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romancomicsnews · 2 days

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Who should play Omni-Man in a live action Invincible?

Whether you are an avid watcher of Invincible or not, at this point you probably know the character of Omni-Man through the zeitgeist, merchandise, or memes.

Since JK Simmons interpretation of the character, Omni-Man has sky rocketed into popularity. The incredible villain was a major part of Invincible's success, giving us a very violent, angry and conflicted performance from Simmons.

Given there will be a live action film, currently in the works from Allen the Alien actor Seth Rogen, I thought I'd throw some names in the mix who I think could be potentially great Omni-Men.

Warning: This will contain spoilers from Seasons 1 & 2 of Invincible so be warned!

Who can't be Omni-Man?

Before we get started into who could, I am gonna limit myself a bit. Let's start with the obvious, JK Simmons is too old. He's fantastic, and I love his version, but he can't be Nolan. Might I suggest Conquest, Art, or best of all, Cecil?

I also have no intention of picking actors who have played Superman. So Henry Cavill, Brandon Routh, etc, no dice.

Also in general, I'm gonna try to avoid actors who already have an iconic performance as a superhero character. So actors like Hugh Jackman, Ben Affleck and others won't be on this list either.

And finally, I've seen the fancasts of both Jon Hamm and Nick Offerman. Frankly I like both. But I think we can do better.

What are Nolan Grayson's Physical Characteristics?

Omni-Man needs to feel like the most dangerous man in the room AND the world's greatest hero. It's a very delicate balance to pull.

I'd prefer someone over 6 ft tall, with a background in both heroic and menacing roles.

Nolan is a viltrumite, meaning he could be any race or ethnicity.

If he can rock a mustache, even better.

I'm looking for an actor in their late 30s to early 50s. We have a little room to work with as his age is slower, but someone in their 40s is most preferable.

Let's get into it.

3. Colin Farrell

Starting off our list is the original Bullseye himself Colin Farrell. Though he is a little bit shorter than I would like at 5'10, Farrell brings experience, skill and likeability to Nolan, which is very necessary if we want to portray him as a good guy.

What really sold me on him is actually Saving Mr Banks, where he plays a sympathetic, problematic father who truly loves his children. That sympathy can go a long way for Omni-Man.

Where he doesn't sell me is the ruthlessness of Nolan, nor does he feel like he can be a very threatening villain. He did play a fun one, namely the Penguin in The Batman.

Really my main concern is The Penguin, as he is returning for his show and likely The Batman Part II. I'd prefer someone not as known for wearing the costume of such an iconic character.

2. Joel Edgerton

I feel like everyone forgets about good ol reliable Joel Edgerton.

If we want a villain with brutality, Edgerton can bring it. He can rock a mustache, he's played multiple convincing villains and could really make the role his own. He's held his own against power houses like DiCaprio and Maguire in Gatsby.

He's even played a few good guys, namely Uncle Owen in Obi-Won Kenobi.

The great thing about Edgerton is he falls so deep in the role, people forget it's him. It may be good to have an actor smaller than the role he's playing, but with a skill to match Simmons.

My main concern is very simple, he's 5'10". I'm sure we can make him seem bigger, but other than, he seems evil, untrustworthy. He often plays characters who are darker or troubled. Can he play 100% heroic? Or atleast faking heroic?

I think he'd do a fantastic job, but there's one more guy I'm itching to see put on the red and white.

1. Joel Kinnaman

Takeshi Kovacs. Rick Flag. Alex Murphy.

Joel Kinnaman is one of my favorite actors working today.

I think Kinnaman has both the intensity and heroic nature to be a perfect Nolan. At 44, he is in the perfect age range we want. He is 6'2", and while I admit he is leaner than I would like, bulking up to play Nolan I think is very possible.

He's got a great voice, can rock a mustache, play a convincing father, and has never truly donned a cape. He'd make a fantastic villain in a movie, and an even better hero once he joins the Coalition of Planets.

I think he'd add a different enough performance while being able to stand up to a great actor like Simmons. Joel Kinnaman is my ideal Omni-Man.

Thank you so much for reading! Please consider following, and check out my socials and other sites here! And let me know: Who do you want to see play Omni-Man in a live action Invincible?

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romancomicsnews · 3 days

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5 Characters who should get an Invincible Special Origin Episode

Invincible Season 2 has just wrapped up, and while some fans are a little disappointed with its ending, overall the general consensus has been positive. From excellent music, to phenomenal voice work and animation, along with X-Men '97 its been a great time to be a superhero fan AND an animation fan.

This season also brought in a handful of new characters, as well brought some fan favorites to the forefront, including Allen the Alien, Rex Splode and Immortal.

I think I speak for everyone when I say I love being in this universe, and would love to see more. And while I know Season 3 will be here sooner than Season 2 was, I've been thinking about all those incredible characters and the Atom Eve Special.

It went a long way in showing how good the animation got, expanding on Atom Eve, and evening building up threats like The Lizard League.

I think theres alot of potential in expanding some of these characters, seeing their origins and helping build up their character development.

So I'm going to go through some, along with ideas as to how the episodes can play out. Spoiler Warning for Invincible Season 1 & 2 and mild spoilers from the comics.

5. Bulletproof

Starting off with one of the newest members of the Guardians of the Globe, Zandale Randolph AKA Bulletproof is definitely a character you forgot was in this season.

While he is known for a few big things in the future, he didn't really get to do much this season. He wasn't very useful in the sequid invasion, didn't really help in any major fights, nor do we know anything about him. So why him?

His history in the comics is rather tragic, and I think is something we are going to explore. His twin brother, a mad genius, attempts experimenting on Zandale in order to give himself superpowers. Instead it gives Zandale superpowers, and kills his brother.

Due to this, and unable to tell his parents, he pretends to be both brothers to preserve his brothers legacy.

That tragedy is alot, and could make for an amazing episode, with his brother being the villain and explain why he is so guarded.

Plus, I love Jay Pharoah. More Jay Pharoah please.

4. Dupli-Kate

We got some hints at Dupli-Kates origin in her eulogy from Immortal. Her powers come from a curse upon her family, that led to both her and her brother gaining the ability to multiply.

What you don't know is they started off as a brother sister team before going their separate ways.

We actually see Kate's brother Multi-Paul in the cell when the Maulers escape again. Seeing a young version of Multi-Paul before their inevitable confrontation in a later season could give us more stakes.

Yes, this is another sibling rivalry just like Bulletproof, but this could start way more fun than Bulletproofs.

And two multipliers who are children fighting it out in a dramatic finish? Also good television.

3. Monster Girl

Talk about a tragedy.

Monster Girl's curse was given to her after falling in love with a man whose grandmother disapproved of her. That grandmother was a witch, who turned her into an ogre with extraordinary power.

We don't get much else from her origin, which could give us some wiggle room.

This could start as a love story turned horror story, unable to get out of her monster form, feeling trapped in her own body. We can have the witch be an Agatha Harkness type, and a physical threat in the episode too.

Once she is defeated, Amanda is able to turn back and be with the man she loves, until she realizes months later, that she is getting younger, and he breaks her heart.

The beats are all there, and I'd love to see a magic based episode in the Invincible Universe mixed in with some Hulk style action. Plus, building up Amanda will be important as she is vital in the comics.

2. Thaedus The Great Betrayer

You didn't think I was only picking Guardians did you?

Thaedus' episode could be by far the most interesting, showing us Viltrum from a first hand perspective, before he betrayed and before he formed the Coalition.

I don't want to get too heavy into spoilers, but he causes a brutal blow on the Viltrum Empire I'd love to see first hand. We can keep Peter Cullen, or get a younger voice actor, but either way, seeing a younger Viltrum Empire would be very intriguing and a bloodbath.

1. Rex Splode

Despite being one of the most annoying characters in Season 1, Rex is by far the standout of Season 2 in my eyes.

Another origin that was slightly teased, I can imagine Rex's episode can be his sad origin, meeting Atom Eve in act 2, and taking out his oppressors by the end in a good old fashioned team up.

This could be a direct sequel to the Atom Eve Special, giving us more Eve, and help us understand their relationship even better. Plus Rex being blind sided with a girl who can make anything? Sounds like a fun battle to me.

Thank you so much for reading! Please consider following, and check out my socials and other sites here! And let me know: Who do you want to see get an Invincible Special Origin Episode?

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romancomicsnews · 2 months

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Thank you to everyone who got me to 500 likes!

If you can, please follow me on my socials. You can find them all at bio.site/DiegoLeonRoman

#500 likes #tumblr milestone #thank you

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romancomicsnews · 2 months

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Who should be the villain of Spider-Man 4?

Following the Watts Spider-Man trilogy, Peter Parker in the MCU has faced a number of his most iconic villains. From the villains of the Raimi-verse to Mysterio and Vulture, it seems like there are few villains left for a reported 6 more movies.

What's worse, villains like Venom, Kraven, and Carnage are being taken up by Sony Picture Universe of Marvel Characters (or SPUMC) with mediocre to bad films like Madame Web or Morbius.

While there is potential for new and fresh versions of Doc Ock, Green Goblin, and more to be put into the MCU, and I think they absolutely should, before we go there I think there are a number of solid to great Spider-Man villains who have not made their film debut who can add something new to these films.

I've put together a list of five I think could make solid contenders for Spider-Man 4, a few potential film ideas for each, and some casting ideas, all leading up to my favorite.

5. Swarm

Starting off with the least likely and my least favorite, Swarm was a Nazi Scientist and Beekeeper turned literal swarm of Bees. Due to his form, he can become intangible, fly, possesses super strength, and is the stuff of nightmares.

Due to his Nazi background, this character would need a complete retooling. Perhaps a scientist looking to cure death, or an Oscorp accident turning a good man into a monster.

If we wanted a more horror based superhero movie, this would be the way to go. This character has the potential to be very scary. Think Candy Man but a scientist hunting Spider-Man, perhaps for a cure or for getting in his way.

I'd love a Keith David, someone with a booming voice, scary, but can play sympathetic. Imagine the cat from Coraline or the Voodoo Man hunting Spider-Man, or desperately seeking a cure for his condition, killing anyone in his way.

I think characters like this have been done in the Raimi movies in particular, but could feel fresh in the MCU. Again though, it's a bit controversial being a former Nazi, and the retooling of the character may not be worth it if we're just scratching the surface of good villains.

4. The Prowler

This one is extremely obvious but worth a mention.

The only character already in the MCU, he has been casted extremely well AND has only grown in popularity. Putting him in as Spideys new big bad would not only ground the movie with a very human villain, but set up the story for Miles Morales.

Prowler can take the place of the physical villain of the film similar to Winter Soldier. His strings can be held by Kingpin, Hammerhead, Norman Osborn, Silvermane, or Tombstone, using him as a weapon against their enemies, including Spider-Man.

