Dwayne Johnson as X-Men’s Gladiator

  A Geek can dream: Dwayne Johnson could be playing a Greek demigod or an alien bounty hunter next but I think he was born to play another famous comic book alien. Johnson is in talks to play Hercules based on Radical Publishing’s Hercules The Thracian Wars and Lobo of DC Comics.

 After reading Wolverine and the X-Men #13 it came to me how Johnson would be perfect as Gladiator, the ultimate Shi’ar warrior turned Emperor. I don’t want to spoil the ending of that issue so I’ll go back in time.

  I was a young geek when I first marveled at Gladiator and the Shi’ar Imperial Guard. Chris Claremont, John Byrne and Terry Austin had already blown my mind with what would become the Dark Phoenix Saga. As I opened Uncanny X-Men #137 to see my favorite heroes on a Shi’ar spacecraft surrounded by Empress Lilandra and her Imperial Guard. This elite squadron of warriors was led by a muscle-bound alien with mohawk.   Gladiator (real name Kallark) is a Strontian warrior created by Claremont and Dave Cockrum. Strontians have the capacity for incredible strength and various powers as long as they are completely devoted to a sole purpose. Kind of a Zen Superman.

Wolverine and the X-Men #13 courtesy Marvel.com

  Gladiator has fought with and against the X-Men to protect the universe from the Phoenix. Emperor Kallark now leads the Shi’ar Empire and his son is at Wolverine’s school – protected by Warbird. The Phoenix is back on Earth. Gladiator and his Shi’ar army arrived to save his son and take on the Phoenix Five in a cosmic throwdown.

 Only the Marvel editors know the final fate of Gladiator after this week’s Avengers vs X-Men tie-in but the Marvel Universe would not be as amazing without him in it.

Fantastic Four #249 courtesy Marvel.com

  Given the cosmic direction Marvel movies are going maybe we’ll see the Shi’ar Empire in an Avengers sequel or the Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Dwayne Johnson has the powerhouse body and presence to portray one of the coolest aliens to grace comic books and may be it’s worth considerating a Gladiator series and solo movie. Thanks for reading the casting dream of a devoted geek.

By Editor

Dwayne Johnson as LOBO?

 

DC Presents Lobo #1 courtesy DC Comics

  It looks like The Rock could be playing The Main Man! Dwayne Johnson revealed via Twitter that he is in talks to play Lobo, the intergalactic bounter hunter of DC Comics.

 “Rumors of me possibly playing LOBO are true. Joel Silver and Brad Peyton working on it now. That could be fun” he states on Twitter.

  Thanks to Dark Horizons.

  Johnson is in talks to play Hercules too. This film would be based on Hercules: The Thracian Wars from Radical Publishing.

By Editor

Top 5 Comic Book Picks for 6/13/12

Batman #10 courtesy DC Comics

Batman #10 The Court of Owls have manipulated Gotham City and Bruce Wayne. The sinister society’s assassins  have invaded the Batcave and threatened innocent lives. Batman takes the fight to them! DC promises that we’ll discover the mastermind behind the Court.

Avengers #27 Earth’s Mightiest Heroes betrayed by one of their own. Why this hero may have to kill his teammates to execute his own secret agenda. How the return of the Phoenix Force is tied to one of the most powerful alien empires in the Marvel Universe.

Deathstroke #10 Three words: Deathstroke, Liefeld, Lobo! Need more? Earth’s most ruthless mercenary/assassin written/drawn by Rob Liefeld out to hunt the most bad ass bounty hunter in the universe.

Uncanny X-Force #26 A clan of killers grown from one of Wolverine’s deadliest enemies. A brand new Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. Logan’s covert team has their hands full and Psylocke reunites with the ex-lover she killed.

Spider-Men by Jim Cheung courtesy Marvel.com

Spider-Men #1 Ultimate Spider-Man Miles Morales meets Friendly Neighborhood Peter Parker. Two Spideys. One historic story.

By Editor

DC’s Team Liefeld Revealed and Deathstroke Versus Lobo!

Deathstroke courtesy DC Comics

 

  Rob Liefeld is bringing his style to 3 DC Comics The New 52 titles. Today the full creative teams were unveiled on The Source.

  Grifter – Frank Tieri scripting Liefeld’s stories with Scott Clark on art.

Savage Hawkman courtesy DC Comics

  The Savage Hawkman – Mark Poulton scripts with Joe Bennett on art.

  Deathstroke – Liefeld will write and draw DC’s ultimate merc. His first storyline: Deathstroke versus intergalactic bounter hunter Lobo!

Grifter courtesy DC Comics

  Team Liefeld debuts in May with issues # 9 of each title.

  Can I get some Hawkwoman back? Kendra or Shayera – your pick!