There are some great choices to replace the DCEU actors whenever James Gunn’s new DC Universe introduces its version of the Justice League. The DCEU is shifting focus with Gunn and Peter Safran’s new DC Universe. In January, Gunn’s reveal of DC’s movie and TV slate announced the first few projects in the universe’s 10-year plan. The new DC Universe will be an all-encompassing endeavor consisting of movies, TV shows, animation, and games. The idea of the new DC management is to have any actor cast in the DC Universe play their character in live-action and the other mediums. This way, casting DC’s heroes is even more important than before.
The DC slate revealed some of the characters that will be part of the universe, with a new Man of Steel taking flight in Superman: Legacy and Batman arriving in The Brave and the Bold. Hal Jordan and John Stewart will finally get their due with the Lanterns series, and more heroes were confirmed or teased to soon be making their way to the DC Universe. A Justice League film was not announced, although it could be Gunn’s secret DC Universe movie. Whenever the new Justice League gets introduced, certain actors could shine as part of the team.
7 Jensen Ackles as Batman
Jensen Ackles is one of the most requested actors to play the next Batman, and it is easy to understand why. The actor is passionate about DC and its Batman corner, having voiced Red Hood and Batman in Batman: Under the Red Hood and both Batman: The Long Halloween movies, respectively. Given how the new DC Universe will cast actors to play their roles in live-action as well as animation and video games, Ackles appears as a fantastic name due to his experience playing Batman in the animated realm.
Ackles’ live-action work also explains why he would be a great fit as the new Bruce Wayne. Ackles is most famous for his turn as monster-hunter Dean Winchester over Supernatural‘s 15 seasons. The actor got to show his full range in the role, playing a complex character who tortured himself and nurtured a darkness that came from childhood trauma, which is a huge part of what Batman is all about. More recently, Ackles had a scene-stealing turn as a superhero in The Boys season 3, where he played the ultra-violent Soldier Boy, which allowed him to show his aptitude for Batman’s signature action sequences.
6 David Corenswet as Superman
David Corenswet is a contender for Superman: Legacy‘s Clark Kent. The reveal made waves across the internet, as Corenswet had been the most fancast actor for the role for a couple of years before the new movie’s casting report came out. Corenswet is the perfect choice to play the next Superman. At 29, the actor is in Gunn’s desired age range for a younger Man of Steel, and Corenswet has been open over the years about how playing Superman would be a dream come true for him.
More than that, prior to Gunn even signing on to become the DC Universe’s new creative chief and the writer/director of Superman: Legacy, Corenswet had stated his desire for a hopeful Superman story, which is what the upcoming film is all about. Corenswet has Clark Kent’s signature looks and the acting talents necessary for the part. In The Politician, Corenswet delivered gripping speeches that focused on themes like hope and overcoming difficulties, while in Hollywood, the actor displayed an ability to portray Superman’s confidence. Based on that, Corenswet seems like a perfect choice for Clark Kent.
5 Alexandra Daddario as Wonder Woman
Alexandra Daddario is another fancast favorite, with her name being involved in various roles at Marvel and DC. The actress was also one of the reported top choices to play Netflix’s Jessica Jones before Krysten Ritter ultimately got the part. Daddario has been pretty open in the past about how she is interested in playing a superhero, and the DC Universe’s Wonder Woman might be the role for her. Wonder Woman’s connection to Greek mythology could be a big part of Gunn’s DC Universe, given its Chapter One, “Gods and Monsters” title.
Daddario has experience in that part, playing Athena’s demigod daughter, Annabeth Chase, in the two Percy Jackson movies. The actress could also excel at the fighting aspect of Wonder Woman, with Daddario knowing exactly how to portray a fierce warrior. Besides, the actress has recently had a prominent role in The White Lotus season 1, one of the most talked about new series, which should attract some buzz if she is cast as the next Wonder Woman. Daddario also voices Lois Lane in DC’s Tomorrowverse animated continuity, which is another point in her favor.
4 Zac Efron as Hal Jordan/ Green Lantern
Zac Efron launched his career with High School Musical, but since then, he has traded his singing chops for roles that showcase just how talented he is as an actor. Movies like Neighbors and Baywatch serve as perfect references for Efron’s masterful comedic timing, with the latter also depicting the actor’s physical prowess, having his character constantly test himself against none other than Black Adam‘s Dwayne Johnson. His role as serial killer Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile demonstrated the scope of his acting range, with a haunting, nuanced performance.
Efron has what it takes to play a role as big as Hal Jordan, with the actor nailing that Tom Cruise in Top Gun aura that perfectly fits the test pilot-turned-superhero member of the Green Lantern Corps. Hal Jordan is the most popular Green Lantern, and given how the character only had a subpar movie starring Ryan Reynolds, it is possible that Gunn will choose him for the Justice League over Hal’s Lanterns partner, John Stewart. Efron has remained popular for years in Hollywood, bringing a built-in following for whatever project Hal Jordan would appear in.
3 Dylan O’Brien as Wally West/ The Flash
While fans keep fancasting Dylan O’Brien as Nightwing, the actor could be perfect for another DC character, Wally West/The Flash. O’Brien has shown in the Maze Runner trilogy that he has what it takes for the physical aspect of the character, leading the action-packed franchise to great success. O’Brien’s role as Stiles Stilinski in Teen Wolf seals the deal as to the actor’s ability to portray the Wally West version of The Flash, as it puts O’Brien’s impeccable comedic timing — a Wally trademark — on display.
2 John David Washington as Martian Manhunter
The Dark Knight trilogy director Christopher Nolan wants John David Washington as Green Lantern, and the actor would make for an interesting John Stewart. Nolan and Washington teamed up for Tenet, an action-packed movie full of mind-bending twists and turns that showcases Washington’s ability to be the lead of a superhero franchise. While John Stewart might be a great role for him, if Hal Jordan is the Green Lantern of the new Justice League, then there is another DC role perfect for the actor. His work unraveling Tenet‘s mind games could evolve into Washington playing a character that is all about that, Martian Manhunter.
Martian Manhunter is one of the Justice League’s most respected heroes and one that has deep knowledge, acting as the team’s voice of reason. While he might have a colder personality than some other members of the JLA, that is no problem for Washington. His character in Tenet was The Protagonist, an unnamed force thrown into a mind-bending adventure. Washington’s work in the movie showcases his ability to play a stoic character like Martian Manhunter to perfection while also keeping him as someone audiences can relate to.
1 Richard Madden as Aquaman
If Jason Momoa ends up playing a new DC character, then Richard Madden would be a great pick for Aquaman. Madden is an action star, with his roles as Robb Stark in Game of Thrones showing how well he can capture Arthur Curry’s regal nature, something amiss in Momoa’s version of the character, and his recent turn as Mason Kane/Kyle Conroy in Citadel showcases the actor’s physicality. Madden is no stranger to superhero films, having appeared in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Ikaris, the surprise antagonist of Eternals. There, he delivered a nuanced performance that cements him as a great pick for the Aquaman of Gunn’s Justice League.
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