I’ve been using this site for a while now, but only recently became a member, so for my first article I thought it’d be good to try a fan cast. Now, as I just mentioned I’ve been using this site for a while, so have seen my fair share of fan casts, and one thing I’ve generally noticed is fan boys tend to cast young. With my cast, I’ve decided to go for older actors and actresses and have cast the characters I’d like to crop up throughout the series rather than one singular film. Also, I’ve decided to give each character my own unique spin on their origin to further help ground them slightly more in reality and make them more believable. Well, I hope you enjoy the fan cast below, please leave your thoughts and comments below.
Notable Roles: Lost
Vantage Point
We Are Marshall
My Take: Most recently I really enjoyed ‘Superman: Birthright’ and ‘Secret Origin’ so like the idea of them acting as an inspiration for Superman. As for the characterisation of the Man of Steel, I kind of like how John Byrne presented him; Clark Kent’s the real persona, he’s not a nerd, rather a farm boy who had trouble adjusting to big city life, etc. Basically when he was a teen he was football hero, but due to a ‘leg injury’ he called it quits only to follow other interests and become a journalist. With the disguise, I always imagined Superman to utilize different hair styles and voices/accents, but also to wear clothes that are one to two sizes too big for him to make him appear skinny rather than muscular alongside the glasses of course. As for the costume, its inception was inspired by Kryptonian clothing but made in the barn; I personally prefer this design over the current DC reboot suit. Anyway with my version of the character, I imagine he’s been active for 12 years and is now in his late 30's to early 40's and has been happily married to Lois for 7 of those.
Reason for Casting: He’s got the look, height, and voice, despite that though he’s a very talented actor, I admittedly haven’t seen him in much but his role in ‘Lost’ just echoed Superman, he’s clearly displayed his leadership and authoritative skills well and that’s why I think he’d be good as an older Man of Steel. All he needs to do is work out a bit more and grow his hair a bit and he’d be perfect.
Notable Roles: Iron Man
True Grit
Crazy Heart
Tron: Legacy
My Take: As stated before I really enjoyed ‘Birthright’ primarily due to the more realistic and strained relationship between Johnathan and Clark, so would like to see elements of that remain. For Jonathan’s backstory though, I imagine he too was a former football star, did a stint with the arm, then gave up on his dreams to look after the farm, thus a slightly more cynical, less emotionally fulfilled version to old Pa Kent - maybe this gives him a bit of an alcohol problem? As for his relationship with Martha, they should simply be high school sweet hearts.
Reason for Casting: He’s just a very talented actor, visually he looks the part and has the voice too so that helps, but despite that he has this fatherly presence to him that I think would undoubtedly serve him well. All he needs to do is shave his beard and he’d be perfect.
Notable Roles: The Manchurian Candidate
Doubt
My Take: I hate how most elderly female comic book characters are presented as being so frail and weak, so I’d prefer a stronger take to the character. Again I’m borrowing a lot of inspiration from ‘Birthright,’ I liked how Martha was more tech-savvy there and more active in her son’s discoveries so would enjoy seeing that come to the big screen.
Reason for Casting: She’s another very talented actress, in the films I’ve seen her in she’s done very well, plus she too looks the part and has a strong motherly presence to her.
Notable Roles: Batman Begins
Taken
Kingdom of Heaven
My Take: I’ve always imagined Jor-El to have been a rebellious young Kryptonian who comes from a well-respected family, until a tragic event – maybe the death of his father? Forces him to grow up quick and become the more commonly known sage like version audiences expect, so would like certain aspects of his history to be shown.
Reason for Casting: Very talented actor, he hasn’t done a single bad film yet. Whereas he might have been in a DC film already, I still like the idea of him in the role, in particular as Superman also happens to be his favourite superhero.
Notable Roles: Forrest Gump
Unbreakable
My Take: I like the idea that Lara was Jor-El’s lab assistant or something, and they secretly fell in love; something which turned them into social pariahs of sorts within Krypton’s dystopian society, and thus lead to all sorts of problems such as Jor-El’s findings being doubted, etc.
Reason for Casting: Much like with Meryl, Robin has this strong motherly and loving presence to her, despite this being a small role I think such qualities would serve her well here.
Notable Roles: Underworld I & II
Van Helsing
The Aviator
My Take: Similarly to the current version, she’s a military brat, and a very strong, confident and fast talking, go getter kind of person. I imagine her to be kind of a bitch, but this is because she doesn’t like people getting too close to her as she lost her sister and mother in a car accident (that she caused) so she became more career focused, etc.
