Alpha Flight Casting Debate

[dewline]

Given the recent success of Iron Man at the theatres, and Marvel's announced future plans, I got to thinking over the last day or so about the admittedly distant prospect of an Alpha Flight movie.

For those of you wondering who the Hell I'm talking about at this late date, Alpha Flight was for over twenty years Marvel's standard-bearer team of Canadian-based super-heroes. In the last year or so, they have not been treated kindly by the powers that be at Marvel for reasons that may not surpass understanding, but do surpass your not-humble commentator's patience with the vagaries of the industry.

Looking at that footage from the Hulk trailers of Yonge Street standing in for Harlem in particular got me thinking about the idea. So, without much thought at all...here's what I've been able to figure out so far as to who should be playing which roles.

First off, if you're going to do a movie on Canadian super-heroes, film it here. Cut a deal with a homegrown company to get the job done. I recommend Whizbang Films as the subcontractor of choice. Main reason?

Paul Gross. For both experience as lead actor and showrunner. He resembles James "Guardian" Hudson closely enough that it's almost spooky, and he's not exactly unfamiliar with the superhero genre thanks to Due South. He's got showrunner experience with several TV and motion picture projects over the last decade. He knows Alberta - the backdrop of the beginning of the Flight's origins - like the back of his hand.

For the rest of the cast...

Heather Hudson: Either Julie Stewart (of Cold Squad fame) or Kari Matchett(from Power Play, Men With Brooms, etc.), based on experience and resemblance.

Northstar/Jean-Paul Beaubier: Patrick Huard (Bon Cop, Bad Cop, Les Boys, etc.)

Sasquatch/Walt Langkowski: Someone in conversation suggesed Bruce Campbell. Not sure what I make of it yet. I'll be interested in alternative suggestions.

Anyone else want to chime in with suggestions for characters I've not covered yet?

Comments

Non.

[thebitterguy]

Huard c'est trop butch.

Campbell does not do the job as langowski. Maybe if Patrick Warburton had curly hair, he might be able to do it. A curly haired bloned jew who looks like he played pro football is a tough call.

Re: Non.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Point taken re: Huard. Any alternatives to suggest?

Warburton? I must look this guy up. Any experience this side of the Line?

Re: Non.

[thebitterguy]

Not that I know of, but he played The Tick in the live action version, and does the voice of Brock Sampson on The Venture Brothers.

Quebec Actors and the Beaubier Twins' Roles

[dewline.livejournal.com]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Quebec_actors

I think we can rule Shatner right out immediately for either gig, although if we need someone to play General Jeremy Clarke (http://www.marvunapp.com/Appendix4/clarkegeneralaf.htm), he might be set to sparring with Michael Hogan for the job.

Re: Non.

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Ah. I see from Wikipedia that he's got a history of genre gigs. Not much Canadian experience, but that could be rectified.

[jasonfranks.livejournal.com]

I want to see super-marionettes!

-- JF

[dewline.livejournal.com]

Not remotely what I meant!

*laughs right into an asthma fit...ow!*

[mencc1701.livejournal.com]

It's weird seeing Yonge St. as Harlem. Especially because there a few big giveaways that it's the T-Dot... I'm sure in the film version it'll get even more obvious, especially if you can see buildings in the background.

As for Alpha Flight, I have to admit I'm not terribly familiar with it, but here are some ideas:

Nathan Fillion would be a great choice for a major role. I think he could easily pull off either Northstar or Guardian. He's got a lot of charisma and a good physical presence, and could bring humour to the table as well.

For Sasquatch, how about Aaron Douglas, best known as Chief Tyrol on Battlestar Galactica? I think he's got the look for the role, and has some decent range as an actor.

One other idea is Lorne Cardinal as Shaman. He's one of my favourite Native actors and has great range, much like Fillion.

[(Anonymous)]

You've pointed out three actors that I should have thought of, and all three would certainly fit the roles you propose. I wonder if Dakota House could grow into playing Michael Twoyoungmen in a decade or so as well...?

Apologies...

[dewline.livejournal.com]

...for the anonymous reply to this. That was mine.