Cast This! Future X-Men
Saturday, June 11, 2011 at 1:37PM We haven't done a "Cast This!" in awhile. The X-Men franchise may have a disproportionate amount of blue members (Angel, Beast, Mystique, Nightcrawler) at various times in their long history but the color that keeps those movie mutants going is green. Eventually they'll get to all the characters if you keep buying your tickets. Or, they won't and they'll just keep redoing the few they've concentrated on. (Those super lame cameos by every mutant who ever existed in X-Men Last Stand and X-Men Origins: Wolverine DO NOT COUNT.) Since I grew up obsessing over the X-Men, once every 3 years or so I think "I should read those comics again" only to immediately abandon the notion after one issue when I realize that the universe is too crowded. There's no continuity or internal logic I can suss out and even when people can turn their whole body into steel or projectile vomit acid while flying on butterfly wings, I like for things to make sense.
The incredibly lame "X-Men Last Stand". DO-OVER!
Somehow comic book mutants keep dying, quitting, depowering, getting lost in alternate dimensions, and returning to fight once more. Some characters age out of the game. Others never age at all. The actual comic books do the same, some resetting to issue #1, others ending entirely. Nothing makes any sense for the newcomers... even with a study guide indicating, perhaps, that comic book companies don't expect anybody to keep reading for decades, hence all the resetting and undoing.
Now that they've hit the reset button yet again, who should we cast to play our favorite mutants that haven't gotten a fair shake or need radical do-overs? I've selected only 5½ characters because this could go on for weeks and it'd be easy to list 20. Plus: most of us wouldn't know enough working actor options for interesting characters like "Karma", a Vietnamese lesbian who possesses people or fan favorite "Jubilee" a Chinese-American teen gymnast who generates explosions. Just for two random examples.
Your casting choices in the comments please...
FAIR SHAKE
DAZZLER
They haven't used Alison Blaire, this goddess of light manipulation, presumably because she's an easy character to get wrong. But if any medium is the right one for "light shows" isn't it the movies? Attempts to update Dazzler, of disco-dolly rollerskating origin, tend to trap her in yet more period-specific pop looks. Remember that 80s aerobic blue look which screamed "Olivia Newton-John!" just as ONJ's fame was dwindling? But while the X-franchise is period mode, why not use her for X-Men Second Class (this will thankfully never be the title; the reviews would write themselves!) and wrap her back up in 70s disco?
If Dazzler's original sartorial aesthetic is good enough for Lady Gaga in this new millenium, isn't it good enough for Marvel Studios?
Like Dazzler, Like Gaga: blue electric bolt eye decor, sparkly silver bodices
WHO YOU NEED: I'd be tempted to suggest Gaga, Britney, Ke$ha or XTina but STUNT CASTING only works when the stuntperson can actually act. Who would you choose? You need a 20something blonde who is shiny, sexy, easily manipulated (oops. we all have our flaws) and believable as both pop star AND mutant powered hero.
COLOSSUS
Daniel Cudmore looked the part in X2: X-Men United, but it was a bit part. But this Russian metal muscle man could look spectacular with the advances in CGI. Or not. Plus Piotr Rasputin is the only major member of the iconic X-Men team from the late 70s/early 80s that hasn't gotten a large role yet. But mostly I'm bringing Colossus up because as I was attending that Sandra Bernhard show the other night, Cheyenne Jackson was right in front of me in line filing in. After catching my breath -- he's impossibly better looking in person -- I thought "Hmmm. Colossus?" Take a look...
Whatch'a think?
NORTHSTAR / AURORA
They were originally members of Alpha Flight (a Canadian superhero team) but Alpha Flight's ties to the X-Men are plentiful and Northstar at least has been on an X-roster from time to time. These French Canadian twins have super speed, and huge bursts of blinding light when paired. Northstar, a star athlete, was (arguably) the first out gay superhero. The twins have such a convoluted and frequently revised back story (they're fairies, now they're dead, they're...whatever...) that it's best to just chuck it all and know that they're both extremely hot, lithe, black haired babes. They've cleaned up Northstar's personality over the years (I have no idea what happened to Aurora) but he started out egotistical and a bit amoral and she started off batshit bonkers with virgin/whore split personalities and they'd be really fun in movies if they were cast and executed properly.