Reason for Casting: She can play sexy and strong in her sleep, and looks the part. I’m surprised her name has never been suggested for the part before. Originally I wanted her for Catwoman, but I think she’d just be better suited her.
Notable Roles: Jurassic Park I & II
Bicential Man
Daybreakers
My Take: Former war hero turned star reporter but his career was blown to smithereens after he got mixed up with the Luthor’s, leading to him slowly rebuilding his reputation and becoming more cynical and determined to get the truth out to the people no matter what the cost.
Reason for Casting: I haven’t seen him in much, but what I have seen him in I’ve enjoyed. He just has this very grounded and wise look to him, plus he has is very versatile so I’d be interested in him giving it a go.
Notable Roles: Reaper
My Take: I’d like Jimmy to be presented as being tougher, essentially he’s from a rough neighbourhood is the youngest kid in a big family so is looking to make a name for himself as serious journalist one day. He should identify with Clark as big brother figure, Lois as a sister/older crush, and Perry as a father figure.
Reason for Casting: Prior to this I had Hunter Parish for the role, but as a few members of CBM rightly pointed out he'd be too young for an older fan cast and whereas I initially persisted in keeping him here, theres no denying it, he'd be great but he's still too young for this cast. In this light I think Bret is the only choice as he's a rising star and did a very good job with a similar character in 'Reaper'.
Notable Roles: 16 Blocks
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
My Take: Raised in a rough neighbourhood, having lost his older brother and father to gun violence Ron disassociated himself with his destructive environment to become a Pulitzer winning writer and the Daily Planet’s conscience.
Reason for Casting: He’s a very talented actor, he often plays roles that are slight quirky and unique, often leading to him delivering great performances. Fair enough it’s a small role, but I’ve always stood by the belief, to make a good movie, one of the ingredients is a strong supporting cast.
Notable Roles: Scrubs
Invincible
Zack & Miri Make a Porno
My Take: She’s a bit of a slut, had some drug problems and an abusive husband, after years of havoc, she fixed herself up and moved to Metropolis to start anew and give her son a chance at a better life. However after the Brainiac invasion I’d expect her son to get caught in the crossfire, leading to her becoming more xenophobic and anti-Superman, etc.
Reason for Casting: She’s a pretty good actress, she can handle both drama and comedy very well, plus she’s quite attractive so I’d be happy for her to take a swing at the role.
Notable Roles: The Hangover
The A-Team
Limitless
My Take: Former football star, Steve went and messed up his life in college through a mix of too much drinking, drugs and gambling debts. Whereas he still hangs around with a few shady characters, working at the planet has turned his life around giving him a chance to once again be around the sport he loves only this time as a sports writer.
Reason for Casting: Nowadays he’s leading man material, so such a casting choice is understandably confusion to some; well to me Bradley isn’t superhero material really that simple. He’s a good actor for sure, but I can’t see any heroic roles he’d be good for other than Nathan Drake.
Notable Roles: Without a Trace
My Take: I enjoyed the route of the character so far, so everything should pretty much remain the same.
Reason for Casting: I haven’t seen him in much, but from what I have seen him in he’s got the right authoritative presence and voice needed for the role, it’s clear he’d be great here.
Notable Roles: Without a Trace
My Take: Again as with Anthony, I like the direction the character has gone in so no changes are necessary, though it must be said why are all of DC’s female detectives lesbian?
Reason for Casting: She’s worked well with Anthony before, and she looks the part and can handle action so again to me it’s clear she’d be great here.
Notable Roles: Bourne I, II & III
Goodwill Hunting
The Adjustment Bureau
My Take: Rather than President, I imagine Pete was Clark’s childhood friend who discovered his secret and eventually moved to Metropolis after studying law. Here he works together with Dan Turpin and Maggie Sawyer to bring down Morgan Edge and Lex Luthor as the District Attorney.
Reason for Casting: He has the right look to him needed for the role, plus he has often played charismatic and friendly characters before well, he’s incredibly talented and versatile and is deserving of a comic book movie, and to me this just seemed like the best fit.
Notable Roles: Doubt
Catch Me If You Can
The Fighter
My Take: Clark’s first love, after revealing his powers to her Lana got scared off both by the power he wielded and the possibility of life without children with Clark, leaving Smallville behind only to resurface years later in Metropolis more mature and tolerant of Clark in a means of mending their damaged bond.
