Superman 2 Casting and Suggestion thread

[Deck Rickard]

Okay here is my updated casting (now with pics!); complete with inspiration from several key stories.



Superman & Supergirl (based on Superman: Brainiac, House of Brainiac and DCAU Brainiac


Brainiac: Sarah Snook



Sarah leapfrogged over Tilda Swinton as my top choice for Brainy. She was absolutely brilliant in Succession and while I wasn’t able to see her reportedly magnificent one-person Dorian Gray show, just seeing some of her looks from that sold me on how amazing she could look as the evil Kryptonian AI. Let’s make this one happen, James Gunn!

Your other major players here would be:

Superman and Supergirl (obviously)

Lois Lane

Lobo (big role for him here and it would easily continue from Supergirl)

Perry White (possibly running for mayor like in HOB)

The DP Crew (Jimmy Olsen, Ron Troupe, Cat Grant and Steve Lombard all have prominent roles in Superman Brainiac)

Mr. Terrific (he’s not in any of these stories but we gotta get more Mr. Terrific!)

Lex (he’s always gets involved when Brainiac shows up)

 

[Deck Rickard]

Superman Untrusting Earth (this title is whatever but the idea is that this would be a movie that follows on from all the mistrust that Lex tried to sow with the public over Superman and other aliens. I feel like it would be good third film in a series after a full on battle with Brainiac and a Czarnian invasion, which would stoke anti-alien sentiment.

Inspired by Superman Secret Origin, the idea here is a third movie where we follow up on some of the plot threads leftover from Superman ‘25 (the US government becoming distrustful of superheroes in general, and Luthor fueling that distrust from prison and working with ARGUS. Maybe Flag gets pushed off to the side and Gen. Sam Lane and Sgt. John Corben are brought in to address the issues.

Sam Lane: Kevin Bacon



Bruce Greenwood was my top pick for Sam but Kevin Bacon and James Gunn always create such fun stuff when they work together. And I remember wanting to see Bacon play Metallo all the way back in when he was in Hollow Man (bad movie but Kevin is great in it) he’s too old for Corben now so why not make him the guy partially responsible? And having Sam in mix adds for good family drama with Lois that will contrast nicely with Clark and the Kents.

Metallo/ Sgt.John Corben: Harris Dickinson



There are several routes you can take with Corben but I think the Secret Origin version is the best way to go here. Highly deadly, military trained, and creepy stalker vibes toward Lois make for a particular vicious bad guy. I’m not always a fan of the “villain and hero fight over the same love interest” trope, but I think it works with Corben given the connection to Lois’s dad and the kind of partner a guy like that envisions for his daughter. And as for the right actor, I like Harris Dickinson a lot; he’s very versatile and he’s a big, intimidating guy who looks like he could go a few rounds with David. And he can play a real creep when he wants to, like in that Babygirl movie. I could easily see him slipping into the multiple facets of this character, but especially after Metallo begins to lose whatever humanity he once had. There are some really intriguing things you can do with him, in addition to making him a visually stunning villain (yes, I want my 50-foot Metallo kaiju battle in the finale).

Dr. Emmett Vale: Sterling K. Brown



And of course, with Luthor having a more limited role, you need someone else who is evil and brilliant to help build Metallo’s body. That is where Vale comes in. Sterling K. Brown can play a genius in his sleep and he needs redemption in a villainous role after whatever the hell Shane Black did to him in that awful Predator movie. Let’s get this guy in the DCU for the long term.

 

[Mandon Knight]

Needs Parasite & proper Brainiac depiction.

 

[The Lazarus Pit]

I prefer Conner to Jonathan Kent/ Superboy. Especially with Ultraman already being introduced, Bizarro and Conner are an easy progression.

The first Teen Titans comics I read as a kid were Geoff Johns’ run when it was coming out. So I’ll always be partial to Conner, Tim, Cassie, and Bart. I think they’re some of DC’s most underrated characters.

I also think Conner gives us a taste of Superman as a father figure without the full on story commitment of a biological son like Jon.

I don’t like Superman’s sons getting as much focus as they did in Superman & Lois or some of the recent comics. I know some people liked it, but I thought that show in particular became unwatchable because of the family drama. I love to watch family dramas when they’re done well. Im not sure if I don’t like Superman as a dad, or maybe it just hasn’t been done well. It permanently changes the dynamic of the character in a way that really bores me as a reader and viewer.

On the other hand, I love Batman as a father. I’m a father myself and Damian works very well for me. He’s been a father to Robin since 1940 so it feels more natural.

I think my ideal Super family would be Superman, Lois, Steel, Supergirl, Superboy (Conner), Krypto and Streaky

 

[Lily Adler]

Well I’m hoping for the opposite, so our wishes will cancel eachother out and it’ll be left to the gods to decide Conner’s fate.

