Welcome to the very first round of the Fan Cast tournament here on CBM. Over the next few weeks, we will see arm chair producers challenged with creating casts for a number of different properties. This round is just basic fan casting without much information given. Round 2 will be more advanced challenges. The semi-finals will be what I lovingly refer to as the "Time Warp Challenge." And in the finals, the two people left standing will be tasked with casting the impossible; a property that many have said is untouchable. At the end of it all, one person will be CBM's fan casting champion ...and it is all up to you decide.
How do we determine a winner? Well, after looking through what each participant has chosen in this match, you head to the comments and vote on who you thought had the better cast. Feel free to add any other notes you have on the casting as well. Voting will be open for 24 hours befoe we declare who won the round. Originally, if there was a tie, I was going to keep voting open for another day, but where is the fun in that? INSTEAD, when there is a tie, there will be a special breaker SINGLE casting for each to answer. That way there is some excitment and intrigue. And I wouldn't be surprised if we had a tie in this match because these two casting are GREAT!
Before we get to that, I need to some some house keeping.
Sign-ups for Alternates
Okay, I am looking for some alternates for this tournament in case some people no show/forget. I'm going to make it post in the comments below, all you have to do is respond with your e-mail address. If there are matches without submissions by deadline day (this thursday), I will contact you with your casting challenge. Simpe as that.
And now for our first match up....
Up first are two people who were very early to sign up. In fact, they were both involved in the article where I first pitched this idea. MrMurdock was the first to sign up while JaredRWebb12 did a fantastic four fan cast that inspired this idea. Now, these two will duke it to see who is the better arm-chair producer of the two. And their challenge is...
The Birds of Prey!
For those that don't know, the Birds of Prey are typically a mostly female crime fighting unit, having formed after Barbara Gordon was crippled at the hands of the Joker. There has been many iterations of the group, but it primarily features Barbara Gordon, Black Canary, and The Huntress. We have seen version where Barabara was Oracle, where she was Bat Girl, and we also saw a very short lived WB TV series in 2002 ...which featured a [frick]ing fight scene set to "All the things she said" by Tatu. That variety is clearly seen within this match up as the two casts are great, but nothing alike.
Both have made sure to note that their movies DO take place in the DCEU. One features the more traditional Oracle led team, while the other has Batgirl action. The actors recruited to for each couldn't be any more different, but also quality in their own way. What we have is a tough contest for our first match.
Judge Mills Lane says "LET'S GET IT ON!"
D C E x t e n d e d U n i v e r s e
B I R D S O F P R E Y
P L O T S Y N O P S I S
After being crippled some years ago at the hands of The Joker, Barbara Gordon has reinvented herself as Oracle. Paraplegic and confined to a wheelchair, she begins using technology and computers to help others by operating a worldwide communications network. She catches the attention of Dinah Lance aka Black Canary who has been pursuing the vigilante known as Huntress after she attacked her father. Oracle and Black Canary form the Birds of Prey, using the Gotham Clock Tower as their base of operations.
The vigilante Huntress is Helena Bertinelli. Born into the Bertinelli crime family, Helena's parents and little brother were murdered when she was a young girl, a hit ordered by mob boss Stefano Mandragora. After spending several years abroad training, she’s returned to exact her revenge on Mandragora. Turning to an old business associate Mandragora hires Noah Kuttler for protection who in turn contacts Elaine, an assassin known around the world as Lady Vic. After gathering intel on the Huntress’ identity and the potential hit on her head, Oracle straight away notices the similarities she has to her former mentor. Oracle and Black Canary embark on a rescue mission, with the latter working in the field while the former provides intel from the clock tower.
BRYCE DALLAS HOWARD // BARBARA GORDON
After starring in Jurassic World and more recently Netflix’s Black Mirror, Bryce Dallas Howard’s proven herself a great actress in the last few years. It was after seeing her in Jurassic World and Pete’s Dragon that convinced she’d be great in the DCEU as Oracle.
