Talks of a Firefly reboot have been floating around since Serenity came to the big screen, yet somehow they always seem to come back into play. Now more than ever, a Firefly reboot seems likely as Joss Whedon has given his blessing to Fox for a revival of the series, and the fan favorite show has as many fans as it’s ever had. Obviously such an Earth shattering event will call for only the best in TV acting, of which I hope I am able to deliver for your reading pleasure!
Captain Malcolm Reynolds: Matt Lanter
Matt Lanter may not look exactly like a young Nathan Fillion, but he has the good looks and roguish personality that Mal is notoriously known for. He captains expeditions through time on the hit NBC show Timeless, and adventures through space could bring about the same action scenes and battle experiences he endures on his current show. While Lanter still of course has another project that he is bound to, who could possibly turn down the starring role on Firefly?
Zoe Washburne: Toks Olagundoye
When it comes to the new age of badass women on TV, Toks Olagundoye is leading the charge. She has worked with (speak of the devil) Nathan Fillion on Castle, and showed in her role that she can be a powerful female with shoot-em-up capabilities. While she might not be a household name, she has certainly made a name for herself as a no-nonsense femme fatale, and could inspire the next generation of little girls to grow up to be powerful, independent women.
Hoban Washburne: Eric Christian Olsen
The witty comic relief of the show, who better to pilot Serenity after Alan Tudyk than the charismatic and hilarious Eric Christian Olsen? With the right hairstylist for the job, Olsen can look just like Tudyk when he played the lovable Wash, and has a personality that perfectly suits the loyal companion of Mal Reynolds. He wouldn’t even have to act to perfectly suit the fan favorite character, and could be the exact person needed to help revitalize the possible new series.
Inara Serra: Priyanka Chopra
The sexy and talented Priyanka Chopra is a perfect fit for the sexy and dangerous Inara Serra. The only person who could seduce men more than the lovely Morena Baccarin is perhaps the just as lovely Chopra, and since her popularity has skyrocketed since she landed the starring role on the show Quantico, she’s a favorite for pretty much any role in Hollywood. A high stakes reboot like Firefly could truly escalate Priyanka’s fame even more, and put her among the elite of the acting world.
Jayne Cobb: Daniel Cudmore
Jayne Cobb is known not only for being an all around tough dude, but also a massive hunk of a man. You may know Daniel Cudmore as the extremely large character Colossus form the X-Men franchise, and where he’s spent most of his career thus far. However, he’s had issues with not being able to show his acting range, and Jayne Cobb is perfect for that. Jayne is possibly everyone’s favorite character, and he brings the hilarity even more than Wash. If given the role, Cudmore could prove that he is in fact a ranged actor, and could find the big break that he’s been searching for.
Kaylee Frye: Chloe Bennet
The semi-innocent and crafty engineer of the ship, Chloe Bennet could be the perfect answer for the new Kaylee Frye. If you’ve been watching the show Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. from the early seasons, you know that Bennet’s character started off with a personality that compliments the lovable and witty Kaylee Frye, and evolved into a more hardened character. She’s shown a lot of range by doing this, yet still has the ability to bring the character at hand to life. A lovable character deserves to be played by a just as lovable actress, and Chloe Bennet could fulfill that need.
Dr. Simon Tam: Josh Segarra
While Josh Segarra might currently be playing a total psychopath on Arrow, he is quite possibly the most ranged actor on television. If you’ve been following Segarra’s recent career, you know that he’s played a concerned member of law enforcement and a serial killer all in the same show, so a doctor that cares for his sister would be a cakewalk for him. The striking resemblance to the previous actor to play the role (Sean Maher) really cinches the idea of Segarra as Dr. Tam, and this man can change himself to suit any character imaginable.
River Tam: Hailee Steinfeld
Hailee Steinfeld is one of the biggest names in Hollywood when it comes to young talent, and while you may not know the name, you’re bound to have seen some of her work. Doing hit movies like The Edge of Seventeen and the Pitch Perfect franchise, as well as a handful of action films, Steinfeld is the perfect caliber of actress for the center of the entire Firefly series. I believe that she can pull off the awkwardness and paranoia that River brings to the table, and could be the badass that she turns into as well.
Shepherd Book: Laurence Fishburne
The truth is, no one will ever replace the legend that is Ron Glass. So, since no one may ever truly replace the first man to play Shepherd Book, why not shoot for the stars? Fishburne has gotten used to being on TV every week with the hilarious comedy Black-ish, and could be the star vehicle that really puts a cherry on top of a series like this. Laurence Fishburne shares the same kind of soft, yet outspokenness that we saw with Ron Glass and Shepherd Book, and could be the necessary person to guide the moral compass of the crew.
What do you think? Do you think a Firefly reboot will happen? Let me know in the comments!