One of the biggest pieces of news from DC FanDome is that, after years of asking and begging from fans, Static Shock is finally getting his own live-action feature film. Now that the news has been released, it’s time to think about who could take on the role of Static himself. Here are five young actors we think could handle the job:
1. Caleb McLaughlin
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McLaughlin is perhaps the most recognizable and mainstream name on the list due to his principal role in Netflix’s Stranger Things. Fans have been wishful casting him for years as Static Shock. Once Stranger Things eventually begins to wrap up, what better way to enter a new era than for the young actor to land the role of Virgil Hawkins. McLaughlin can be seen in his first major film role soon opposite Idris Elba in Concrete Cowboys, which should make him even more of a favorite.
2. Niles Fitch
Currently, Niles Fitch is making audiences cry as 17-year-old Randall Pearson on This Is Us. His acting has been honed through his work on several big projects, including Lifetime’s Army Wives, ABC’s Mistresses, Netflix’s Atypical, and the Denzel Washington-starrer Roman J. Israel, Esq., to name a few. Fitch’s biggest project after This Is Us is starring as Disney’s first Black prince in the Disney+ original movie Secret Society of Second-Born Royals. Why not let Fitch add “history-making superhero” to his description as well?
3. Aubrey Joseph
Aubrey Joseph proved he could play a complex teen in Freeform’s Cloak & Dagger, and he continuesdexploring complexity in Little Fires Everywhere. Joseph also brings experience in playing a superhero to the table; as Cloak, aka Tyrone Johnson, Joseph has become a meaningful part of the Marvel television universe, appearing on Hulu’s Runaways and in Disney XD’s animated Spider-Man series. It might not seem kosher to some fans for Joseph to potentially play in both DC and Marvel projects, but why not? Idris Elba is doing it with the Thor series and The Suicide Squad. Joseph can get in on the action as well. Joseph may skew a little bit older than the other names on this list, but if they do choose to go more mature, he should be considered.
4. Akili McDowell
Akili McDowell shines on OWN’s David Makes Man as the title character. Like Joseph and several others on this list, McDowell tells the audience he has the range by diving into the complexities of Black boyhood and burgeoning manhood. McDowell’s resume is currently growing thanks to other roles, such as his stint Showtime’s Billions. He is also set to reprise his role of David in David Maks Man season 2. With so much happening in his career at the moment, it’d be amazing to see his name next to Static Shock.
5. Alex Hibbert
Alex Hibbert was a young boy when his acting prowess was shown on the big screen in Moonlight, and fans are currently seeing him grow up on Showtime’s The Chi. Hibbert is the right age to sign onto multiple Static Shock sequels, because you know we’re not going to be satisfied with just one Static Shock movie. If this turns out to be the case, Hibbert could be to DC what Spider-Man: Far From Home‘s Tom Holland is to Marvel–a blast of fresh air and youthfulness, reviving a stagnant franchise.
6. SteVonté Hart
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Like Joseph, SteVonté Hart was also a cast member of Little Fires Everywhere, and his capacity for range was also shown on OWN’s Queen Sugar. Like many on this list, Hart’s resume is currently growing, with upcoming projects as well as roles in shorts and TV series like Dolly Parton’s Heartstrings filling out his CV. Little Fires Everywhere was the launching pad for Hart into superstardom, and the perfect project to take him to that next leap is Static Shock.
Who is your pick for Static Shock?
READ MORE:
‘Static Shock’ Live-Action Film In Early Development From Warner Bros. And DC Comics
WATCH: Niles Fitch Is Disney’s First Black Prince In ‘Secret Society of Second Born Royals’ Trailer
