Aquaman: 6 Casting Choices

by Mary Anne Butler, Editor/Reporter/Photographer

A friend of mine posted this link onto my facebook wall today with one word attached, “Thoughts?”

Now, I have opinions.  SHOCKER, right?  If you’ve read any of my other editorials, you’ll know I try to base my (read, MY, as in what I would like to see, or think would follow the character the best) casting choices on how the character speaks to me.  This time, it’s his Majesty the King of Atlantis Aquaman, aka Arthur Curry.

Travis Fimmel.  Most of you would know him lately from his role as Ragnar Lothbrook from History’s Vikings.  I’ve had the opportunity to chat with him twice now, once at WonderCon 2013 (photos can be found here) and again at SDCC 2013.  He could EASILY slip into the role of a royal who communes with sea creatures, and yes, his eyes really are that blue.  (Vikings season two starts February 27th on History Channel).

Charlie Hunnan of Sons of Anarchy.  I mean really, have you guys actually WATCHED his other films (other than Pacific Rim, of course).  He is DAMN versatile, and it’d be kind of nice to see him have a leading role where he didn’t have to hide is accent with American rasp.

Liam McInyre from Spartacus.  I had the chance to interview him at DragonCon, and omg is he just a DOLL.  I don’t describe men thus that often, but I have to say, his excitement was infectious.  He seems to always be happy, so maybe that’d be a bit of a stretch as the AC we’re so used to seeing is usually brooding, but maybe they’ll give more of that serious stuff to Batfleck.

Kevin Sorbo.  Sure, he’s not as young as he was in Hercules the Legendary Journey, but did you SEE him in Meet The Spartans?  

Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, who currently plays Jamie Lannister on HBO’s Game of Thrones.  This suggestion I have to give credit to my friend Lord Jazor.  And after he suggested it?  I was like FRAKKING DUH.  Of COURSE he could do this.  

Rick Stafford, cosplayer and all around awesome human being.  You SEE this armor?  Here’s a bit more about Rick taken from an editorial on comics-x-aminer.com:   “I have been costuming all my life as Halloween like a lot of costumers has always been a favorite holiday. Any excuse to be a character was a draw to me. But as I got into my adult life after collage, LIFE got in the way and I got fewer and fewer chances to do costumed events. That all changed when my 6 year old Son was diagnosed with Leukimia. His confines of a hospital led him to watching a lot of Cartoon Network and he got hooked on a series of 5-10min Star Wars animated shorts at the time called The Clone Wars.  We both dressed as Jedi in the hospital and practiced meditation and light saber dueling techniques up until he died at age 8. After that I had two groups called the 501st and Rebel Legion participate in his Celebration of Life Event and after which I was asked to submit application to both.   I was asked to be Aquaman as I looked the part and with all my swimming and SCUBA Diving experience, defiantly lived the part.  To date, I have over 35 complete costumes that range from Sci Fi, to Historical, Horror , Video Games, and Super Heroes. I hope to be costuming for many years to come. My Son Never Got To Grow Up……So Why Should I!!!”

Needless to say, this casting can go any direction, but I’m pretty sure we won’t be seeing Jason Mamoa (who has been rumored to be a VILLAIN for Batman vs. Superman) or Josh Holloway no matter how much we’d love to see what Sawyer REALLY did when he left the island (that’s a Lost reference).

And don’t worry, as soon as we DO hear about casting for any of these rolls, we’ll post about it.