Summary
With the end of theDCEU, there are some characters that I want to see recast for the new DC Universe as soon as possible. Let me preface this by saying thatI don’t necessarily dislike all of the DCEU versions of the characters listed here. Some are among my DCEU favorites, while others I really didn’t like. However, given theDCU’s slate of projects, I think it is for the best that all of them are recast — and as soon as possible.
James Gunn has made some DCEU playerscanon characters in the DCU, such as the crew fromPeacemaker. However, given Henry Cavill was recast as Superman,most major players of the DCEU are also likely to be recast. I believe that is the way to go, save for Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and a few others — as it allows the DCU to feel fresh and let go of the DCEU’s baggage. Here are 10 DCEU characters I can’t wait to be recast for the DCU.
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10The Joker
Jared Leto Missed The Mark
Like most, I was not a fan of Jared Leto’s portrayal of the Joker. The chosen approach to make the Joker look and act like a gangster, with a questionable design, was not what I think works best for the character. Comparatively, I was a huge fan of the pure chaos Heath Ledger brought to hisJoker inThe Dark Knight— my favorite villain performance in any superhero movie— and the nuances of Joaquin Phoenix’s tragic Arthur Fleck inJoker.
I don’t think the Joker should debut in the DCU already inThe Brave and the Bold, the Batman reboot film. The Dark Knight needs to fight other villains first; however, any shared DC universe needs to have the Joker. I thinkthe Joker could be used in multiple projects during the DCU’s Chapter One, leaving Leto’s edgy version of the character behind and a new actor infusing him with the needed quick-witted, volatile personality he is known for.
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9The Flash
Barry Allen Could Be A Mentor
I didn’t hateThe Flashmovie, instead, I quite liked it — though I absolutely think the multiverse sequence with the cameos is one of the worst decisions I’ve seen from a superhero adaptation. That said, I was not a major fan of Ezra Miller playing Barry Allen.The character never really felt to me like Barry is in the comics, with the DCEU going for a more awkward take on the character.
Given Miller’s controversies and how his Barry Allen was not the ideal one —Grant Gustin’s fromThe Flashseriesrunning laps around him — I firmly believe it would be for the best that a new actor comes in for The Flash in the DCU. I would love it if Gustin were to play a new version of Barry, though that’s very unlikely to happen.I would like to see the DCU adapt the Flash family, with Barry serving as a mentor to younger characters like Wally West, Bart Allen, and others.
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8Wonder Woman
The DCEU Wasted Huge Potential
Gal Gadot’s Wonder Woman was one of my favorite DCEU characters. As such, I would not be opposed to her coming back for the new DC Universe; however, recasting Diana Prince would be for the best. The character’s last solo movie was a major disappointment. The film had an amazing cast and brought to life well-known characters who have crossed paths with Wonder Woman in the comics time and again, thoughWonder Woman 1984got more wrong than right.
Gadot then appeared in cameo roles in two of the final DCEU movies, both of which failed at the box office, further linking herself to the DCEU’s issues. I want Wonder Woman to have a fresh start in the new DCU.The DCEU failed to bring her epic Greek mythology connections to life, and a new actress as Diana could cement that this is a new chapter for the character that can explore more of her comic book lore.
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7Deathstroke
He Was Never Really Used
Joe Maganiello’s Deathstroke was only used in a post-credits scene of the theatricalJustice League, having a bigger role inZack Snyder’s Justice League, though that was not nearly enough for a character of his size. With the DCEU recasting most characters, I believe Deathstroke should be one of those, allowing Gunn and the creative team of whichever project Slade Wilson debuts in to be able to cast the actor that best fits their vision.
I have a guess about where that could be, asthe DCU’s upcoming Teen Titans movie seems like the best place for Deathstroke to appear.Gunn has teased plans for Deathstroke in the DCU, and given the fact that Slade Wilson is the Teen Titans' ultimate villain in DC Comics, it would be great to see him face the team. I loved Esai Morales' Deathstroke in theTitansseries and would gladly take him back in the DCU.
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6Batman
One Of The Crucial DCU Roles
Ben Affleck’s Batman is among my top three favorite iterations of the hero in live-action. That said, I am ready to see a new actor play Bruce Wayne in the DC Universe. Affleck was great as a disillusioned Batman, but I believe the DCU needs a different take on the character.Batman will debut inThe Brave and the Boldreboot.The movie will also see Damian Wayne’s live-action debut.
Besides Damian, Bruce Wayne’s biological son,the Batman reboot will also include other members of the Bat-Family. I am excited to see a new actor who can make Batman a feared foe to his villains but is also more mellow in his relationship with the Bat-Family —not without some tension, I might add — something I don’t quite think Affleck would be the best at. Jensen Ackles would be the DCU’s perfect Batman for me.
