u/BARGOBLEN

Edward Nygma/The Riddler [Height: 6' 1", Age: 40's]: With an obsessive need for attention and a genius-level intellect, Edward Nygma (formerly Edward Nashton) was determined to be the cleverest of Gotham City's criminals and concocted an elaborate series of clues and riddles around his crimes. Batman had proven to be a worthy opponent, capable of deducing the Riddler's plans, but Nygma was still dedicated to creating a mystery that would stump even the Dark Knight, even if he had to kill someone to do so.

Martin Starr [Height: 6' 1", B. Jul 10th, 1982 - Notable Works: Silicon Valley, Tulsa King, Marvel Studios' Spider-Man {Home Trilogy}]: Few actors can handle the ability to play sardonic genius the way Martin has. While we have gotten a wonderfully grounded Zodiac-inspired Riddler from Paul Dano, Starr is an actor who can offer a much more personally bitter take on the character. One who resembles the obsessive maniac as seen in the Arkham Games. He's got the right look and presence for the role and there's no doubt that he could bring out a very cerebral take on the Riddler.

Victor Creed/Sabretooth [Height: 6' 6", Age: N/A]: A mutant possessing bestial superhuman abilities, most notably a rapid healing factor, razor-sharp fangs and claws, and superhuman senses. He is a vicious assassin, responsible for numerous deaths both as a paid mercenary and for his personal pleasure. Accounts as to the origin of his enmity with Wolverine are conflicted. It is known that Wolverine and Sabretooth were participants of the Cold War super soldier program Weapon X, and that Sabretooth saw Wolverine as competition and therefore antagonized him. While Wolverine is depicted as suppressing his more savage qualities, Sabretooth does the opposite and embraces them.

Martyn Ford [Height: 6' 8", B. May 26th, 1982 - Notable Works: Red Sonja, House of David, Mortal Kombat II]: Sabretooth is one of the most difficult villains to cast. You need an actor who's large, imposing, and able to play a sense of brutish intelligence. Thankfully after getting a look at his performance as Shao Kahn, I've seen an actor who's checked all the right boxes. He played Kahn with a savage brutality, a menacing intellect, and someone who's very presence intimidates you. You could certainly picture Ford in the classic comic book outfit for a character like Sabretooth and still feel an eerie chill running down your spine. While the casting hunt for the MCU's rebooted Wolverine might just be beginning, their search for Sabretooth can safely end with Martyn Ford's casting. There's no doubt that between his look, physique, size, and acting talent, that he can handle a complicated savage such as Sabretooth.

(TL;DR at the bottom)

Stephen King's The Stand is probably his magnum opus. As a novel it has become a titan of his work. As an adaptation, it's barely made impression on the public. Now this change I'm proposing would certainly be retroactive if applied to the novels. But for the sake of this I'm proposing this as a fix that could be used to adapt the book into a T.V. Series.

Now for about 10-15 years, I've thought about how to adapt the Stand. I even remember rumors going as far back as them wanting to split it into 4 movies. I always felt that it should be a series akin to the Walking Dead. Run it for 8 really strong seasons, adapt just about every miniscule element of the book (with changes of course), even cover the time jump.

The big problem in adaptation is how the story handles the "Hand of God" element. It's probably the most controversial choice regarding the ending. I've actually got the fix for that. It's one I've had for years. Something that, had I ever had the opportunity to pitch in front of King or any network looking to make The Stand a series, would have been my lead in on how to handle the eventual ending. Now, considering this is an adaptation that would be a streaming series, I'm pulling from a different series to help guide this change, though I'm sure it could have been retrofitted for the novel as well if anyone ever wanted to "remake" that book.

In somewhere around what would be the 3rd or 4th season, I'd introduce a secondary "walking man" an opposite to Randall in more literal terms. Someone who would be connected to God, and in a nod to Stephen King's quote that The Stand is America's Lord of the Rings He would have a walking cane.

