The DCEU has a lot in store for the next few years, and though they’ve gotten off to a rocky start their plans to bring their heroes to the big screen is still happening as expected. Regardless of how you may feel about Warner Bros. and DC’s budding film universe, excitement is still to be had as you know you want to see these guys come to life. Below are some of the actors that we envision reciting the Green Lantern oath: “In brightest day, in blackest night, No evil shall escape my sight. Let those who worship evil’s might, Beware my power, Green Lantern’s light!”
Jake Gyllenhaal as Hal Jordan
Jake Gyllenhaal is no stranger to the fantastical, having starred as “Dastan” in Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, so we don’t see why thia would be much of a stretch. Gyllenhaal has grown to be quite the actor with films such as Prisoners and Nightcrawler serving as platforms to show off his range, and the guy has an amazing presence when onscreen. While superheroes aren’t in his repertoire, Gyllenhaal’s name almost always makes the shortlist for heroes as far as fan casting is concerned, with Spider-Man and Batman being the most common. To see someone of Gyllenhaal’s caliber take the lead role in a film about space police is surely going to perk some ears and his Oscar worthy talent would match up nice alongside Ben Affleck’s Batman in future DCEU films.
Mahershala Ali as John Stewart
Currently up for a Best Supporting Actor at the 89th Academy Awards, Mahershala Ali is something of a hot commodity. The actor, whose resume spans from drug dealers to African death squad soldiers earned plenty of recognition in 2016 for his performances in Moonlight and the Marvel/Netflix series “Luke Cage,” which saw Ali in the role of “Cottonmouth.” Unfortunately (spoilers) the character doesn’t make it to the end of the season which, fortunately, opens the door for a plethora of other roles. Having spent much of his career as secondary characters, it would be absolutely refreshing to see Ali in a heroic lead role.
Elizabeth Rodriguez as Jessica Cruz
This one may seem out the box, but Michelle Rodriguez doesn’t seem enthusiastic about hearing her name in the mix. Elizabeth Rodriguez (no relation to Michelle) has been around for some time but first made an impression on me as “Detective Gina Calabrese” in Michael Mann’s adaptation of Miami Vice. While the role was small, it consisted of Rodriguez portraying a badass, shoot-to-kill cop who was as deadly as she was attractive. But if that doesn’t ring any bells, the actress has also been a mainstay on the hit drama “Orange Is The New Black”, and also appeared in the first season of “Fear The Walking Dead.”
Idris Elba as Kilowog
We know… Elba is a fan favorite for John Stewart but he’d truly be great for Kilowog. Not much of a character actor, Elba’s presence on film is usually a force to be reckoned with and could definitely help build the reputation as one of Earth’s protectors. Previously portrayed by the late Michael Clarke Duncan in 2011’s Green Lantern, Kilowog serves as a trainer for new recruits and is extremely formidable in battle. With his role as “Heimdall” in the Marvel Cinematic Universe possibly coming to an end following the events of Thor: Ragnarok, Elba could definitely make the switch to the DCEU and wreak intergalactic havoc, to even greater lengths than the Asgardian gatekeeper.