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5Cassandra Cain
The DCEU Completely Changed The Character
With the Bat-Family set to appear inThe Brave and the Boldand beyond, there is a character that I simply can’t wait for the DCU to recast.Ella Jay Basco played Cassandra Cainopposite Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn and other iconic female DC characters inBirds of Prey. While I liked Basco in the film, her character was Cassandra Cain only in name, not looking or acting anything like the character does in the comics.
I want to see a Cassandra Cain who can read body language like no one else and is the best fighter of the Bat-Familylike she is in the comics. The DCEU decided to change that and make Cass nothing but a pickpocket, which I very much disliked. Cass has the potential to be one of the DCU’s most charismatic characters, and I think a new actress would be needed to start fresh.
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4Batgirl
Too Much Controversy
Technically, Batgirl never debuted in the DCEU. However, actress Leslie Grace was cast to play Barbara Gordon in thecanceledBatgirlmovie. The project has become one of the most controversial in the DCEU due to how it ended. With production done,Batgirlnever got to see the light of day.The DC movie was deemed un-releasableand started a Warner Bros. Discovery trend of discarding movies and series as tax write-offs.
While Gunn could give Grace a chance to come back and finally play Batgirl in the DCU, I think recasting would be the best way to go.Barbara Gordon has incredible potential in the DCU, being able to appear as both Batgirl and Oracle alongside the Bat-Family, Nightwing specifically, and possible new teams. Using Grace would bring back all the baggage from the canceledBatgirlmovie, something the character and the DCU don’t need to deal with.
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3Cyborg
The Hero Should Be In Another Team
Aside fromZack Snyder’s Justice League,Ray Fisher never got to do much as Cyborg in the DCEU. His character had many scenes cut from the theatrical version ofJustice League. Due to being very public about his experience with the movie’s reshoots and entering a dispute with Warner Bros. executives, Fisher’s Cyborg solo movie and appearance alongside Ezra Miller inThe Flashwere dropped.
Based on the actor’s issues with Warner,there is no way that Fisher will be back as Cyborg in the DCU. Rather than go years without using Victor Stone, I want the new DC Universe to recast Cyborg as soon as possible. I have always been more of a fan of the character as part of the Teen Titans than the Justice League, and with a Teen Titans movie already in the works, Cyborg can get his time to shine in live-action there.
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2Ares
Part Of A Bigger DCEU Problem
Ares was the main villain of Gal Gadot’sWonder Woman. I think he was easily defeated.Ares should have been a recurring DCEU player beyond the first Wonder Woman movie, and his death cemented one of the biggest problems of Gadot’s Wonder Woman. In DC Comics, Diana Prince is deeply tied to Greek mythology; however, the DCEU chose to have Ares be the final living member of the Greek gods.
With Ares' death, the era of the Greek gods came to an endin-universe just as the DCEU was properly starting. That limited the scope of Wonder Woman’s stories, contributing to the eventual issues seen inWonder Woman 1984. While I think David Thewlis is a fine actor, I maintain that he was miscast in the role, and the DCU could bring in a more physically imposing actor as Ares, making the Greek gods part of the new Wonder Woman’s stories.
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1Shazam
The Character’s Two Sides Need To Be Balanced
Finally, the last character from the DCEU that I can’t wait to be recast is Shazam. I’m a fan of both Shazam movies; however, inShazam! Fury of the Gods, I had the same problem with star Zachary Levi that many DC fans had. While I felt he was accurate in the first movie, the sequel presenteda large disconnect between Asher Angel’s emotional performance as Billy Batson and Levi’s aloof Shazam.
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In my opinion, Angel was carrying the dual role as Billy Batson. Given howShazam! Fury of the Godsbombed at the box office, I believe Shazam needs to be recast for the new DC Universe. Actors likeReacher’s Alan Ritchson or evenChris Pratt, who James Gunn wants to bring to the DCU, could do a great job with the role. Shazam needs to be as funny or serious as necessary for each situation, with a balance between Billy and Shazam, making up for theDCEU’s mistake.
DC Universe
The DC Universe is one of the biggest comic book franchises and often competes with Marvel. DC Comics started as National Allied Publications, founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1935. Since then, the franchise has exploded with thousands of comic books, movies, TV shows, and video games. 2013 marked the beginning of the most recent iteration of the superheroes, with Zack Snyder introducing Henry Cavill as Superman. After several movies with mixed reviews, DC underwent a soft reboot under the helm of James Gunn and Peter Safran.