We'd learn about him in bits and pieces, he'd be revealed to be a tactile psychic. He would have flashes of life before Captain Trips. We would learn his story in a flashback episode - He attempted to stop Presidential Candidate Greg Stilson - slowly learning that this character is John Smith from the Dead Zone, (and for the adaptation would be played by Anthony Michael Hall). John is shot by the secret service, and Stilson's advisor would see John in the ICU, where we'd reveal that Stilson's advisor was Randal Flagg. That Flagg intended to use Stilson to create the apocalypse for him to rule over. Flagg, enraged shows John a vision of what the new world would be, and his retribution through the Captain Trips virus. The resulting vision would cause John to flatline. A mystery would ensue, that either God resurrected John as a prophet, or that Flagg was able to use black magic to trap God in John like a prison - but neither option would ever be confirmed.

John the wakes up well after Captain Trips decimated the Earth. He goes on a long walk that eventually intersects with Stu Redman and the survivors. John would journey with them to Vegas, where John is captured and strung up along the others - this time upon John's death - divine energy would explode like a nuke. This would replace the 'literal' hand of God with something a bit more mythic, something more in-line with what King could have done (had the Dead Zone been published before the Stand), and something that feels a little more seeded and consistent with the story.

As an adaptation it could give closure to fans of the USA Network Dead Zone T.V. Series. And I think the parallels sets John up as the Stephen King equivalent to Gandalf. I think it could deepen the story a bit. If for nothing else, it could give a more unique take on the themes and that ending. While Stu is, and always would be the main character, this alternative take does air a bit more on the myth side and allows for something interesting but in-tone with King's writing.

TL;DR - By injecting the character of John Smith from The Dead Zone into The Stand, to operate as a vessel for God after the events of The Dead Zone (Novel or the cancelled television series depending on if you want this for a future adaptation or to fix the novel) as a cosmic opposition to central antagonist Randall Flagg. This would lead to an ending where, strung up alongside Ralph and Gary, John would die and release the divine energy opposing Flagg, creating the same damage that unleashing the nuke from Trashcan Man does.

I'm curious how everyone else will take to this idea.

With Denis Villeneuve officially signed on to take over the Bond Franchise with the 26th film in the franchise, and a full reboot, it's time to start considering a new Bond, and now we have some idea of what Amazon is looking for. They're wanting a British actor under 30. They have a Wishlist, though the names on that list (Tom Holland, Jacob Elordi, and Harris Dickinson) don't seem very fitting with the character. So, I've set out for my own choice - attempting to cater to Amazon's demands.

Commander James Bond CMG RNVR/Agent 007 \[Height: 6' 1", Age: Late-20's/Early 30's\]: Orphaned at a young age, Bond spent his youth raised by an aunt and spending time at various boarding schools and universities. Bond is a veteran of the King's Royal Navy, and active member of His Majesty's Secret Service. A resourceful and debonair spy often active in thwarting international terrorism and world ending plots. He is adept in knowledge of weapons, cars, literature, music, fine dining, seduction, and bartending. A skilled fighter, he practices many martial arts as well as maintaining his physical combat training from service. He's a skilled marksman with few, if any, equal. As a spy, he's also required to be a world class detective as well trained in the art of interrogation. Holding "00" status he is equipped with a License to Kill in the line of duty.

Ben Radcliffe [Height: 5' 11", Born: 25th April 1998 - Notable Works: Pandora {T.V. Series}, Masters of the Air {Limited Series}, Fackham Hall]: The pitfall of casting a younger actor in the role is, despite His youth Bond is a character who had, already at a young age, experienced the world in the darkest manners. Bond is an orphan who lost his parents, a veteran of war, and recruited into one of the most highly advanced spy agencies known to man. You need an actor who fits the conventional idea of Handsome but, even in youth, looks like someone who has experienced the world. I think Radcliffe has that world-weary look while showcasing a bit of charm in his presence. He's got the look of someone who resembles a younger take on the literary Bond, he's also a talented actor who has yet to see a role that has catapulted him into the limelight. Bond is a star-making role and Ben Radcliffe has the perfect resume. As an actor, he's done some decent work, stretched his range but hasn't become an A-List Blockbuster Star. He's in the position where the role can make him a star, and the character himself be the star of the films. He is currently in his late 20's and suits Amazon's desire for a younger Bond. He is someone who could carry the role for a number of years to come. With the look, talent, and resume - I have no doubt that Ben could inhabit the role of Bond and become the definitive take of this generation, under the watchful eye of auteur Denis Villeneuve.

