Who would be the perfect Booster Gold for the DC Universe? We broke down the best, worst, and weirdest when it comes to fan-casting for the Chrono-hopping waverider!
One of the most highly anticipated projects for the new DC Universe is the Booster Gold series coming to Max. Booster Gold, also known by his civilian name Michael Jon Carter, is one of the most beloved B-Tier heroes from pages of DC Comics. Many thought they’d never see the character in more than a cameo, which is why the announcement of his own series took so many by surprise.
This also meant that fans of the character had some very strong opinions about who should play him. With rumors finally starting to come out about who James Gunn and Peter Safran might actually cast as Booster Gold in the DC Universe, it might be best to rank every idea to see how good (and possible) they would actually be!
Number 10: Antony Starr
The Antony Starr fan cast is one that has gotten a lot of attention in recent weeks. With James Gunn following the actor on Instagram after a truly once-in-a-generation performance as Homelander on The Boys, fans were quick to scour the DC Universe for any role he could play, which landed them on Booster Gold.
However, aside from being blonde, none of Antony Starr’s prior roles have anything in common with Booster Gold’s most well-known mannerisms. He’s far from a well-meaning goofball who can turn on the charm. With Starr himself now stating he wants to step away from the world of capes after The Boys ends, it seems this fan cast is just about as likely as it is accurate.
Number 9: Rob McElhenney
For nearly twenty years, Rob McElhenney has busted sides as Mac McDonald on It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia. Given the character is best known for being an airhead like Booster Gold, and McElhenney himself seemingly joined the world of capes with a secret cameo in Deadpool and Wolverine, some fans believe he may be a perfect fit to join the DC Universe.
However, Mac’s dumber moments are where comparisons between him and Booster Gold end. Almost every character on It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia is a cruel monster on their best day. It’d be hard to imagine Rob McElhenney would be able to play such a similar role without letting the darker sides of a character he’s played for decades creep through.
Number 8: Will Poulter
Many fans assumed Will Poulter would eventually get the role of Booster Gold given James Gunn’s history of casting actors he’s previously worked with in new parts for the DC Universe. It makes sense too, given Poulter played a blonde-haired airhead in Guardians of the Galaxy as Adam Warlock.
However, two key issues stand out in Will Poulter’s filmography. The first is that he’s pretty young compared to what fans expect from Booster Gold. The second is that he’s only truly played supporting roles in movies, most of them being fantasy instead of sci-fi. Given such, it’s unclear if Poulter has the chops to carry an entire series on his shoulders.
Number 7: Patrick Schwarzenegger
Another member of The Boys universe, Patrick Schwarzenegger was a massive breakout star following his role as Golden Boy in Gen V. Despite his relatively small screen time, fans immediately pulled out their fan casting list to find any character he could play in the DC Universe. Oftentimes, that led them right to Booster Gold.
While Patrick Schwarzenegger certainly has the swagger to play Booster Gold, he’s also on the young side for superhero actors, only being 30. Given his other half, Ted Kord, already has a college-aged daughter in the DC Universe, fans may need to give the Golden Boy a good ten years before he’s called back for the role.
Number 6: Chris Pratt
Chris Pratt is another name from James Gunn’s past that fans have been dreading to see appear on the Booster Gold callsheet. The actor has a history of playing well-meaning dummies, most notably as Star-Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy. With a history in similar sci-fi projects, a penchant for superhero action, and a connection to Gunn, he seems to be a sure fit.
However, it’s the similarity to Star-Lord that casts doubt on his casting as Booster Gold. It’s not likely Chris Pratt would want to play a role so close to one he just spent a decade playing over at Marvel, especially since the actor’s filmography has turned more serious over the years. So while he may be a good fit, the fan backlash alone might be enough to discount him.
Number 5: Seann William Scott
Those less familiar with early 2000s films may be scratching their head at who Seann William Scott even is. Scott actually used to be Hollywood’s go-to himbo, playing the hot dumb blonde archetype perfectly in projects from Dude, Where’s My Car? to American Pie. To a certain age group, he’s the perfect pick for Booster Gold.
Of course, Seann William Scott still has his issues. He’s nearly 50, potentially making him too old to portray Booster Gold for the long haul. He also hasn’t had much experience leading a TV series. However, given even Scott himself is campaigning to play the role, he may be the greatest hero that nobody saw coming!
Number 4: Glen Powell
Glen Powell has quickly become one of the biggest leading men in Hollywood. He’s buff, he’s blonde, and he’s played a funny idiot in Anyone But You. If you ask the superhero community, that makes him the perfect fit to play Booster Gold. It’s hard to argue that he’s not qualified.
The issue with Glen Powell playing Booster Gold ends up being that it’s just not very likely. The actor is one of the most in-demand men in Hollywood right now, meaning that it costs studios millions just to book him for a movie. A leading role in a series would likely break any studio’s budget! Not to mention the actor recently shot down any hopes of him playing a hero in the DC Universe, admitting he’d likely only be interested in Batman.
Number 3: Ryan Gosling
Ryan Gosling is another veteran actor who has captured the hearts of Hollywood executives. His role as Ken in Barbie was almost exactly what fans are looking for when it comes to adapting Booster Gold for the DC Universe. This is not to mention his extensive action movie chops when it comes to projects like The Fall Guy and The Gray Man.
However, Ryan Gosling shares many of the same issues as Glen Powell. His superstar status makes him far too expensive for any DC Universe series to afford. The only upside is that rumors suggest that Gosling is in talks with Marvel to play a role, suggesting he may be open to playing a superhero sometime in the near future.
Number 2: Kumail Nanjiani
Kumail Nanjiani ended up being a sleeper pick to play Booster Gold. However, with recent rumors suggesting that Nanjiani may have already landed the part of Booster Gold, people have started to realize that he’s almost the perfect actor to join the DC Universe as the B-list hero.
Eternals proves that Kumail Nanjiani has the stamina and acting chops to perform in the world of superheroes. He also starred in the HBO series Silicon Valley for six seasons, giving him experience in the world of comedy shows. The only thing he’s missing is a dye job! However, there is one actor who manages to stand just a hair above him when it comes to a Booster Gold fan casting.
Number 1: Shayne Topp
To a certain corner of the internet, Shayne Topp is the only name that comes for the role of Booster Gold. To others, this may be the most perplexing pick yet. Topp, best known for his roles on iCarly and The Goldbergs, is currently a full-time cast member for the YouTube channel Smosh. Which, by the way, gives him a built-in supporting cast!
Jokes aside, Shayne Topp does genuinely have the qualifications to play Booster Gold in the DC Universe. His character Matt Bradley on The Goldbergs shares a lot of similarities to the DC Universe hero: being a kind friend who can be a bit of an airhead at times and knows how to handle even the toughest situation with a positive attitude.
Shayne Topp also has the acting stamina to take on a TV project like what DC has planned for Booster Gold, having acted in sketches and improv shows on Smosh for nearly a decade. Though, admittedly, this fan casting is largely a joke online. While he may be the perfect actor in the hearts of many, it’s likely best for the DC Universe to just go with a Hollywood veteran like Kumail Nanjiani.
