A few days ago it was announced that Netflix would be
creating more original programming. These new series will be based on
Marvel comic characters. This is
all part of a multi-corporate deal through Disney. You see, Disney owns Marvel and has a partnership with
Netflix. So together they’re going
to make 4 series, at least 13 episodes each, and then create a miniseries,
The Defenders. While all of the
characters they’re using characters have been on The Defenders, it wasn’t at the
same time, but I’m gonna let it slide because I’m psyched by this announcement! Marvel Studios has been doing great
with creating their "Marvel cinematic universe" and although I stopped watching
Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. after the 3rd episode I have a
feeling these new series will be a little more enjoyable for myself and others.
The four characters they picked aren’t the heroes who go out
and fight aliens like The Avengers.
And they don’t fight mega-super villains either. Mainly they stick to the streets of New
York and fight gangs, ninja clans, and other non-universe threats. I think this whole project could be
something really new and interesting for Marvel Studios. It’s much like when they introduced
Hulk, Iron Man, Thor, and Captain America films and then made an Avengers
movie. They have the same
opportunity here to re-create that formula, but only making something a little
more edgier.
This Netflix world can still be a part of the "Marvel
cinematic universe" but because of the setting and characters can also have a
different feel. I wanted a Heroes
for Hire TV series years ago! As
soon as I heard the announcement my first thought was casting, because, like
Chris Evans and Samuel L. Jackson, these actors may be asked to play these
characters in movies or other TV series.
When I think about casting a franchise I always try to think of younger
actors who can do the role for the next decade or more. But I also wanted to get a good fit for it all. I hope you like my choices!
Grey Damon as Daredevil/Matt Murdock
For those of you who did not see Ben Affleck’s portrayal of
Daredevil on the big screen you didn’t miss much. However if you missed the blu-ray Director’s Cut you missed a pretty good film.
Matt Murdock is blinded as a child in a chemical accident that
heightens the rest of his senses 10x.
Matt’s father is then murdered by the mob and he goes on to fight crime
in Hell’s Kitchen. Check out Frank Miller’s origin story. It’s my favorite. And yes rookies, he’s the same guy who
wrote 300, Sin City, and The Dark Knight Returns.
I mostly know Damon from his role on Friday Night Light
(love it) and since then he’s guest starred in several TV series and
movies. I’m a firm believer in
getting someone for a role who looks the part or can be slightly altered to
look the part. Matt Murdock is a
redhead so matching that can be tricky.
Affleck just dyed his hair so it looked dark-red, but just never seemed
right to me. Damon’s got a gentle
voice and light red hair that I think would fit Matt Murdock perfectly. He’s young enough to do the physicality
of the role, and a good enough actor to make this troubled hero come to life! Also, since the character is some-what-well-known, like the Superman formula, you can rely on the brand name and bring in a not-so-well-known actor for what I'm sure will be the center of this Netflix world.
Morris Chestnut as Power Man/Luke Cage
Cage grew up on the streets of New York, in the hood if you
will. He’s caused trouble, and
even ended up in prison. But after
getting out Cage volunteered for an experiment that gave him super strength and
impenetrable skin. Since then he’s
become a softer character has matured into a hero, husband, and father.
Face it, Chestnut just looks the part perfectly. Although he’s a little older that I’d
like to cast Cage I can’t deny he’d be perfect for the part. Plus I think him
being older could make him more seasoned and wise compared to the younger
characters. Chestnut also has a
long history of acting from Boyz in the Hood to Kick-Ass 2. Also, we needed Cage and Iron Fist to
look good together, and I think Chestnut and Hedlund would play off each other
well.
Garrett Hedlund as Iron Fist/Danny Rand
Danny Rand is the son of a millionaire. His father was obsessed with finding
the mystical city of K’un L’un. His parents were killed in this quest and Danny was found and
raised by the people of K’un L’un.
After years of martial arts training Danny gained the powers of the
immortal Iron Fist by defeating a dragon….yes, a dragon. Danny then returns to New York to
reclaim his father’s company and use his new abilities to fight crime. He soon teams up with Power Man, a.k.a.
Luke Cage, and forms Heroes for Hire(yes, it’s just like it sounds) and then much later the two get their own Avengers team.
To me, Iron Fist is like Batman meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I highly recommend the Ed Brubaker and Duane Swierczynski's 5-volume run. It’s what
got me interested in the character.
Hedlund is most known for his role as Sam Flynn in 2010’s
Tron: Legacy. His character had a
chip on his shoulder that is only matched by Danny Rand’s. He looks the part
and would look great standing next to Chestnut. My only hesitation is Hedlund’s ability to master the
martial art moves. Rand is almost has a self-destructive in his personal life
as Matt Murdock, but it’s his relationship with Luke Cage I find most interesting. Rand is a rich guy who grew up with
Kung-Fu monks. Cage is an ex-con
who grew up on the mean streets of New York. These two guys could not be more opposite and yet they’ve
been best friends for years. I’d
like to explore why.
Jessica Biel as Power Woman/Jessica Jones
To be honest I don’t know a lot about Jessica Jones. I never really knew the character until
she married Luke Cage. In high
school she has a crush on Peter Parker and was exposed to the same radiation he
was, minus the spider-bite. This
put Jessica in a coma for years, until she woke-up and realized she had
super-strength and flight. Must
have been one hell of a nap.
This character is tough, almost has tough as her
husband. We’ve seen Biel kick some vampire butt in Blade:Trinity and also kick Kate Beckinsale’s butt in
Total Recall, which is technically the same thing if you think about it. I think she would compliment this cast
perfectly.
Ok Disney. I
did the hard part; now make it happen!
No comments:
Post a Comment