My main argument against this is simple, it isn't the right time. If we are doing Aaron Davis, we need to do Miles. I think that's better for the 5th or even 6th movie, but not yet. Let Peter have more years under his belt as Spidey before he teaches another.

He'd be a strong pick for a 5th movie, or even maybe a secondary villain in a 4th movie, but not a good main antagonist.

3. The Beetle

Abe Jenkins or Leila Davis have both donned the name The Beetle, an armored villain usually after money and fame. However, this character has a lot of range.

Sometimes they're a heroic member of the Thunderbolts, sometimes they're a petty villain, a genius, daughter of mob boss Tombstone, and sometimes even in a wildly different armor. There are a lot of ways to go with this villain.

Due to the flexibility of the character, we really can use them anyway imaginable. He could be a failed Stark employee (again), a genius prodigy like Peter, an antihero who kills, a terminator like threat, or anything in between.

I think having Spidey face an Iron Man of his own could be a good way to show his more intelligent side, and make Peter deal with the loss of Tony yet again.

Again the range give us quite a few ideas for actors. I'd really like someone who can do desperation and scary but intelligent. Jason Clarke I don't think gets enough love.

If we went with a younger actress and the daughter of Tombstone, I'm a big fan of Logan Browning. I think she'd make a great antivillain turned hero in the MCU, and be part of Spider-Mans new crew. Maybe help him engineer new (although be it not Tony Stark levels) of tech.

I think this villain has the potential to be brought up to Vulture or Mysterio status, they're just not my favorite as far as fresh and interesting.

2. The Jackal

This may be controversial but I'll die on this hill.

Miles Warren is a geneticist who has gone mad due to the loss of Gwen Stacy. He blames Spider-Man and swears revenge, turning himself into the monstrous Jackal.

The Jackal would be an excellent villain to introduce into the MCU and a Spider-Man movie so we can get a version of the worst comic book storylines: The Clone Saga.

Now before you think that is a terrible idea, remember that we just got a great Spider-Man movie based around a version of One More Day. So hear me out.

Having the Jackal create a Spider-Man for Peter to fight would be inherently interesting. Imagine a chase scene where two Spider-Men (both Tom Holland) are chasing each other swinging around New York. It could be as iconic as Zod and Superman in Man of Steel.

Adding the Jackal also means adding Ben Reilly into the MCU, a fun new addition which lets us see Hollands range. Who doesn't want to see edgy Tom?

The Jackal would also be very reminiscent of The Green Goblin while being something fresh and new. He can be scary and creepy, all while being a physical match for both Peter and Ben Reilly. We can get someone Dafoe type to ham it up and give us an iconic weird performance.

My pick would be Bryan Cranston. Forget Lex Luthor, let's let him ham it up and go nuts as a hairy Grinch style villain.

My only concern would be the backlash for even considering it from comic book fans. But, I think if done well, all will be forgiven.

1. Mr Negative

Anyone who has played PS4 Spider-Man and read my blogs knew where I was going.

Having Martin Li as the central antagonist would be a perfect balance for Spider-Man. He is superpowered, making him an equivalent to Spidey. He has the potential to be a mentor turned villain, like all great Spider-Man villains.

Li also is the perfect linchpin to crime villains in the Marvel Universe. He could create a Superpowered gang war against other villains like Kingpin, Silvermane, or Tombstone, putting Spider-Man in the center of something very grounded and dangerous.

Create a mob style movie with Spider-Man unable to fathom how deep crime in NY goes could be the refreshing story the MCU needs. It could add interesting Marvel characters like Daredevil, Black Cat, Punisher, Kingpin, Hammerhead, and more.

And it would all be centered around a character Spider-Man fans currently love. It's absolutely perfect.

I don't have a cast for this, as it would need to be a very gifted martial artist and seemingly good guy turned evil. But I think Marvel can nail casting.

All in all, Li would be the perfect villain for Spider-Man 4. Someone powerful enough to be a threat, fresh enough to be fun, and grounded enough to tell a very different interesting Spider-Man story.

Thank you so much for reading! Please consider following, and check out my socials and other sites here! And let me know: Who do you want to see Peter face in Spider-Man 4?

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romancomicsnews · 2 months

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5 Non-MCU Characters I'd love to see in Deadpool & Wolverine

Superbowl Sunday saw the return of everyones favorite Merc with a Mouth Deadpool in the trailer for his upcoming new movie Deadpool & Wolverine.

And as usual, Marvel hooked me.

Some fans have seen it as a return to form for the MCU, others as business as usual for Ryan Reynolds, and some just couldn't get over the little bit of Wolverine we got.

Myself, I was mainly focused on one thing. Aaron Stanford.

For those not in the know, this clip from the trailer shows Aaron Stanford returning as minor villain and asshole Pyro from the original X-Men Films. He was a sidekick to Magneto, and has a rivalry with Iceman in those movies.

The return of Pyro from the X-Men films confirms what most fans expected: we will see old heroes and villains from the Fox era, not just Wolverine.

And while a few have been already revealed through casting news or set photos, there are plenty more in store for us, I'm sure.

This got my head gears turning, so I decided I'd look back on the old Fox films to see who I want to return, even for the briefest moment or cameo.

None of these have been confirmed officially, so you are spoiler free from here on out. But I must warn, once I put this ideas in your head, you may be mad if they don't show up.

5. Animated Deadpool Voiced by Donald Glover

*sigh* The project I wish existed.

In 2017, Donald Glover was in development and given the green light on an animated Deadpool show. The show was to premiere on FX in 2018. However, for unknown reasons it was cancelled, and never debuted, leaving fans and Donald Glover displeased.

After the success of films like Spider-Verse, and Glovers involvement with Marvel, having him come in for a scene where he fights with or against Ryan Reynolds Deadpool could be a fun nod to the fans and maybe give the project the boost it needs to somehow come back.

But alas, I'm still hoping Spider-Verse will bring back Spectacular Spider-Man, so what do I know?

4. X-23

If there is a character ripe for a spin-off from the old X-Men universe, it was definitely X-23.

It's surprising to me she hasn't been revealed as a main member of the cast. She's a character I think few people talk about anymore, but was a crucial part of the film. I'd say Logan is up there and one of the best superhero movies.

Dafne Keen and Hugh Jackman made Logan such an impactful moving film. I'd love to see where the character has gone since Logan, and see how them reuniting effects the film.

Not to mention if she fought Deadpool, it would be one hell of a good (and kind of funny ) fight.

3. Apocalypse

Do I like this character? Absolutely not.

Do I want him here just for the Moon Knight jokes? Yes.

I actually think theres a good Apocalypse in Oscar Isaac somewhere. Having Deadpool and Wolverine at one point face the X-Men's Thanos sounds pretty cool, and Isaac is a great comedic and dramatic performer who deserves another shot.

I wouldn't mind a CGI version that looks more comic accurate, like Beast in the Marvels.

But again. I really just want Deadpool to say "So are you Steven or Marc?"

2. The Human Torch

Similarly, I want the Captain America jokes.

But if there's one thing we can all agree on, it's that Human Torch was by far the best part of those Fantastic Four movies.

There's just so many things you can do with it!

We can have him in the frosted tips, in a new Fantastic Four uniform. Maybe even have him fight Pyro, stop a fire guy with a fire guy. Or have him come out from behind a train like Captain America in Infinity War, but it's Johnny.

Having Evans play across Reynolds even for a bit would make so many fans happy and get more cheers then No Way Home.

Besides Evans has done a cameo in a Shawn Levy film starring Ryan Reynolds once. He can do it again.

1. Legion

The rumored main villain of this film tends to have a very particular vendetta with Charles Xavier. So why not use his son to acquire power?

Legion is the acclaimed show from Noah Hawley starring Dan Stevens as David Haller, a mutant with schizophrenia and basically unlimited power.

Dan Stevens is incredible in this show, and I think bringing in such a powerful X-Men character would make for some fun interactions and extreme stakes. Not to mention the insane visuals, all while delving deep into the psyche of both are protagonists.

While I doubt all of these characters show up, if one or two do, I'd be extremely happy. We'll just have to wait and see.

Thank you so much for reading! Please consider following, and check out my socials and other sites here! And let me know: Who do you want to see in Deadpool and Wolverine?

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romancomicsnews · 2 months

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Jaden Smith as Wally West in the DCU???

Not my ideal pick to be honest, but he was very good in The Get Down. Plus he'd make a solid album for the movie.

I'd prefer he stick to music though.

#TheFlash #flash #jaden smith #dc #dcu #dc comics

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romancomicsnews · 2 months

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Where would I put Chris Pratt in the DCU?

It's no secret director and now head of the DCU James Gunn loves himself certain actors.

He continues to add additions to his DCU from past work, including Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern Guy Gardner and brother Sean Gunn as billionaire Maxwell Lord.

While these castings are both fun and exciting for the future of the DCU, since both of these castings, a realization came upon me. Jame Gunn will likely cast many of his friends into this universe. And while most are talented, accomplished actors, there is one man who has been looming over my soul...

Chris Pratt.

No do not get me wrong, he is a talented actor. From The Lego Movie to Guardians of the Galaxy, Pratt has a way of impressing me. Granted every now and then he is a Mario or an Owen Grady, but he continues to be a big star and be a draw for financial success. Which is kind of the problem.

I worry if Chris Pratt does join this universe, due to his stardom he likely will be given a major role. Granted I don't think Gunn would make him Batman, but could Peter Safran? Could larger execs?

He's a big white guy and a big draw. By that logic, he could play The Flash, Booster Gold, Green Lantern, or really anyone he chooses.

So in order to save those for actors who I can more properly see as those characters, I put together a few roles I think Chris Pratt can play in the DCU, some more fun, some more serious, some more longterm, and some for a fun one off, ending with the one I like most.

Let's start by going over a couple of things like:

What is Chris Pratt good at?

A lot actually.

Chris is very good at playing characters who are losers. From Star-Lord, Barley Lightfoot and Emmett, Chris voices or plays lovable underdogs really well.

Chris also loves playing army guys. It's clear from the Terminal List and Tomorrow War, he likes to be a soldier. Perhaps we find something military for the guy to do

The man can do funny, but has range. Particularly in James Gunn flicks, Star-Lord has some really emotional scenes that resonate every viewing. We don't have to go silly.

Other Stipulations

No matter who we pick, Chris Pratt will be compared to Star-Lord. It may be wise to stay away from characters like Star-Lord (so you won't be seeing Adam Strange, or Booster on this list).

Chris is also a draw right now, and a busy one at that. If he is entering the DCU, it may be smart to give him a vital role, but not one that needs to be in every movie. So we're probably not looking at Hal Jordan, but Kilowog isn't off the table.

