MrDonut Presents: 'The Flash'

Those of you who checked my previous fan casts will know for my casts I’ve taken on a bit more a generic view with casting, those of you who don’t, just to make it clear; rather than cast one specific film entry in a franchise I decided to cast of characters I’d expect to be around in the ‘5 year’ window of the New 52/existence of the Justice League, and who will hopefully crop up in DC’s future films.

So, before I get started I have to admit; I’m not the biggest Flash fan. By all rights I like the character(s) but like with most DC characters he’s got a great concept but unfortunately it’s not always executed effectively. With the eventual Flash film I’d like it to tonally be a cross between Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk so have cast characters accordingly. As for the overall concept of the Flash’s side of the DCU, ideally, I’d like the eventual film (series) to be a cross between CSIand Limitless. Why? Well, let’s face it; given that the Flash represents the more colourful side of the DC universe a slightly grounded sci-fi approach seems to the best way to appeal to the masses as whilst fanboys unfortunately, not everybody else feels the same way.

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Jesse Spencer as Barry Allen/The Flash

Who’s Jesse Spencer? Watch House. Spencer is a relative unknown, but his work on that show has allowed him to display his dramatic and comedic skills well, plus he played a similar intelligent character well too. The cherry on the cake just so happens to be that Spencer is a dead ringer for Francis Manapul’s (the current Flash artist) incarnation of the character, so this is definitely one casting choice I’d in particular like to see happen.

Still, whilst I like the New 52 look, I’d again prefer a more drastic change up to the character’s costume; a cross between the New 52 and Ken Lashley’s redesign would really look great on screen – Click Here to See

Samantha Smith as Nora Allen

I haven’t seen Smith in much, but from what I’ve seen of her in Supernatural I think it’s safe to say she’d be a solid candidate for the role. She’s basically played the same character there already, plus she looks the part and has a loving/motherly presence to her that just works with the role.

Autumn Reeser as Iris West

Reeser is a pretty solid actress; I’ve seen her in a few things now and it’s clear she’s got what it takes to play the role. She can do drama, comedy, be sexy, smart and even a little high maintenance/OCD; whilst not all these traits are associated with the character, this still shows how Reeser could really flesh out the role and make it her own.

Joel Courtney as Wally West/Kid Flash

Note: Those of you who are familiar with the character will have realised this isn’t Kid Flash, but Impulse, why? Well, personally I prefer Impulse's suit; not only does it match the Flash's but it just looks better, so I'd prefer something like this (with a Flash logo slapped on thec chest of course) for the character's (hopefully) eventual big screen outing.

Now, Courtney hit my radar with Super 8. Whilst I haven’t seen him in anything else, he showed a lot of talent and potential and I think he could do a wonderful job as Barry’s apprentice and bring a lot of charm to the role. As for those of you who still think kid sidekicks won’t work, well to that I say Hit-Girl; get rid of the cursing and apply that template to sidekicks and it immediately adds a nice burst of fun to a film.

Anyway, going back to suit for second, I'd like it to retain the same kind of design as above but colour-wise and concept-wise be more like with what I have in mind for the Flash’s suit (Lashley’s design); frankly, how I picture it in my head, it looks badass.

Geoff Pierson as Darryl Frye

Pierson is a solid veteran actor who brings a great sense of authority and presence to his roles. Given that his work in Dexter is basically a template for this role I think he’d definitely be able to nail it and just add some class to the cast.

Oded Fehrer as David Singh

Whilst not Indian, Fehrer is a solid actor when not starring in shitty Resident Evil sequels. He can definitely bring some authority to the role and just better help flesh out the rest of Barry’s supporting cast.

Chi McBride as James Forrest

McBride is one of my favourite actors around; the guy not only oozes charm in whatever role he plays but he can greatly balance drama and comedy and really just livens up his roles no matter how small they are. His work in Human Target and Pushing Daises in particular just made me thing he was a great choice for the job.

Rachael Taylor as Patty Spivot

I’ve seen Taylor in a few things now and it’s pretty clear she’s got some talent. Her work in Transformers as a the hot hipster hacker and Shutter in particular made me think she’d work well in the role, with the latter in particular proving she’s more than just a pretty face.

Mathew Grey Gubler as Darwin Elias

I haven’t seen Gubler in much, and was admittedly a bit hesitant to cast him as he looks a little young but ultimately thought he was the best candidate given his work on Criminal Minds. He’d basically be playing the same character only a little more awkward, so I think it’s safe to say he knows what he’s doing. But, rather than run the risk of making Elias a one note character Gubler definitely has a lot of charm and pretty great comic timing so I think he’d be able to bring more depth and appeal to the role too.

Viola Davis as Amanda Waller

This roles always been pretty tough to cast for me, but Davis is a very talented actress who I can actually picture as an intelligent badass, so it just seems very fitting to cast her here.

Joe Anderson as Eobard Thawne/Zoom

Anderson is one of my favourite actors and just really underrated. The guy literally doesn’t get enough leading roles and would be a credit to any film. I think he could bring some sleazy charm to the role and really serve well as a creepy and parallel villain to the Flash; his roles in The Crazies and The River in particular just won me over.

Still, just wanted to say given the fact that Zoom basically has a reversed version of the Flash’s suit, I’d like the movie incarnation of the character’s suit to also match what I have in mind for the Flash; a cross between the New 52 and the Ken Lashley redesign, etc.

