Out of all the news that broke during and around last month’s Comic-Con, one exciting story has gotten a little buried. Spawn will be coming back to the big screen courtesy of producer Jason Blum and Todd McFarlane himself. McFarlane (also known for a run on Spider-Man comics and creating Venom during that time) will be taking writing and directing duties.
The next question then is: Who will be cast? Here are some ideas.
Al Simmons/Spawn: Idris Elba
Yes, Michael Jai White was perfect when he played it in the 1997 film. But Elba has proven himself as an actor on numerous occasions and can certainly reach the bar set. Plus after minor parts in comic book movies like the second Ghost Rider (incidentally, also a superhero story about a deal with the devil), it’s time he become the toplining star in one of these.
Clown: Danny DeVito
The demonic entity that serves as our hero’s guide on Earth, but hardly conventional as far as the traditional mentor figure goes. Though this role was done quite memorably by John Leguizamo, DeVito could definitely do quite well in it. Between the Penguin and Frank Reynolds, he’s shown that he would absolutely nail the sleaziness and dark humor of the character.
Wanda Blake: Kerry Washington
One of the more popular and respected actresses working today thanks to Scandal, Confirmation, and others, Washington would be an ideal choice for the part. Subplots have focused on Wanda looking into shady government stuff and she certainly has that experience. Law & Order fans may remember that Elba and Washington were both in the same episode back in 2001 (“3 Dawg Night”).
Terry Fitzgerald: Eamonn Walker
Al’s best friend in his pre-Spawn life, things take quite a different turn in the events thereafter. Very infamously whitewashed in the previous movie, if there’s one mistake to avoid making again, it’d be this. A veteran actor known for shows like Oz and Chicago Fire, Walker actually played Elba’s brother in Legacy (plus faced off against White in Blood and Bone), which would add an interesting angle to the dynamics.
Sam: John Goodman
Sam is exactly the kind of character Goodman has spent the last few decades specializing in, having played law enforcement officials at various points throughout (most recently as the police commissioner in Patriots Day). And needless to say, he has the physicality down. One half of the duo investigating the cases, he is seldom if ever seen without his partner…
Twitch: Mark Hamill
Hamill was actually set to voice Twitch in an animated series that never materialized, but looks enough the part that he could do it live action too. With fans already curious as to how his spin on the character would turn out, this is as good a place as any to show it.