Reason for Casting: I know she’s Lois Lane now, and whereas I’m content with her giving that role a go, I still think she’d be better suited as Lana, really that simple.
Notable Roles: The Truman Show
A History of Violence
My Take: He should again have a strained relationship with his daughter, both because of his resentment at not having a son but also as due to Lois, he lost both his wife and youngest daughter. He is also in charge of the Department of Metahuman Affairs research and defence facilities (head of Checkmate) and holds a very neutral stance in regards to superheroes.
Reason for Casting: A great actor, really that simple; he has the voice, the look and the presence needed for the role. Still hoping he gets the role in Snyder’s latest.
Notable Roles: Training Day
Lord of War
Daybreakers
Before the Devil Knows Your Dead
My Take: I liked the idea of Lex being a self-made billionaire, and his origins stemming from both Smallville and the Suicide Slums. So, his dad was a con man with ties to the mob, and his mum came from Smallville (his dad was an abusive drunk) on a trip to the aforementioned small town, Lex got caught up in the meteor storm leading to him going bald and his intelligence increasing due to the radiation. Years later as a young adult, he began researching the meteors that landed there whilst working for Star Labs, befriending a young Clark Kent along the way. Whilst attempting an experiment though, his machine malfunctions (maybe an attempt at opening the Phantom Zone), giving him amnesia and leading to his eventual departure and subsequent rise to the position of Metropolis’ favourite son. In regards to his hatred to Superman, ‘Lex Luthor: Man of Steel’ put it best, he hates him because having someone like Superman around prevents mankind from achieving their full potential, etc.
Reason for Casting: He’s a very talented actor, whereas he may not typically be associated with such a role, I think he could bring grit to the role whilst maintaining that infamous sense of righteous logic needed for the role. All he needs to do is work out more and shave his head.
Notable Roles: Nikita
Die Hard IV
My Take: She should be Lex’s right hand woman and lover, essentially after too much heat comes down on him and he gets arrested she’s the one running LuthorCorp, rather than a full blown hatred towards Superman though, she sees him as a distraction that could affect the efficiency of LuthorCorp’s business/unethical deeds.
Reason for Casting: She’s very attractive, a skilled martial artist and a pretty good actress – that covers all grounds. Why the change in ethnicity though? ‘The Batman’ cartoon had her Asian, so I just stuck to that.
Notable Roles: Without A Trace
My Take: Former Star Labs geneticist, Amanda Waller now works for the Department of Metahuman Affairs more secretive research and defence departments, most notably Checkmate (the Suicide Squad) and Project Cadmus. She should be the ‘Nick Fury’ of the DC universe, shame we’re going to have wait like another 5 years for DC to get its act together though…
Reason for Casting: I haven’t seen her in much, but what I saw of her in ‘Without a Trace’ was very impressive. It’s clear she’s a good actress, she also looks more like the character than Angela Bassett does so that obviously factored in to my casting choice too.
Notable Roles: Platoon
Inception
My Take: He’s like the Kingpin of Metropolis’ crime organisations, using his charitable ties and media businesses as a cover for his shady dealings. He’s also the former owner of the Daily Planet and Lex’s godfather who also helped him murder his father, and also unwittingly paves way for Darkseid’s arrival, etc.
Reason for Casting: He doesn’t look anything like the character, but he’s a pretty good actor, whereas some people want him for Perry White, I think he’d be better suited here as he just has this villainous and almost Mafia Boss-like look to him.
Notable Roles: Shoot ‘Em Up
Ironclad
Saving Private Ryan
My Take: One of LuthorCorp’s top robotics engineers, socially reclusive eccentric Winslow Schott, is responsible for creating the Metallo nanobots. After a series of unfortunate events, Schott suffers a mental breakdown, becoming an anarchist of sorts, using his ‘toys’ as a means of playing the ultimate game of Cat and Mouse with the Man of Steel.
Reason for Casting: He’s a very good actor, and is also very versatile perfectly capable of playing both likable and despicable characters that are always entertaining for the audience. Visually he also looks the part, and personally I think he could bring a much darker take to the character and prevent him from being camp.