Finally Star-Lord didn't wear his helmet at all last movie. So I'm guessing we'll want to pick a character where Chris can show his face.

5. Kite Man

We're starting off our list with a bit of a joke turned icon much like Pratt himself.

Kite Man is a C list villain who is often the butt of a joke and never taken extremely seriously. Chuck Brown uses Kites to commit crimes, and while he is an excellent glider, he's rarely ever a threat. He appeared in Batman the Brave and the Bold but is mostly known as a background character in the Harley Quinn Series.

While the character is usually around Gotham City, he could absolutely be put in any city in the DCU and make just as much sense. He could be fun as a one and done Batman villain, but even more fun as a recurring villain, kind of like Turk Barrett in the Netflix Marvel shows.

He's silly, pathetic, but likable, and leaves a lot of room for Pratt to make it his own. It feels like going back to his Andy Dwyer days, which could be fresh at this point.

While this is fun and I would love it, I don't know how overall useful this is of Pratts skills, or if him being so big takes away from the fun of Kite Man. It may be too small or too frequent for the mans schedule as well, but I thought it was worth a mention.

4. The Ventriloquist

If we wanted to tap Pratt's voice work and serious acting, The Ventriloquist is a character I've been hoping to see for quite awhile.

Arnold Wesker is a crime is a meek meager man who has a psychotic break and uses a puppet, nicknamed Scarface, to execute crimes and become a mob boss.

This is a a great duel role I think a comedian can strive in, and one that can push Pratt into another level as far as acting goes. It could put him in talks with actors like Paul Dano or Heath Ledger for the greatest Batman villain.

It also wouldn't be a role Pratt would have to do for long or frequently. He could be the start of the Batman trilogy and die in the first film.

My main concern is if he can pull off the meager nature of Arnold. I think an actor like Charlie Day, Ty Burrell or even Will Ferrell might put in a performance that get people talking about it much more.

Again I wouldn't be mad at it, it would definitely be a different and weird pick. But not my first choice for the character or Pratt.

3. Jor-El

I kind of love this one.

Jor-El is a role with big potential for a star. Being played by both Marlon Brando and Russell Crowe, it may require a modern day mega star. Is Pratt that mega star?

Utilizing Pratt here would be extremely different then how we've seen him before. He would be militaristic and more dramatic than we've seen him before. Plus he's big enough to believable be Superman's dad.

It may be smart to put Pratt in an older mentor role. But will he be too distracting as Jor-El? And is his voice as iconic as Brando or Crowe?

I think it's still a role I'd be happy to give to Pratt. But I have two more I think would be more fun for his set of skills.

2. Jay Garrick

He'd look pretty good in the tin hat.

Jay Garrick is the original Flash, a speedster who is often over 100 years old and a major mentor to Barry and Wally.

Now he may be very old but is often much more spry due to the speed force. And we can age up Pratt using VFX or just give him a little gray in the temples. Depends on how old you want to make him.

Having Pratt as the original Flash Jay Garrick would hint at a larger DC Universe, one with a Justice Society, and him play a role much different than Star-Lord.

As Jay, Pratt would be crucial to the universe but not as needed in the big team ups as Wally or Barry. If he did want a prequel, we can set one in WWII similar to the Justice Society movie.

As The Flash, Pratt can be funny, charming, but now wise and mentoring, which would be a good change of pace for Pratt. This would be a lock for me, if there wasn't a role I think he may nail even better.

1. Pat Dugan - STRIPE

A sidekick. A has been. A loser. Connected to a wider DC Universe. A Mentor. An inherently silly character. Very midwest.

Chris Pratt is Pat Dugan.

Originally the driver and sidekick for the Star-Spangled Kid who eventually became Star Man, Stripesy finds himself mentoring the younger new Justice Society after his step-daughter Courtney discovers Star Mans staff and becomes Stargirl.

Due to being useless in the past, he creates a make shift Mech suit known as STRIPE and uses it to fight evil with his step-daughter, who both form a special bond.

Pratt would be hitting many of the keynotes he's great at while playing a character extremely different from Star-Lord. Unlike Peter, Pat is very human, and relatable. He was not accepted as a hero during the Justice Society days, so he has something to prove, and feels tremendous guilt for what happed to his old team.

This would be a great role for Pratt. As secondary lead, he could appear in big team up movies, or stay out of the fight and be a mentor character only. He'd have a huge impact on the universe, be a window into the past, and play a role that is dramatic, funny, and gives us something new and different from what we've ever seen from Pratt.

I don't know if he should be, but if Chris Pratt is joining the DCU, he should be our STRIPE.

Thank you so much for reading! Please consider following, and check out my socials and other sites here! And let me know: Where would you put Chris Pratt in the DCU?

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romancomicsnews · 7 months

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5 DC Animes I want to see after My Adventures with Superman

My Adventures with Superman opened the door for DC in a big way. Not only did it revitalize fans for more Superman content ahead of Superman: Legacy, but quickly put Jack Quaid up there in the conversation for best portrayal of Superman.

While that conversation is yet to be determined, I think the fact that this version of Superman connected with people made one thing clear, people are hungry for more quality animation.

While I am excited at the potential of more Jack Quaid Superman, I think DC would be kicking themselves if they didn't branch out this universe and try to build to something greater.

I have 5 pitches for characters who I think should get a My Adventures with Superman style show, ideas of who could play them, and what they could bring to this already fantastic universe. Also I gave them all fun titles. Enjoy.

5. Mysteries of the Question

The Question is a character many know from the hit DC show Justice League Unlimited. A wack job with a theory about who is pulling all the strings in the DC Universe, The Question is a ridiculously fun character I'm surprised hasn't been seen in a while.

Putting the Question at the center of a mystery and having to solve cases day to day would make for classic television, all while setting it in a crazy DC world.

The cop chasing him could be the 2nd Question: Renee Montoya, and the mystery could be something as big as an incoming alien invasion or as small as who is leaving riddles across Gotham? Hell he could be after Amanda Waller.

He can run into other detectives like Detective Chimp, Martian Manhunter, even the Batman, and through this side character we introduce half the Justice League.

I'd love a comedian like Charlie Day to voice this mad man, but a good friend of mine brought up Will Arnett and I can't unhear it. The role could be overly dramatic and silly, but can go to the sad levels of Bojack Horseman. He'd be perfect for this universe.

Having a detective who needs to get the a major story out could lead him to our three favorite journalists, making a fun mini crossover imminent.

4. Strange Tales from Arkham Asylum

While What If? Is not my favorite MCU project, the premise itself is quite fun. A narrator telling warped tales of stories we know in a freshing new take.

I'd like to take that concept and add it to DC by exploring Batman's Rogues Gallery in one off, anthology episodes narrated by one Hugo Strange.

Fan favorite characters like Clayface, Mister Freeze, Catwoman, and yes, even The Joker, can be introduced via their backstory with exciting different voice actors, all leading to a breakout in Arkham.

I'd like this to serve as a partial retelling but also reimagining of new characters with an emphasis on the creepy, the macabre, but also the sympathy. I want this to fix the mistakes of past villains in My Adventures with Superman and make them more 3 dimensional and iconic.

For Strange we need a maniacal evil voice who can narrate and keep us captivated. I like Chiwetel Ejiofor for this, and will be happy for the inmates to take him down by the end.

3. Evil-Doers fear the Wrath of Wonder Woman

I'm having fun with these titles.

It is incredibly insane we do not have a definitive Wonder Woman show. I'd like a classic Spectacular Spider-Man or My Adventures with Superman style show centered around ya girl Wonder Woman.

Ares, Giganta, or Cheetah can be the main villain. Hell make her main antagonist Black Adam, but having a magical god character immediately makes the world bigger and the threats greater.

She can run into Shazam (due to their god powers) and round out the League more, but really this is just a project that should already exist. It's wild it doesn't.

Since it is voice acting and we can go any which way with it, I love the voice of Ming Na-Wen. Having a powerful Disney Princess playing Diana also feels appropriate, and brings a sort of wisdom to the League.

2. Blue Beetle Back in School

Blue Beetle in a character basically built for anime.

With the overall critic and audience reviews being positive but the film underperforming, it's clear Blue Beetle has an audience that can steadily grow over time. I think animation is a great way to softly continue the story without it technically being in continuity.

The story should center around Jaime continuing college post getting the scarab, and meeting young heroes like himself along the way all while trying to having a normal life. Classic superhero stuff.

This leaves room for it to be part of any universe you want it to be, or mostly be true, or not at all. Either way, we grow with the character of Blue Beetle, and await his return in the DCU.

This could be a fun way to flesh out the young heroes of the DC universe: Robin, Raven, Cyborg, etc.

It could also start a fun trend of Xolo playing the character across mediums. It's clear Xolo Maridueña loves the character, and if the voice fits, why change it? If Mark Hamill can play the Trickster across animation and live action, so can Xolo.

1. Green Lantern: Cosmic Chronicles

The character done most dirty since his live action debut, Green Lantern could add dynamic interesting fighting to an anime universe. Take Atom Eve from Invincible and her spin-off episode.

Using that type of animation and fluid fight choreography would make for excellent television.

Although we already have a fantastic Green Lantern show (Green Lantern the animated series) with an excellent narrative, I think introducing more Lanterns and wider universe of DC aliens could be really fun. Martians, Thanagarians, Lobo, Mongul, etc all trying to be contained by Lanterns but failing horribly would be awesome. It could all leading to an alien invasion on Earth, putting them directly in line with Superman.

A Green Lantern show could rejuvenate faith in Lanterns before its release, and lead up to the big anime crossover we know we all need.

While I'd love to see all Lanterns, I think having Hal Jordan at the center of it and bringing in others down the line is a good way to go.

Alan Ritchson has played Aquaman, Hawk and even Raphael in Ninja Turtles. A little more hard headed Jordan could be fun to pit against Jack Quaids more hopeful Superman.

While all these shows should get made, I think Lanterns is the most likely. Honestly, I'd be happy to see anything more in the DC Anime Universe.

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Who should play Aquaman in the DCU?

December marks the release of the final DCEU project, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom starring Jason Mamoa and directed by James Wan. While Mamoa has won over many fans as the King of Atlantis with his charm, strength and fresh take on the character, it is more likely than not he will be replaced in James Gunn's upcoming DCU.

While he is not my favorite character in the DC Universe by any stretch, I think he is necessary to introduce the world to Atlantis and be a founding member of the Justice League. The world of Aquaman brings along new possibilities, enemies, and heroes I truly love.

I'd like to cast my ideal Aquaman for the DCU. I am slowly making my way through the Justice League to cast my ideal seven (look back on my page for Batman, The Flash, and Martian Manhunter).

My goal is to cast my seven before they are cast, and see how close to right I can get.

