Plastic Man to the set, please …

I’m not usually into fan-casting very much — not because I don’t think it’s an interesting exercise, but because I’m usually terrible at it.

Still, the recent news that a Justice League movie is planned to spin out of the in-the-works Batman vs. Superman flick got me thinking: Who could play Plastic Man? Don’t get me wrong — I know there’s no way Plas is going to show up in the JLA movie. But that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like it if he did.

A lot of people tend to point to David Tennant when trying to cast Plastic Man, but I think that would be a bad move. SETTLE DOWN. Let me tell you why: First of all, I’m not sure he wouldn’t play the role too big. Yeah, Plas is supposed to be a fun character, but there’s the danger of just turning him into a clown, and I think it’d be too easy for Tennant to take that route (Exhibit A: His scenery-chawin’ appearance as Barty Crouch, Jr. in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire). Secondly … well, let’s be honest, put Tennant in a JLA movie and all anyone’s going to see is the Doctor.

Nope, I’m a big believer in casting relative unknowns in superhero movies (or at least not casting A-list stars), and my choice fits that description, along with a few other criteria. I would cast Jerry Trainor as Plastic Man.

Oh, c’mon, you know — this guy.

Trainor is best known as big brother Spencer on iCarly, the popular live-action show that ran on Nickelodeon for six years. Spencer was a gangly, goofy free-spirit who was nonetheless devoted to responsibly raising his little sister (and who wasn’t above getting into mischief with her and her friends and/or bailing them out of trouble). Trainor’s character was often silly but he knew when to dial it back, and was just as often supportive and in-charge when he needed to take care of business.

Sound like someone we know?

Trainor’s also young, but not too young, and he’s got the right look (you’ve practically just got to slap a pair of goggles on him and you’re ready to go). He could possibly also help bring in a new and loyal fan-base, and there’s nothing wrong with that.

So that’s my choice to play Plastic Man — who’d you like to see in the role?

panel from Plastic Man #16

writer/artist, Kyle Baker

A question (and an answer)

Q: I’m sure you’ve talked about this before, practically every Plastic Man blog/fan has, (even I made a post giving my two cents about it), but I was just interested to know where you stand on the rumor that David Tennant might play Plas in the Justice League movie. I mean, personally I think he’d do him well, but I’m curious to see your take.

The Answer!

Y’know, I’d be perfectly fine with Tennant playing Plastic Man — I’m not sure why people would be so opposed to the idea. I think the only concern I’d have is whether or not he’d be able to pull off a believable American accent (has he ever done one before?).

But other than that, I think you’re exactly right; he’s got the look for sure, and he’s certainly got the acting ability (for both drama and sly humor). You’re right about Tennant’s facial expressions, too; a big, goofy smile is kinda essential to Plas, don’t you think?

My real worry about any depiction of Plastic Man is along the lines of what you mentioned in your own post. I’d hate for someone to do some over-the-top, whacked-out-Jim-Carrey version of Plas — that would be AWFUL. I think I’ve mentioned it before, but Plastic Man isn’t actually silly; he’s a wisecracker, but other than that he’s pretty straightforward. It’s everything around him that’s crazy.

Of course, I’m worried DC is going to go in the other direction and make him TOO serious. Or tortured. Or monstrous. Or whatever it is DC is trying to do nowadays. Still, Geoff Johns did a good job with Aquaman, so there’s hope. Maybe?

If not Tennant, is there someone else you think could fill the role? Who can do Plastic Man justice? I’ll have to put on my thinkin’ cap, but I’d love to hear what you and everyone else thinks.