Ever since theDCUwas announced, fan casts for new characters have abounded, but I can’t believe how much I want one of the silliest to happen. Although it was announced in late 2023, casting for some ofthe DC Universe’s main charactershas been relatively sparse. For instance, of the Justice League’s main players, only Superman has been cast so far, with David Corenswet filling the role forthe DCU’s upcoming debut movie,Superman.
This is partly because DC Studios' co-CEO James Gunn has already started to spotlight many of the lesser-known characters within DC.Supermanalone will bring such charactersas Mister Terrific and Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern to the fore, whileSupergirlwill see Milly Alcock’s titular hero star opposite Jason Momoa’s Lobo. With this precedent, I can foresee the arrival of another unusual character in a futureSupermanorSupergirlmovie, and I hope James Gunn makes the right call with this wildcard fan cast.
Danny DeVito Playing Mister Mxyzptlk Is A Surreal Idea For The DCU - But A Great One
Mister Mxyzptlk Is One Of DC’s Wildest Characters
Mister Mxyzptlk is a Superman character who is more of an annoyance than an outright villain.The extradimensional trickster is a nigh-omnipotent being who uses his powers to toy with and harass Supermanrather than inflict harm upon him. As a result, Mister Mxyzptlk is one of DC’s most off-the-wall and often comedic characters whose peculiarity is a perfect fit for the DCU, and Danny DeVito is arguably one of the best actors who could portray him.
Traditionally, the only way to banish Mister Mxyzptlk back to the fifth dimension is to trick him into saying his own name backwards.
DeVito is best known today for portraying Frank Reynolds inIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, a distinctly unscrupulous character with a penchant for sowing chaos. This alone parallels Mister Mxyzptlk, althoughI can’t help but see the physical resemblance between the two, especially regarding DeVito’s distinctive hairstyle. I can also see Mister Mxyzptlk’s typically unserious adventures being capably served by Danny DeVito, who has made a name for himself with comedy roles. Better yet, he evenboasts experience with DC movies.
Danny DeVito’s Batman Movie History Proves He’s Perfect For A Role Like Mister Mxyzptlk
DeVito’s Penguin Is Incredibly Eccentric
Another of Danny DeVito’s most famous roles wasBatman Returns' Oswald Cobblepot, AKA Penguin. The 1997 classic is regarded as one of the most definitive superhero movies ever made, with Michael Keaton’s titular hero starring opposite DeVito in the aforementioned role and Michelle Pfeiffer as Selina Kyle, AKA Catwoman. Before Batman became synonymous with grounded superhero adaptations,the characters featured inBatman Returnsleaned into the outlandish, with DeVito’s Penguin being a prime example.
DeVito’s exaggerated rendition of Cobblepot is also a prime example of why he would make a great Mister Mxyzptlk. The trickster villain is inherently outlandish, and while DeVito’s Penguin isn’t exactly similar in most characteristics,he is proof of DeVito’s proficiency in embracing the cartoonish. On top of that, havingDeVito return to a DC adaptationafter nearly three decades of skipping out on the superhero craze in such a capacity would likely be extremely well-received by fans of both DC and DeVito’s Penguin.
James Gunn’s Comic Villain History Suggests The DCU Could Really Pull Off A Mister Mxyzptlk Story
James Gunn Has Proved His Proficiency With Peculiar Villains
Mister Mxyzptlk is far from a simple villain, and I feel that James Gunn is best placed to bring him to life on the big screen. James Gunn’s superhero movie credentials prove that he can rise to this unique challenge, asadapting obscure and downright ridiculous villains has proven to be his forte.The Suicide Squadalone saw him make fan favorites of such obscure villains as Ratcatcher 2 and Polka-Dot Man, while debuting Starro, a giant starfish with one central eye, and somehow making it somewhat sympathetic.
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 itself featured the outlandish Ego the Living Planet who was central to the movie’s most emotional moments.
Gunn is also an expert at balancing tones.Gunn’s Guardians of the Galaxy trilogyis both hilarious and heartfelt in equal measure, which imbues me with faith thatGunn could capably handle introducing such an unconventional and comedic character as Mister Mxyzptlk without it derailing the deeper moments of whatever story he is introduced in.Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2itself featured the outlandish Ego the Living Planet who was central to the movie’s most emotional moments. Coupled with DeVito’s distinctive talents, I think theDCUis now the perfect place, with this particular casting, to introduce the Superman foil.