Before we cast as always, let's look back on our Aquaman to see what we can bring over to our new version.

Past Versions

While he has been played in live action in Smallville and an unaired pilot, there is really only one version worth mentioning.

Jason Mamoa as Arthur Curry

Of the Justice League cast, Mamoa was up there as my most skeptical but ended up being one of my favorites.

As Arthur, Jason is relatable, has fun tough guy energy, and feels like a warrior but in a different way than the others. Having an Arthur who hasn't gone to Atlantis yet and is more of a grub and less kingly is weirdly fun and fresh.

In his film, he was an excellent strong leading man. While he felt a little more Wolverine than Aquaman at times, he was fun to watch and brought weight to big moments.

I hope in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom Mamoa brings more of that kingly energy Aquaman classically has, but other than that, this is a good performance that will be hard to top.

I also liked that Arthur wasn't played by a named actor. I like trends like that and would like to give an actor not as well known a big shot.

Characteristics

I'd like to pitch a very different Aquaman.

I like an Aquaman who can comedically get his ass kicked.

Arthur should believe in any room he steps in he is the strongest one there, especially when he isn't. Particularly in the Injustice games, Arthur has a "how dare you speak that way to a king?!" energy that I love, and then repeatedly gets bested by Lanterns, Amazonians, Magicians, Kryptonians, and Speedsters. Aquaman is not special in the Justice League, but he should walk into a room and think he is. At least to begin.

I'd like an Aquaman who has been king and protector of the seas for awhile, and has become Smug and Brash because of it. He's still well intentioned but definitely needs to be humbled. This is early days hero Aquaman.

I'd also like him to be sometimes the butt of the joke, sometimes the straight man of the group, but always a real threat. He will likely lose a fight, but he will put up one. Kind of the Drax of the group.

Despite all his shortcomings, Aquaman should still be charming and likable. His confidence should come from the fact that he doesn't know how to lead, and is scared of letting the people of Atlantis down.

What Ethnicity is Aquaman?

This question has become a little more interesting in the past couple of years. While Aquaman is typically a white character, casting Mamoa, did pivot the character to being of Hawaiian descent. This is both logical and honors the character in a great way.

That thinking trickled to Namor, who was casted with Mexican descent in mind for an Aztec feeling.

I think both of these are fun interesting changes that add life to both characters while grounding them in reality.

While I think Aquaman can be white, adding him to cultures associated with beaches, islands and water can be beneficial.

Keeping that in mind, I am going to say any actor could play him.

Other Stipulations

Aquaman needs to be built like a wall. Mamoa brought a much needed physicality to the character that I loved. He should feel as big as Superman, even if he isn't as tough.

Aquaman should also feel comfortable in a royal setting. He needs to feel like a classic king.

I want someone who is younger than our Batman (46) but older than our Superman (30). 35-40 range works, old enough to be a king but young enough to be stupid.

He needs to be charming and kind of unlikeable in his actions, but in the end we root for him. Think Captain Kirk or Thor.

Finally, I don't want to look to actors known for Superhero roles.

Let's Begin.

3. Aaron Taylor-Johnson

I know what I just said, so I quickly want to get this out of the way.

If he wasn't literally every superhero ever Aaron Taylor-Johnson would've been my ideal Aquaman. He's everything needed.

Built like a wall. Charming. Strong. Could absolutely be an asshole. Smug enough to think he's the best in the room but could get his assbeat by multiple members of the League. Could absolutely lead a franchise and fit really well with my cast so far. But.

He is EVERY Superhero Universe already.

He's Kick-Ass, Quicksilver, and Kraven. While he's good in the first two and I'm sure he'll be fine in Kraven, he was wasted in both the MCU and the Sony Spider-Man universe. Aquaman would have been the ideal role for him, and he's been wasted.

If he was Aquaman though, and DC wanted to utilize him properly, he'd be perfect. But for now we'll have to settle for a Kraven who will never fight Spider-Man.

2. Jonathan Bailey

Known for his roles in Bridgerton, Crashing and Jack Ryan, Jonathan Bailey does one thing really well, and that's an asshole.

As the eldest Bridgerton brother he simultaneously played empathetic and a mean spirited antagonist well, striking a balance I like for Aquaman.

He also gets his ass kicked quite a bit, and has to learn from others to be a better man and forgive himself to overcome trauma.

While I think Bailey can do it, especially a meaner version, he leans to mean for me to want him in the group. He reminds me more of Sean Bean in Fellowship of the Ring, where he'd be an antagonist who never really gels with the rest of the group.

I think he'd be a fun juxtaposition from the other characters, but doesn't exactly have the energy I would want from an Aquaman.

1. Jack Reynor

Known for roles in Sing Street, Midsommar, Transformers the Last Knight and Macbeth, Jack Reynor has likely played the asshole in something you have seen.

While he is younger than I would like at 31, Reynor has the right energy I am looking for in an Aquaman.

In Sing Street in particular, he plays an older brother who has become the lazy has been and mentor to his younger brother starting a band. While he comes off as pretentious quite a bit, he genuinely loves his brother and wants what is best for him.

This balance of sad, headstrong, but meaning well is exactly what I want for my Aquaman.

(Also watch Sing Street, it's one of my favorite movies.)

Reynor is 6 feet tall and in my opinion, looks like classic Aquaman. He's big, he's strong, can play a dope or play a king, so why not both?

Reynor is also from Ireland, and while he can do an American accent, I'd like him to keep accent to add something new to Aquaman. Ireland is also surrounded by water, and perhaps in this version, Arthur Curry was born and raised by the water in Ireland.

Jack Reynor also has one thing that Mamoa has that is really hard to master.

Reynor is cool. While he can do outsider of the League and arrogant, we do want someone who will eventually fit right in and chill out with The Flash and Martian Manhunter. That's Reynor.

He's got the look, he's got the vibe. He's the perfect balance between Jason Mamoa and the classic royal Aquaman all while being something a little unexpected.

Jack Reynor would be the perfect Aquaman.

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Movie Redo: My take on Batman's Insurgency from The Snyder Cut

While I was not crying out for more Snyder content, I was surprisingly impressed with Zack Snyder's Justice League. Yes, it is a long, and a little heavy on slow motion, but it had a vision that in my opinion, make his first two movies better. I don't think I connect with it in the same ways other do, but clearly it invokes passion.

While Zack Snyder's Justice League brought closure to a lot of DC fans, it brought a want for more from a lot of others, particularly in its closing scenes involving the Knightmare.

This battle between Batman, heroes, and an evil Superman has been teased throughout Batman vs Superman and The Snyder Cut. While I don't think this will ever truly happen, I want to focus on one aspect of the film that boggled my mind, the team that Batman assembles.

Batman assembles of team of heroes and villains to fight Superman, which in theory is a lot of fun and should be a team worth rooting for. However it is made up of (mostly in hindsight) some problematic stars and questionable choices in characters, none whom I believe could actually defeat Superman.

I want to go through the DCEU and make a team of heroes and villains that I think 1) would join up with Batman 2) would be able to put up a fight against Superman and 3) would make for an interesting movie.

Stipulations for myself are no heroes introduced after The Snyder Cut, as Zack would not have had access to them. So sorry, no Blue Beetle, no Supergirl, no Black Adam. But any heroes and villains introduced before then are fair game.

I also want to generally keep the same types of characters that are on the team. Let's say two villains, two younger heroes, and two Leaguers.

First, let's look at who is staying:

Keepers

Besides Batman, I only have the one.

I think having a Justice League member who remembers what Superman was like and to have Batman's back is a great idea. While I do love the Barry and Bruce relationship in comics and other media, Ezra Miller is not a person I can stand behind nor do I want to see in more movies for a long while.

Ray Fisher was done dirty by Warner Bros and Joss Whedon. He is a fantastic actor and plays my favorite character in Zack Snyder's Justice League. Bringing him along as both muscle and tech support makes sense. And given his technology being of alien origin, he may have a chance of actually putting up a fight against Superman.

In this film, I want Cyborg to represent the hope for Humanity. He has been taken over by something terrible, like alien technology, and has overcome it. Despite everything that has happened, Cyborg still believes they can save the world, and Superman. I think it would be a nice change of pace for the character and keep him at the heart of the film.

Now let's go on to the fun ones.

The Villains

The DCEU has a surprising amount of villains to choose from when it comes to people who would join the team. While both Joker and Deathstroke are fun fan favorite characters, I think for this cast, we can do better.

While I love the idea of Joe Manganiello as Deathstroke, he doesn't seem suited for a fight with the Man of Steel.

Similarly, Jared Leto's Joker seems like a pointless nuisance at best. Having a crash wild card on the team seems fun, but wrong direction.

Let's start with the obvious pick.

Lex Luthor

If we are doing a world where Superman truly goes evil, why not get help from the man who has been saying he would the Whole Time?!

I'm not a huge fan of Jesse Eisenbergs Lex Luthor, but in the post credits scene, he had seemed to calm down quite a bit, and seemed closer to the Luthor we know and love.

I still don't know if he entirely would nail it, but having Luthor on the team adds that same level of uneasiness Joker does while adding competence.

Luthor could have a chip on his shoulder with a lot of "I told you all" energy I love. And with his strong knowledge on Superman, and maybe a mech suit, he'd be incredibly useful against Superman.

I think we missed an opportunity to further Luthor's involvement in this universe in a fun and interesting way, and he should absolutely be a part of this team.

Ocean Master

While I did love the inclusion of Mera, I did not love the inclusion of Amber Heard. Having a violent Atlantean out for blood and vengeance for Arthur's death is a fun concept. Which brought me to his brother, Orm.

My hope is in Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, Orm comes to an understanding and love for his brother. If that were true, Superman killing his brother (and likely the world's oceans) would put him on a warpath with Orm.

I think Orm is one of those characters elevated by the actor playing him, Patrick Wilson. And given Wilson and Snyder have worked together, I think the collaboration is in order.

I think Orm is a good middle ground between Mera and Deathstroke, filling out both roles all while bringing an angry, violent energy to the team.

Heroes

While there are quite a few heroes in the DCEU, I tried to pick heroes Batman has not interacted with, or that would join his cause. Let's start with the bigger ask:

Harley Quinn

If we want to match that chaotic Joker energy, Margot Robbie's Harley Quinn is the better way to go about it. This would be reminiscent of the Injustice Games where she goes good, following Batman's lead as his second in command.

She can represent how far both she and Bruce have come, having put aside their differences, even forgiving her for the death of Robin. While I know she's not the truest hero, we only see her as a protagonist throughout her films, and I'd like to keep her that way.

While I don't think she's the most useful in a fight against Superman, I think she still adds much needed humor to the bruting team. Plus, we can give her a Kryptonite hammer and boom, she's in the fight.

