Superman 2 Casting and Suggestion thread

[Deck Rickard]

I’ve mostly been focusing on Brainiac casting (and putting together a vast array of names because I think there are SO many ways you can go with the character that could be interesting). But in the meantime, here are some other folks I’m also thinking about…


Parasite: Bryan Tyree Henry, Dave Bautista

Toyman: Tom Hollander

Maxima: Britt Lower, Jessie Buckley

Metallo: Harris Dickinson, Sam Heughan, Tom Hopper

Professor Emmett Vale: Sterling K Brown

Prof. Emil Hamilton: Peter Dinklage

Bruno Mannheim: Oliver Platt

Bibbo: Chris Sullivan

 

[GreenKToo]

Toy man tom hiddleston

Brainiac Tilda Swinton

Mongul Dave Bautista

Dr Hamilton mark hamill

Metallo Kevin bacon

Mxyzptly Peter dinklage

 

[solidsnake86]

As much as I want to see brainiac, I also don't know how you do that villain and involve the daily planet staff which I would love to see more of in the movie along with Clark Kent.

I always thought a metallo or parasite would be cool with Clark and Lois investigating who created them but we already touched upon that with this first movie and what lex's true motive was for starting the conflict.

Should be interesting to see what Gunn cooks up.

 

[Deck Rickard]

As much as I want to see brainiac, I also don't know how you do that villain and involve the daily planet staff which I would love to see more of in the movie along with Clark Kent.

I always thought a metallo or parasite would be cool with Clark and Lois investigating who created them but we already touched upon that with this first movie and what lex's true motive was for starting the conflict.

Should be interesting to see what Gunn cooks up.

Check out the comic I mentioned. The whole DP staff (literally all of the ones in the movie) factor into the story.

 

[Deck Rickard]

My current list of Brainiac casting. I tried to go pretty broad with this because I think this is a character that lends itself to a variety of different actors that could all bring something very unique. You can go older, younger, masculine, feminine, androgynous, etc. maybe all of the above and cast several people.


Tilda Swinton - probably my top choice. She would be perfect and I know she’d look good in green. I can’t imagine a better actor playing this cold, soulless, analytical enemy.

Alexander Skarsgard - Amazing on Murderbot and Succession (and lots of other stuff). Supposedly he was considered for Luthor. Maybe he’s still on Gunn’s shortlist for other roles.

Chiwetel Ejiofor - Brilliant talent that Marvel has sadly wasted, so much so that he took a paycheck role in a damned Venom movie. Let’s get this guy back on the A-List where he belongs. Check out The Man Who Fell to Earth to see him in an alien sci-fi role.

Richard E. Grant - Just watched Death of a Unicorn and loved the thought of Grant as an older Brainiac, Amazing actor who brings a ton of gravitas to any role.

Matt Smith - House of the Dragon reunion! Smith always has a ton of presence and it would be fun seeing him square off with Milly again, as well as David.

Colman Domingo - Again, just a fantastic actor who brings so much to every role, especially when delivering a monologue. When this guy talks, he’s the smartest in the room. Imagine him coolly lecturing Kal on why his planet didn’t deserve to survive and is better off as a piece of his memory.

David Oyelowo - Another brilliant actor that I just want to see in better stuff instead of random Netflix movies that can’t keep me awake.

Charlotte Rampling - Loved her presence in the Dune films. Her cold demeanor would make Brainiac genuinely scary.

Guy Pearce - So glad to see Pearce back on top with his role in The Brutalist. He’s one of those actors who works so much and is always good but spent so many years being cast in average (or just bad) movies despite a lot of talent.

Eddie Redmayne - I’ve always liked Redmayne and seeing him in Day of the Jackal made me imagine him as Brainy. If you haven’t gotten a chance, definitely watch that show.

Rufus Sewell - Sewell has made a career out playing nasty bad guys but it’s his kinda good guy role in The Diplomat that made me want to see him as a supervillain. He could do a great Brainy but there are other characters he could also fit so this one is 50/50 for me.

Sarah Snook - Loved her on Succession but more recently she did a one-person, androgynous Dorian Gray performance on stage that got me thinking about this casting. Fantastic actor.

Jimmi Simpson - Loved him on Westworld, Black Mirror and other things. He was an early Luthor pick for me but he could also do Brainy I’m sure.

Michael Sheen - I’ve seen this guy play weirdos, psychos, angels, computer programs, whatever. Amazingly versatile actor who would could probably do Brainiac in his sleep.

