9 Characters for a Justice Society of America Film
Ever since I was a little boy I’ve adored the heroes of old. The heroes who forged a legacy so strong that decades later it inspired a new generation of heroes to pick up their mantle to deliver justice for all. Heroes like the original Flash and Green Lantern, Jay Garrick and Alan Scott, forged a legacy of justice and comradery so strong it lasted literal decades. The Justice Society of America is the very first ever superhero team up debuting in the late 40’s in the pages of All-Star Comics #3. The original team consisted of Doctor Fate, Hour-Man, Spectre, Sandman, The Atom, The Flash, Green Lantern, and Hawkman. However, just like all live-action adaptations, I decided I’d switch up the roster some and make some tweaks of my own.
James Marsden as Jay “The Flash” Garrick
Jay Garrick is the original Golden Age Flash and he was created in January of 1940 by Gardner Fox and Harry Lampert. Garrick made his debut in the pages of Flash Comics #1 where he gained his powers from inhaling hard water vapors during a smoke break in his lab. Much to Garrick’s surprise, he discovered that he could run at superhuman speeds. Jay is one of the founding and most iconic members of the Justice Society of America. Garrick has always been my favorite Flash and I’d love to see him make the leap to live action as a young hero and much later as the adorable old man we all recognize. X-Men’s James Marsden has the charisma and the wholesome factor to play Jay Garrick.
Johnathan Groff as Alan “Green Lantern” Scott
Alan Scott is the original Golden Age Green Lantern. Alan Scott made his comic book debut in July of 1940 in the pages of All American Comics #16, he was created by Bill Finger and Martin Nodell. Alan Scott received his powers from a mysterious ancient lantern fashioned from an intergalactic entity known as the Starheart. The Lantern instructed Scott on how to fashion it into a ring after saving him from a Trainwreck. He would go on to adopt the superhero identity Green Lantern. Alan Scott’s Green Lantern ring would work on just about anything and protect him from just about anything EXCEPT wood. Scott is one of the founding members of the Justice Society of America. When DC rebooted its coming universe it was announced in 2012 that Alan Scott would be reimagined as a gay man. Frozen’s Johnathan Groff would make for the perfect Alan Scott due to his ability to play both comedic, but also stern and dedicated.
Carmen Ejogo as Dinah “Black Canary” Drake
Dinah Drake is the original Golden age Black Canary, the first to bear the mantle. Dinah Drake is the mother of the present day Black Canary Dinah Laurel Lance. She was created by Robert Kanigher and Carmine Infantino and debuted in the pages of Flash Comics #86 in August of 1947. Dinah started out as a costumed hero who posed as a criminal in order to take down gangs from the inside. Drake, unlike her daughter, had no powers, but just like her daughter, she was excellent at hand to hand combat. Carmen Ejogo has the right amount of badassery to perfectly portray the Golden Age Black Canary and establish the Canary’s legacy in the DCEU. Ejogo is the perfect combination of beauty and skill.
Milo Ventimiglia as Ted “Wildcat” Grant
Wildcat debuted in January of 1942 in the pages of Sensation Comics #1. He was created by Bill Finger and Irwin Hasen. When he debuted, Ted Grant was a young orphaned Heavyweight Boxer who was framed for the murder of his mentor at the hands of a poison needle hiddle in a boxing glove. Grant was framed by his current managers who would later hire a hit on Grant to cover their tracks. However, Grant didn’t die but the cops whose custody he was in did and this resulted in Grant being branded a fugitive Grant took up the identity of Wildcat as a means to clear his name. Grant would later go on to train the 2nd Black Canary, Dinah Lance, whose mother was adamantly against her following in her footsteps. It would be a fun idea to see Milo Ventimiglia play a young Ted Grant because he reminds me so much of Sylvester Stallone and he has the perfect build to play a young Boxer.
John Cho as Charles “Doctor Midnite” McNider
Doctor Midnite made his comic book debut in April of 1941 in the pages of All-American Comics #25. McNider was created by Charles Reizenstein and Stan Aschmeier. McNider was a doctor who through an assassination attempt gained infrared vision allowing him to see perfectly in the dark. McNider is one of the founding members of the JSA and one of my favorite members. John Cho would perfectly portray McNider’s sense of mysteriousness and dedication.
Ricky Whittle as Henry “Commander Steel” Heywood Sr.
Henry Heywood Sr. made his comic book debut in March of 1978 in the pages of Steel #1. He was created by Gerry Conway and Don Heck. Commander Steel was US Marine whose base was attacked by Baron Blitzkrieg in November of 1939. After the attack, the US government repaired Heywood by replacing his bones with a metal and essentially giving his body a metal frame. This frame granted him superhuman abilities like super strength, speed, durability, and more. Ricky Whittle has the perfect boy scout Captain Americaesque look and attitude that’s crucial to Commander Steel.
Amr Waked as Kent “Doctor Fate” Nelson
Kent Nelson made his comic book debut in May of 1940 in the pages of More Fun Comics #55. He was created by Gardner Fox and Howard Sherman. Kent Nelson is the son of an archaeologist whom he helped discover the resting place of the ancient Nabu. Doctor Fate is a powerful sorcerer and ally to the Lords of Order. Kent Nelson’s helmet, cape, and amulet all belong to the powerful immortal being Nabu. Nabu is Nelson’s guide and spiritual mentor in the mystic arts. Amr Waked would perfectly portray the stoic mysticism and wisdom of Doctor Fate.
Sofia Boutella as Shiera “Hawkgirl” Sanders
Shiera Sanders is the original Golden Age Hawkgirl. She made her comic book debut in January of 1940 in the pages of Flash Comics #1. Hawkgirl was created by Garnder Fox and Dennis Neville. She is the wife of Carter Hall and the reincarnation of an ancient Egyptian priestess, Chay-Ara. Her reincarnation cycle was caused when her and her lover Prince Khufu were murdered by the jealous Hath-set with a knife forged from Nth Metal. Hawkgirl is one of DC comics most badass female characters and who better to play her than the stunning and kick ass Sofia Boutella.
Adrian Brody as Wesley “Sandman” Dodds
Wesley Dodds made his comic book debut in April of 1939 in the pages of New York Worlds Fair Comics #1. Sandman was created by Gardner Fox and Bert Christman. Sandman’s “Jewish Catholic” identity is extremely important to the character especially considering he was born in 1910. In the late 30’s Dodd was gifted with portions of Dream of the Endless’s powers. Wesley Dodd had prophetic dreams of murder and crimes. Welsey is extremely intelligent and Adrian Brody would perfectly portray that.