I also want a character who can annoy Lex with her presence. I think those two would be at each other's throats the entire time.

And Finally:

Shazam!

If there is one thing Batman is known to do, it's recruit a kid. While we can't have the Black Adam/Superman match up the Rock so desperately wants, we can have a more competent Billy Batson on the team.

As a hero with similar powers and magic at his disposal, Shazam would be the most capable in a fight against Superman. In this version, he has lost his Shazamily, and now hones the power of all of the Council of Wizards, making him the ideal foe for Superman.

Batman not having an absolute tank on his team in the fight against Superman is insane. Shazam serves as Bruces back up plan incase they run into Superman. While he doesn't truly believe Billy can beat him, he thinks Shazam could sacrifice himself and save the others in time to come up with a true plan.

Levi can add comedy but mix in drama and sadness of his lost family. Levi's acting is often underutilized in the Shazam films, and under Snyder we may get some absolute gold.

Having a powerful Wizard, an Atlantean King, a Genius, a Motherbox enhanced Cyborg and one of the best members of the Suicide Squad on a team together led by Batman gives us not only a colorful cast of characters, but the DCEU a fighting chance against Superman.

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Who should play Mr. Fantastic in the MCU?

With the upcoming MCU Fantastic Four movie set for 2025, as soon as the writer's strike comes to an end, we will likely get our cast for the film dropped. Before that time comes, I thought I would give me two cents for who should play each role, starting with our leading man.

Perhaps the most over fan casted character in the past year, Reed Richards is a particularly hard nail to hit on the head. While the characteristics are simple enough, smartest man in world, leader of the fantastic, emotionally distant, maybe a bit awkward, borderline mad scientist, all of those traits can easily be attributed to a number of different actors.

Depending on how you want to play it, there has been a number of fantastic (pun intended) options thrown around the rumor mill: Penn Badgley, John Krasinski returning, Glenn Howerton, William Jackson Harper, Adam Driver, Matt Smith, and oh so many more.

While I like a lot of these and really wouldn't be upset with most of them, I thought I'd throw my three ideas in the ring.

I will also say, my initial pick was William Jackson Harper, but twitter and one of my favorite Fan Casters Nando V Movies (go check out their YouTube channel) already casted him. But if he got it, I would be very pleased.

Finally, I'll preface, I am going for originality. There have been SO many picks for Mr. Fantastic. I tried so desperately hard to pick actors I haven't heard brought up who can do an amazing job.

First, as always, let's look back and three renditions we got:

Ioan Gruffudd

I don't have strong feelings about this particular version of the character. He hit the notes he needed to but there really wasn't alot for him or Jessica Alba to do in the film.

Gruffudd did a solid job at playing the straight man, letting Evans and Chiklis play off of him fairly well.

He was also fairly good at playing a realistic nerd. He didn't feel like someone who was on the football team, which other Fantastics lacked. We need someone who can feel believably awkward. More Maguire less Garfield.

Miles Teller

*sigh* Fan4stic is definitely a movie.

Miles Teller and the cast do what they can with what they were given, but there isn't much for me to dissect here. Teller does a good job with the awkward nerdiness, but he lacks the believable confidence to be a leader. Fantastic should be confident in his intelligence, Teller wasn't there yet.

We need someone who can believably be a leader.

John Krasinski

I think for what he is given, Krasinski does a solid job at a particular kind of Mr. Fantastic. That is to say, he is a Mr. Fantastic who has done his three movies and has learned the importance of family and connecting with people and taking care of others.

That being said, as a flawed Fantastic, he's boring. Yes he is strong, confident, and feels like a leader, but that's all I'll give him.

So clearly, we don't have a lot to work with as far as definitive versions of the character goes.

What ethnicity is Mr. Fantastic?

Mr. Fantastic does not have a particular ethnic identity in the comics. There is one piece of comic lure that I think is interesting when discussing Mr. Fantastic, particularly in the MCU.

You see one of Reed Richards descendants is Nathaniel Richards, a time travelling super-genius from the 31st century, wo becomes a supervillain warlord known as..

Kang the Conqueror.

While his lineage is sometimes questionable, I think this wrinkle puts a potential for people of color playing this role.

However, Kang could be mixed, and with the fact Mr. Fantastic isn't really any particular ethnicity, I think casting anyone is okay.

Other Stipulations

Mr. Fantastic may be one of the major leads of the MCU moving forward. We are casting the main enemy of Galactus, Doctor Doom, and maybe even Kang. We are looking for a Downey or Evans, someone great.

As the leader of the Fantastic Four, we need someone who can believably be the smartest person in the room. With his powers, his intelligence, and his borderline madness when it comes to science, Mr. Fantastic should feel like a threat to someone like Doom.

I'm looking for someone in their mid 30s to mid 40s. He needs to feel older than Johnny but young enough to keep this going for awhile.

We need someone confident who could lead the team but can be a little awkward to be around. Almost Batman like.

I'd like taller and lanky as far as look goes, and if they can grow a nice beard that's a plus. Any ethnicity is good.

As always, I'm looking for someone who hasn't played a major superhero role.

Let's get into it:

3. Dev Patel

Kicking off our list with the safest choice, Dev Patel is one of those actors you're surprised isn't already a superhero. From roles in the Green Knight, Slumdog Millionaire, and Modern Love, Patel is a fan favorite actor with range to compete with the big names. At 33, He is the youngest person on my list and most qualified for the job.

He has played intelligent in roles like in Chappie, has done dangerous in the Green Knight, and villains in roles like Zuko (sorry I had to bring up The Last Airbender).

My worry with Patel is he may be a little too likeable. I want a character we can warm up to, which is hard balance. He also seems like an actor who could potentially be great as a different character. Maybe even Doctor Doom.

I definitely think he has the chops and the potential to be a great lead, not just for the Fantastic Four but the MCU.

2. Zachary Quinto

When casting in Sci-Fi, it's always good to cast someone who has pull in nerd circles.

Known for roles in Star Trek, Heroes, American Horror Story and Invincible, Zachary Quinto is always a treat to watch.

He was originally my top choice to play Doctor Strange in the MCU, but I think for those same reasons, he could do an excellent Mr. Fantastic.

Zachary Quinto is great at playing characters just a little off from human. Spock is a great example of this, but I'd look closer at Robot from Invincible. He displays real emotion through a robotic voice throughout the show, and quickly became my favorite character. I think bringing a little humanity to Reed can help us follow and grow with him as the movies progress.

Quinto also has a solid background in playing villains. He has voiced Lex Luthor, and even played a superpowered serial killer, Sylar, in the hit NBC series Heroes. I think having someone who can play a villain be beneficial to Reed, as he often feels closer to a villain than a hero.

My biggest concern with Quinto is age. At 46, he feels a bit older than I would prefer. Not that that should be a problem, but a younger Reed we can see grow into Mr. Fantastic is preferred.

Quinto also isn't typically a leading man. I'm not sure if I can see him leading the MCU in the same way I see Patel.

I think it would be a curveball pick that fans could get behind and end up loving.

1. Jerrod Carmichael

If I had a nickel for every time I casted a comedian known for stand-up over acting as my leading man, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice.

Jerrod Carmichael is one of my favorite comedians and writers working today. Known for his stand-up specials, the Carmichael show, and smaller roles in The Disaster Artist, Mid90s, and Transformers the Last Knight, Carmichael really came on my radar as an actor and a writer in his amazing movie On the Count of Three.

Also Directed by Carmichael, the film centers around two friends who decide they want to kill themselves after one last day of righting wrongs and tying up loose ends. It's an incredibly bleak, well acted, and at times funny movie, full of sadness and pain.

In the film Carmichael taps into a sadness and alienation I think would be perfect for Reed. In the film, he feels dangerous and alone.

We also known Jerrod can do comedy and likeable, which could eventually translate to a more balanced Reed Richards.

He also has a talent for writing. His stand-up special Rothaniel won him an Emmy in 2022. Imagine what he could do with Fantastic Four Screenplay.

Carmichael will also be starring in Poor Things, a new movie starring Emma Stone which appears to be getting buzz. Clearly he is expanding his acting portfolio, and the MCU is a great place to start.

I think if you want a surprise pick who can act, direct, do comedy, and write, Carmichael feels like the choice that would get people talking. I think he is the type of artist who should be leading big things like the MCU, and would look damn good wearing the 4 on his chest.

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8 Characters who should appear in My Adventures with Superman Season 2

My Adventures with Superman has quickly become a fan-favorite Superman story, full of a great cast and interesting story elements. While I loved the series, and had fun with every episode, I think the show should incorporate some new characters into the mythos, to expand the story and the wider DC universe.

While there are characters that people love like Batman or villains already teased like Luthor and Brainiac, I am going to focus on characters I think this story has set up nicely, characters who have history with the Man of Steel, and that can bring a much needed different energy to the show.

I have 4 heroes, and 4, let's just say, antagonists, that I think seem like the next logical step for our heroes.

Antagonists

My biggest criticism of the show was the lack of colorful and impactful villains. While Parasite, Sam Lane, Mxyzptlk, Amanda Waller and Deathstoke all had their moments, there really isn't an iconic villain I can point to from the show.

Adding one or two key overarching villains can make this great show on par with a Spectacular Spider-Man or even Invincible. I have a few ideas for characters the show may have already set up for us. Staring with:

Lucy Lane

Lucy Lane in the comics is the younger sister of Lois Lane, and while originally she was a stewardess, she has more recently been reimagined both in comics and in the television series Supergirl as a major in the army.

Having Lucy take the place of the disgraced General Lane could put her directly on the path of Superman and Lois. We can even have her live in Metropolis with Lois while she is "in town".

In my reimagining, Lucy could be seen as the good daughter who took up Sam's wishes, while Lois is the failure, leading to good classic tension.

Having Lucy as an antagonist with ties to Lois and (like in the comics) dates Jimmy can lead to some good dramatic moments, and could eventually lead to her being an ally of Superman who vouchers for him to the U.S. Government.

I think adding Lucy is a good way to tone down the Army vs Superman story to be more personal and in the background while we face different threats, while still giving it emotional weight.

But if Lucy Lane is the new General, who is her new enforcer?

Bloodsport

We have a Suicide Squad who hates Superman, so why not bring in his best enemy from the team.

Reimagined in James Gunn's The Suicide Squad, Bloodsport is most widely known as the assassin who shot Superman with a Kryptonite bullet. Making Bloodsport Lucy Lane's main enforcer could act as Deathstroke with Kryptonite weapons, making him make more sense.

I'd like to keep the fact that he is there against his will, and has daughter, keeping him grounded and relatable. Make him the new leader of the Squad on the field as opposed to Parasite, who was way too maniacal to be lead.

