When problems arise of epic proportions the Avengers will answer the call, but not all problems call for super heroics. What about the drug pushers, the mob bosses, the street level problems? There are those who specialize in these threats, many without super powers to get them through the night. The men and women who risk their lives each and every time they don a costume. These are the people who won't be in the spotlight, the ones that are sometimes considered urban myths among the criminal underworld, the ones willing to get their hands dirty. These heroes belong to the streets.
It's highly unlikely that several of Marvel's heroes will be seen on the big screen any time soon. That's not to say they wouldn't make for good entertainment, but they really aren't cut out for big budget treatment. Why not put the on TV? There are plenty of characters that could be used, with minimal effects necessary, and plenty of stories that would make better television dramas than big screen movies. That is what I am presenting. Imagine a TV series (preferably cable, it's amazing what can be gotten away with on channels like FX) that told stories of many of what could be considered street level heroes, presenting in serial formats. For example there could be several episodes focusing on one character or group of characters, then a different set focusing on someone else, with stories eventually intertwining and crossing over as need be. For the characters I would definitely use those that would need minimal effects, and it so happens that many of those characters are considered the "street level" heroes. An hour long drama/action/humor (at times) series.
For casting I would use actors who have at some point played recurring TV characters, so no Hollywood elites here. Also I would play the characters at various ages, some being early in their career, others having been around the block a time or ten, so as to keep things diversified. Anyway, on to the casting call.
The Heroes:
Matt Murdock/Daredevil
The first major episodic arc will focus on Hell's Kitchen's most famous blind lawyer. Still early in his career, working as a public defendant. Matt Murdock has seen good men go to jail, and bad men walk free, which has led to an often skewed vision (or lack-thereof) on the world. Sometimes when justice doesn't prevail, matters have to be taken care of in a much more direct manner. Ultimately he steps on enough toes to come toe to toe with New York's Kingpin of crime, Wilson Fisk.
For the role I wanted a younger actor to play a young Murdock, and as such I chose Chad Faust, though not a likely candidate. He played one or two episode stints in various TV shoes (Heroes/House/Smallville/etc...), was a major character in the movie "Saved" and had a lead role in USA Networks "The 4400," where he played a character who was given a role in life that was not what he had ever expected and he often had to deal with the fall out of the responsibilities thrust upon him. Though Matt Murdock chose the life of masked vigilante, he did so because of the curve-balls life had thrown at him, and having to adapt to an unexpected life.
Elektra Natchios
Of course when Daredevil is involved, Elektra won't be far behind. An assassin for hire, turned love interest, with a thirst for vengeance against crimes against her.
This one is kind of an unoriginal pick, because I've seen others cast her as well, but by crikey, sometimes people are just right for a role. Odette Annable, gorgeous, exotic, stunning...all the traits needed to play the role of Elektra.
Following the initial Daredevil arc, comes the introduction of a crime fighting team that has been kicking butts and taking names for years...one of Marvel's earliest odd couples. Luke Cage and Iron Fist...the Heroes for Hire.
Luke Cage
Luke Cage is an ex con, granted powers by some rather shifty experiments he was volunteered for while incarcerated. After becoming a free man (by some rather illegal means) he sought out those responsible for his imprisonment. Knowing that vengeance doesn't come free, and knowing that there are always people out there willing to pay for specialized services, Luke Cage hired himself out as a Hero for Hire, covering the costs of seeking out those who wronged him.
For the role of Luke Cage you needed someone big, strong and young enough to get a few years out of the role. Lance Gross, one of Tyler Perry's go to actors has the physique and acting chops to bring to life Marvel's original Hero for Hire.
Danny Rand/Iron Fist
What is Luke Cage without his partner...well he's still Luke Cage...but not quite as much. Two individuals with drastically different backgrounds, who in all plausibility would never have a reason to socialize, who became partners and friends. Using ancient arts mastered while training in the mystical city of K'un L'un, Rand learned to channel is chi, and make his fist as a think unto like iron, calling himself Iron Fist.
Smallville for all it's flaws, did have some actors who really stood out against the rest of the cast. Justin Hartley was one of those. He's got the pretty boy, rich lookand), and a physique that makes him believable as someone who could kick other people's backsides. Plus his Oliver Queen demeanor would definitely stand stark contrast to the urban demeanor Luke Cage would present.
After a couple of team arcs it's time to move on to some of Marvel's solo acts. Allowing for a couple of shorter arcs, that would eventually way lay into crossover territory.
Marc Spector/Moon Knight
Moon Knight is Marvel's Batman...you know if Batman was certifiably insane with split personalities and a far more lenient kill policy. Not to mention his look is visually stunning in all white. His intro storyline would have him dealing with the loss of his previous sidekick, and the sidekick's eventual return as a man seeking vengeance on the one who cost him his life.
