Rumor: Black Actress To Play Amanda Waller in Batman V. Superman: Dawn Of JusticePosted by Wilson Morales
July 3, 2014
Source: Latino Review
Today has been a big day in the world of comics, specifically the upcoming Zack Synder’s film, ‘Batmam V. Superman: Dawn of Justice.’
This morning, Warner Bros., through USA Today, released an image of Henry Cavill in his Superman costume. This goes along with the pic of him as Clark Kent that was posted online a few days ago. Not only that, but hours before the Superman pic was released, some interesting news came from Latino Review, who seem to have a new scoop regarding characters in the film.
Besides Lex Luthor (Jesse Eisenberg), the site states that four villains will also be part of of the film, including Amanda Waller, which in the comics is described as an African-American.
Going by Wikipedia, here’s a description on the characters they mentioned will be in the film.
Victor Szazs: Victor Zsasz (referred to as Zsasz or Mr. Zsasz) is a serial killer and a nemesis of Batman. He usually kills with a knife and carves a tally mark somewhere on himself for every victim.
Morgan Edge: Morgan Edge is a media mogul and personality who owns the Galaxy Communications company, a competitor to the Daily Planet. His organization’s connections to Intergang have made him a direct servant of the evil Darkseid on Earth. This position has made him an antagonist to Superman and an ally to his alter ego Clark Kent. Latino Review states that this is the role Scoot McNairy was brought in for and not Nightwing.
David Cain: David Cain is one of the world’s premier assassins, whose victims have included some of the most famous and powerful people on the planet. He trained the young Bruce Wayne with some of the skills that he would use as Batman, although Bruce has never used such techniques and has since surpassed Cain in ability. According to LR, Cain is in his 50s and will be working with Luthor’s bodyguards to set up an assassination.
Amanda Waller: Amanda “The Wall” Waller is a hardline top-ranking U.S. Government agent involved in clandestine operations. Despite her non-threatening physical appearance, she is almost universally feared as one of the most ruthless women in espionage and politics. She created and runs the Suicide Squad, a team of super-villains running missions for the government in exchange for reduced prison sentences; she has also been involved with Agency, Checkmate, the Shadow Fighters, and once led the Secret Six as Mockingbird. Latino Review says she’s a Senator in the film and sees Superman as a threat and looks to do something about it.
With Lawrence Fishburne returning as Perry White and Ray Fisher coming in as Cyborg, it’s nice to see that there will be Black female presence in the film. Outside of Halle Berry appearing as Storm in the X-Men films, the roles for black actresses are limited in this genre.
With a cast that includes Henry Cavill stars as Clark Kent/ Superman and Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne/ Batman. Gal Gadot comes in as Diana Prince/ Wonder Woman, Jeremy Irons as Alfred, Ray Fisher as Cyborg, Tao Okamoto, Callan Mulvey, Scoot McNairy and Holly Hunter, it’s not expected for the Waller character to have a big role.
Interesting enough, Angela Bassett played the role in Warner Bros.’ “Green Lantern,” but the character was a scientist in the film.
If the rumors turn out to be true, it will be interesting to see who they get for the role. Should the role be short but with the possibility of appearing in other sequels, then a big name would be expected. With Viola Davis, Octavia Spencer, Alfre Woodard and Taraji P. Henson each set to do a TV series, that leaves the door opens for plenty of other actresses such as MoNique, Naomi Harris, Gina Torres, Thandie Newton, Tamara Tunie, Nia Long, Anika Noni Rose, Regina King or Audra McDonald.
If the role doesn’t offer much than just a cameo, none of the above names may want to take the position, which then opens the door wide for anyone.
Just to note, besides Bassett, Amanda Waller has been voiced and played by the likes of Pam Grier, C.C.H. Pounder, Sheryl Lee Ralph, and Cynthia Addai-Robinson, who will play the role in the upcoming CW series, Arrow.
Only time will tell…