Ideally there would be an episode where Clark is shot out of the sky, and all his friends and family are worried whether or not he will survive.

Lobo

If we want to introduce an Iconic Superman villain, none is better than Lobo.

While Brainiac and Zod are plenty powerful and could stand a chance against the Man of Steel, sending in an assassin to do their work for them makes their lives easier.

I know he's not the best set up, but Lobo is one of those characters who can show up whenever as long as someone wants you dead. Having Clark face an invader as soon as he thinks the invasion is over would be a hell of a way to kick off season 2.

Lobo is also a character who does whatever for a check, and doesn't necessarily have to be an enemy. There can be an episode where Clark needs back up, so all other heroes team up, and Lobo is there because Jimmy paid him off.

He'd be great recurring as an ally or villain, and bring a much needed livelihood to the villains we have.

Injustice Superman

No villain has been teased more in My Adventures with Superman than Superman himself.

I'm not the biggest fan of the Injustice story, but it's been utilized well here to demonstrate how terrifying a Kryptonian can and should be.

I want to put a close on this chapter of most people fearing Superman and Clark worried about who he could become. I'm hoping by the end of Season 2 after the team defeats Evil Superman, coming to take Lois or destroy the world, we can go on to bigger villains.

I think a version of evil Superman should be utilized in the 2nd Season, and could even be the final battle in an Invincible Season 1 style. Perhaps after Clark has been knocked out by the Kryptonite Bullet, Injustice Superman makes his way here, and Bloodsport, both General Lanes, The Suicide Squad, and some of the heroes I'll bring up next will take on Injustice Superman with little luck until Clark shows up.

I do think bringing in Injustice Superman could give us teases at heroes to come like, "I destroyed the Bat, the kid, the time traveler, anyone who didn't listen." If we want to have a lot of fun with it, we can make him much older and voiced by Dennis Quaid.

Heroes

I think My Adventures with Superman could absolutely benefit from some heroes joining the fold, some longterm and some just for a bit.

Don't get me wrong, this is still a Superman show and I want to keep it that way. But Superman inspires others to step up, and I want to show that. Each hero has a history with Clark, and brings something important to the table. Starting with the ask I want most:

Krypto

It's time to expand the Super family.

Krypto is Superman's super canine from the planet of Krypton who has all of Superman's abilities.

Adding Krypto to Superman's team means some good animal hijinks, and adding a character who can protect Jimmy and Lois when Superman can't.

We can also do fun one off episodes like a day in the life of Krypto, where he throws a post office into space or frees some dogs from the pound.

How we get him into the story is kind of tough, but perhaps he is in another pod that redirected to earth when it saw another Kryptonian was there, or Clark heres stories of another Kryptonian out in the galaxy , and it's this dog.

Either way, Krypto would be a more fun member of the crew.

Steel

John Henry Irons is an inventor and engineer who styles his look and abilities after the Man of Steel. Usually seen as an ally to Superman, Steel also appears famously as one of the four people taking up the identity of Superman once Clark dies fighting Doomsday.

Steel recently has appeared in Superman and Lois, as an other worldly traveler originally thought to be a version of Lex Luthor.

My version of Irons would also be young hero, not exactly at the level he is in the comics, trying to emulate Superman with mechanics but not quite there yet. I'd like him to be a sidekick Superman calls on at times, a recurring character until he is fully brought into the group as the tech support and their 2nd heavy hitter.

Irons should represent that Clark can't really change that he is inspiring people, and should be a sign for more heroes to come.

Brainiac-5

Unlike the other heroes on this list, Brainiac-5 should serve two purposes and should not be an series regular.

Brainiac-5 is a hero from the Legion of Superheroes, a team from 31st century inspired by Superman. He should be an untrusted ally to begin, as he is a descendent of Brainiac, but come with warning of his ancestors plans and how to defeat him.

Brainiac-5 also would be the anti League of Lois Lanes. We see too often in this show what Superman can become on the negative end. We should also see what he can bring about on the positive end as well.

At first untrusted, Brainiac-5 will convince Clark he is on the right path, and can inspire many many heroes from generations to come.

While the character should return throughout the show, for a second season he should appear in one or two episodes, and return for major arcs if he is needed.

And finally, the biggest ask:

The Flash

The Flash and Superman speed rivalry is one of the most fun in comics. There is something about seeing Speedsters and Kryptonians on screen together that always makes for good television.

The Flash was one of the first heroes on Smallville, was the first hero to crossover with Supergirl in the Arrowverse, raced Superman in the Animated Series, and even did a post credit tease in the Whedon cut of Justice League.

Bringing in a major Leaguer in Season 2 could up the stakes for what is to come. Given Flash and Supermans racing history, we can have a fun episode on our hand that builds out this universe, and could even be a backdoor pilot to a Flash show.

We could do the classic charity run, or maybe Gorilla Grodd plans to take over Metropolis, either way, a fun one off episode centered around these two icons could be the warm-up to Justice League we need.

I'm sure some of these characters will come in sooner or later, but bringing on any of them can make for a fun Season 2 that ups the stakes and could lead into something greater.

But time will tell if I’m right.

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My Adventures with Superman delivers a solid reintroduction to Last Son of Krypton - SEASON REVIEW

*Spoilers for all of Season 1 of My Adventures with Superman*

Adult Swim and Max's My Adventures with Superman's first season has just wrapped up, and I have quite a few thoughts on the fun ten episode journey.

When watching the initial episodes of My Adventures with Superman, I was immediately smitten with our lead three protagonists. Clumsy adorable Clark, Conspiracy theorist and loyal friend Jimmy, and leader of the crew, the overly ambitious and intense Lois all had fantastic chemistry, I knew they would be the force carrying the show if it had nothing else to offer.

Luckily, it does. But let's talk about our core crew first.

One thing I love about this show is they quickly throw away the secret identity shtick for the core crew. Having Lois figure it out so soon and Jimmy knowing already speaks to their characters and their skills as reporters. Plus, now that that drama is over, they can go on this journey together, as they should.

The character I was hoping for more of which I was most happy with was Jimmy. Ishmel Sahid continues to bring multiple layers to Jimmy thoughout the show, and quickly made him my favorite character.

I felt he was the most sidelined of the three in the first couple of episodes, but he really gets two episodes focused on his friendship to the others in the middle of the season that I loved, and has a fun plot developing Flamebird throughout the season.

It pays off with the final joke of him becoming a multi millionaire, but I hope they use this money plot for Jimmy to go on ridiculous adventures and team up with other heroes and monsters like in the comics.

Also just love that Jimmy continued to be a good wingman to both Clark and Lois and give them space when needed. What an absolute pal.

While I'm here, I do love the cute love story between Clark and Lois, but it felt a bit rushed. Throwing the L word around a bit quick in my opinion, but I understand this is basically an anime, and needs to be a bit dramatic. I wish they would've saved that for Season 2, but I love the chemistry and that they are already together.

Alice Lee continues to shine as Lois, often having to voice some incredibly dramatic points in the show. I love the revelation that she is "the worst Lois" because all other Lanes are exceptional. That episode in general is a highlight for me, although it is a little bit Everything Everywhere All at Once.

Of the three characters, Lois felt the most fleshed out, dealing with insecurities from her father, trying to live up to her own expectations and his, and trying to make a real difference. Those little things make moments like the crew getting desks so satisfying and heartwarming.

I feel like people have talked to death how great Jack Quaid is as Superman, so I'll try to be brief. He's incredible. It's clear they casted for Clark instead of Superman, which was a smart move.

As Clark he is humble, kind, brave, and genuine. You cry when he does, you feel for his pain when he stumbles and you cheer when he succeeds. This should be the blueprint for Superman media moving forward.

While I had to adjust to the Superman voice, by the end of the show I was good with it, and it was perfect. I would love to see him lead an anime style Justice League.

I think tying General Lane to this Kryptonian invasion plot was a really good through line throughout the season. Making him directly connected to the destruction caused by Kryptonians felt very Batman v Superman (but in a good way), and made their interactions feel real weight.

One aspect of the show I criticized and hoped would improve were the villains. While I like the overarching villain being Sam Lane, I think this show doesn't quite have the iconic villains say a Spectacular Spider-Man or a Young Justice does. I was hoping for someone with something special or unique to grasp on to, but there really wasn't.

I think having the Suicide Squad be one of the final battles, and doing the match up from the "What if Superman ripped off the roof of the white house?" line from Suicide Squad movie is kind of fun, but the Squad members didn't feel fleshed out enough for me to care.

I think with the exception of Banshee and Mxyzptlk , most of the designs for the villains felt a little boring. This includes the final two teased at the end of the show. I wish more thought and color was put behind the characters, like Superman or even Jor-El.

Parasite was the most fun inclusion, but I felt he was too different from his usual version for me to fully grasp on to. Of the Superman villains shown, I think he could come back and win me over.

I hope characters like Brainiac, Zod, Luthor, Lobo and Doomsday bring life to this show through villainy. With great antagonists, this show would be absolutely perfect, but it's just not there yet.

I think this show is on to something really special, and I hope to see it continue for multiple seasons. It could be a fantastic introduction to the character of Superman, if it could bring more life to Metropolis through its recurring characters.

Overall, I think it's a great show. One that surprised me with emotion, the laughs, the triumphs and the falls. I recommend you watch the season, now streaming on Max.

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Who should play Supergirl in the DCU?

One of my favorite characters in the Superman mythos is Kara Zor-El AKA Supergirl. She embodies the values of the El's in a way Clark can't because, well, she was there. She knows Krypton, she has seen it destroyed, and is more of an immigrant to Earth than Superman.

Supergirl is a character built on loss, loss of a home, loss of time, loss of her culture. But she is also built on finding hope after, and becoming something greater than she could've ever imagined because of her losses.

The last daughter of Krypton is set to make her DCU debut in Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, based on the comic of the same name. I'm excited to see David Corenswet and whoever takes on the role be my favorite cousin hero duo.

I thought I would give my choices on who should play the Girl of Steel, what characteristics I want to see, and who they should emulate from the past.

Past Live Action Depictions

While I know she has depictions in film from Helen Slater and in Smallville by Laura Vandervoort, I don't have strong opinions about either performance. So I will be pulling from some others.

Melissa Benoist

Melissa Benoist is Supergirl.

She has the right balance of kindness and strength that a El needs to work. More than that, Benoist was inspiring like a Supergirl should be. I don't think we've gotten a better live action look at the Els than her and Tyler Hoechlin.

I also loved that she wasn't an entire retread of Clark. Yes she was also a reporter, but she wasn't a bumbling fool. She was cute and charming and Kara, and just a different type of confident as Supergirl. We need someone who can be confident, charming, and believable as both.

Kara also brought the pain of Supergirl, the loss, just as much as she brought the comedy. We need a real talented actress who can do it all.

