X-Men: Bel-Air’s Coco Jones could be Storm for Marvel Studios
By Mark Lynch
Bel-Air’s Coco Jones is the perfect actress to play Ororo Monroe, a.k.a. Storm, in a Marvel Studios project.
The X-Men is one of comic books’ most prized franchises. For decades, the Marvel team’s comics have hit readers in the heart with deep and thought provoking storylines. Moreover, their best characters are always layered and continue to evolve. However, most of this hasn’t translated well in the movies.
A few of the X-Men films have been good. However, for the most part, most of them have been lackluster at best. At their worst, they’ve been unwatchable. Harsh, but true.
One of the biggest problems was the casting of one of comic books’ most iconic characters. This writer is speaking of the goddess herself, Storm.
Halle Berry’s Storm wasn’t well-received by a lot of fans. This writer certainly won’t trash her because she wasn’t as bad as some like to think. Alexandra Shipp’s Storm can’t even be accurately graded as she never got enough development or screen time – something she herself alluded at WonderCon a few years back, commenting:
"“… Storm barely has anything to say as it is. I don’t know about [the other actors] but like we never talk. So it would be really nice if we weren’t piled into yet another jam-packed cast, in which you only see me in the back of the shot like f***ing sasquatch.”"
Thankfully, the power is back in the hands of Marvel Studios. That should mean the next actor to play Storm will be the right fit. Marvel’s casting track record for the Marvel Cinematic Universe speaks for itself.
If this writer had to pick someone to play the role of Storm, though, he’d go with Coco Jones from the Peacock hit Bel-Air.
Coco Jones has a the presence of Marvel’s Storm
This writer took a weekend and binged all of the Bel-Air episodes. While it’s not like the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, it’s still a fantastic show. Among the people that make the show so great is Coco Jones, who took the role of Hilary Banks and completely turned it on its head.
Coco Jones isn’t playing a spoiled woman obsessed with money. This Hilary wants to make her own way and her own money. She’s shown this by actually leaving the Banks’ mansion, moving out on her own, and trying to create her own social media empire.
Throughout the show, this writer has seen qualities from Coco Jones that resemble Storm. It isn’t just her dark complexion (which is something this writer believes is a must) and statuesque beauty. She’s displayed other characteristics that make her the perfect choice.
The biggest part is Coco Jones’ presence. She stole the scene whenever she was on screen. She was powerful when she spoke, even her stance said strength. Her head was always held high and she always stood taller than anyone. Not physically. She just seemed to be the center of attention even when she wasn’t speaking. Her screen presence speaks for itself.
This is one of the biggest needs with Storm. Storm doesn’t need to have the leader title to be in charge. Cyclops, Professor Xavier, and T’Challa are leaders who know to defer to her at times. Her position in Krakoa and Arakko are prime examples of this.
Presence was one of the problems with the other two women playing Storm in the movies. They either didn’t have the presence we’ve come to expect from Storm or just weren’t given the opportunity to showcase it. In this case, Coco Jones would take the spotlight without even trying – she’d be able to shine even in the shadows.
What do you think, readers? Is Coco Jones the right person to play Storm in the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Let us know in the comments below.