DC Comics has tapped A Wrinkle in Time director Ava Duvernay to direct a film for them revolving around the New Gods, and this has been greeted with mixed emotions by fans of the universe. The New Gods is a race of godlike beings created by Jack Kirby (yes, that Jack Kirby) for DC Comics, and they include notable DC characters such as Miracle Man, Big Barda and even Darkseid. While it’s unclear who exactly Duvernay is going to use in the movie, there are a few key characters that the film couldn’t do without, and I think I have a few ideas on who should play them.
Big Barda: Gina Carano
Big Barda is likely to be the lead character in the New Gods film considering how much of a fan Duvarney is of the character, and that means that the actress playing her needs to be a perfect fit. Gina Carano is somebody who the fans wanted to play Wonder Woman before Gal Gadot was cast because of how much she looks like a real Amazon, and while she started her career as an MMA fighter, she has been working tirelessly to make a name for herself in the acting world. She’s not the biggest star in the industry, but I think she has the closest resemblance to Big Barda you’re going to find, and I feel that she has become a good enough actress to be the lead in a film of this caliber.
Mister Miracle: James Marsden
Mister Miracle is the husband to Big Barda, and he’s known primarily from his association with her and the New Gods. He is a master escape artist that can come up with a solution to any problem, and I think that Marsden could perfectly embody the charismatic and daring nature of the character. He doesn’t have much of a resemblance to Mister Miracle’s comic book counterpart, but they do have a few key facial features in common, and I think that an actor like Marsden could be a valuable addition to the DCEU.
Orion: Michael C. Hall
Orion is a fan favorite character that a lot of people have been wanting to see in a movie for a long time, and I don’t think anyone could give a better portrayal than Michael C. Hall. Not only does he perfectly capture the look of the character, but he could bring to life the gruff and dark personality of Orion, as well as excel in the intense fight scenes Orion will undoubtedly be involved in. Hall would be an excellent addition to this film and the DCEU in general, and I’m positive that his casting would put a huge spotlight on the project.
Highfather: Jonathan Pryce
Highfather is the chief of the New Gods, and usually plays a vital part in most of the comic book storylines involving the characters. While we hardly ever see him in action, he does provide guidance to the New Gods, and takes care of making deals with Darkseid to keep everyone safe. I feel that not only would Pryce be able to capture the look of the character, but he excels in mentor roles, and he could portray both the understanding and wrathful sides of Highfather perfectly.
Granny Goodness: Kathy Bates
Who could possibly play Granny Goodness besides Kathy Bates? This is one of the most obvious casting decisions in the history of DC villains, and fans have been begging for Bates to take on the big screen debut of Granny Goodness. She has been one of the most respected and talented actresses since the 90s, and having her in a New Gods movie would greatly elevate everything about the film.
Darkseid: Idris Elba
It’s pretty obvious that Darkseid will make at least an appearance in a New Gods movie, and you need the perfect actor to portray the most menacing villain in the DC universe. While most people would suggest a more classic villain type for the role (such as a Ron Perlman), I think that using motion capture on a more popular star like Elba would be the more sensible thing to do, and could provide a far more accurate depiction of Superman’s arch nemesis. Idris Elba has a deep voice and an intense screen presence, and if he were to be chosen as the DCEU’s big villain, I think it could possibly revitalize the entire franchise.
