Aloha fellow CBM'ers! I haven't done a fan cast in a long while, but some may remember my "British DC Universe" fancasts from a while ago, along with my "Ant Man" fancast.
So SonOfKrypton, I hear you cry, what ever could have dragged you back to these after such a long absence? Were you beaten to near-death by Doomsday? Deemed powerless by a stray lump of kryptonite?! No, my friends! It was in the early hours of the afternoon (GMT time) of yesterday, Friday 8th of March, that upon my usual meanderings around the confines of our beloved CBM, I came across an article in the editorial archives. The article in question, "Who's Who to Who!", by Tainted87, opened my eyes to not how a proper Justice League fancast was needed, but for how the users of CBM deserved it.
Take a look at it here: http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/DanMiller/news/?a=71350
My fancast portrays a Justice League as I believe should be for the film, one that shows it in it's humble beginnings.
SO, without further ado, I give you my (hopefully reasonable) Justice League Fancast!
FANCAST
HENRY CAVILL - CLARK KENT/ KAL-EL/ SUPERMAN
I often see fairly inadequate reason's for picking already established characters among the common fancast. "He's already playing him", they say, "He's playing that guy in that movie coming soon". I personally feel that, from what I've seen of both his acting and, well, OF him, Henry Cavill is on the right track to make a great Man of Steel. Despite his british heritage, his dialogue in the recently released second trailer for Zack Snyder's "Man Of Steel" was thoroughly convincing in my opinion and, despite a few minor quips from some members, I am overjoyed that the man to play Superman actually has a super physique (I'm looking at you Routh). Overall, I would love both Cavill and his and Snyder's interpretation of Superman to be the figurehead of the upcoming Justice League film.
Others I considered: Joe Mangianello, Michael Trucco
ANSON MOUNT - BRUCE WAYNE/ BATMAN
Anson Mount's run on Hell On Wheels as Cullen Bohannon has shown that he can adeptly play the haunted man with a painful past that Bruce Wayne so often embodies. It also helps that with a clean shave and hair cut he actually looks Bruce Wayne. I, for one, am not really partial to suggestions of actors like Matt Bomer and Armie Hammer for the role of Bats because, although the two in question are both great actors in their own right, in my opinion they only seem to fit the role of Bruce an just wouldn’t make the cut for the physical, rugged aspects of Batman. I would be interested to see Mount’s physical contribution to the role, especially after a brief teaser of his capabilities from his fight with Common’s Elam Ferguson in the Hell On Wheels Season 1 episode ‘Bread and Circuses’.
Others I considered: Jon Hamm, Jim Caviezel
GINA CARANO - DIANA OF THEMYSCIRA/ WONDER WOMAN
Although some have criticised her acting in the film "Haywire", I feel it is important to remember that this was only her first film and that, on the whole, her acting was actually fairly good. Wonder Woman can be admired by teenage boys everywhere but she is no pin up girl. Carano's previous experience in MMA shone through with tenacity in many combat scenes of "Haywire" and this is precisely what Wonder Woman needs to be: tenacious and kick-ass (with a little royal swagger here and there). It kind of helps she’s supposedly dating Cavill as well, a bit of chemistry in real life could really help as opposed to some stone cold scripted bollocks.
On a side note, I would personally enjoy Jaime Alexander in the role just as much as Carano, however I ultimately chose Carano over Alexander due to the former's commitment to Marvel.
Others I considered: Jaime Alexander, Taylor Cole, Bridget Reagan, Cobie Smulders, Jodi Lyn O’Keefe
RYAN REYNOLDS - HAL JORDAN/ GREEN LANTERN
As you can tell by my casting of him, I saw no fault on Reynolds's part for the box office fail that was unfortunately "Green Lantern". His acting, although a little obtuse and comedic at times, was solid throughout and I feel could work great on screen for Hal Jordan, the cocky pilot, and the Green Lantern, the just protector of Earth. Firstly though, steps must be taken to integrate the GL universe into the Nolan/Snyder DC Cineverse. Similar to Marvel’s 2008 outing ‘The Incredible Hulk’, a good way to wrap up and profit from first-time-round dog turds such as Ang Lee’s Hulk in this case in to input an opening credits montage/recap, in order to establish continuity to a certain extent so the audience in familiar with the character whilst turning over a newer, ‘greener’ leaf.