While her fighting could've been more believable (it's the CW so it's tough), I think this is a fantastic version of the character, and should be the blueprint.

Sacha Calle

While I was not a huge fan of The Flash film, Sacha Calle was a delightful surprise. Of the 3 leads (4 leads I guess cause Ezra twice? Great job DC), she is the least utilized, but with what she is given, she is very good.

While we don't get the hope, we definitely get the trauma and pain, and you feel it through her entire performance. While she doesn't feel like Supergirl we typically know, she does feel like the version that would be Henry Cavills cousin.

She also has a brutality to her that I'd like to see more of in live action. I like the idea of when she gets there, it may be harder for her to hold back given all her trauma. I'm not sure if that's the intention, but that's what I picked up.

While she wasn't an exact Supergirl, I think she captured the spirit of the character, and if they decided to bring her back for Woman of Tomorrow, I would not be against it.

Stipulations

Our Supergirl should be younger than our Superman, David Corenswet, who is currently nearly 30. While Supergirl tends to be 15-16, I think making her in her early 20s would be beneficial. That way she has been on Earth for a while, has seen her cousin grow up, and is finally donning the cape.

Much like in the DC Universe, the S means something in our world. Because Superman is such an icon, I think we can swing for a bigger named actress for Supergirl.

While Kara is Kryptonian, she does need to look like David Corenswet's cousin, who is white. However, she could be mixed.

Kara also is typically blonde, but we have dye these days so anyone can be blonde.

I am looking for an actress who can lead a movie, feel like a mentor to Superman in some ways and a mentee in others, with dramatic acting skills, in their 20's to early 30's, and who hasn't been known for a superhero role before.

Let's get started.

3. Anya Taylor-Joy

Starting off strong with an actress with range, Anya Taylor-Joy has done it all. From hit shows like Queen's Gambit to films like The Menu, Split, and Last Night in Soho, Joy is constantly proving she is one of the best actresses working today.

What often is not talked about is her choices. Unlike other huge actors, Joy is willing to have some fun. She was Peach in Super-Mario, Magik in the New Mutants, and Brea in the Dark Crystal. She is no opposed to sci-fi or more out of this world roles.

And Yes, she was in New Mutants, but no one remembers that movie or cares.

I can see her as a constant in the DC universe, pulling off the drama, pain and kindness easily.

My only concern is whether Joy can pull off Hope in the way some of the others can. Can she convince a people to go to war? Can she bring up the Man of Steel when he is at his lowest? I am not sure, but I'd love to see her try.

I think she is a fantastic pick, and can really make the character her own.

2. Natalia Dyer

Known primarily for her role in Stranger Things as Nancy Wheeler, Natalia Dyer has great Kara energy.

While she has been in other projects like Velvet Buzzsaw and Yes, God, Yes, showing off both her drama and comedic sides, it's Nancy Wheeler that truly is just a great Kara audition.

She has seen horrible things, but takes lead, kicks ass, and remains hopeful for the future.

She tows the line between cute hopeful person and someone who would absolutely destroy you if need be.

I think Natalia is a great pick and could use a big role other than Nancy to show what she is capable of. Sadly, she's one of those castings that I think I found someone just a little bit better.

1. Elle Fanning

What can I say, she's Great (see what I did there?)

Known for roles in Maleficent, The Girl from Plainville, and The Great, Elle Fanning is a fantastic actress with the range we need.

While all three actresses have the necessary skills needed for the role, I think much as David Corenswet looks like Superman, Fanning looks like Supergirl. She's just got it. Blonde, big smile that can turn into an intense fearsome hero. It's too good.

And as much as Nancy Wheeler is an audition for Kara, Catherine the Great is an even better one.

She is a new leader of her people, forced into a terrible marriage with a terrible man, and must find ways to be hopeful, charming, and kind in a horrid situation. While the marriage is an add on, it's similar trials that Kara has to face.

As Catherine, she must play the dotting wife and the rebel leader, which can easily translate to doe eyed reporter to warrior.

While the show is fantastic and has its fans, Fanning doesn't really have a role she can attach her acting career to yet as big as Supergirl. I think she is in the right stage of her career where she's a big name but feels fresh.

Elle Fanning would make the perfect Supergirl.

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Movie Redo: My take on the MCU's Illuminati

While I was a fan of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, one aspect of the film I was the least impressed with was the execution of the Illuminati, a Marvel "Team" from the comics full of some of the leaders of the Marvel universe.

The Team works behind the scenes for bigger picture problems effecting the superhuman world. As the leaders of the Fantastic Four, The Inhumans, The Avengers, The X-Men, Atlantis, and The Sorceror Supreme, they often make decisions, with the best of attentions, from places of privilege, and often make the wrong call.

While the team in the MCU does appear to lie to the public about Doctor Strange's death, and appear to control an Ultron Army, they do not appear to be as morally grey as the team we see in the comics. They're basically that universe's Avengers, which is a disservice to the team.

I'd like to pitch some small changes to the people who were chosen to be a part of the Illuminati and some choices in the film that were made to better represent the team and make the movie more interesting.

Motivation

The Illuminati in the film capture Strange in order to stop him from causing another incursion and are trying to figure out what to do with him and America Chavez. While they are hinderances, they are not exactly villains or heroes in the film. While they should not be on Wandas side, they absolutely need to be villains.

A small and simple change should be they are using Strange as bait, and are trying to extract Americas powers themselves in order to kill Wanda and Multiversal threats in the future. They see their "utopia" as the right way of living, and hope to expand their peace across dimensions.

This bold and insane goal is exactly the type of arrogant, terrible and small minded plan the Illuminati should be doing.

Who do we keep?

While I love all of these actors, for the betterment of this story, we need to change up some things.

I believe because the role they play in comics, the Illuminati are the only team I can think of that needs to be all White and all Men. All of them come from places of privilege, all of them are in positions of power, and are short sighted due to their lack of different experiences.

Immediately, Captain Marvel, Captain Carter, and Baron Mordo are gone. I also think Krasinski adds nothing, and so I'd like him gone too.

Patrick Stewart as Professor X is a good inclusion and should stay as is, though he needs to be more villainous.

Black Bolt is by far my favorite inclusion of the crew, every detail down to his death. Needs to stay. Shoutout to everyone like me who saw Inhumans in IMAX.

Whole roles need to be filled?

As we have the leader of the X-Men and Inhumans, we should run through the other types of members of the team in order to narrow down picks and actors. We'll need a leader of a space team, a sorcerer, a king, and a leader of the Avengers.

While this does narrow down the team members, we have wiggle room with the multiverse and MCU actors. While I didn't love this team, clearly whoever chose it had some fun creative ideas. I want to emulate that.

We also need to think of visually different people for Wanda to fight and destroy. They need to be powerful enough to make it a fight but in the end overpowered and killed due to their own arrogance.

Leader of the Avengers - James Barnes AKA Captain America

While I don't love Krasinski as Mr. Fantastic, one thing I did love about it was it gave a lot of fans what they've been asking for.

While I love Sam Wilson as Captain America and he is the right choice for it, a lot of fans, including myself, did also want Bucky to take on the mantle. While we won't see that happen anytime soon, I think giving Sebastian Stan his version of the costume in this movie would've made a lot of fans really happy.

Bucky will lead a much more brutal Avengers, which is more of a military force. I'm imagining in this universe darker versions of hand to hand combat fighters like Daredevil, Moon Knight, and Shang-Chi.

Making him a darker version of Cap would also cement why Sam was the right choice for the role. Plus, who doesn't love more Sebastian Stan?

King of Latveria - Victor Von Doom AKA Doctor Doom

Taking up the place of Namor and sort of Reed, we are bringing back Julian McMahon as Victor Von Doom.

Doom will be the tech specialist of the team and the funder of the team. Instead of Ultron bots, headquarters will be manned and Defended by Doom bots. This will be an underpowered version of the character who still uses electricity and technology.

I think this will be a fun easter egg for older fans, and give a good actor a second chance at an excellent character. If Toby Kebbell is preferred, that's cool too. But I think people prefer the classics.

Leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy: Peter Quill AKA Star-Lord The Living Planet

Who better to face Wanda than another being that control reality?

Serving as the Illuminati's Doctor Manhattan would be Star-Lord, now a full celestial.

After Rocket Raccoon found a way to drain Ego of his power, Star-Lord became a living god. After using that power to defeat villains like Thanos, Hela, Gorr, and other cosmic threats, Star-Lord brought piece to his galaxy, and kept his operatives in key points in the Galaxy to ensure peace.

Star-Lord will be much less human than he has ever been portrayed, isolated in his cosmic abilities.

Much like Captain Marvel was, Star-Lord will be the last one standing, obviously the biggest threat to Wanda. In the end, she will destroy his planet, turning Peter into dust.

Sorcerer Supreme - Quentin Beck AKA Mysterio

The inclusion of Mordo was fun, but it did not think big enough.

Having a villain of the MCU be the new Sorcerer Supreme, it should be someone we do not expect, and neither does Strange.

In this universe, after being fired from the Baxter Foundation for their failed illusion technology, Quentin Beck traveled to Kamar-Taj and became the Sorcerer Supreme, basically having the same story Strange had.

Having a trickster like Beck now actually have magic would make him a dangerous enemy for both Strange and Wanda. I hope for a magic fight between the two that ends with Strange tricking Beck somehow, perhaps with a move he tried to pull on Peter Parker.

And that is the team.

Professor X, Black Bolt, Captain America, Doctor Doom, Star-Lord, and Mysterio feel like the right mix of abilities, chaos, MCU lore and comic lore that would get fans excited. This is the type of team I want Wanda to absolutely slaughter.

If only Marvel called me a couple of years ago.

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Who should play The Batman in the DCU?

This is a question that I think no one really wants to answer.

After the success of Matt Reeves The Batman, Michael Keatons return to the role, Kevin Conroy's Death, and Ben Affleck leaving it, I think it is safe to say people have had enough Batman, and enough good takes of the character.

Even so, Andy Muschetti is currently set to direct The DCU's Brave and the Bold, which will show a new Batman, now older and with his son, Damian Wayne.

Recently a popular fancast surfaced of John Krasinski for the role, to some fans love and some fans dismay.

Personally, I don't think he was suited for Reed or for Bruce. I can see him more as a Green Lantern. But this did get my wheels turning, hopefully to do better. And I got some picks. But first, we need to answer a few questions.

What live action versions are we pulling from?

We want to pull key elements from different versions, but there are so many iterations Jesus.

I am not going to go into all of them, I'll stick with 3. But know that I am a fan of most iterations of The Batman.

