Back in 2009, I've decided to cast some of the major players in the DC Comics universe, however, this article features characters related directly with the Aquaman only. The castings for other DC characters are either on separate articles or have not yet been posted. This casting has (generally) no correlation with any other live action depiction of Aquaman (namely Smallville).
NOTE: My fan cast is based primarily on the outer appearance of the actors/actresses because (naturally) I did not examine the acting ability of every single actor/actress. I am well aware that some people CANNOT act…
The Good Guys
Jason Lewis as Orin/Aquaman
I don’t have a particular reason why I casted Jason Lewis as the lead character because I have never seen him act in anything except in a small role in How I Met Your Mother. However, I chose him because he looks a lot like Orin and he’s of that proper age. Personally, I am looking for someone who’s a little older than the actors playing the other heroes (i.e. Bale playing Batman).
Christina Hendricks as Mera
I originally casted Julianne Moore as Mera because I felt that she was a good actress but I recently changed my cast because I realize that she is a little too old (she’s currently 50, though 49 when she was casted). Thus, I’ve decided to change my cast to Christina Hendricks who looks the part and has the talent to pull of the Queen of Atlantis.
Jake Gyllenhaal as Garth/Tempest
I’m a pretty big fan of Jake Gyllenhaal because I think he’s a great actor. I casted him as Garth because I felt that he looks the part, is of the proper age (compare to the actors I have casted for his Teen Titan brethrens in my other fancasts), and once again, has great acting talent. I think he can really bring out the conflicted personality that should plague his character.
Alan Ritchson as Aquaman II
I know many of you don’t like mixing up the Smallville cast with other people but I think he does an okay job as Aquaman in the show so I think it’s fair to give him a role in the Aquaman mythos as the man who temporarily takes the mantle of Aquaman. Alan Ritchson is of the perfect age to play the character too. However, for those who worry, this role would never be a big role anyway.
Reese Witherspoon as Dolphin
I casted Reese Witherspoon as Dolphin (Aquaman’s one time lover and Tempest’s wife) because I felt that she has the right innocence to play the character with justice. I realize that she is 4 or so years older than Jake Gyllenhaal but I really think that Witherspoon has enough talent to play the wife of Garth.
Jessy Schram as Tula/Aquagirl I
I casted Jessy Schram because I thought she did a good job in the short-live TV series Life (starring Damian Lewis) and that she could bring the same charisma to the character of Tula, the first Aquagirl. Despite the fact that the character should be about the same age as Garth (I would assume), Jessy is 6 years younger than Jake. However, as we all know, her character dies at a young age anyway.
Selena Gomez as Lorena Marquez/Aquagirl II
I’ve recently became a fan of Selena Gomez and though her “dramatic” acting skills has yet to be tested (as far as I know), I think her style of humor will fit the role of Lorena Marquez perfectly. She’s also at the perfect age and has the looks down pat.
Bill Nighy as Vulko
Who can deny that Bill Nighy is a great actor? The man is awesome. Despite the fact that he looks sort of evil and creepy, I think he would be great as Dr. Vulko, a mentor and friend to Aquaman. ‘Nuff said.
Adrien Brody as Arion
This is actually a late cast and I admit I only casted Arion cause I like the character (who only has a small but powerful role in the comics). I casted Adrien Brody because recently I’ve gained newfound respect for him as an actor. Also, his thin, mysterious looks reminds me of Arion, one of the most powerful Atlantean in the world.
Not that all of these characters would all be in one movie, but quite possibly, there could be a cameo with Bryce Clyde Jenkins as a young Jackson Hyde (the current Aqualad in DC Comic continuity).
Although, I admit, since I casted a late-20s Jake Gyllenhaal as Garth, Jackson Hyde probably should be a little older but…oh well.
The Bad Guys
Michael Ealy as Black Manta
Honestly, there’s no particular reason why I casted Michael Ealy as Black Manta except that back in 2009, I saw that somebody else casted him so I thought ‘what the heck’. He looks the part and is of the proper age.
Don Cheadle & CGI as Charybdis
Once again, there’s no particular reason why I casted Don Cheadle as Charybdis except that I believe him to be a good actor. Though he primarily plays good guys, I think he has the capability to play an antagonist. I’ve contemplated having Andy Serkis or whoever voice the character once he transform into a Piranha like creature. However, Cheadle does look the part assuming Charybdis was still human.
Karl Urban as Orm/Ocean Master
The main reason why I decided to cast Karl Urban as the Ocean Master was because I thought he definitely looked the part. Also, through roles in Bourne Supremacy and The Chronicles of Riddick, he showed that he could play an antagonist. Another factor that contributed to his casting was, chronologically Orm is supposed to be younger than Orin. Karl Urban is also younger than Jason Lewis (1 year).
Dhalip Singh Rana & CGI as King Shark
The main reason why I chose this wrestler to play King Shark was because I needed a physically imposing guy. In terms acting, there isn’t much Oscar worthy dramatic acting needed because I’m simply looking at the roots of this character. King Shark was originally a brutal, quiet, killing machine before the writers made him all chatty after Infinite Crisis. That’s what I’m looking for.
I hope you enjoyed this. Constructive criticisms are welcome (I realize this isn’t the best my cast).