Tobias Menzies - My one disappointment in the cancellation of the original incarnation of the Lanterns show is that we will never see Menzies’ version of Sinestro, which I think might have been really compelling. He’s an amazing actor who has delivered awesome performances on Outlander and Manhunt. I hope he’s on Gunn’s radar for something else (especially a villain role).

 

[Silvermoth]

I really love how you opened up the casting for Brainiac. I think it would be really cool to see an actor do something unexpected for him.

Sarah snook would absolutely slay as Brainiac

 

[Deck Rickard]

I really love how you opened up the casting for Brainiac. I think it would be really cool to see an actor do something unexpected for him.

Sarah snook would absolutely slay as Brainiac

Thank you! Yeah I worked pretty hard on that list because this is a villain I’ve been waiting to see on the big screen for like three decades at this point and if I have ONE major complaint about the Superman movie we just got, it’s that Gunn scrapped plans for Brainiac and gave us Luthor again. And to be clear, that was the best Luthor we’ve ever had. But damn it, I feel like every one of Batman’s enemies has gotten their time to shine in movies at this point while for some reason with Superman, we constantly recycle the same bad guys. I’m glad we at least got a version of Ultraman/Bizarro, which is at least a bit new but it’s time to bring out the big guns. Brainiac has always been Superman’s #2 big bad (and depending on the origin they go with, he could be viewed as his #1 enemy) and it’s time for a movie to reflect that. And he has such a compelling antagonistic connection to Kara too, so if this next film is a Superman/Supergirl teamup, it’s basically a match made in heaven for both characters and a box office goldmine.

And YES, Sarah Snook would CRUSH it. She might pass up Tilda for me the more I think about it.

 

[Silvermoth]

Your passion is so inspiring Deck. Gunn, hire this person!

 

[Deck Rickard]

Your passion is so inspiring Deck. Gunn, hire this person!

Hahaha thank you!

Not to toot my own horn, but I was calling for Corenswet as Superman, Brosnahan as Lois and Wendell Pierce as Perry long before any of them were cast! But to be fair, so were a lot of people.

But hell yeah, Silver! Gunn needs to hire me hahahahaha

 

[DCDAVE]

The Wrap is reporting the DCU is starting to look for a Wonder Woman actress. I love the idea of an unknown actress. Keep an eye out for Anamara Vortolimei Mickey 17. She fits the profile.

I think my Superman/Wonder Woman War World movie idea has a chance to be the secret project that Gunn is currently writing. Introducing Wonder Woman on War World fighting would be a great introduction to the DCU.

 

[Deck Rickard]

A War World movie would certainly be ambitious. I feel like that is more of a big team up thing than a straight up Superman sequel but yeah it could be awesome, especially if Wonder Woman is involved. Kal, Diana and Kara in gladiatorial combat on an alien world with Mongul could be majestic. Maybe some other heroes too. Martian Manhunter?

 

[flickchick85]

Nah, the Warworld Saga worked so brilliantly because it was a Superman story. THE definitive Superman story of this decade. Keep it a Superman story. Bringing in the League would just muck it up imo.

 

[Deck Rickard]

Nah, the Warworld Saga worked so brilliantly because it was a Superman story. THE definitive Superman story of this decade. Keep it a Superman story. Bringing in the League would just muck it up imo.

I really need to read the whole thing I guess. Is it just one arc or was it a crossover? I’ve been trying to catch up on some significant Superman comics this past month but I just want ti get the really good stuff.

 

[flickchick85]

I really need to read the whole thing I guess. Is it just one arc or was it a crossover? I’ve been trying to catch up on some significant Superman comics this past month but I just want ti get the really good stuff.

It’s one rather long arc from PKJ’s run, but collected in its entirety as a compendium!

Amazon.com: Superman: The Warworld Saga: 9781779523884: Kennedy Johnson, Phillip, Federici, Riccardo, Lapham, David, Sampere, Daniel: Books

Amazon.com: Superman: The Warworld Saga: 9781779523884: Kennedy Johnson, Phillip, Federici, Riccardo, Lapham, David, Sampere, Daniel: Books

a.co

 

[DCDAVE]

A War World movie would certainly be ambitious. I feel like that is more of a big team up thing than a straight up Superman sequel but yeah it could be awesome, especially if Wonder Woman is involved. Kal, Diana and Kara in gladiatorial combat on an alien world with Mongul could be majestic. Maybe some other heroes too. Martian Manhunter?

Remember Gum said Superman would have a major role but it would not be a straight up sequel. The sequel will probably be something with Kara, Jor-El, Daily Planet reporters, and Braniac. That would be more Superman family oriented. DC probably wants to see what Supergirl does before they green light Superman 2 with Kara in a prominent role. I think Gunn’s secret project will expand the DCU so yeah expect other DCU heroes and villains. Peacemaker season 2 gets more intriguing by the day. It’s must watch for DCU fans now.