Geoff Stults would be my Marc Spector, in the canceled Fox series, "The Finder" he convincingly played someone who wasn't 100% stable...and that's something that Marc Spector needs to be...someone who seems like he knows what he's doing, yet at the same time everyone around him is perplexed at his methods.
The last of the "heroes" introduced would be none other than Marvel's one man army against crime.
Frank Castle/The Punisher
Played as a war vet (though from more recent conflicts than Vietnam) in his late 30's who returns home, joins the police force, only to have everything he cares about taken from him in one instant. A man who single handedly wants to eliminate every criminal on the streets, man with no emotions and just a drive to continue his own personal war.
To play the role you need someone with a strong jaw, who can believably handle himself in armed and unarmed combat, and someone who shows very little (practically none) emotion. Stoic and driven...and probably the one cast member even more unlikely than Chad Faust as Daredevil...Daniel Southworth, a regular at conventions, voice over artist, former member of Jackie Chan's stunt team, and former Power Ranger. Yes, his best known role was that of Eric Myers from Power Rangers Time Force, but there he played a kidded down version of Frank Castle, he was solitary, strong, and showed very little emotion...for a role like Frank Castle, depth of character is not really a necessity...and blast it all I always like him in the series and would love to see him in something else.
Eventually others would make appearances, some staying around longer than others...for example I would love to have a womanizing, drunken Hercules make a few appearances, or Shang-Chi, Jessica Jones, any version of the White Tiger...but those would be cast later.
Regardless, you can't have heroes without enemies, and while several would be occasionally recurring villains, a handful would be far more prominent, at least in earlier seasons. So without further ado...
The Bad Guys:
Wilson Fisk/The Kingpin
First and foremost, Wilson Fisk, the Kingpin of crime. Played as a character with a presence throughout most story arcs, though coming out of the background when necessary.
For the Kingpin you need someone with alot of presence, someone whose voice can clear a room if need be, someone not skinny. That someone is John Goodman, sure he's a little on the old side, but he is always a presence that can't be denied, even in the tiniest of roles. After his weight loss he still presented a powerful figure, and frankly I think he is an actor who needs more roles thrown his way.
Parker Robbins/The Hood
A thief with items stolen from a demon...a man who is slowly trying to work his way into power. He will not stop until he has become New York's newest Kingpin of Crime.
For the role you need someone strong, driven and severe, someone who has danced with a demon and won. Jensen Ackles is all these things in "Supernatural" and was always my choice to be Captain America...but instead he can get his hands dirty as one of the bad guys...and that's fine by me.
Bullseye
Of course if there is a Daredevil story, you'll need someone who has played his foil countless times before, some to obligatorily stab Elektra at some point, and that man is Bullseye.
As I said before, Smallville fore all its flaws, had some strong performances, and Michael Rosenbaum was one of the strongest. He played a villain that believably tried to do the right thing, before ultimately embracing his destiny. So that's what he brings to the table as Bullseye, someone who for a brief instant though about doing right, before realizing it was much more fun (an profitable) to do the wrong...at least in this version.
Jeffrey Wilde/Midnight
As I mentioned earlier, Moon Knight's arc would show him dealing with the loss (via flashbacks) of his sidekick and his eventual return as something drastically different...a cyborg bent on the destruction of the man who left him to die.
Now this is a role I wasn't too sure about, but I wanted someone young (we're assuming he was a teen sidekick beforehand), and someone who looked like he could flip-flop from sidekick to enemy. Say what you want about Nickelodeon's tween shows, they do have some quality actors in the crop, and vehemently refusing to admit I watch a Nick show, I still cast a young man from Nickelodeon's "Victorious." Avan Jogia has the bad boy look, and could believably pass himself off as good to bad...not that I have ever seen the show...okay maybe an episode while waiting for Korra (as good an excuse as any).
One final villain to wrap this cast up, though others would appear, I am fairly certain of that.
Barracuda:
A recurring villain of the Punisher, a former brother in arms, and someone who always seems to keep a smile on his face, and a positive attitude even when he is being horribly maimed. In other words a complete nut job with all the training Frank Castle has, but lacking anything that resembles loyalty if he senses something to his benefit.
So for Barracuda, you need a beast of a man, with a sense of humor and a perpetually permanent smile. Someone who could have his fingers cut off and laugh the whole time. For that man we need Terry Crews. Beast of a man, check. Sense of humor, check. Bright smile, check. 10 years ago he would've made a perfect Luke Cage, but Marvel is needing to get some of the younger crowd to play potentially franchise-able character...so Crews may be a little old for Cage, but somehow I think he could bring his charm over to the dark side and make a villain that people want to see return.