Legendary and Hasbro have announced the plans for television and film universes based on Magic: The Gathering. Without any full specifics on filmmakers or showrunners in talked, the door is open to find which actors can step into a Planeswalker’s place and see if Magic: The Gathering can continue to add to the good adaptation watchlist. While each Planeswalker has their own lore, we’re here to cast on vibes and sometimes personality. Hitting the mark when it comes to physically embodying the character is the first step.
Anya Taylor Joy as Chandra Nalaar
This casting isn’t entirely based on the Mad Max aesthetic, but Furiosa does have a lot to do with it. Anya Taylor Joy has been demure and wispy, loud and punk, and fronted a big action blockbuster. And if there is one thing she’s proven she can do with her role is she can be chaotic and make an impact. So who better to play Magic’s pansexual mess?
Anna Diop as Kaya Cassir
Anna Diop is an actress who’s work outside other debut role have landed with critics. While she may have gotten the shortened of the costume stick in the first season of HBO’s Titans she has the charisma and action training to nail Kaya’s deadly assassin identity.
Manny Jacinto as Oko
Two words: bone structure. Yes, this is a thirst choice above all else but if you’ve watched Manny Jacinto’s varied filmography, he has the acting chops to pull off just about any script’s genre. Most importantly, though, his cheekbones fit the mold. Manny Jacinto brings everything he can to any role and action is a place he’s shown he can excel. He can charm, he can fight, and with his recent role in The Acolyte he can turn on a dime. It really doesn’t get better. Get him as a half-fae shapeshifting man who loves how he looks? Yup, that’s something he can pull off.
Rina Sawayama as The Wanderer
When it came to The Wanderer, I had to find a woman who had action chops, an intimidating aura, and is just an all around badass. That pretty much sums up Rina Sawayama in her role in John Wick Chapter 4. A triple threat singer-actress-model, Sawayama’s primary acting role has been in the action instant classic but her ability to work a camera is undeniable, and wielding a blade is something she isn’t a stranger too.
Colman Domingo as Teferi Akosa
This is a personal choice for me more than how Colman Domingo nails Teferi’s likeness. Domingo is an acting force who is in contention for an Oscar for best actor for the second time in a row. He has the height and presence, and if you want an actor who can take you from a Planeswalker who lost his spark and goes on a journey to regain it just to lose it again? Look no further than the acting depth of Colman Domingo. He brings charisma, he can bring intimidation, and he brings care. From Fear The Walking Dead to a career-defining performance in Sing Sing, this is the perfect way to add even more variety to his filmography.
Mikey Madison as Liliana Vess
Another Oscar nominee, Mikey Madsen is absolutely a fantastic actress. But while she was on everyone’s must watch list after Anora it was Mikey Madsen’s unhinged third act reveal in Scream (2022) as Amber, the obsessed Stab fan. Beautiful and absolutely capable of bringing both “she’ll me” and “that’s okay” to the party, she’s perfect for Liliana’s versatility and embodiment of darkness. And if the Anora press your was anything, she looks great in purple lighting.
Benedict Cumberbatch as Nicol Bolas
Yes, I made this casting just to use Benedict Cumberbatch as Smaug in the image above this blur. No, I’m not sorry. Given Bolasbatch please.
Henry Cavill as Garruk Wildspeaker
Henry Cavill, the nerd extraordinaire himself, was a must for this list in some form. When he isn’t building computers or painting Warhammer minifigs, Cavill is working to get passion projects of his favorite franchises off the ground in the live-action adaptation space. The passion he brings to projects is unrestrained, and I mean, who doesn’t want to see Cavill as a Druid.
Anna Sawai as Narset
Anna Sawai is on a tear. From the kaiju-focused Monarch: Legacy of Monsters and then one of the best dramas on television with Pachinko, and finally, the Emmy-sweeping Shogun, any budding universe would be lucky to have her. Narset seems like a natural when it comes to the planeswalker’s curiosity and intelligence. While we haven’t seen her take on an action role yet, there’s always a first time for something.
Tati Gabrielle as Vraska
Tati Gabrielle solidified herself as a badass witch in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. Magic, swords, walking through hell, as Prudence she became a fan favorite balancing sexy and deadly in the same way that Vraska does, or well, like any good Gorgon does.
Sam Hazeldine as Sorin Markov
This was probably the easiest pick on this live-action Magic: The Gathering casting list for me. Sam Hazledine played Adar in Rings of Power Season 2 and he killed it. While I didn’t always loved the direction his character was going within the larger narrative Hazeldine was always an intimidating watch. Not to mention the similarities visually between Hazeldine as Adar and Sorin are uncanny.
Mabel Cadena as Huatli
Mexican actress Mabel Cadena has a long filmography in Spanish-language television, but her role as Namora in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever sealed the deal for me. Hualti is a warrior, first and foremost inspired by Mesoamerican warriors. It’s an aesthetic that Cadena brought to life in her Hollywood debut, and her experience with stunt work is paramount for making any Ixalan adaptation work. Not to mention, she’s already proven her action chops to take on Hualti’s warrior identity.
Post Malone as Comet
Look Post Malone isn’t an actor by trade and in his guest spots he shows it. But if there is something live action for Magic: The Gathering one of the largest celebrity fans of the game is a must. So why not a voice role as Comet?
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