Eyebrows raised when Warner Brothers announced that notable character actor Willem Dafoe had been cast in ‘Justice League’. After all, perhaps his most famous role was playing the archenemy of ‘Spider-Man’, the Green Goblin/Norman Osborne in the first movie in that series and of course, Spidey is the flagship hero of Marvel Comics. Now Dafoe was defecting to “the Distinguished Competition.” But as who?
Well, his role has been revealed; Dafoe is playing Nuidis Vulko, a character that is usually depicted as a mentor and counselor to Aquaman, although in more recent books, he has taken on a darker edge, orchestrating a war between Ocean Master and Aquaman, which spilled over (literally) causing great death and destruction to the surface world.
It was previously rumored that Atlantis might play a large role in ‘Justice League’– and the fact that Amber Heard, who is playing Mera in ‘Aquaman’ is also in ‘Justice League’ adds credence to that. There may be overtones of ‘Flashpoint’ and ‘Throne of Atlantis’ as well, as it is implied that Aquaman and Wonder Woman will have centuries-old tensions between them.
It remains to be seen whether the film’s take on Vulko will be the more sympathetic classic one or the more manipulative newer version.
Dafoe has had a lengthy career, earning attention in 80s dramas like ‘Platoon’, ‘Bone on the Fourth of July’ and ‘The Last Temptation of Christ’ (in which he played Jesus), and has also played significant roles in films like ‘Boondock Saints’ and its sequel, ‘Speed 2’, ‘John Wick’ and ‘The Fault In Our Stars’ (among many, many others). His voice can be heard in the current box office hit ‘Finding Dory’, in which he reprises the role of Gill, who he voiced in ‘Finding Nemo’.
What do you think of this casting? Will Dafoe make a good Vulko? And do you think he will be a hero or villain?
‘Justice League’ directed by Zack Snyder, and starring Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller, Ray Fisher, Amy Adams, Jeremy Irons, Amber Heard, Willem Dafoe, Jesse Eisenberg and J.K. Simmons, hits theaters on November 17, 2017.
Source: Newsarama
