10 actors who could play Martian Manhunter in the DCEU
By Jacob Craig
Martian Manhunter is set to join the DCEU, but who could play the last Green Martian?
According to We Got This Covered, Martian Manhunter could be the next DC superhero to grace the silver screen in his own film, and this is a development that is long overdue. Despite the success of the fellow underrepresented character Shazam’s movie, very few people anticipated that a Martian Manhunter movie would actually come to fruition, so this comes as a pleasant surprise to a lot of people.
Martian Manhunter is a character that everyone wants to see in the Justice League, so this may be his route to do just that. Much like Shazam and possibly Hal Jordan, getting his own movie could easily signal him being included in a sequel to 2017’s Justice League.
However, with the absence of Superman, Batman, Cyborg, and possibly even the Flash, the DCEU is currently surviving only on solo films. With that being said, a very strong Martian Manhunter needs to be cast in order to help keep the DCEU alive, so here are a few options that may be suitable for J’onn J’onzz.t;a
1. Denzel Washington
HOLLYWOOD, CA – JULY 17: Denzel Washington attends the premiere of Columbia Pictures’ “Equalizer 2” at the TCL Chinese Theatre on July 17, 2018 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images)
Denzel Washington has long been a popular choice for Martian Manhunter, so with the opportunity finally on the horizon, now may be his only chance. However, while his performance in the role would definitely not be questioned, he may not have a lot of longevity as the character at 64. This hasn’t stopped him from starring in action films such as The Equalizer 2, but will his age be the lone, hindering factor for his casting? Only time will tell.
2. Vin Diesel
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 30: Vin Diesel speaks onstage at the 50th NAACP Image Awards at Dolby Theatre on March 30, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Much like Denzel Washington, Vin Diesel has been a go-to option for Martian Manhunter for years. Diesel has already firmly embedded himself into comic book movie history with his roles as Groot and as the titular character in the upcoming Bloodshot, but he is somebody who has always taken part in multiple franchises. So a starring role as Martian Manhunter isn’t out of the question. Vin has the deep voice, strong demeanor, and mysterious presence that people look for in J’onn J’onzz, and his casting would be a dream come true for a large demographic on DC fans.
3. Chiwetel Ejiofor
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 26: Chiwetel Ejiofor speaks at SAG-AFTRA Foundation Conversations: “The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind” at The Robin Williams Center on February 26, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)
While Chiwetel Ejiofor has yet to have a truly career defining performance, he has been in some of the greatest movies of our generation, and it is about time for him to stand alone as a huge star. Ejiofor has always been apart of amazing cast ensembles – such as in 12 Years a Slave and The Martian – but he has never really starred in a movie as the main attraction, and that could change as Martian Manhunter. He undoubtedly has the acting presence and look for the role so, if he were to get into the kind of shape that Martian Manhunter is expected to be in, then he could give an excellent rendition of the character.
4. Sterling K. Brown
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – APRIL 11: Sterling K. Brown attends the premiere of 20th Century Fox’s “Breakthrough” at Westwood Regency Theater on April 11, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Rodin Eckenroth/Getty Images)
Sterling K. Brown has become a huge breakout star through the hit series This is Us, and has since appeared in movies non-stop. While he has usually been the antagonist or a side character, Brown is certainly popular enough to star in his own film, and Martian Manhunter could be the perfect chance for him to do just that. Brown has the perfect look and acting style for the character and, if he were to be cast as everyone’s favorite Green Martian, then the DCEU would gain a valuable asset for its future.
5. Benedict Cumberbatch
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 03: Benedict Cumberbatch attends “Dr. Seuss’ The Grinch” New York premiere at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center on November 3, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by John Lamparski/Getty Images)
Benedict Cumberbatch has now become a staple of the Marvel universe with his role as Doctor Strange but, with his character’s fate uncertain until Avengers: Endgame, the time may be right for him to venture into other franchises. As far as the DCEU goes, the only character that Cumberbatch should be given is Martian Manhunter, or else he would be criminally underused. His unique facial structure and quaint, British acting style could be greatly utilized for J’onn J’onzz, and his addition to the Justice League could be enough to completely revitalize the superhero team.
6. Colman Domingo
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA – JANUARY 31: Coleman Domingo attends The Casting Society of America’s 34th Annual Artios Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on January 31, 2019 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by John Wolfsohn/Getty Images)
Colman Domingo is not necessarily a movie star, but he has looked excellent on television shows, such as Fear the Walking Dead, and he could be a contender for Martian Manhunter based on his voice alone. Domingo has the type of distinct dialect and vocal tone that can be recognized anywhere, and that could be an important factor for his casting as Martian Manhunter. Much like Ejiofor, Domingo would have to get into the proper shape for the character, but his look and acting prowess should be enough to snag him the part.
7. Mahershala Ali
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 24: Mahershala Ali, winner of the Actor in a Supporting Role award for ‘Green Book,’ attends the 91st Annual Academy Awards Governors Ball at Hollywood and Highland on February 24, 2019 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)
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Mahershala Ali is known for his award-winning performances in films such as Moonlight, Green Book, and Hidden Figures, and his fan favorite role as Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes in the first season of Marvel’s Luke Cage, which is a resume that should get him cast in any film he may want to be in. Ali is known for his iconic, deep voice and his introspective, sophisticated monologues, and those are two qualities that could be utilized perfectly for Martian Manhunter. He would most likely be a welcome addition to the DCEU, and he would most certainly make for a compelling rendition of J’onn J’onzz.
8. Benicio Del Toro
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 18: Actor Benicio del Toro attends the New York screening of “Sicario: Day Of The Soldado” on June 18, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
Benicio Del Toro has always been an enigmatic actor with a mysterious and sometimes menacing acting style, and that could be an interesting factor to consider when casting Martian Manhunter. However, while the acting quality will never be questioned, does Del Toro have the look for the character? He would have to go through some rigorous training in order to get into superhero shape, but once he’s there, fans might think that he’s really an alien.
9. Tyrese Gibson
LOS ANGELES, CA – MAY 07: Actor Tyrese Gibson attends the 2017 MTV Movie And TV Awards at The Shrine Auditorium on May 7, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)
Unlike most of the list so far, Tyrese Gibson is a muscular, handsome, and vibrant action star, who has been the one of the faces of the Fast and the Furious franchise for years now, and DC fans may actually remember hearing his name thrown around for a different character. Gibson launched a social media campaign to play John Stewart before the rumors that Lance Gross was cast in the role, and, while that would be an excellent casting, Martian Manhunter may be just as likely. He certainly has the body and the natural hair style (or lack thereof) for J’onzz, and he would be a monumental addition to the DCEU.
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10. Paul Bettany
NEW YORK, NY – OCTOBER 25: Paul Bettany and Marie-Amelie Sauve attend the Louis Vuitton X Grace Coddington Event on October 25, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Louis Vuitton)
Marvel fans undoubtedly know Paul Bettany for his portrayal of Vision in the MCU, and that is the perfect audition tape for Martian Manhunter. If Bettany were to be willing to play a character so similar to his Marvel counterpart, then he would be the best choice available to bring J’onn J’onzz to life. He has the cold, reserved demeanor that Martian Manhunter often exhibits and, if he were to join the DCEU as well as the MCU, then the two universes would be much closer to being equals.
Who do you think should play Martian Manhunter? Let us know in the comments!