One of the best things aboutRyan Cooglertaking onBlack Pantheris that he brought along his favored leading man,Michael B. Jordan, to play the villain of the film, Erik Killmonger. Not only would this be Jordan’s second Marvel character, after portraying the Human Torch inJosh Trank’s troubled yet fascinatingFantastic Four, it would also mean that the actor gets to play bad after playing a pugilistic hero inCreedand the tragic, good-natured lead inFruitvale Station. It’s the first note of personal involvement in films that are often disappointingly impersonal.
And now,as Variety reports,The FlashdirectorRick Famuyiwais following suit by castingDopestandoutKiersey Clemonsas Iris West in his impending DC adaptation. Fans ofThe FlashTV series on CW will know the character of Iris West as played byCandice Patton, who has proven to be a perfect match forGrant Gustin’s Barry Allen while never quite being able to solidify a real relationship. One might rightly imagine that their relationship will be a lot closer in the film, as Famuyiwa won’t have the time to showEzra Miller’s Barry Allen dating half off Central City. Then again, the will-they-won’t-they timbre of their relationship is part of what distinguishesThe Flashfrom other DC properties, and it’s one of the most prominent things that should be considered in creating this new iteration of The Flash.
There was a consolidated effort by the fanbase to make sure that Famuyiwa’s version of Iris West would be African-American, like Patton, and Clemons casting confirms that DC is starting to shy away from the white-washing trend in Hollywood. As for Clemons, she’s proven to be a major scene-stealer inDope, as well as inNeighbors 2: Sorority Rising, and I can only imagine she will similarly be one of the more remarkable elements of theFlatlinersremake, which she recently signed on to co-star in. Though Miller looks to be perfect in the role from theJustice Leaguefootage we saw at Comic-Con, Clemons might even run away with Famuyiwa’s movie when all is said and done.
