Fans of the new DC Universe have been enjoying a lot of news lately. James Gunn's Superman: Legacy has cast David Corenswet as Clark Kent and Rachel Brosnahan as Lois Lane, teasing fans what to expect for the next Man of Steel adventure. However, there's also been movement on the villainous front.
It's come via rumors suggesting Bill Skarsgård is up to play Lex Luthor. Admittedly, Skarsgård would be a tour de force as this villain -- something John Wick: Chapter 4 already showed with his portrayal of the aristocratic killer, The Marquis. However, such a move would really be predictable typecasting. Instead, the DCU should actually leverage Skarsgård's talents as a hero and redefine what he's meant for on the big screen.
Bill Skarsgård Is Overdone as Haunting Characters
Now, Skarsgård has the glaring eyes, the laugh and the sinister look down. It's why he was cast as Pennywise for the It reboot and why he's mostly viewed as someone who should play the bad guy. However, Skarsgård has had quite a few heroic roles that show his rangeVillains had Skarsgård as a bandit fighting off folks who kidnapped a young girl; Barbarian had him as an unwitting house guest who got attacked by a vicious monster; Soulmates placed him in a queer love story trying to find his destiny, and Nine Days used him as a guy trying to prove to himself the world wasn't a bad place.
So, he's more than just a lost or bloodthirsty character. On top of that, these villainous roles will be explored even further when Skarsgård stars as Eric Draven in The Crow and as Count Orlok in Robert Eggers' Nosferatu. If the DCU follows this path with such a skilled, versatile actor, it'd just feel uninspired.
Bill Skarsgård Is the Right Age and Fit for a Hero
As for which roles Skarsgård can take on, there are many. At just 32 years, he can play Hal Jordan in the upcoming Lanterns TV show. Given Corenswet's 29, he'd sync up perfectly with the age bracket Gunn's team is targeting. Skarsgård can even be in the running for Bruce Wayne if the DCU doesn't want a Dark Knight that's too old and grizzled. This matches him up for when the DCU does its take on the World's Finest.
Of course, the DCU can blur the lines and have Skarsgård play tortured characters but with a virtuous edge. The Authority's Apollo and Midnighter are some examples. Plus, he could be a great fit for Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny director, James Mangold, when the visionary takes on the Swamp Thing project. Skarsgård, as a broken Alec Holland seeking his humanity would indeed mix the best of both worlds when it comes to the actor's creative engine and overall essence.
While Skarsgård would be powerful as the iconic Lex, it doesn't feel like it would test his mettle. He'd easily nail that role, so why not go for a challenge in the rebooted DCU? It could be akin to when Marvel decided to take a chance on Chris Pratt and make him their Star-Lord, moving away from the dark action or comedy roles he was engulfed in earlier on. He turned out to be a winner, and the DCU can easily follow that formula.