However, if this were to happen, more time and attention MUST be taken on the CGI of the suit in key scenes, so it's more similar to the dazzling quality of the promo shot used above, as not only is the black a key part of Hal's suit from the comics, but also, in the humble words of a certain frog, "It ain't easy being green". In some scenes involving the suit in that film, for instance the bit when Hal first transforms in front of Tommy, there was simply TOO MUCH GREEN!! In order for the suit to work cinematically, especially in this film to compliment other characters's suits, there needs to be more care taken over the slick look of the suit, to ensure enough contrast. And for God's sake fix that damn eye mask. Get on it Nolan.
Poor CGI rant over.
Other I considered: Chris Pine, Jensen Ackles
RYAN GOSLING - BARRY ALLEN/ THE FLASH
Having seen "Ides Of March" just this week, Gosling can obviously handle the serious aspects of acting. "Gangster Squad" hit screens in the new year, and although I haven’t seen it yet and it didn’t do very well, from footage I've seen he can hold his own in an action film, as also shown in one of my favourite films, “Drive”. However, Gosling's role in "Crazy Stupid Love" also confirmed he can handle the comedy and possible romance (if need be with a possible Iris). On the subject of suits from my previous rant, I feel The Flash's suit need to be to less plastic/elastic and more rugged and durable. Something similar to the 'DC Universe Online' and 'Injustice Gods Among Us' (shown below) suits would be ideal.
Others I considered: Ryan Phillipe, Ryan Kwanten (What is it with the Ryan's?)
HOW IT ALL COMES TOGETHER:
I give you the DC Cinematic Universe, in hypothetical chronological order:
. Man Of Steel
. Wonder Woman
. Green Lantern 2 (ala The Incredible Hulk, "Green Lantern: Emerald Guardian"
. Flash
. World's Finest (which would serve as both a teaser for Justice League and a Batman reboot)
. Justice League
World's Finest End Credits: A mysterious figure, appearing hurt and disheveled, would be seen walking down an avenue at night, clutching his over coat to him in the harsh weather. He takes shelter in a shop window and stops for a moments rest. As he faces the camera (his face still obscured), a news recap by G. Gordon Godfrey appears in the shop window T.V.s of the prior events of the heroes' exploits and their respective defeats of their villains. The figure then turns toward the window and peers through the glass at the screens, after which an alien green finger would appear against the glass. The figure raises his gaze so a reflection of glowing red eyes would be seen in the shop window, whilst in the background the program then diverts to the news of police officer John Jones being reported missing.
STORY OUTLINE:
The film would entail the well-know arc of the Martian Invasion/The Origins of J'onn J'onzz, The Martian Manhunter. After he was previously seen witnessing their previous outings in the end credits of the first film, J'onn's arrival and plea to the heroes would spark their suspicion of others and, to a greater extent, of each other, after being told of the oncoming invasion by the shape shifting White Martians, (much akin to both the comics and the Skrull 'Secret Invasion' arc of Marvel Comics). The Martian Manhunter's brother, Ma'alefa'ak, was responsible for the near-genocidal extinction of the Green Martian race of Mars centuries ago, having killed nearly all of the green-skinned natives by their weakness to fire, except his brother J'onn, who witnessed his wife and child succumb to the flames before escaping through a worm hole to Earth. Ma'alefa'ak remains as what he believes to be the sole Green Martian on Mars among the more aggressive, primitive White Martians, who regard him as a fearless great leader having seen him slaughter their enemies the Green Martians and, as a result, fear and admire him for his ruthlessness. He holds them in a vice-like grip in a dictator style regime, but when he discovers his brother is still alive on Earth, his rage is so great he decides to complete the act of genocide and kill J'onn and any creatures affiliated with him, and as such decides to become the ruler of two worlds by eradicating the human race, with the White Martians acting as his mentally subdued alien army. After their defeat, J'onn decides Earth is now his home and he should protect it in the same way the League protected him, and joins as their newest member.
DJIMON HOUNSOU - J'ONN J'ONZZ / MARTIAN MANHUNTER
For me, Djimon just has a real presence about him that makes him more than able to play the stern but super Martian Manhunter. Performances in films such as Gladiator and Blood Diamond show Hounsou's ability to play a character who can be respected both when in and not in action, as well as a character who has a very emotional backstory as well
LANCE REDDICK - MA'ALEFA'AK
The White Martians would be done via CGI like the Chitauri in The Avengers.
ADDITIONAL CAST:
CHRISTOPHER MCDONALD - G. GORDON GODFREY
MICHAEL FASSBENDER - LEX LUTHOR
SHARLTO COPLEY - JOKER
ZOE SALDANA - CHEETAH
MARK STRONG - SINESTRO
MADS MIKKELSEN - CAPTAIN COLD
Thanks for checking out my fan cast, hope you liked it!
Stay Super!