T5W#210-Top 5 Dream Castings for the Live Action Gundam Movie (Round 2)

It’s been a bit since we first heard the confirmation of a Live Action Mobile Suit Gundam feature film being made by Sunrise and Legendary Pictures.  Things have been pretty quiet.  We don’t even know if the project is adapting or borrowing from a preexisting Gundam era or is out to make its own story.  Most importantly (maybe?) we don’t even know who’s starring in this epic live action Anime adaptation.  Well back in April as part of Gundam Month Mark III, I took a stab at some fantasy casting choices (and you can view that list here: http://gundamanimeblog.blogspot.com/2019/04/t5w191-top-5-dream-castings-for-live.html)  But just 5 names is hardly enough to fill out a cast large enough for a Gundam feature.  So today I’m doing a second round with 5 more names and the specific (ish) roles they could play, whether its commanding from the sidelines or piloting the titular mecha itself.  Hopefully we’ll have some actual casting news soon…or I might have to do a third round muahahaha.  Before we get to that possibility, here’s this weeks Top 5 Wednesday: my Top 5 Dream Castings for the Live Action Gundam Movie (Round 2)

#5-Lance Reddick

 

Lance Reddick is an actor I feel is both underrated and underutilized.  From his poised, gentlemen stature to his beyond cool voice, Reddick has delivered solid performances as the Head of the Fringe Division in Fringe and the ever loyal Head Concierge of the Continental in the John Wick series.  His very presence screams “im in charge” without the need for raised voices.  And yet I’d be curious to see what Reddick would be like as a bad guy.  I could see him as maybe some kind of atache to the Zabi’s or even as Bask Oum from Zeta Gundam aka the head of the Titans.  Or heck, he proved he could kick some serious ass in John Wick Chapter 3-Parabellum, send Reddick out as some kind of secret assassin like Meme Midgard from Turn A Gundam.  Whatever the role, small or large, Lance Reddick would bring his all and rule it, maybe even making it one of the stand out acting jobs in a Gundam movie.

#4-Hailee Steinfeld

 

Man has this girl come so far after hitting the ground running.  Hailee Steinfeld drew immediate recognition for her star making role in True Grit and has been one of the “wow” factors of most films shes part of.  So yeah, she’s been in a few heavy hitting Hollywood blockbusters like Bumblebee, so we know Hailee is more than game with Giant Robots.  The reason I slot her into this list is for her singing abilities.  While I cant say that taking the Jpop filled route of Gundam Seed era is the wisest move to make, if they did Hailee would be a solid Lacus Clyne not just for her proven vocals (see Pitch Perfect 2 or that…no need for 3), but because she is so good at the drama aspect of any movie.  And as we all know, when it comes to Lacus Clyne, she might look like a cute pink haired pop star, but underneath it all is a bad ass seeking peace who isn’t afraid to throw down with the toughest politicians.  Beautiful voice and a commanding presence, sign Hailee Steinfeld up for any project…but more importantly this Gundam project ASAP.

#3-Sophie Turner

 

For the last 8 years, Sophie Turner has proved she knows how to play a character who knows her way around politics better than anyone as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones.  Now that her obligation to that show is over, she’s got her pick of the litter of projects considering she was one of the breakout stars of that epic show.  Sophie’s already got tried and true experience with Hollywood blockbusters thanks to her time with the X-Men franchise where she played a young Jean Grey.  If I were to pick a role for her in a Gundam movie, it might very well be someone either in the political arena or in command.  Two ideas that come to mind are maybe an older Mineva Zabi from Gundam Unicorn. or even Lieutenant Matilda, the no nonsense crush of all the boys on White Base.  Sophie Turner’s grown into an incredible actress and her talents could help the Gundam project in a big way.

#2-Richard Harmon

 

Richard Harmon is one of the breakout stars of the hit CW series, The 100.  For six seasons he’s played the sarcastic survivor John Murphy, willing to do whatever it takes to survive while preserving his own soul and making hilarious one liners in the process.  One look at Harmon in this role and I could only think of one important role to play if they go the route of the original One Year War storyline: Kai Shiden.  Kai has one of the more memorable character arcs of the original series, beginning as cynical survivor and evolving into a competent fighter who cares about the family he’s made on White Base.  Murphy totes the line back and forth between redemption and damnation and Richard Harmon could bring that same charming magic to Kai or some other equivocal role in a Gundam movie.

#1-Grant Gustin

Every movie is only as strong as its lead actor.  While he hasn’t had a lot (if any) feature film experience, Grant Gustin still stands as one of my favorite choices for a lead role in a Gundam movie thanks to his role as Barry Allen on The Flash.  Able to bring the drama while being so damn charming and funny, Grant is a hero movie goers can get behind.  In a way, I could see him playing a more competent and likeable Amuro Ray if the One Year War route were to be taken.  But Grant could easily play one of the other lead heroes from a Gundam era like Kamille Bidan, Seabook Arno or even Shiro Amada.  I guess it’s kind of funny that my two top choices for actors in a Gundam movie are both headliners of the Arrowverse (Stephen Amell was top of my last list).  Just goes to show just how special their acting is to me and the world they’ve helped build with that universe.  Who’s to say they cant do the same to Gundam?  (and to be fair, Melissa Benoist aka Supergirl was on my Top 5 Gundam Wing Fantasy Casting Choices as my pick for Dorothy Catalonia so yes you can just cast all of the Arrowverse in the Gundam movie…oh God is there a third Arrowverse exclusive round of this list in the future?).