The Long Box: Comic Book Casting Call – Daredevil

The Cast

Matt Murdoch/Daredevil: Chris Pine

Can someone explain to me how Chris Pine hasn’t been cast in a superhero/comic book movie yet?  And no, Star Trek doesn’t count.  First and foremost, I can’t take credit for this casting choice.  I had the opportunity to chat with current Daredevil artist Chris Samnee, and Pine was his first choice (way better than my pick, Ryan Gosling).  Pine has the charm to pull off the Matt Murdock side as well as the ability to play a beaten down, broken Daredevil.  I don’t think Pine has done anything this dark and street level, but I think he could physically pull off the roll while conveying Murdock’s emotional turmoil as his life falls apart around him.

Karen Page: Elisha Cuthbert

Karen Page was initially introduced as Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson’s secretary. She became Matt’s girlfriend and learned that he was Daredevil.  Elisha Cuthbert (24)has the acting ability to take a “girl next door” character and turn her into the porn star/heroin addict who throws her former lover’s life into complete chaos.  Cuthbert has the look of someone who could go from young, naive, doe-eyed starlet to a drugged out porn star.  Withe the right script and right director, she could nail this role.

Wilson Fisk/The Kingpin: Ray Winstone

Wilson Fisk is to Daredevil what Lex Luthor is to Superman.  Wilson Fisk jumps at the chance to destroy his long time rival and drags Murdock’s character through the wringer.  I love Ray Winstone.  He just has the look of a cold blooded mob boss.  Shave his head and get him to do an American accent, and he is a dead ringer for The Kingpin.  He would be a great veteran actor to anchor this cast.  Most of his previous work was in gritty mob movies (The Departed, 44 Inch Chest, Edge of Darkness), so his version of Wilson Fisk would fit seamlessly into this version of Daredevil.

Ben Urich: Hugh Laurie

Ben Urich is a reporter for the Daily Bugle and Matt Murdock’s “Commissioner Gordon”.  The two men are friends, and Urich is something of a confidant to Daredevil.  In Born Again, Urich figures out that The Kingpin is the one behind Daredevil’s fall from grace.  But before he can tell Murdock, The Kingpin threatens his family and forces him to keep his silence.  Matt is left to figure it out on his own. Hugh Laurie would be amazing in this role, playing the hard nosed reporter who will stop at nothing to find the truth.  He’s another actor that hasn’t done anything this dark, but if you take his role on House M.D. and tweak it a bit (make him less of an asshole), there’s you’re Ben Urich.

Foggy Nelson: Greg Grunberg

Foggy Nelson is Matt Murdock’s law partner and best friend.  He doesn’t play a huge role in Born Again, but Carnahan could expand the role a little and give Greg Grunberg (Heroes) room to breath.  Grunberg would bring a small, but necessary, comedic element to this flick.  Not a massive part, but enough to break up all the gloom and doom.