Who should play Captain Canada in the new $15 million action flick? Here are five suggestions
As discussed last week, it looks like the Green Hornet, the Green Lantern, Superman and various other cinematic vigilantes may soon have some competition from a certain Canadian caped crusader. Richard Comely, the artist-writer who co-created Captain Canuck in 1975 says he is in the process of bringing his hero to the big screen. Word is the project would involve multi-million dollar financing and a big name to bring the starring role to life. The obvious question now is: who should don the red and white tights? Comely suggested Justin Bieber, but despite the Biebs’s newfound movie-stardom, we think there are better options out there (like, say, an actor who’s capable of growing facial hair). Here, our look at five potential Captains Canada, all of whom have pluses and minuses.
(Image: Clayton Emery’s Custom Action Figures)
Hugh Dillon The former hard-living rocker turned action star definitely has the tough-guy thing going for him. And the chiseled thing. And the biceps. He may be a little long in the tooth though, and with his busy shooting schedule—Flashpoint, Durham County, this thing—we doubt he’d had time to play another crime fighter.
George Strombolopolous Technically he isn’t an actor, but he’s definitely a Canadian hero. Maybe this Captain Canuck is a bit of a brainy bad boy (wears a leather jacket, listens to Crystal Castles). On second thought, we wonder if Strombo would be willing to give up his beloved black wardrobe to wear a brightly coloured body stocking.
Paul Gross When he’s not a super hero, the original Captain Canada is just a simple, everyday Mountie. Sound like anyone we know? Gross also has the whole ladies man thing in the bag, though he may be a little too smouldering to play a superhero’s nerdy alter ego.
Dan Levy Which brings us to Dan. Clark Kent-ish glasses? Check. Charming gawkiness? Check. Plus, he recently left his gig at MTV, so he might have some time on his hands. Maybe Jessi could play his crime-fighting companion? Or his nemesis? The Red Temptress seems like an appropriate moniker.
Ryan Gosling Not that we think there’s any chance of getting him (the Goz in a superhero movie? Maybe when hell freezes over), but we can dream, right? He’s got the awkward charm to play the everyman, and more heroic gallantry in his baby toe than Bieber’s got in his entire body.
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Courtney Shea is a freelance journalist in Toronto. She started her career as an intern at Toronto Life and continues to contribute frequently to the publication, including her 2022 National Magazine Award–winning feature, “The Death Cheaters,” her regular Q&As and her recent investigation into whether Taylor Swift hung out at a Toronto dive bar (she did not). Courtney was a producer and writer on the 2022 documentary The Talented Mr. Rosenberg, based on her 2014 Toronto Life magazine feature “The Yorkville Swindler.”
