Superhero Static Shock! All our 2000s babies who grew up watching Cartoon Network will get that reference. Next to Bruce Timm’s “Justice League” and “Justice League Unlimited”, “Static Shock” was by far one of the most beloved properties of the DC Animated Universe (DCAU). What made “Static Shock” so unique was its ability to capture the reality of a high school student in the inter-city trying to juggle between personal responsibilities and academics with the duties of being a hero.
Sure there were a bunch of shows doing something similar like “Jake Long: The American Dragon” or “The Life and Times of Juniper Lee” but they often dealt with real-world issues in a relatively shallow and superficial way. Unlike “Static Shock” which didn’t shy away from discussing issues of generational trauma and even gun violence. All while managing to entertain a generation with plenty of wit, humour and heart!
Sure he’s appeared here and there in the “Young Justice” animated series but it’s not enough to fill the Static-shaped hole in our hearts. If you feel the same way, then we’ve got good news for you! Currently, there is a live-action “Static Shock” film confirmed to be in development. That’s right folks, Virgil Hawkins is coming to the big screen and we’ve got some ideas for who could play the iconic hero!
1. Caleb McLaughlin
Caleb McLaughlin, who plays Lucas Sinclair in Netflix’s “Stranger Things”, has expressed interest in playing Static in the DC Extended Universe (DCEU). We think that’s a great idea. McLaughlin already plays a hero as one of the four plucky members of the original Hawkins gang. His character has been given as much of an arc to grow and develop as Will, Mike and Dustin. He’s got charisma, and comedic timing and already has experience playing a kid in high school who has to face supervillain-level threats.
Films like “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” and “Shazam!” shows that there’s definitely a market for young heroes taking centre stage. McLaughlin’s youth is a plus because kids can grow up alongside his version of Virgil as he journeys through the trials and tribulations of becoming a hero. Sure he might need to bulk up a little but given time, he’ll make a great Static!
2. Dallas Dupree Young
Fans of “Cobra Kai” know that when it comes to the show, Dallas Dupree Young goes hard as Kenny Payne. Seeing Payne’s journey from a miserable bullied middle school kid to a deadly, rage-filled warrior for the Cobra Kai Dojo is easily one of the most exciting character arcs of the entire show. Not to mention, Young does his own stunts and had to physically push himself for the role. The kid’s got so much heart and we definitely think he deserves to be in the conversation for potential candidates to play Static.
Say what you want about his size now but with some training, he could become easily fit the part of Virgil Hawkins. If the creators of the film plan on basing “Static Shock” on the original animated series, then we believe Young’s age, talent and grit to bring the character to life. Also…we’d love to see him bust a few killer dance moves as Virgil.
3. Donald Glover
Donald Glover has come a long way from his days as Troy from Dan Harmon’s hilarious comedy series “Community”. He’s had some major roles in films like Disney’s live-action “The Lion King” and “Solo: A Star Wars Story”. Where we think he shines the most is as the down-on-his-luck Earnest “Earn” Marks from one of the best comedy dramas of a generation, “Atlanta”. A show he also wrote and created, mind you. There, we see that he’s capable of oscillating between self-aware wit and biting quiet pain. His range as a performer has grown leaps and bounds past merely the realm of comedy.
If Warner Bros. Discovery is looking to have a slightly older version of Virgil in college or working then Glover would fit the bill. Glover could bring some pathos and edge to the character. Glover’s a man of many talents: rapper, comedian, director and actor. Why not add a live-action superhero role to his growing repertoire?
4. LaKeith Stanfield
Speaking of super-talented people who have appeared in “Atlanta”, you can’t sleep on our boy LaKeith Stanfield. Barely over 30 years old and the man has already carved a name for himself in Hollywood with his performances in critically acclaimed films like Jordan Peele’s “Get Out”, F. Gary Gray’s “Straight Outta Compton” and Shaka King’s powerful “Judas and the Black Messiah”! He’s absolutely brilliant in all of them, unafraid to bring fury and raw emotions out on screen. That being said, Stanfield also knows comedy well through roles in “Sorry to Bother You” and “Atlanta” (Darius is our favourite character in the entire show).
Admittedly his version of Virgil will probably be a bit odd, the man is after all. To that, we welcome with open arms! Stanfield always gives a memorable performance so we’re curious to see what fresh angles he can bring to a more adult Static. His take on the character might be a departure from the traditional good-natured high school kid we know and love but if it’s in service to something truly spectacular, we want to see it!
5. Michael B. Jordan
One thing we can confirm is that Michael B. Jordan, who played Killmonger in 2018’s “Black Panther”, is producing “Static Shock” alongside creator Nikolas Draper-Ivey. In the past, we thought that perhaps Jordan might be eyeing the role of Val-Zod in a film about an African American version of Superman being produced by J.J. Abrams and Ta-Nehisi Coates. While it is confirmed that he is involved in the production of the film, he has since shot down the rumour that he’ll be playing the role of Val Zod. Curious…could it be because he sees himself playing Static instead? The man is no stranger to the world of Marvel comic-book films, it’s time he gave the DC Extended Universe (DCEU) a shot.
There’s little doubt that the man has the acting chops to pull off the role of Virgil in “Static Shock”. He’s got the build, the charisma and he’s a massive fan of the character too. It certainly would make sense if he did step into the role of Static, seeing that he’s the one producing the film as well. Yes he might be a little older than the Static we know from the animated series but we wouldn’t be averse to Jordan playing an older version of Static as seen in the crossover episodes “Justice League Unlimited”. That would be cool too.
