the family mantle of Starman, and is already active as a hero in Opal City when he is invited to join the new JSA.
Able to play a youthful blend witty, charming and downright douchey,
Robert Sheehan is a great match with Jack Knight. He would easily manage to replicate Jack’s arrogance and carefree nature, eventually mellowing to become a halfway decent human being.
Dinah Lance/Black Canary
Actress: Taylor Schilling
Notable Role(s): Orange Is The New Black
Almost definitely the most famous member of this incarnation of the JSA, Black Canary has in the past worked alongside Batman, the Justice League and most notably Green Arrow. A former protégé of Wildcat, she joins up with this new generation JSA team, out of respect for her mother, Dinah Drake, who served in the Golden Age team.
An actress whose star is most definitely on the rise,
Taylor Schilling is currently making huge waves as the lead in the Netflix prison dramedy
Orange Is The New Black. She’s an actress with great range, and could easily step-up to play the badass Dinah Lance.
Kendra Saunders/Hawkgirl
Actress: Olivia Thirlby
Notable Role(s): Dredd
Picking up the mantle made famous by Hawkman’s wife, Shiera Hall, in the original JSA team, Kendra Saunders is very different to her predecessor. She is at first a suicidal wreck, and harbours no interest in becoming a hero. However, with encouragement from her new teammates, most notably Sand, she soon embraces her destiny.
Originally impressing in small supporting roles like in
Juno,
Olivia Thirlby really announced herself on the big screen with a solid turn in 2012’s underrated
Dredd. A rising talent, I feel she could pull off the tormented and conflicted nature of Kendra
Pieter Cross/Doctor Mid-Nite
Actor: Scoot McNairy
Notable Role(s): Argo,
Monsters
Part-doctor, part-vigilante, Pieter Cross first began to help people as through a free clinic for the poor. An investigation into an illegal drug trade left him only able to see via infrared vision, and he became the second incarnation of Doctor Mid-Nite, also taking up his Golden Age predecessor’s position in as the JSA’s physician.
Having been around the block in the last few years,
Scott McNairy is finally coming to the attention of mainstream audiences. A talented character actor, McNairy can convey Pieter’s patience and brains, while also capturing a sense of bitterness about his vision.
Al Rothstein/Atom Smasher
Actor: Jai Courtney
Notable Role(s): Divergent,
Spartacus: Blood And Sand
Formerly a part of the upstart superhero team, Infinity Inc as the mohawk sporting Nuklon, Albert Rothstein is the godson of the Golden Age Atom, Al Pratt, and looks up to him in every way (but size). As the hulking Atom Smasher, he receives his dream invite to join the JSA. Despite his strength, he is quite insecure and easily corruptible.
After his initial success as a breakout star on
Spartacus: Blood And Sand,
Jai Courtney’s big screen career has been impeded by a few ill-advised roles (
Die Hard 5). However, he has immense potential, and possesses the perfect physicality for this role.
Jakeem Williams/Thunderbolt
Actor: Jaden Smith
Notable Role(s): The Pursuit Of Happyness,
The Karate Kid
A precocious street kid with a rough history, Jakeem starts out as a reluctant and whiny teen, who simply happens upon Johnny Thunder’s genie - the Thunderbolt (Yz). Abandoned by his family, he developed a closed-off attitude in order to surive. However, under the guidance of Courtney, Yz and the JSA, he eventually matures into a true hero.
Okay, give me a second to explain this one. Yes, at times
Jaden Smith can be completely insufferable, but that’s what makes him great for this role. Like Jakeem, Smith has more than a few attitude problems, but he’s also not without the potential to be a star.
Kent Nelson/Doctor Fate
Actor: Jackie Earle Haley
Notable Role(s): Watchmen,
Little Children
The most powerful member of the JSA, and likely one of the most powerful beings on the planet, Kent Nelson is the only other original member left (alongside Ted, Jay and Alan). In this version, he spends most of his days in a mental asylum, suffering from the long-term impact of possessing so much power for so long.
A much-loved face around these parts,
Jackie Earle Haley delivered one of the greatest CBM performances ever as Rorschach in
Watchmen. Who better then, to get inside the broken yet brilliant mind of Kent Nelson and wear the Helmet Of Nabu here?
Well there you have it – I hope you enjoyed it! What did you guys think? Agree or disagree? Add your thoughts in the
comments, or even give it a big red
thumbs up! And if there are any big JSA fans out there in particular I’d love to hear what you think!
Also, if you enjoyed this, and like movies or TV too, check out my
blog below:
12 Angry Months