 

[Deck Rickard]

It’s one rather long arc from PKJ’s run, but collected in its entirety as a compendium!

Amazon.com: Superman: The Warworld Saga: 9781779523884: Kennedy Johnson, Phillip, Federici, Riccardo, Lapham, David, Sampere, Daniel: Books

Amazon.com: Superman: The Warworld Saga: 9781779523884: Kennedy Johnson, Phillip, Federici, Riccardo, Lapham, David, Sampere, Daniel: Books

a.co

Thanks for the tip!

 

[DCDAVE]

Mongol is the perfect one and done movie villain. He is strong enough to challenge Superman and the Justice League with War World. The fighting and visuals for a live action War World could be something to behold.

 

[GreenKToo]

Thank you! Yeah I worked pretty hard on that list because this is a villain I’ve been waiting to see on the big screen for like three decades at this point and if I have ONE major complaint about the Superman movie we just got, it’s that Gunn scrapped plans for Brainiac and gave us Luthor again. And to be clear, that was the best Luthor we’ve ever had. But damn it, I feel like every one of Batman’s enemies has gotten their time to shine in movies at this point while for some reason with Superman, we constantly recycle the same bad guys. I’m glad we at least got a version of Ultraman/Bizarro, which is at least a bit new but it’s time to bring out the big guns. Brainiac has always been Superman’s #2 big bad (and depending on the origin they go with, he could be viewed as his #1 enemy) and it’s time for a movie to reflect that. And he has such a compelling antagonistic connection to Kara too, so if this next film is a Superman/Supergirl teamup, it’s basically a match made in heaven for both characters and a box office goldmine.

And YES, Sarah Snook would CRUSH it. She might pass up Tilda for me the more I think about it.

And Brainiac needs more than one film. He should be a multiple film threat

 

[Superark]

I'd like to see Viggo Mortensen or Peter Serafinowicz for Brainiac.

 

[DCDAVE]

If DC is going to do two movies a year, does the DCU have the time to do Superman 2 when you have Batman, Wonder Woman, and others coming down the pipe. Especially with the Reeves Batman Universe still going strong. I have a feeling DC is going to just go with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Supergirl as the main big screen heroes. They will build their universe around those four. I think Supergirl is going to be their Guardians of the Galaxy galactic hero. Wonder Woman will be traveling around the world. Don’t know what DCU Batman’s plan is.

 

[Chris B]

Does anyone remember the Reddit user that accurately described Superman's and the Raptors' suits? I remember they also claimed to have seen concept art for Mongol.

I wonder if he was the character Gunn mentioned that he considered having a post-credits scene of but decided not to due to wanting to avoid a repeat of the Adam Warlock stinger in GOTG Vol. 2?

 

[DCDAVE]

Does anyone remember the Reddit user that accurately described Superman's and the Raptors' suits? I remember they also claimed to have seen concept art for Mongol.

I wonder if he was the character Gunn mentioned that he considered having a post-credits scene of but decided not to due to wanting to avoid a repeat of the Adam Warlock stinger in GOTG Vol. 2?

Don’t get my hopes up. Mongol and War World is new and original. Brainiac has been on television live action and in the cartoons for more then I could count. Plus he is to similar to Ultron. I would rather see Mongol than any other villain for Superman going forward.

 

[Deck Rickard]

Don’t get my hopes up. Mongol and War World is new and original. Brainiac has been on television live action and in the cartoons for more then I could count. Plus he is to similar to Ultron. I would rather see Mongol than any other villain for Superman going forward.

No.

No no no don’t do that. I don’t give a crap that CW and animated and SyFy versions of Brainiac are out there. Some are even really cool but those are no substitutes for a big budget live action version. Not after ALMOST getting him in like 3 different canceled movies and almost getting him in this one. If every single secondary Batman villain has gotten multiple movie appearances, Superman’s #2 rogue has to be in a movie like now. I want to see Mongul too and that will be awesome but it’s Brainy’s time.

 

[Chris B]

Don’t get my hopes up. Mongol and War World is new and original. Brainiac has been on television live action and in the cartoons for more then I could count. Plus he is to similar to Ultron. I would rather see Mongol than any other villain for Superman going forward.

Maybe Brainiac for the rumored Superman & Supergirl movie and then Mongol for a proper Superman 2?

 

[DCDAVE]

Just the fact we came up with two really strong Superman villains like Brainiac and Mongol just shows a Superman trilogy can work. The best thing about it is you don’t need a water downed Darksied or Zod. Supes for the win……