Ben Affleck

Love him or hate him, Ben Affleck's Batman was memorable. Personally he has a lot of things I want to incorporate into our DCU Batman. For one, he is our older Batman. Our actor should be similar aged to Ben.

He is also a complete unit. After being Batman for so long, he has had to make himself more of a unit in order to properly take out foes.

This is also the best voice, suit, and fighting style I've seen for a live action Batman. The voice modulator works wonders.

I think Ben had a presence that made it clear he was a leader of the team, if not Thee leader. I want our Bruce to feel the same.

Robert Pattinson

Robert Pattinson is a little weirdo. And I mean that in the best way.

This was the first time I think it was properly shown how uncomfortable it might be to be around such a presence as Batman. He is fear personified, and working with someone like that can and should be awkward.

Pattinson also took being Batman way too seriously, our Bruce should do the same. Batman's a religion to Bruce.

We need someone who can be a middle ground between these two as Batman.

Christian Bale

While those two perfected Batman, no one has done Bruce Wayne better than Bale.

Bale by far did the act of Bruce Wayne most convincingly. It is one of my favorite aspects of his films. We need someone who can pull off charming douchebag when needed, but slip back into dark loner.

Bale was also funny in a way Batman hasn't been in awhile. We need someone when comfortable be able to joke with Clark.

You can see why casting a Batman can be extremely difficult. Balancing all these characteristics are crucial to making it work.

What ethnicity is Bruce Wayne?

All iterations of Batman have been white.

Now, is there value in making him another ethnicity? Maybe. Making him a person of color could be part of why he doesn't trust the police and takes matters into his own hands. Perhaps maybe his parents being new money is why they are killed. Who is to say?

For now, I will say Batman can be any ethnicity.

Other Stipulations

The DCU Batman is confirmed to have a son, Damian Wayne. Assuming he has already raised Dick Grayson, Tim Drake and Jason Todd is already dead, this Batman has to be in their 50s. We're looking for an older actor.

George Clooney, Val Kilmer, Michael Keaton, Christian Bale, Robert Pattinson and Ben Affleck have all taken up the role, meaning we need a name. Someone who immediately you know, whether you like it or not. But we also need someone surprising.

We need someone who we can see doing this for awhile. At least 5-8 years. The DCU is just starting, so someone with longevity is a must.

He should probably be tall.

Finally, as always, someone not known for past superhero roles. Let's begin.

3. Jamie Dornan

Jamie Dornan may be the safest and most controversial choice for The Batman.

Like Pattinson before him, Dornan is known for playing the love interest in some pretty bad movies, but since has made a career for himself full of wins. Projects like Belfast, Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar and the Tourist proves Dornan has the acting chops for it.

He is a little younger than we would like, but he can play older, and looks a lot like a classic Bruce Wayne.

I have two main concerns for Dornan. One, would he be better off as a villain? In the DCU, he may make a fantastic Gotham City villain like Harvey Dent. But in the MCU, does he have the making of a fantastic Doctor Doom? I think so.

Finally, the character he plays in Fifty Shades of Grey is BASED on Edward Cullen, who was played by Robert Pattinson, our current Batman. The comparisons will be built in from the beginning, and we something fresh.

I think Dornan can kill it, but there's too much against him for him to be my main pick.

2. Bradley Cooper

Now I know what you're thinking, he's Rocket Raccoon!

Yes he is, but the Guardians movies are now finished. And unlike his teammates, Cooper doesn't really show his face when playing the character. In a way, he is oddly detached from Marvel.

He has also worked with James Gunn before, is currently producing Joker: Folie a Deux, and has an incredible career to back up him as a pick.

From American Sniper to Nightmare Alley to A Star is Born, Cooper consistently delivers. He can do suave, he can do loner, he can do troubled, and he can do comedy. I think he could be a spiritual successor to someone like Ben Affleck, and lead the Justice League in a way that feels natural.

He'd also be useful behind the camera, as he was the director of A Star is Born.

My biggest concern with Cooper is whether he would want to do it. One of the benefits of playing a raccoon is you get to work from a booth for maybe a few hours and you're done. This would be a commitment.

There also comes the question of whether Cooper is bigger than the role. We want people to be lost in the story, so finding an actor who convincingly be Batman is crucial. Cooper might be just a little too big for this.

Of my three, I think Cooper is the most likely to land the role, and that may be for the best.

1. Alexander Skarsgård

If we're looking for a surprising pick, with range, physicality, a name that is big but not bigger than the role, I give you: Alexander Skarsgård.

Known for roles in The Stand, Succession, The Northman and Infinity Pool, Skarsgård is one of those actors who is often forgotten but people are excited to see when he pops up.

He is a dramatic actor who can do funny, scary, and anything in between. He's played fantasy characters in The Stand, a billionaire asshole in Succession, and a warrior in The Northman, all praised. He has all the making of a great Batman.

He is classically handsome, and at 6'3, 46 years old, he is just in the age range we're looking for, and towers over most heroes.

He doesn't feel like any other Batman before him either, which will help us stay away from those comparison conversations.

I don't think there really is a perfect answer as to who should be the next Batman. But of all my options, Skarsgård makes the most sense. I could see him and David Corenswet leading the league for years to come.

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Who should be the main villain of Superman: Legacy?

The Man of Steel has faced countless enemies since his earliest appearance in the late 1930s. However, in live action he tends to face only a handful of his enemies, usually being Lex Luthor or General Zod.

With James Gunn's new DCU comes a new Superman in David Corenswet, and an opportunity to see Superman face one of the more unique enemies he possesses. I'd like to pitch a couple of ideas for enemies we can see him face in his newest film.

I will be pitching 5 villains I can potentially see as the main antagonist for this movie. I will only be pitching villains we have yet to see in live action film, so no Zod, Doomsday, or Luthor.

I also want to build on the fact that he is a younger hero. This should not be a gigantic threat like Darkseid, he's just starting out, so he needs someone who is a challenge for him to start but isn't overly powerful.

There are also other heroes in this movie, namely Green Lantern, Metamorpho, Hawkgirl, and Mister Terrific, all heavy hitters. So our villain needs to be the right level of formidable to other heroes, a challenge for a young Superman, but ultimately a win for Clark.

5. The Toyman

Winslow Schott is an inventor and toymaker who uses his inventions to commit crimes and often tangle with the Man of Steel. His inventions always lean on the silly side, robot teddy bears, giant robot Nutcrackers, you get the gist.

While he is often a nuisance and less of a threat in the comics, I think done right he can be a very creepy villain.

I can see him as a disgruntled LexCorp employee whose designs are being stolen, or perhaps a crazed hero fan who is mad he was not asked to be on the prototype Guy Gardner led by the Justice League.

If we wanted to go older and sillier, I can see a comedian like Jack Black having a lot of fun with a role like this.

While the character is fun, he may be too much of a layup for the Man of Steel. Perhaps as intro to the movie, we can see Superman taking him on, but not as the main villain of the movie.

4. Lobo

The main man himself is due for his time in the spotlight.

Lobo is an intergalactic bounty hunter who is often butting heads with the Man of Steel. Lobo is an arrogant, intense, and powerful warrior whose only law is the agreement he made for his bounty.

Originally meant to be a parody of grim and gritty superhero stories in the 90s, the character was enthusiastically loved by fans, and has been a big DC character ever since.

Having Lobo be this force that comes to Earth to kill the final Kryptonian from an unknown greater evil could make for an interesting movie. He is a villain who could put up a good fight against our Justice League, and give Superman a run for his money.

Because he is a bounty hunter, he is not necessarily evil, and if he can be reasoned with, we could see him back in future movies, maybe even as an uneasy ally to Superman.

Most people want Mamoa, and I understand why, but I think this would be a fun place to put an actor like Rob McElhenney. Have him play a dirtbag badass from across the galaxy can be fun.

While I like this story, I think we can save Lobo for a better place than an origin movie.

3. Metallo

Metallo is a Kryptonite powered cyborg named John Corben, who was experimented on by Professor Vale to become a weapon against what he believes to be an oncoming Alien Invasion in Superman.

Metallo is strong, tragic, and powered by Supermans greatest weakness. He is not only a match for our Justice League, but fatal to Superman.

I can see a version where Lex Luthor "saves" this John from a near fatal accident and turns him into Metallo to test and hopefully kill Superman. (My Luthor is Sterling K Brown by the way).

While Luthor would be the main villain in the shadows, Metallo would be the main threat of the movie.

This puts Superman directly in the path of someone he can't fight or save with his powers. He'll have to stop him with his heart and kindness. I like that idea.

I'd like a younger actor who can be menacing but can display great pain. A Dacre Montgomery type would be ideal for me.

I think Metallo is an excellent starter villain that can determine what kind of hero Clark is going to be.

2. Parasite

Rudy Jones was a janitor at STAR Labs. After being exposed to a waste container, Jones was granted the ability to steal energy from people, leaving them dead or ill. From super powered individuals however, Parasite can absorb and all abilities, leaving heroes incapacitated.

The idea of a meta who can steal abilities away from a team like the Justice League would make for an excellent challenge for Superman. While I don't love his origin, I think you can fix that by making him a test subject at STAR Labs or a metahuman who has to take his entire life to survive. Someone Superman would have to talk to to me seems like a good end to the movie.

I kind of want angry troubled energy, so I'm imagining Aaron Paul here. I could see him crying talking to Superman at the end of the movie, hurt.

1. Bizzaro

Bizzaro is sometimes a duplication of the Man of Steel, often created by Lex Luthor, who is sometimes a villain, sometimes an antihero. While he is a physical match for Superman, he isn't exactly his cerebral match. Often times he is similar to a child, with the opposite abilities of Superman. (Fire breath, and Ice Vision)

What is fun about Bizzaro is he often tries to emulate Superman instead of destroy him, causing more trouble trying to be good then evil. The first bit of the movie Clark can fight him, try to turn him good, fail, and have to try a new method.

I am a fan of villains who are troubled or are trying to do good but can't seem to get it right due to pain or trauma. With a character like Bizzaro, we can have someone who is a match to Clark, but isn't trying to hurt anyone. Just trying to exist, and he needs guidance.

Bizzaro can than be a fun side character for Superman to bounce off. A weird cousin who shows up from time to time to help Clark in big fights, maybe even die at the hands of one his major enemies like Zod, Darkseid or Luthor. There are a lot of fun avenues to take Bizzaro than just meathead villain.

I also don't want Corenswet to play Bizzaro. What's fun about him is he isn't exactly Superman, he's off. We can have an actor who looks similar to a Superman type, like Reid Scott.

If you really wanna have some fun. Give it Cavill or Routh. Give them a chance to dawn the tights in a different way.

I hope they do Metallo, Parasite or Bizzaro, and have Clark have to level with them at a human level. That is the most Superman thing to me, and would be an excellent start to Superman's story.