Dream Casting: New Gods

Contributed by
Mar 22, 2018


We learned last week that Ava DuVernay, who just released A Wrinkle in Time, is working on a New Gods movie for DC/Warner, based on the cosmic Fourth World saga by legendary writer/artist Jack Kirby. While we won't hear anything about the real cast until production gets farther along, I went ahead and picked some possible stars.

New Gods is the story of two planets, the idyllic New Genesis and the dystopian Apokolips, and the pantheon of sci-fi characters that exist between them. Although the ensemble is large, the central heroes are Orion and Mister Miracle, the heirs to Apokolips and New Genesis, respectively, who were raised on each other's planets. There's also Big Barda, an Apokoliptian soldier who defects to become a hero. My colleagues at Fangrrls have already looked into casting Barda, but of course I have my own ideas.


George MacKay as Orion

Up-and-coming actor George MacKay (Captain Fantastic) can play both the heroic Orion and the brutish Apokoliptian Orion, although I think he’ll need a bit of makeup for the latter.


Lakeith Stanfield as Mister Miracle

Not only is Lakeith Stanfield (Atlanta) a great actor who’s on his way to being a huge star, his lanky form seems perfect for an escape artist.


Elizabeth Debicki as Barda

Yes, Elizabeth Debicki (Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2) is extremely tall. She's also a great actress with a commanding presence. It would be great if she's up for training to build some muscles for the role, but if not we can always keep her in that armor and she'll look more than intimidating enough.


Amandla Stenberg as Lightray

At first glance, Amandla Stenberg (Everything Everything) may seem like a departure from the usual depiction of Lightray, but the key to the character is being uncommonly upbeat and a loyal friend and ally, all of which Stenberg would be great at.


Oprah Winfrey as Izaya

In the comics, Izaya is the man also known as Highfather, but for an adaptation such as this, I think a mother might be more interesting. Once you've made that change, in an Ava DuVernay film, it's the obvious part for Oprah.


Ian McShane as Darkseid

Ian McShane (American Gods) has played a lot of dangerous, cunning, gravel-voiced characters. However, he's never exactly played a cosmic god of evil, and he seems like he'd be great at it.


Kathy Bates as Granny Goodness

Obviously an evil granny who runs an orphanage that trains child soldiers is the sort of part Kathy Bates (American Horror Story) can play in her sleep by now, but if she gives it her all it will still be something special.


Tom Waits as Desaad

Tom Waits (The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus) brings something totally unique to every small role he plays, and his Desaad will be creepy in a completely different way from the usual sniveling mad scientist stereotype.


Ewan McGregor as Glorious Godfrey

Godfrey is pure evil hidden behind a handsome face and beautiful words, which is something Ewan McGregor (Beauty and the Beast) will absolutely excel at.


Braun Strowman as Kalibak

Kalibak is a monstrous brute, and pro wrestler Braun Strowman does that sort of thing every single week. He's also not a bad actor, as wrestlers go.


David Oyelowo as Metron

David Oyelowo has worked with DuVernay in Selma and A Wrinkle in Time, and he'll find an interesting spin on Metron, a cosmic seeker of truth.


Forrest Goodluck as Forager

As a young member of an isolated people who finds his way into the central cosmic conflict, Forrest Goodluck (The Revenant) as Forager would make a great audience identification character to learn about that world.


Camila Mendes as Dreamer

Camila Mendes (Riverdale) can balance innocence and a sense of secret knowledge to play the young psychic of the Forever People.


Winston Duke as Big Bear

Winston Duke (Black Panther) is a big guy who can embody the physicality of a character named Big Bear, as well as bring plenty of charisma to the part.


RJ Cyler as Vykin

Vykin is the computer expert of the Forever People while still being a formidable physical presence, and RJ Cyler (Power Rangers) can definitely strike that balance.


Jorge Lendeborg Jr. as Mark Moonrider

Jorge Lendeborg Jr. (Love, Simon) brings a lot of personality to the literally explosive Mark Moonrider.


Tony Revolori as Serifan

Serifan is a teen from space who dresses like a cowboy for fun, which is an odd character choice that an actor like Tony Revolori (Spider-Man: Homecoming) can totally pull off.


Lance Reddick as the Black Racer

The Black Racer should be a mysterious presence without much to say, and Lance Reddick (John Wick) is an actor who can make an unsettling impression with just a momentary look.

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