Here we have another round of casting choices if it were even remotely possible to make an Earth/Universe/Paradise X movie. Let me tell you, it took some thought for this challenge (I hate phoning it in...) and with the length being what it is, we're going into overtime. Er, round three that is. I'll get to them as I get to them, but let's see who's on deck this time:
Reed Richards - Pierce Brosnan: Overcome with grief due to the loss of his wife Sue, as well as Johnny Storm, the former Mr. Fantastic has settled into Doom's castle and wears the armor of Doom as penance. He still works tirelessly to right the world’s wrongs, but is constantly a frustrated man. We need an actor who can seem to take the world's burden on their shoulders and remain strong. We need an actor who can play a tortured genius but also be looked up to by others. I'm tapping Pierce Brosnan to play Mr. Fantastic for this. It may seem odd to some, but I really would feel this performance as Pierce is a more than decent actor and this might give him a reason to stretch out (HA!) and do something a little different for a change. Plus, his voice can have a soft quality to it that I think fits the persona of this older Richards. Lastly, the ladies love Pierce, no matter his age...
X-51/Machine Man - Frank Welker: X-51 is the first character we meet in Earth X and he remains supremely important in the entire series. He is 'recruited' by the old Watcher to be his replacement. However, despite his being a machine, X-51 was built with a conscience and this will contrast with his predecessor’s method of Watching. This character would be 90% CGI, but you need a voice that can be very tragic, torn and conflicted as well as passionate and often sublime. This was the toughest on the list to fill, but I chose to go with one of the current masters of voice acting, Frank Welker. You've heard Frank in countless cartoons (Fred in Scooby Doo, Megatron in the original Transformers, Abu in Aladdin, check Wikipedia for the full list...) but might have never figured that one guy does so many different voices. He has such a range that I often have to check the credits just to find out if he did a voice or not. When you have a difficult decision, it's best to go with the best...
The Thing - Michael Chiklis: After the Fantastic Four disbanded, Ben Grimm settled down with Alicia Masters in New York and have a couple of kids; basically living the American Dream, even if it is cosmically powered. The Thing is one of the few characters that are very close to their main Marvel counterpart, in demeanor, in attitude, and in how he views the world. You might think this selection is a cheat, but I'll let you in on a little secret; casting Michael Chiklis was probably the most perfect choice regarding the Fantastic Four movies (from a fan boys' stance...). He's reportedly a fan of the series and it really shows in the performance he gave us then and Mike would give the same dedication if an Earth X movie was green lit...
Female Thor - Tilda Swinton: Thor was cursed yet again by Odin, by way of Loki's trickery, to inhabit the body of a female in an effort to teach the thunder god further humility. Part of this new curse also entails that if Thor sets foot in Asgard, he will never be able to leave again. The changes Thor experiences over the course of series are deep and very important to plot in each part of the trilogy. I went a little left on this one. There is a distinct lack of large, Norse women in movie worth sticking in this role. So, I went with Tilda Swinton. She's a really good actress plus she has a very intense feeling about her. Even though she is tall and lithe, she can project such power. Also, playing characters like the White Witch and the angel Gabriel were great primers for this role...
Loki - Jude Law: Of all the characters within the X trilogy, Loki changes the most drastically than most of the other Marvel characters. In the confines of Earth X, however, he starts out as most know him best; he's the Norse God of Trickery and Lies and fulfills this role magnificently. To play Loki properly, you need an actor who can make you trust him, but you feel like he would just stab you in the back if you try and double cross him. I'm grabbing Jude Law for this one. He's a very likable guy and plays many likable, sympathetic roles. Jude's also got some serious acting chops outside of character work he has done in recent years. But, every so often I feel like he could just destroy to someone's way of life if he wanted to. That's Loki to a T for me...
Dr. Strange - Vincent Price: Stranded astrally in the land of the dead before the events of Earth X, Dr. Strange is very integral to the overall story line of the X series. I do not want to give any of his parts away but while there will be betrayal from many sides, yet he will remain the Sorcerer Supreme. Yes, this is my second dead actor for this list. Since I can remember, I have thought that Vincent Price would have made an excellent Dr. Strange at any age. He has the poise, the grace, and the presence to be the Sorcerer Supreme. His older actor style fits well with the Dr. Strange aesthetic and would add a touch of class to what may turn into a super hero action romp...
Medusa - Sigourney Weaver: Wife of Black Bolt and Queen of the Inhuman race, Medusa has become much more subdued when we see her appear in Earth X. She is usually known for her fiery temper, but age has dulled her rage and taught her patience even in the face of adversity. A woman with an air of tempered royalty and underlying passion would be needed to play the Queen and I can think of few I'd rather see in this role than Sigourney Weaver. She is a tall and imposing women, capable of both savagery and gentleness (don't believe me? Watch Aliens...) in the roles she takes on. Also, I've got a crush on Ms. Weaver. Sue me...
Luke Cage - Michael Jai White: Known for his mercenary crime-fighting tactics, Luke Cage has grown up from his Heroes-For-Hire days and is now a prominent member of the NYPD. Still fighting crime, the man once known as Power Man is a respected crime fighter in his community, now legitimately taking out the bad guys. I went with Michael Jai White on this one because of his interest in the martial arts, the fact he is the right size for Luke Cage AND in shape for the role, and he has an intense presence about him. Plus, it might redeem him for making Spawn (I doubt many consider 'Black Dynamite' redemption...)...
Cyclops - George Clooney: After the X-Men broke up before Earth X began, Cyclops lived a solitary life speaking telepathically with Phoenix in the land of the dead and doing general good in the community. His relationship with the living Jean Grey deteriorated due to his bond with the Phoenix Force. Captain America sends him circus mutants to train as a new team of X-Men for the upcoming crisis in Earth X. Now, because we are to believe that this aging hero is able to take on a bunch of young mutants and come out on top to be their mentor, you'll need a guy who can show that being old doesn't mean you are weak. I'm going with George Clooney on this one. Much like Bruce Willis, he can still believably do action-type roles that are typically reserved for the 22 to 38 age group. Plus, it'd be a nice apology for Batman & Robin...
As always, your comments are encouraged and welcome (even the off color, tasteless ones...). I'd love to know if you disagree and who you'd see in the roles. This will be the last one of these for a while, but I will get to another round sooner or later. Hit me back...
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