Barry Pepper as Leonard Snart/Coldheart

Note: Lets face facts; the Flash has some cool villains, but they’re undermined by crappy names so I’ve opted to go with some more preferable alternates for a few characters (as can also be seen below), etc.

Pepper is one of the most underrated actors around. He’s ridiculously versatile and a powerhouse of an actor who can definitely class up the role and get rid of any cheesiness it could potentially omit. He can play suave, slimy, cold and brutal and just brings a certain badass charm to his roles and his work in Saving Private Ryan, Unknown and True Grit in particular just made think he’d nail the role.

Only other thing I’d like to say is, with the character’s look, whilst I prefer the New 52 design over his original, I’d still expect for his eventual big screen look that he gets somewhat of an update. Whilst I couldn’t really find any images which captured what I have in mind, I’d prefer something a little darker and less flashy and stylised.

Max Martini as Mick Rory/Heat Wave

I’ve seen Martini in a few things now and whilst he may not be the most well-known actor around he’s definitely got talent and can definitely play rough and tough badasses well. His work in The Unit, Street Warrior and Redbelt captured what I had in mind for the character and definitely showed he can do drama and action equally well even in instances where the material he’s working with is weak.

Kevin McKidd as Evan McCulloch/Mirror Master

McKidd is another pretty badass actor I’ve cast but let’s face it; for this incarnation of the character someone like McKidd is necessary. Like Martini, McKidd is somewhat an overlooked actor but he’s got a lot of talent and with his roles in films like Dog Soldiers and Rome it’s pretty clear he’s more than qualified for the role.

Anyway, I’d just like to say with the character’s look the Justice League: Doom version found a special place in my heart and so I’d love to see it influence his eventual big screen look, but be a little more in line with the Injustice suit. So, basically something a little less bright and more mercenary-like – Click Here to See

Viva Bianca as Lisa Snart/Glider

I’ve only seen Bianca in Spartacus but damn, she showed a lot of talent and range as the hot bitch we all love to hate. Whilst tis character is hardly similar to her role in that show, it’s clear she’s a talented actress and can definitely get a good grip on her roles, plus she looks like she could pass of as Pepper’s sister so that works for the role.

Anthony Starr as Digger Harkness/Boomerang

I haven’t really seen Starr in much but he caught my attention with his recent work in Banshee. He can play tough, gruff and badass pretty well and I think could elevate the character and just make him more appealable.

Anyway, once again I’d prefer a different look for the character, I couldn’t really find any images which captured what I have in mind but I’d prefer something a little more mercenary-like again and a little less boomerang fetish.

Kevin Zeggers as Mark Mardon/The Weather Man

I’ve seen Zeggers in a few things now and it’s clear that he’s one to watch. Whilst the films he’s starred in have been a bit hit and miss, his roles in Smallville, Dawn of the Dead and The Entitled just made me think he’d be able to do the role justice.

Christian Camargo as Michael Christian Amar/Murmur

Four words; the Ice Truck Killer. Those of you who watch Dexter will know exactly what I mean and why Camargo is perfect for the role; he’s basically played the role before and very well too, so if he ‘reprises’ the role on a larger scale I think he’d prove to be a very interesting and dark villain for the Flash to take on.

Oscar Isaacs as Miguel Lagos/Mob Rule

Isaacs is a rising up and comer; I’ve seen him in a bunch of things now and would love to see him in a comic book movie. Given the fact that he resembles the character greatly I’d think he’d be perfect if cast here.

Brain J White as Roscoe Hynes/Turbine

Whilst White doesn’t exactly have the greatest filmography there is he’s still quite a talented enough actor who’s unfortunately pretty overlooked. I’ve seen him in a bunch of things now and have to say his roles in Fighting and Cabin in the Woods in particular made me think he’d be a solid fit for the role.

Corey Stoll as Neil Borman/Fallout

Stoll is another very underrated actor who can definitely bring depth to whatever roles he plays regardless of how they small it is. I’ve seen him in a bunch of things now also, and whilst no particular role really made me cast him here I still stand by this choice as I think he could really elevate the role and bring some attention to one of the Flash’s lesser known villains.

Keith David as Grodd

David’s got the perfect voice for the role and is a fantastic veteran actor with a huge fanboy fan base. He’s ridiculously versatile and talented so would definitely work as a great villain and also just class up any cast.

Only thing I’d like to say is given the success of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, rather than the New 52 or even Pre-52 take on the character I personally would something a little in line with that just as I think it’d be a great way to work him into a film without making him come off as cheesy.

Kevin Durand as Tony Woodward/Girder

Durand is a clear character actor with roles like this, but hell, it works. The character is little more than a super powered thug but Durand is definitely one of the rare physical actors who can bring some emotional depth to his roles so even in a role like this I think he’d do it justice.

Donal Logue as Joe Monteleone/Tar Pit

I’ve seen Logue in a bunch of things now and it’s pretty clear he’s somewhat of a character actor. His roles in Blade and Sons of Anarchy in particular made me think he’d do a good job as an asshole villain, really that simple.

Only other thing I'd like to say is, in regards to his look rather than be a generic looking Clayface wannabe I'd prefer if Tar Pit looked a bit like a molten lava kinda monser; Marko Djurdjevic Fear Itself version of the Thing would be a great place to draw some inspiration from – Click Here to See

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So, that’s my ideal cast for the Flash. I hope you enjoyed checking it out, and if you did look out for my Avenger’s cast!