Bruce Wayne/Batman [Height: 6' 2", Age: 30's]: Batman is the vigilante protector of Gotham City and patriarch of the Batman Family. Having witnessed the murder of his parents as a boy, he began a crusade against crime in Gotham as its "Dark Knight". He is one of the world's greatest detectives and most practiced crimefighters, with a plan or gadget for the most unthinkable of problems. He is also known for his strict code against lethal force and large cast of allies. He has been a member of the Justice League and the leader of the Outsiders. As Bruce Wayne, he plays the role of an aloof billionaire and notorious playboy. More myth than man, Batman has become a symbol which strikes terror into the hearts of criminals.

Arty Froushan [Height: 5' 11", B. Apr. 16th, 1993 - Notable Works: Carnival Row, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, Daredevil: Born Again]: Arty is a remarkably strong actor, and a name already being thrown out for roles like James Bond. Give his work in Daredevil, he's shown the ability to handle a character with a dark side and some dimension. Match his talent as an actor with his natural charisma and charm, you have a pitch perfect, comic accurate Bruce Wayne, suitable enough to stand next to David Corenswet's Superman. He has the look, the talent, and the presence to carry the role, and would be one of the more dynamic picks for Batman.

Bruce Wayne/Batman [Height: 6' 2", Age: 40's]: Batman is the vigilante protector of Gotham City and patriarch of the Batman Family. Having witnessed the murder of his parents as a boy, he began a crusade against crime in Gotham as its "Dark Knight". He is one of the world's greatest detectives and most practiced crimefighters, with a plan or gadget for the most unthinkable of problems. He is also known for his strict code against lethal force and large cast of allies. He has been a member of the Justice League and the leader of the Outsiders. As Bruce Wayne, he plays the role of an aloof billionaire and notorious playboy. More myth than man, Batman has become a symbol which strikes terror into the hearts of criminals.

Sam Claflin [Height: 5' 11", B. Jun. 27th, 1986 - Notable Works: Every Breath You Take, Peaky Blinders, Lazarus]: A role like Batman demands an actor of very specific talent. An actor with a presence that radiates control, authority, and hurt. Sam harnesses these virtues naturally and with a charisma that makes him feel like Bruce Wayne. He's got the looks and talent to play a character who masquerades their hurt with duty, all the while presenting a face to the public that reads relaxed, fun-loving, and yet charitable. He's got a strength in his presence that makes it easy to see him handle both a Bruce Wayne who - despite being a socialite, shows compassion and puts his money into the heart of the city, and Batman as a crime fighter and detective fighting for an inner sense of control. It's a unique take for the character that can certainly add some grounding to the essence of the DCU's Gods & Monsters Chapter. I think the most compelling element is seeing him take on a Batman in a fatherly role. Someone who's attention isn't divided by a soldier, but by a son.

Bruce Wayne/Batman [Height: 6' 2", Age: 40's]: Batman is the vigilante protector of Gotham City and patriarch of the Batman Family. Having witnessed the murder of his parents as a boy, he began a crusade against crime in Gotham as its "Dark Knight". He is one of the world's greatest detectives and most practiced crimefighters, with a plan or gadget for the most unthinkable of problems. He is also known for his strict code against lethal force and large cast of allies. He has been a member of the Justice League and the leader of the Outsiders. As Bruce Wayne, he plays the role of an aloof billionaire and notorious playboy. More myth than man, Batman has become a symbol which strikes terror into the hearts of criminals.

Sam Claflin [Height: 5' 11", B. Jun. 27th, 1986 - Notable Works: Every Breath You Take, Peaky Blinders, Lazarus]: A role like Batman demands an actor of very specific talent. An actor with a presence that radiates control, authority, and hurt. Sam harnesses these virtues naturally and with a charisma that makes him feel like Bruce Wayne. He's got the looks and talent to play a character who masquerades their hurt with duty, all the while presenting a face to the public that reads relaxed, fun-loving, and yet charitable. He's got a strength in his presence that makes it easy to see him handle both a Bruce Wayne who - despite being a socialite, shows compassion and puts his money into the heart of the city, and Batman as a crime fighter and detective fighting for an inner sense of control. It's a unique take for the character that can certainly add some grounding to the essence of the DCU's Gods & Monsters Chapter. I think the most compelling element is seeing him take on a Batman in a fatherly role. Someone who's attention isn't divided by a soldier in his war, but by a son.