One of my greatest enjoyments in the recent DC Comics reboot has been the Justice League. Even though I’m not entirely sold on the plot, the interaction between the characters has been golden. Naturally, I begin to wonder who would be best to cast if they were to film the series. Today we turn our eyes to Aquaman.
Justice League, current incarnation
In this post, yesterday’s post and a few more posts following this one, I will be examining who I think would be best for every role in the current incarnation of the Justice League. Its members are Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, Aqua Man, The Flash, Cyborg and Wonder Woman, meaning we’ll be seeing seven different posts; each about one of these characters. For the sake of brevity, I’ve narrowed it down to three names in all cases, even though there are probably dozens more that would do the various roles justice.
In yesterday’s post, I looked at the possible actors who I felt could portray a convincing Man of Steel, Superman, or who would be able to bring something unique and compelling to the role in question. Today, I’d like to take a look at a man who doesn’t move around through the skies, but takes residence in the depths of the ocean. I’m looking, of course, at Aquaman – the man who talks to fish (“I don’t talk to fish! Fish don’t talk! Their brains are too primitive to carry on a conversation.”)
As always, I’d love to hear from all of my readers, no matter if you agree or disagree with my picks, so feel free to add your comments below!
So, without any further ado, let’s look at my three most favorite candidates for the role of the underwater king!
#1. Alexander Skarsgård
Alexander Skarsgård
The Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård is perhaps best known for his role in True Blood, where he plays Eric Northman, a viking vampire slightly over one thousand years old. The actor, however, is a 35-year old non-vampire that is truly breaking out in Hollywood, appearing in four significant films during 2012; Disconnect with Jason Bateman, What Maisie Knew with Julianne Moore, Battleship with aliens attacking the US Navy and The East opposite Ellen Page.
We’ve already see him swimming on True Blood, and the actor wouldn’t have to do more than keep his face shaved to look the part, so I think he could really pull it off. The slight accent he still has could even be a little bit of a benefit to get him to truly feel like something that isn’t just a plain old American hero but something that comes from … elsewhere.
#2. Ryan McPartlin
Ryan McPartlin
When we’re talking about a superhero as awesome as Aquaman (yes, I’m a huge fan), we have to take only the most amazing of actors. Why not go for Devon Woodcomb, none other than Captain Awesome from Chuck, mister Ryan McPartlin?
Ryan, who has already played superhero Will Powers in the action/adventure comedy Super Capers in 2009 and auditioned twice for the role of Superman in Bryan Singer‘s Superman Returns, would make for a great Aquaman, I think. He’s got the body, being a board certified personal trainer and all, but also the rugged good looks and haughty aloofness that Aquaman sometimes needs. Also, seeing as how the actor enjoys scuba diving, he’s obviously no stranger to the water!
#3. Josh Holloway
Josh Holloway
Here’s another actor whose star is on the rise. Josh Holloway, everybody’s favorite nickname-spouting redneck on Lost has recently appeared in a major role in Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol and is currently filming Planet B-Boy, a movie that I’m still not entirely sure what to think about. Either way, I think Josh Holloway would make for an amazing Aquaman.
He was offered the role of Gambit in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, but turned it down due to how similar the character was to Sawyer on Lost. Worry not, Josh; the character of Aquaman is completely different and won’t feel the slightest bit similar to Sawyer. I believe that this actor, who was born on the same day that Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon, would bring a very unique and interesting interpretation of the character and allow him to grow into something quite unique in the team – just the way he should be.