Dream Casting is an imaginative look at the casting process of potential Hollywood projects based on comics and other media. This isn't just about what is being made; this is about what should be made, and who we think should be the stars.
Marvel surprised everyone with the announcement that indie filmmaker Chloe Zhao is directing a movie based on Jack Kirby's Eternals. Despite featuring characteristically great art by Kirby, it's not a series or a team people have given a lot of thought to over the years, one Neil Gaiman comic aside.
The Eternals are a race of powerful immortals who secretly share the Earth with humankind. They're not gods, but they're the people humans have mistaken for gods over the millennia. Here's a cast featuring all the key members of the pantheon.
Sam Claflin as Ikaris
It often feels like there aren't any actors left with superheroic looks who haven't already played a prominent superhero or two. Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games: Catching Fire) is bit less generic than comic book Ikaris, but he's certainly handsome enough to pass as an immortal god.
Riz Ahmed as Ajak
Riz Ahmed (Rogue One) can pull off some version of Ajak's weird ornate armor, but hopefully he'll take the helmet off more often.
Phoebe Tonkin as Margo Damian
Margo is a pretty by-the-numbers love interest character, but with Phoebe Tonkin (The Originals) in the role we can hopefully reach for something a little more interesting.
Geoffrey Rush as Doctor Damian
Geoffrey Rush (Genius, Pirates of the Caribbean) is always a delightful presence, and his impishness will add personality to the character of Margo's scientist father.
Constance Wu as Sersi
Crazy Rich Asians and recent award show appearances have proven how glamorous Constance Wu can be, which will aid her well as the immortal witch Sersi.
Manny Jacinto as Makkari
Manny Jacinto plays an extraordinarily silly character on The Good Place, but he's so talented and handsome that it's just a matter of time until he breaks out into other roles. His energetic presence will make for a perfect speedster.
Natalie Dormer as Thena
Natalie Dormer (Game of Thrones) is great at projecting great intelligence while also looking gorgeous and seeming formidable. In other words, she's ideal for the part of an immortal warrior scholar.
Viggo Mortensen as Zuras
Viggo Mortensen (The Lord of the Rings) is getting up there in years, but he's still an imposing physical actor of great skill, and he'd be a perfect father figure for the Eternals.
Dwayne Johnson as the Forgotten One
The Forgotten One, sometimes called Gilgamesh, is an immortal warrior who's been fighting monsters since the dawn of time. Dwayne Johnson was born for such a part, and if he gets to deadpan the line "It doesn't matter what my name is," even better.
Jeffrey Wright as Kro
Kro is incredibly complex character, particularly for a guy who's also sort of the devil. Jeffrey Wright (Westworld) can get the most out of such an interesting and morally gray character.
Timothy Spall as Tode
Timothy Spall (Mr. Turner, Harry Potter) has just the sort of voice you want to hear from the froglike king a secret race of monsters (no offense to Mr. Spall).