I do think he should be a ways down the road, though, so I’m not going to get too invested in a fancast that may well be too old when the time comes.

Someone in the Super Family had better go shirtless in this next film. We must correct Gunn's cardinal sin.

 

[Sawyer]

Been finishing up the most recent season of Harley Quinn and I wonder if Lex getting incarcerated opens the door for Lena Luthor to take the reins at Luthorcorp.

If so… Olivia Cooke? Samara Weaving?

 

[flickchick85]

Been finishing up the most recent season of Harley Quinn and I wonder if Lex getting incarcerated opens the door for Lena Luthor to take the reins at Luthorcorp.

If so… Olivia Cooke? Samara Weaving?

Would be cool to see Samara get a role here since we know she was in the mix for Lois. I could definitely see her as Lena, but also would prefer someone a little closer to Milly’s age for that character.

 

[SupermansPal]

Been finishing up the most recent season of Harley Quinn and I wonder if Lex getting incarcerated opens the door for Lena Luthor to take the reins at Luthorcorp.

If so… Olivia Cooke? Samara Weaving?

Honestly, I thought of Talia taking over as a way to tie-in with Brave and the Bold.

But I’d love Lena, I thought of Emma Corin a while ago completely forgetting she has just played another sibling to a bald comic book character.

 

[flickchick85]

Honestly, I thought of Talia taking over as a way to tie-in with Brave and the Bold.

But I’d love Lena, I thought of Emma Corin a while ago completely forgetting she has just played another sibling to a bald comic book character.

Ooooh, Emma's a good shout.

 

[AndrewGilkison]

Been finishing up the most recent season of Harley Quinn and I wonder if Lex getting incarcerated opens the door for Lena Luthor to take the reins at Luthorcorp.

If so… Olivia Cooke? Samara Weaving?

Feels a little too CW Supergirl for me.

 

[flickchick85]

Feels a little too CW Supergirl for me.

Lena is currently a main character in the Supergirl comics, has been a recurring character in Action Comics and Superman comics since the Silver Age, was the main villain in the Superwoman book a decade ago, was a main character for a couple seasons on Smallville, and played a significant part of one of Supes' major comic events in the 2000's. Her also being on the CW Supergirl show is irrelevant. She's a worthwhile part of the 'verse, and if they have a place for her, they should use her imo. Aside from being an interesting wildcard herself, she also generally adds depth to Lex's character.

 

[BobJM]

I don’t really like Lena either. Let the clones run LuthorCorp; bring in Luthor II

 

[flickchick85]

Ew, I'd rather we never hear the Luthor name again than be subjected to Luthor II.

 

[DCDAVE]

Question for the Supergirl fans because I have not read Woman of Tomorrow. I am used to the animated series, My Adventures with Superman, and CW Supergirls, so seeing Kara show up drunk and calling Kal a “B” kind of shocked me in a negative way. Is Milly a new version of Supergirl or can she be found in the comics. I was hoping for Supergirl from Apocalypse version.

 

[donuts]

Someone in the Super Family had better go shirtless in this next film. We must correct Gunn's cardinal sin.

Can it be Lois?

 

[donuts]

Lena is currently a main character in the Supergirl comics, has been a recurring character in Action Comics and Superman comics since the Silver Age, was the main villain in the Superwoman book a decade ago, was a main character for a couple seasons on Smallville, and played a significant part of one of Supes' major comic events in the 2000's. Her also being on the CW Supergirl show is irrelevant. She's a worthwhile part of the 'verse, and if they have a place for her, they should use her imo. Aside from being an interesting wildcard herself, she also generally adds depth to Lex's character.

Yeah, I mean Lex Luthor and Maxwell Lord were in the show, too. No reason to not use the characters.

Question for the Supergirl fans because I have not read Woman of Tomorrow. I am used to the animated series, My Adventures with Superman, and CW Supergirls, so seeing Kara show up drunk and calling Kal a “B” kind of shocked me in a negative way. Is Milly a new version of Supergirl or can she be found in the comics. I was hoping for Supergirl from Apocalypse version.

You said it yourself, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

 

[flickchick85]

Question for the Supergirl fans because I have not read Woman of Tomorrow. I am used to the animated series, My Adventures with Superman, and CW Supergirls, so seeing Kara show up drunk and calling Kal a “B” kind of shocked me in a negative way. Is Milly a new version of Supergirl or can she be found in the comics. I was hoping for Supergirl from Apocalypse version.

As donuts said, this version is straight out of the comic they are adapting, Woman of Tomorrow. To the letter. Also probably more similar to the New 52 version as well. The version from Apocalypse is from Jeph Loeb's run, which, along with the STAS and CW versions, is one of the blandest takes on Kara, imo (which is par for the course with Jeph Loeb for me). Woman of Tomorrow's version (AND the New 52 take, for that matter) is faaaaar more interesting to me, so I'm glad that's what we're getting in the DCU.