WHO YOU NEED: I thought it would be a fun challenge to cast temperamental unisex hotness -- boy/girl twins with elfin beauty. I'm not sure I have a good suggestion so I'm hoping you do...
DO OVER
STORM
Halle Berry gave us the lamest "super" interpretation outside of... well, no, just the lamest. And she did it twice! (see also: Catwoman). Halle has her charms but few actors are suitable to all genres and she's like Kryptonite for this one.
In many ways, Storm is THE female superhero, Marvel Division, so popular and so powerful that when they did one of those crossover things with MARVEL/DC decades ago, she had to face off against Wonder Woman herself. The movies have been content to paint her as a subordinate teacher/mother hen type for students and seriously mute her powers (or at least cover them in molasses... seriously get on with it already in those action sequences!).
WHO YOU NEED: an actress of african descent, who radiates fierceness and power and physicality -- Storm is still the most popular black superhero ever created and way up their in the female hero ranks, too -- but can also be the mother figure to young students. Most fans, including myself, wanted Angela Bassett back in the day but she's aged out of the part (sigh). You'd also want someone kind of scary unpredictable. Remember when Storm went through her punk phase?
ROGUE
I mean this as no knock against Anna Paquin who is fine in the movies, but the movies have had a very timid perception of this character. Rogue has long been one of the most fascinating mutants because of her complex psychological struggles connected to her powers. The movies reduced this to her touch incapacitating other people by basically stealing their life force but Rogue wasn't able to do anything much with this life force. In the comics, she can readily "borrow" powers, making her fierce in battle and given that sometimes she has other people's memories and personalities knocking around her head, she's also kind of fucked up crazy as well as continually sex-starved. Or at least that's how she started out... the comics are always messin' with the story. In short: the movies haven't even begun to explore her properly.
WHO YOU NEED: A southern (or southern-accent-capable) actress with a remarkably fluid expressiveness so as to better indicate all of Rogue's internal confusions and slippery crowded persona.
Five Characters. GO!
Adaptations, Anna Paquin, Cast This!, Dazzler, Halle Berry, Storm, X-Men, superheroes
Reader Comments (44)
Rouge and Storm are two of my favorite X-Men characters (those are the ones I want to choose for)
My Rouge would be: Emma Stone, Anna Faris, Haliee Stienfeld, Elle Fanning, Rachel McAdams,
My Storms would be: Kerry Washington or Carmen Ejogo (she's married to Jeffrey Wright and was fanstastic in a bit part in Away We Go).
Tory -- i'm going to have to look Carmen Ejogo up. But your choices for Rogue... so many all over the map actresses. Is this a sly commentary on her multiple personalities, absorbed from people she's touched?
dazzler - brie larson was great as a rock star in scott pilgrim, with a good presence on stage and cool looks. (back in the 90's, i thought gwen stefani was the best choice for dazzler)
storm - naomie harris is a good actress with exprience in action: pirates of the caribbean, 28 days later, miami vice..
rogue - mary elizabeth winstead is sexy, but has a weird sense of humor, i'd like to see what she would do wih this character..
northstar/ aurora - gregory smith and alexis bledel. they look the part.
colossus - i couldn't think of anyone better than cheyenne jackson...
dazzler -- ooh that's an interesting suggestion. i wouldn't have thought of her.
Love the idea of Naomie Harris. really underrated. but i do wonder what Kerry Washington would be like in an action movie.
I'll jump onboard for Hailee Steinfeld as Rogue. After "True Grit," an X-Men outing would be a great way to redefine her image and I think she could pull it off really well.
