The PlayStation Network adaptation of Brian Michael Bendis’ comic series Powers has announced Sharlto Copley as homicide detective Christian Walker, as well as Michelle Forbes in the role of Retro Girl.
South African actor Sharlto had a star-making turn as the lead in District 9, which led to his memorable portrayal of H.M. “Howling Mad” Murdock in the big screen adaptation of The A-Team, as well as playing King Stefan opposite Angelina Jolie in Malificent. Sharlto will star as the detective who used to be a powerful superhero who lost his powers and is now down amongst the regular humans, working homicide cases for the Powers Division, a police department formed to deal with cases involving those with (super) powers.
Forbes, a veteran of geek TV roles (Star Trek: The Next Generation, Battlestar Galactica, True Blood, Orphan Black), has joined the cast in the pivotal comic book role as Retro Girl. Though in the comics the character is a teenager, Bendis, who is executive producer on the series, explained in a blog post the apparent difference in age. "Neither Mike (Avon Oeming) nor myself were ever interested in a quote unquote faithful adaptation. We were looking for a spiritual adaptation. Like Dexter we were looking for the book series and the television series to exist in almost parallel universes. They should share the same spirit but both should be allowed to explore their different mediums as far as that takes them." Bendis went on to explain that this means even die-hard comic fans won’t know the direction the story will take.
The series has already announced Susan Heyward in the role of Walker’s homicide detective partner, Deena Pilgrim, as well as Eddie Izzard, Noah Taylor, Olesya Rulin, Max Fowler and Adam Godley in supporting roles.
Sony’s PlayStation Network has moved quickly to develop the series since giving it the green light in March. The series is planned for a 10-episode run, which will begin streaming on the digital platform in December (see "David Slade Directing 'Powers'").
Sharlto Copley, Michelle Forbes
Posted by ICv2 on August 19, 2014 @ 12:22 pm CT
MORE COMICS
On the State of Comics, Marvel and Kids, Superheroes' Declining Share, Improving Publishing
May 1, 2024
In Part 1, we talked about the state of the comics medium and the market, licensing kids titles to others, superheroes’ decline in share, and steps to improve Marvel’s output.
On Direct Market Distribution, Marvel's Publishing Plans, Including a New Program for Kids, More
May 1, 2024
In Part 2, we talked about Marvel’s structure, direct market distribution, Marvel’s title count, Marvel’s publishing plan, including a new program for kids comics, and Marvel’s themes for the year.
MORE NEWS
Transcript of Speech at Pittsburgh Meeting
May 1, 2024
Marvel President Dan Buckley was the keynote speaker at the recent ComicsPRO Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh, and provided us with this transcript.
Breaks Guinness World Record
April 30, 2024
A tournament this past weekend broke the Guinness World Records for the biggest TCG tournament and most entrants in a TCG tournament.