So far the MAWS take is kinda in-between those on the "how angry/traumatized is she" spectrum, which I think is also a pretty good take, too. The important thing for me is that Kara starkly contrasts with Clark, in how much more Kryptonian she is and how less enamored of and adaptive to Earth she is. The more they focus on her trauma, the better, as far as I'm concerned. She should be angry and messy as hell given what she's been through. And WoT, New 52 and MAWS have done the best with that characterization imo. I absolutely hate it when they write her like she's just basically a teenage girl version of Superman. Just by her basic premise she should always be so much more than that.

 

[DCDAVE]

As donuts said, this version is straight out of the comic they are adapting, Woman of Tomorrow. To the letter. Also probably more similar to the New 52 version as well. The version from Apocalypse is from Jeph Loeb's run, which, along with the STAS and CW versions, is one of the blandest takes on Kara, imo (which is par for the course with Jeph Loeb for me). Woman of Tomorrow's version (AND the New 52 take, for that matter) is faaaaar more interesting to me, so I'm glad that's what we're getting in the DCU.

So far the MAWS take is kinda in-between those on the "how angry/traumatized is she" spectrum, which I think is also a pretty good take, too. The important thing for me is that Kara starkly contrasts with Clark, in how much more Kryptonian she is and how less enamored of and adaptive to Earth she is. The more they focus on her trauma, the better, as far as I'm concerned. She should be angry and messy as hell given what she's been through. And WoT, New 52 and MAWS have done the best with that characterization imo. I absolutely hate it when they write her like she's just basically a teenage girl version of Superman. Just by her basic premise she should always be so much more than that.

Thanks, I am just gonna rip off the bandaid and read WOT. I have heard great things from the board about the comic. Which version of Supergirl became a Red Lantern?

 

[DCDAVE]

Yeah, I mean Lex Luthor and Maxwell Lord were in the show, too. No reason to not use the characters.



You said it yourself, Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow

I will read the comic. With the inclusion of Lobo in the movie, it should be different enough. I wanted to be surprised but I want to understand Kara better. Going in and expecting a CW version is not smart.

 

[donuts]

As donuts said, this version is straight out of the comic they are adapting, Woman of Tomorrow. To the letter. Also probably more similar to the New 52 version as well. The version from Apocalypse is from Jeph Loeb's run, which, along with the STAS and CW versions, is one of the blandest takes on Kara, imo (which is par for the course with Jeph Loeb for me). Woman of Tomorrow's version (AND the New 52 take, for that matter) is faaaaar more interesting to me, so I'm glad that's what we're getting in the DCU.

So far the MAWS take is kinda in-between those on the "how angry/traumatized is she" spectrum, which I think is also a pretty good take, too. The important thing for me is that Kara starkly contrasts with Clark, in how much more Kryptonian she is and how less enamored of and adaptive to Earth she is. The more they focus on her trauma, the better, as far as I'm concerned. She should be angry and messy as hell given what she's been through. And WoT, New 52 and MAWS have done the best with that characterization imo. I absolutely hate it when they write her like she's just basically a teenage girl version of Superman. Just by her basic premise she should always be so much more than that.

Yeah, I also don't like when she's reduced to being a younger and female Supergirl. Fully on board with preferring versions that grant her individuality.

 

[flickchick85]

Thanks, I am just gonna rip off the bandaid and read WOT. I have heard great things from the board about the comic. Which version of Supergirl became a Red Lantern?

The New 52 version is where the Red Lantern arc was.

 

[DCDAVE]

This Superman family movie can’t get in production soon enough. Do you think Kara and Kal will be at odds? Kal seems to be more of a big brother to her. While she is more of a brat to him. I have a 20 something old daughter, I see where Kal was coming from. With the Peacemaker cameo she seems to be a legitimate hero at least. Guy will love her.

 

[Deck Rickard]

Would be cool to see Samara get a role here since we know she was in the mix for Lois. I could definitely see her as Lena, but also would prefer someone a little closer to Milly’s age for that character.

Samara is so great (currently watching Eenie Meanie and she’s awesome in it). I really want her to show up in the DCU. I’m glad she didn’t get Lois because Rachel was the ONLY choice but there are plenty of great roles for Samara.

 

[Deck Rickard]

I will read the comic. With the inclusion of Lobo in the movie, it should be different enough. I wanted to be surprised but I want to understand Kara better. Going in and expecting a CW version is not smart.

Interestingly, King was going to include Lobo in WOT but ultimately got talked out of it. But he put him in the movie version so it will be cool to see how his original idea might have played out.

 

[The Lazarus Pit]

Lena Luthor is fundamentally uninteresting and superfluous as a character in comics and in the Supergirl show. Not a fan. She brings nothing to the table that couldn’t be done better with another character. Lionel is the only other interesting Luthor besides multiverse ones