As for Storm...okay, hear me out on this one. My favorite of the X-Men, I really liked the mama bear status that she's had, especially in the early aughts "X-Men: Evolution" series. She's very regal and I think the position suits her nicely...but if you go with that, you can't cast Halle Berry. You need someone older to fill the role of a wise professor standing next to Professor X. So, in that regard, Angela Bassett is still age appropriate, but my suggestion? Whitney Houston. Regal elegance combined with a perfect blend of "scary and unpredictable."
Storm -- How about Rutina Wesley from "True Blood"? I have to say up front that I'm not a big fan of hers on that show. BUT, I think the writing does her a huge disservice, constantly victimizing her and refusing to let her grow. She has major personality, though, and I think she could do well with a better character and some stronger direction. Fierce, unpredictable, notable physicality. Seems to fit.
Although I do really love the Naomie Harris suggestion.
The more I think about it the more I have very little sense how old these characters are all supposed to be. Maybe it's that as I get older I have trouble as buying that they're all in their 20's or younger. Oh well.
Dazzler - Blonde and short hair (the best Dazzler look) and I can't think of anyone really other than Marley Shelton
Colossus - Thomas Kretchmann. Eastern European (close enough) and has the look down.
Northstar / Aurora - I'm just not familiar with this duo.
Storm - Viola Davis because she's really damn cut.
Rogue - Michelle Monaghan methinks could pull off the girl next door w/ serios pathos bit.
I'd say Ari Graynor for Dazzler, wouldn't that be interesting? I agree on Alexis Bledel and Gregory Smith for the twins, although maybe Joseph Gordon Levitt and Felicity Jones?
Hey, this is not that off topic: 50 Muppets and their acting counterparts. They're spot on!
sorry, forgot the link, here it is:
http://www.theshiznit.co.uk/feature/50-muppets-and-their-real-life-acting-counterparts.php
I have to agree with remy's pick of Brie Larson for Dazzler. Just last night I was rewatching Scott Pilgrim on cable and had the random thought that if Marvel were to ever make a Dazzler film Larson should totally play her (singing original songs by Robyn of course)
Sticking with Scott Pilgrim cast members (it's on the brain) I'd pick Mae Whitman for Rogue, as she can easily pull off the emotional complexity
I'd suggest Sam Worthington for Colossus, but he might not be large enough.....so maybe Brandon Routh (again with the Scott Pilgrim)
I'd like to see what Sophie Okonedo or Sanaa Lathan could do with the role of Storm, but I also have horrible flashbacks to Aeon Flux and Alien vs. Predator.
As for Northstar and Aurora, I have no Idea, but I would get a kick out of the Gyllenhaals playing them.
dazzler - i always thought kristen bell would do well here, since she can radiate when properly motivated, but she might be beyond the casting age. in her stead, though, i'd go with brie larson (great call remy).
colossus - love the cheyenne jackson idea, but he's simply not rugged (or young) enough for this one. (i could actually see him more as reed richards/mr fantastic, allusion not intended though appropriate) for colussus, i'd say kellen lutz. big, pretty, with dark hair could be mistaken for russian. for a less traditional choice, perhaps gbenga akinnagbe currently on nurse jackie and formerly of the wire.
northstar/aurora - michael pitt could nail the dual sides, but likely the studio would keep them split. i'd go with romain duris (if he's too old, then perhaps rupert evans) as northstar. for aurora, they'd just pick a model who's trying to get the slash into acting.
storm - kerry washington would be amazing, but perhaps marsha stephanie blake who's had a regal sense in a slew of notable broadway roles.
rogue - kristen bell, though she's likely too old, would absolutely nail this one. alas, she's probably out of range. perhaps kate mara or anna kendrick. despite the constant internal angst, the character always had a desire for fun.
Although I know several other people "stole my thunder" (sorry, I couldn't resist!), reading the post I definitely thought Naomie Harris would be a great choice for Storm, but I was also thinking maybe Zoe Saldana? She has a good combination of beauty and sweetness but also can be fierce and tough, which I thought she did well with Neytiri in Avatar.
I'm going to go left field for Rogue seeing as there were a lot of other awesome suggestions, especially Emma Stone, but Rooney Mara?
maybe enver gjokaj or tahmoh penikett (dollhouse) for colossus?