Previously in: Jurassic World, Pete's Dragon, Black Mirror
CHARLIZE THERON // DINAH LAUREL LANCE
Theron has always been one of my favourite actresses, with Mad Max: Fury Road being my personal favourite role of hers. Over the years she’s shown how well she can handle action and stunt work. Her new film Atomic Bomb looks to further prove my point.
Previously in: Mad Max: Fury Road, Prometheus, Snow White and Huntsman
TESSA THOMPSON // HELENA BERTINELLI
I first saw Thompson in Ryan Coogler’s Creed in which she was excellent, but it’s been her role in Westworld as Charlotte Hale that really stood out to me. Looking forward to seeing her as Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok, I think she’ll be a standout
Previously in: West World, Creed, Selma
DAVID STRATHAIRN // NOAH KUTTLER
Strathairn’s role in the Bourne series as Noah Vosen is all I needed to see for me to be able to put him in this role. Also worth checking him out on The Blacklist, he’s great in that too.
Previously in: The Bourne Ultimatum, Godzilla, The Blacklist.
NATALIE DORMER // ELAINE MORTON
Dormer has really grown on me after her performance throughout Game of Thrones. She’s also had a small part in the later Hunger Games movies, plus everyone loves seeing an English antagonist.
Previously in: Game of Thrones, Elementary, The Hunger Games
JEFFREY TAMBOR // STAFANO MANDRAGORA
Wouldn’t ever have thought of this guy but after recently seeing The Accountant I want to see more of him.
Previously in: Arrested Development, Transparent, The Accountant
DENNIS QUAID // LARRY LANCE
Quaid is a great in small supporting roles, seeing him in Truth particularly makes me think he’s well suited for the role.
Previously in: Vantage Point, Truth, the Art of More
GEENA DAVIS // DINAH DRAKE LANCE
The Long Kiss Goodnight is one of those movies I saw when I was younger and it just stuck with him. Fun action movie, makes it easier to picture Davis as the golden age Black Canary.
Previously in: Thelma and Louise, the Long Kiss Goodnight, The Exorcist
MICHELLE MCLAREN
MacLaren has directed stellar episodes of Westworld, Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones. She was also in talks with Warner Bro’s to direct Wonder Woman before things fell apart due to creative differences. I can very much see her behind a more grounded property like Birds of Prey.
Directed: Westworld, Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad
And now for his opponent's cast...
Anna Kendrick as Batgirl/Barbara Gordon
Age:31
Notable work:End of Watch, Pitch Perfect, Up in the Air
Why: This choice might be a little forward thinking, but Anna Kendrick would be able to perform both the BoP Batgirl, as well as the college girl from Batgirl of Burnside(since Batman is older, this would also make sense with the timeline)
Hayden Panettiere as Black Canary
Age:27
Hayden Panettiere
Notable work: Heroes, Nashville
Why:She looks the part and is a great actress. Also, after binge watching Heroes, I figured she could play a real hero
Emmy Rossum as Huntress(Bertinelli)
Age:30
Notable work: Shameless, Phantom of the Opera,Mystic River
Why:Rossum rose quickly, due to her critical acclaimed turn on The Phantom of the Opera, the former Golden Globe nominee would be able to rock as Huntress.
Age:25
Notable work:Suicide Squad
Why:If it ain't broke don't fix it, and it wasn't her fault that Suicide Squad gave her nothing to do.
Alice Eve as Lady Blackhawk
Age:35
Notable work: Star Trek:Into Darkness
Why: Sure, she's a little on the older side, but she looks about a decade younger than she actually is, and she looks the part for Lady Blackhawk
Olga Kurylenko as Starling
Age:37
Notable work:Quantum of Solace, Oblivion
Why:She has the right look and acting range to play a character such as Starling who turns on the team.
Ralph Fiennes as Mr.Freeze
Age:54
Notable work: Harry Potter 4-7
Why: He's one of the great villain actors of all time, and can pull off the cold,calculated nature of Mr.Freeze
Directors: Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck