Now That Bane Is Joining James Gunn’s DCU, Here Are 8 Actors I Think Would Be Perfect As The Batman Villain

As a die-hard fan of superhero movies and a connoisseur of comedic timing, I wholeheartedly agree with these suggestions! Bad Bunny, with his global popularity and physical prowess, would undeniably make an exceptional Bane. His potential to flex those biceps on the big screen is tantalizing, to say the least.

The lineup for upcoming DC Universe films and series has experienced an unexpected twist following the successful debut of HBO’s series “The Penguin,” which continues the plot threads established in Matt Reeves’ “The Batman.” It seems that James Gunn & Co. are keen on giving more villains their moment, as Bane is rumored to share the screen with popular antagonist Deathstroke in a joint movie. This will mark the third live-action portrayal of the powerful character. Here are some casting suggestions I have.

Among all portrayals of Bane across various mediums, it is clear that Tom Hardy’s representation in “The Dark Knight Rises” stands out as the most iconic, delivering a powerful performance and his distinctive voice. In live-action series outside animation, Shane West’s portrayal of Eduardo “Bane” Durrance in the final season of “Gotham” followed suit. However, it remains to be seen who will assume the role for the upcoming movie that is currently being developed.

Dave Bautista

As a devoted fan, I’ve always been thrilled at the prospect of Dave Bautista stepping into the role of Bane, a character that’s long captivated our hearts and minds. Just like us, he seemed equally enthusiastic about the idea of embodying this formidable villain. However, at that time, no suitable projects were in the works for him to join. Fast forward, Bautista has shifted his perspective, now feeling that his age might be a barrier, as taking on such a multi-film commitment could be quite demanding.

If it’s just a single event, I believe Bautista wouldn’t grow out of being an elite choice due to his experience and connection. He’s accustomed to stunt work and intense acting, and has a strong bond with James Gunn from the Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy series. There’s no room for error in this situation.

Laz Alonso

When casting Bane for a DC Universe movie, it would be fitting to keep in mind his Caribbean roots as they play a significant role in his origin story. Given this, I believe that Laz Alonso from “The Boys,” who is of Cuban descent, could deliver an impressive and imposing portrayal of Bane.

A significant aspect of his approach is undeniably his portrayal of Mothers Milk in “The Boys,” which showcases his badass persona. It’s fascinating to watch actors transition between characters at opposite ends of the moral spectrum. Fortunately, I don’t believe he’d encounter any Batman villains wielding a prosthetic penis as a threat.

Édgar Ramírez

An actor hailing from Venezuela, who is proficient in five distinct languages, Édgar Ramírez has consistently demonstrated his value as a versatile performer for any production or ensemble. Typically, he tends to choose higher-quality projects over average ones. (It’s best not to dwell on the 2015 film Point Break.)

Although he hasn’t been involved in any superhero productions so far, he has experience working on big-budget films like “Bright” and “Jungle Cruise”, portraying villainous characters such as those in “The Bourne Ultimatum” and “Wrath of the Titans”, and delivering powerful performances in dramas like “Hands of Stone” and “Carlos”. Given this versatility, it’s likely that he could convincingly deliver a punch to Nightwing, if needed.

Aldis Hodge

Actor Aldis Hodge, who began his career on Sesame Street and has experience with both live-action and animated DC productions (having played Hawkman alongside Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam and voicing John Stewart’s Green Lantern in two different animated DCEU films), might find it a bit tiresome when someone asks him to take on another DC role.

However, one’s talent shouldn’t be overlooked for a new role just because that person was also good enough to land semi-related parts in the past as well. Plus, his father Aldis Basil Hodge and that side of the family hail from St.Thomas in the Virgin Islands, so there are ties to that side of Bane’s life.

Brian Cage

At times, it isn’t just about selecting an experienced dramatic actor for a role, but rather choosing someone who exudes an overwhelming physical presence. This is where professional wrestler Brian Cage steps into the spotlight, leaving destruction in his wake.

At present, Cage is contracted with AEW, and regardless of what he wears, he always cuts an imposing figure. While there are several wrestlers who could convincingly portray a Batman villain due to their size, Cage has stepped into the ring dressed as Bane on more than one occasion, even facing off against Jason Voorhees, and it’s remarkably fitting, though he didn’t manage to shatter any of his opponents’ spines.

Bad Bunny

If the audition requirements include a “Caribbean actor who has widespread international fame, was once attached to a superhero production that got canceled, and now stands out as an ideal candidate,” then Bad Bunny seems like the perfect fit for the role. Although the casting call may not be phrased this way, the essence of the suggestion remains valid.

The Puerto Rican artist has sold numerous albums, acted alongside others in “Bullet Train”, and bravely participated in WWE events like the 2022 Royal Rumble and 2023 Backlash. He was set to make his Spidey-verse debut as El Muerto, but that film was removed from the 2024 schedule. Given his penchant for challenging roles, why not consider him for playing Bane?

Michael Irby

Michael Irby typically isn’t recognized for portraying towering threats that instill fear in those around him, such as on the show “Lopez vs. Lopez”. Contrarily, even when playing Barry’s former mob boss Cristobal, he comes off as composed and professional rather than intimidating.

As a dedicated gamer, watching Edson’s performance spanning five seasons of Mayans M.C. left me yearning for him to tackle even more roles that let him unleash his terrifying potential when enraged. If only the DCU version of Bane could sport a mask that didn’t hide his magnificent mustache, his piercing eyes would more than suffice to convey his desire to discipline Batman with an iron fist. And if we’re lucky, this incarnation of Bane shares my passion for motorcycles!

James Adomian

For those who may not be familiar, James Adomian is the talented comedian and voice actor behind the hilarious adaptation of Bane from TV’s animated series, particularly in Max’s “Harley Quinn” and its spinoff “Kite-Man: Hell Yeah!”. Although his voice mimics Tom Hardy’s portrayal from “The Dark Knight Rises”, it fits the character perfectly.

In my opinion, while Adomian might not be the ideal physical fit for the role, a costume could conceivably make up for that. However, if he’s not interested in playing the character on screen, he could contribute to the character’s voice acting, and another actor (like Brian Cage) could take over as the hulking villain’s body instead. This is similar to how Twisted Metal handled Sweet Tooth’s performance, with Samoa Joe providing the on-set actions and Will Arnett handling the vocal booth duties.

Regardless of whether these productions materialize, I remain optimistic that James Gunn and Peter Safran will deliver high-quality content as they embark on the official launch of DCU, with Gunn’s Superman project, the animated Creature Commandos, and other Chapter 1 initiatives.

2024-10-03 03:37