I guess the first movies decision to make Rogue a teenager really effected everyone. There's no reason why she would have to be that young. In her first intro she was definitely NOT a young girl -- and more Mystique's completely adult age (the rebecca romijn stamos years)
but yeah, ROBERT, the ages are so not specific as they've been different ages in different storylines.
Northstar/Aurora: I know this would age them up, but I would love to see either Lee Pace or Hugh Dancy team with Winona Ryder.
Rouge: I also think they aged her too far down with Paquin, which is why I can't get on the Steinfield bandwagon. How about Jessica Chastain? I'm loving her in everything I've seen her in and she fits with the rising star thing they've got going on with First Class.
Colossus: Love your idea Nate, but I might prefer Wentworth Miller.
Storm: Zoe Saldana jumped out to me too. Would Beyonce be too ridiculous? She was occasionally electric as Etta James could fill out a suit and has a pretty badass performing vibe. Kerry Washington is awesome though, so definitely wouldn't hate on that pick.
Dazzler: Not sure on this one, so I'm just gonna go crazy and say Heather Morris.
Dazzler: Taryn Manning (singing Boomkat songs!), Aubrey O'Day (if we're going with the more voluptuous Dazzler in the first pic), Laura Bell Bundy (would be a lot of fun)
Colossus: Cody Cumming (imagine all the press!)
Northstar / Aurora: Daniel Henney & Maggie Q
Storm: Janet Hubert-Whitten (the first Aunt Viv from "Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) - she would kick ass! Even more than Angela Bassett! If casting younger, how about Beyonce as Sasha Fierce as Storm channeling her fury in the "Ring The Alarm" music vid?
Rogue: Leighton Meester - I don't watch "Gossip Girl", but she was so damn likeable and sexy as a Southern belle in "Country Strong"
Let me just say that I'm fucking loving it that virtually every Film Experience post of late is somehow tied into mutants and X-Men. The X-Men were a big part of my childhood and teens, and these x-men bits are total nostalgia for me.
"Nothing makes any sense for the newcomers... even with a study guide indicating, perhaps, that comic book companies don't expect anybody to keep reading for decades, hence all the resetting and undoing."
Hell, nothing ever made sense. How is it that Beast, both a member of the X-Men and the Avengers, is vilified when he's the x team, but cheered and worshiped while he was in the Avengers? The whole mutants are evil and bad schtick and the meta humans are cool grew old fast. Anyway...
"Or fan favorite "Jubilee" a Chinese-American teen gymnast who generates explosions."
Um, how about Ellen Wong from Scott Pilgrim? She's chinese canadian in real life, and a good actress if Scott Pilgrim is anything to go by.
Don't have real suggestions for the characters you listed, but I do like the idea of Tahmoh Penikett for Colossus.
Ok, here are my two cents (or pence) Nat,
Dazzler - I think Gaga could pull it off. If not her then why not Lindsey Lohan - Girls needs a comeback.
Colossus - Cheyenne Jackson inspired choice. Especially since in the Ultimate X-Men he and Northstar are in love! YUM!
Northstar/Aurora - Jake and Maggie - why not. Would love to see a hot steamy scene between Jake and Cheyenne.
Storm - since she was an African Queen why not actually cast an African Actress. I suggest Jackie Appiah who is talented and looks like she could be a queen worth of worship.
Rogue - Jennifer Lawrence. You need someone with chops to get the crazy across.
My spelling is appalling. Damn double vodkas.
Storm's my favorite X-character: I think Zoe Saldana would be great, but was also thinking Gina Torres. She can do both regal and kick ass.
amending my storm entry - leora crichlow of bbc's being human. so much potential there.
oh, and the idea of tahmoh penikett as colossus? brilliant.
DrewB - I feel Iike Chastain would make a good reboot Jean Grey.
(I know absolutely nothing about X-men.)
Meryl Streep as a Superhero now! Who says it's for the young? She could play the Storm bitch, right, cuz you just kind of have to stand there, goddess-like? Dye her hair white and she's a goddess. It would be just so cool. Do it!
Dazzler: Kristen Bell came to mind immediately for me. Maybe Katie Cassidy or Malin Akerman. The person who suggested Heather Morris is a GENIUS.
Storm: If they wanted to go younger I'd suggest Zoe Saldana, Kerry Washington, Nicole Beharie, Megalyn Echikunwoke and Katerina Graham. If not there's Thandie Newton, Khandi Alexander and of course Angela Basset (she could still pull it off). There's also an actress by the name of Trina McGee, I haven't seen her in anything since that old tv show "Boy Meets World," but I always thought she looked like Storm.
Rogue: Carey Mulligan, Jena Malone, or Abbie Cornish.
Northstar / Aurora: ???
Colossus: Keep Daniel Cudmore, though I kinda like the Cheyenne suggestion too.
Dazzler: Anne Hathaway (I think she looked great blonde in Brokeback)
Colossus: Alexander Skarsgaard
Northstar/Aurora: Zac Efron and Megan Fox
Storm: Rosario Dawson or maybe Gabrielle Union?
Rogue: Scarlett Johansson
Dazzler: Scarlett Johansson? She did do an album with Pete Yorn. But she's already with S.H.I.E.L.D....
Storm: Zoe Saldana. I'm not reading the other comments beforehand, so she's probably already been mentioned - for a good reason.
Rogue: EMMA STONE. Tell me someone already said this. And this isn't just to suck up to Nat. Southern, expressive, schizophrenic hair... yeah. I couldn't think of anyone and then BAM.
Drew B - haha, I love the Heather Morris idea. And if Beyonce played Storm, they could do the Single Ladies dance, since HeMo was her backup dancer before Glee.
Dazzler: Dakota Fanning? (not 20 yet, but soon..) Really thought she was great in the Runaways
Another one:
Cable? I know he's physically ridiculous (that's what "Created by Rob Liefeld" gets you) and most likely unleashes insanely complicated time streams that wouldn't work in a movie, but would anyone have suggestions for him?
When i think about Storm, if it’s not Halle Berry, maybe Zoe Saldana can play her.I mean Zoe has that commanding presence since Storm is the famous leading female among the X-Men and Halle Berry only looks commanding or scary when her eyes go white.
starfish -- i could see Dakota working out in that role. she needs to step it up with Elle rising so rapidly. And now is the time since she's pretty much ready for meatier adult roles (or thereabouts... just graduated high school last week)
thefilmjunkie -- but didn't it bother you that they didn't even have daniel cudmore bother prettending to be Russian? That made me so mad.
I need to think about the others, but I totally love the idea of GINA TORRES playing STORM and that ELLEN WONG idea for JUBILEE is genius.
And while thinking about COLOSSUS, my brai could only come up with actresses with Eastern accents! So I have no idea what roles, but I feel as if MILLA JOVOVICH and FRANKA POTENTE need to be in X-Men. Any ideas?
Storm: Iman, Gina Torres or a young Storm: Zoe Saldana
Dazzler: Anne Hathaway or Heather Morris
Rogue: Jennifer Jason Leigh
Colossus: Karl Urban
Northstar / Aurora: Jamie Bell/ Keira Knightley?
Ryan & Blinking Cursor -- wholeheartedly endorse Ellen Wong as "Jubilee" too.
everyone -- but these suggestions for Dazzler are just awesome. i love trying to picture each.
manuel --karl urban. interesting idea. he definitely needs better/bigger parts.
Changed my mind for Dazzler - Nicki Minaj all the way.
Im sorry but I loved halle berry as storm. I think its the writing and directing that did nothing for her. The third film she kicked ass the first two not so much, not to mention the lame lines she had. So sorry I wouldnt like any one else unless they go younger cast and I would vote zoe saldana.
I think colossos was fine maybe jus a bigger role.
And im sorry mystique looked horrible in x-men first class the hair was bad and the makeup . If u compare it to the first three movies its not good at all it didnt wow me at all. But the actress was ok jus ok.
And also what was up with azazel having blue eyes not cool hes suppose to be demonic. Was upset about that. Shit I mean they have already ruined the story lines at least try and make characters as close to what they look like. And blue eyes on who they also call satan.
Not a big fan of dazzler sorry
Rogue was wronged in the movies. She is not the weak sad person they portrayed. I want the kickass chick with super strentgh she stole from miss marvel. And its no blame on anna paquin its the writers and directors fault.
Characters I want to see and actually see r jubilee gambit nightcrawler(why was he not in third movie ?) Blob toad sabertooth (why did they get killed off in first film) any who archangel/ angel mr. sinister wolfsbane polaris multipleman
MATTHEW BOMER as NORTHSTAR. Couldn't think of his female counterpart. But, people, picture it. Right?
Rogue: Sutton Foster!
tomas -- tony fever, eh?
I still endorse Angela Bassett as Storm. As someone previously stated, the movies have already played fast and loose with character ages, so her being in her fifties may actually be of no consequence -- and it does help that she looks AMAZING regardless. Moreover, she looks the part and certainly has the chops to pull off every of the character -- regal, poised, strong, imposing. The only other aforementioned name that has jumped out at me is Sanaa Lathan.
For Storm, I like the Zoe Saladana option if skewing towards a younger verison of the character. If going for older, I like Sophie Okonedo, and of course Angela Basset too. All three actresses are lovely and talented and would do justice to the role. To be fair, Halle Berry wasn't fab, though I don't believe she was as bad as some make out. I've heard that she had issues with Bryan Singer, so that may have been a factor in the mediocrity of the performances.
As for an actress to play Rogue...though I like Anna Paquin, I'll admit that she didn't step up to the plate and own that role. Though again, I believe that may have more to do with the script and direction than her own abilities. A new actress for Rogue should be able to mimic very well. As noted, the comic book Rogue was kinda of like Sybil, with multiple personalities rolling around in poor Rogue's brain. At times, she would exhibit the personality traits as well as the powers of the people she's absorbed. Therefore, any new actress stepping into the role should be able to mimic/impersonate very well. I think this would add a new dimension to the movie character and would be interesting to see on screen.
Storm: Paula Patton or Zoe Saldana. It can veer away from the campy teacher Halle Berry portrayed in the comics. She's a superhero, not a physics professor. Patton has that confidence and leader commanding aura in her tone, stance and posture. Saldana is hot property and will be the obvious choice if they want a talented, beautiful actress who can do her own stunts and actually act.
Rogue: I was thinking Emily Browning. The standout of the SuckerPunch girls. Have you seen that movie? It was all over the place but the she was spot on. Browning has Rogue written all over her. The emotional vertigo, the sexual voracity. But I wouldn't complain if Anna Paquin reprised her role. Though, I would prefer a focus on Rogue's arc after she steals Marvel Girl's superhuman strength and her sexual tango with Gambit (Taylor Kitsch is a welcome re-applicant)
Jubilee. Interesting, but she has a weird crazy arc. It's time for a little history: First she was a mutant, then, due to the House of M event, got depowered and became a tech-based hero, then, due to events in an issue I actually read, becomes a vampire. Yes. A VAMPIRE. (The issue was the first part of a kinda goofy, in an endearing comic book way, two parter about a vampire sleeper cell.) The issue becomes, if they want to touch her modern comics stories: Would a studio want to committ to a "sympathetic vampire" sub-plot in a $200 million production? My answer, based on what the studios are currently funding as their works of vampire fiction (Twilight and Abe Lincoln: Vampire Hunter): Not on your life.
Heather Morris for Dazzler. Per.fec.tion. Also, if we're bringing Sutton Foster into the mix, I think she'd be better as Dazzler than Rogue. Hello, pretty, blonde, incredible singer? Not Anne Hathaway. Her voice isn't powerful enough, though in Ella Enchanted she proved she could sing. I wouldn't mind Malin Ackerman either, but can she sing?