Superheroes dominate the entertainment landscape of the modern era. While they generate billions of dollars in revenue from theaters, Hollywood is shifting much of their attention towards streaming services. Streaming services such as HBO Max, Disney+, and Prime Video have developed content based on comic book properties including Peacemaker, WandaVision, Invincible, and The Boys. What’s more, each series has performed incredibly well, leading to the development of even more superhero-based television series. Matt Reeves’ upcoming The Batman reboot will additionally establish a new shared universe, already prompting two in-development spinoff series on HBO Max.
Additionally, there are also reports that a DC film based on another Batman universe character, Jason Todd, is currently in early development for HBO Max. This comes after Red Hood’s live-action appearance in the Titanstelevision series, which is also on HBO Max. Rumors suggest that the new Batgirl film will lead to a Nightwing film that connects to Red Hood. Right now, Red Hood has yet to be cast, but here are seven actors we believe have great potential to play the iconic DC character.
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7 Taron Egerton
Summit Entertainment
Taron Egerton is one of the most popular fan-castings for Red Hood. Many comic book fans want Egerton to play Wolverine in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. However, if that never comes to fruition, Egerton could play Jason Todd for DC. He is a phenomenal actor appearing in films such as Kingsman: The Secret Service, Rocketman, and Robin Hood. The actor is still relatively young and has already previously worked with Warner Bros. His character in the Kingsman franchise, Eggsy, starts off as a trouble-making street kid. The character’s cockiness and rebellious traits would transfer over to the role of Red Hood. Neither Eggsy nor Red Hood are characters that sit back trusting authority figures to carry out justice.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
6 Curran Walters
Warner Bros.
Curran Walters already plays Jason Todd in DC’s Titans. In the series’ third season, Jason leaves the Titans to become Red Hood. It is currently unknown what universe HBO Max’s Red Hood film will be part of. Titans is not part of the DCEU, the CW (commonly referred to as the “Arrowverse”), or the universe of The Batman. However, the upcoming Flash film will introduce characters from DC’s Multiverse. This allows characters to cross universes, meaning DC characters from one franchise can join another.
Walters’ performance as Jason Todd is a major highlight of Titans. He is clearly passionate about the role and portrays all of Jason’s emotional complexity. The strength and determination, as well as the character’s fear and insecurity are all on full display.
5 Tanner Buchanan
Netflix
According to a report from The Hashtag Show, young actor Tanner Buchanan is capturing Warner Bros’ interest regarding the role of Jason Todd. Coming from Cobra Kai, Buchanan is already experienced in playing a fighter that often finds himself in trouble. Buchanan’s character is the estranged son of an older Johnny Lawrence from The Karate Kid. Similarly, the character of Red Hood also experiences fractured relationships with other members of the Batfamily including Batman. Although Buchanan has expressed interest in playing a superhero, the role of Red Hood may also be a great fit. If the casting rumors are true and Buchanan is cast as Red Hood, it is hard to imagine him not doing a great job.
4 Nicholas Hamilton
Quiver Distribution
Best known for playing Henry Bowers, the bully in IT and IT Chapter Two, Nicholas Hamilton is a rising actor to look out for. IT already proves that Hamilton can play an intense character and intimidating antagonist very well. Hamilton has also shown a much softer side, portraying a young man madly in love in Endless. Hamilton’s performances across film and television show lots of promise.
3 Kofi Siriboe
HBO
An incredibly talented and charismatic actor, Kofi Siriboe is on MSN’s “Top 20 Young Male Actors Under 30.” Siriboe plays a young man facing many challenges after being released from prison in Ava DuVernay’s drama series Queen Sugar. Siriboe also makes an appearance in HBO’s comedy-drama series Insecure, and even the music video for Doja Cat’s “Streets.” While Siriboe is currently not part of any blockbuster film franchise, an actor who is less recognizable may be for the better when casting a major new character in the DC universe. The effortless charm Siriboe brings is perfectly suited for Red Hood. Especially when a more edgy, morally conflicted character needs to be likable.
2 Dacre Montgomery
Lionsgate
Stranger Things’ Billy Hargrove commands the screen during his two seasons on the show. Billy is a charming but aggressive teenager who hides a lot of personal conflict within. He does his best to avoid dealing with it, which manifests in rage-filled behavior towards his stepsister Max and her friends. But there is also light in Billy; there is a heroic side. The show killed off Billy in the third season, allowing actor Dacre Montgomery to soon tackle another franchise.
Additionally, Montgomery plays the Red Ranger in the 2017 Power Rangers film. He already plays a character associated with the color red in the world of superheroes. Both Red Hood and the Red Ranger are characters that make major mistakes and have a bit of a temper. But both are leaders and strong characters with very big ambitions.
1 Keean Johnson
20th Century Fox
Appearing in Alita: Battle Angel, Euphoria, and Spooksville, Keean Johnson is a talented young actor in Hollywood. Johnson plays a lead role in Alita, portraying a character that is very flawed and experiencing conflict surrounding his morals. However, he still cares strongly for other people including Alita. These struggles, the balance between light and dark, are central to the character of Jason Todd, a.k.a. Red Hood. Johnson has proven that he has the acting chops. He is also entering his mid-twenties, which is the perfect age for Jason. There is a lot of charm and talent in this young actor that can be utilized.