Notable Roles: The Wire
Rock n Rolla
The Losers
My Take: I’m taking a lot of inspiration from ‘Secret Origin,’ so basically Corben was a former elite soldier, who was dishonourably discharged due to constant anger issues, only to be hired as part of LutherCorp’s private security later on. After the world begins to believe Superman is Public Enemy No.1, Corben is selected for an experimental cybernetic enhancement program and is the only one to survive, leading to him eventually being a hired gun of sorts and later a prominent member of the Suicide Squad.
Reason for Casting: He’s one of my favourite actors at the moment, just a really great actor; more or less everything he’s done is on point. As for the ethnic change, it’s really quite simple; there are too many white comic book characters, I’m just trying to balance the scales.
Notable Roles: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Dollhouse
My Take: I imagine her to be a metahuman, reality TV fame whore anarchist of sorts. Essentially, she talks a load of crap about metahuman equality and films it, but really she’s just doing it for the attention; after seeing how the public love Superman, she boosts herself into the spotlight for attention and some sort of weird sense of achievement.
Reason for Casting: She’s hot and can kick ass, whereas she may not be the typical choice for the role, for my own unique take on the character, I think it works out quite well.
Notable Roles: Minority Report
Pride & Glory
London Boulevard
My Take: Former junkie, Manchester Black developed advanced metahuman telepathic and telekinetic abilities in his youth using them for his own personal gain. After being apprehended for various crimes, Black is initiated alongside a group of rag tag metahumans for an incarnation of the Suicide Squad.
Reason for Casting: He has real life experience needed for the role, plus he’s a pretty good actor and looks the part. Need I say more?
Notable Roles: Sherlock Holmes
Rock n Rolla
Kick Ass
Body of Lies
Robin Hood
My Take: Jor-El’s closest friend and the General of the Kryptonian military. After his wife and child were killed during the destruction of Kandor, Zod began opposing the Kryptonian council and their dystopian way of life starting a rebellion, but putting millions of innocent lives at risk, leading to his eventual imprisonment in the Phantom Zone until his accidental release on Earth.
Reason for Casting: He was underused as Sinestro, but prior to that he was my No.1 choice for Zod. He’s a very talented actor and has this ridiculously dark charismatic swagger to him that just makes you feel in awe of him, perfect qualities needed for the role.
Notable Roles: Smokin’ Aces
Legion
Robin Hood
I Am Number Four
My Take: I enjoyed the route of the character so far, so everything should pretty much remain the same.
Reason for Casting: Prior to this I had Jason Momoa pegged for the role, but again as some CBM members rightly pointed out he wasn't a right fit for the role, whereas after rewatching 'Smokin Aces' it was clear Durand was the only choice.
Notable Roles: Hellboy I & II
Sons of Anarchy
My Take: I enjoyed the route of the character so far, so everything should pretty much remain the same.
Reason for Casting: As Durand was initially my choice for Mongol, it was clear that I'd need to recast here. The only viable option was Perlman, he's a brilliant actor and has done well in similar roles as seen in the 'Hellboy' movies.
Notable Roles: The Walking Dead
My Take: Once again I’m taking influence from ‘Secret Origin,’ so Parasite should essentially be a greedy, selfish loser janitor who gets caught up in an accident and becomes a human parasite; becoming stronger with the more energy he absorbs, and always feeling an unavoidable hunger.
Reason for Casting: Like a few of the actors here, I haven’t seen him in much, but I thoroughly enjoyed his work on ‘the Walking Dead.’ Whereas it may not resonate much with the characteristics needed for this role, there was just something about his character Merle which convinced me Rooker would be perfect here.
Notable Roles: Gangster No.1
The Da Vinci Code
Firewall
Legion
My Take: The Brain Interactive Construct, was originally created as a super computer by the Guardians of the Universe, after it became self-aware it though it justified that life was the source of all chaos, so life therefore was necessary to be erased. Thus Brain.I.A.C’s planet destroying adventures.
Reason for Casting: He’s a very good actor is something of a fan favourite for the role. If given the chance I think he could do some really impressive work and wash the bad taste of ‘Priest’ out of our mouths.
Notable Roles: The Green Mile
Daredevil
Sin City
My Take: I enjoyed the route of the character so far, so everything should pretty much remain the same.
Reason for Casting: He’s a top notch actor, great at playing intimidating and powerful characters plus he has a hell of a deep voice and is a huge comic book fan, so it’s clear from the get go that he is perfect here.
Well, that’s my take on Superman, remember to comment below!