WithThe Flashfilm in production, it finally looks like Barry Allen will be getting a bigger role in the DCEU moving forward, meaning more characters from The Flash comics may be on the way too. A fan-favorite villain has always been Eobard Thawne, otherwise known as Reverse-Flash.
Reverse-Flash is known as the man who murdered The Flash’s mother, Nora Allen, and set the hero down the path to becoming the fastest man alive. Withthe antagonist forThe Flashstill unknown to fans, it could be very likely that the title may already belong to Reverse-Flash. But who could possibly fill the shoes of the iconic villain? These are five actors that could take on the role of Barry Allen’s greatest enemy.
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Tom Cavanagh
There are some obvious choices for Eobard, the most blatant of them being Tom Cavanagh. The Canadian actor has been around for decades but had a resurgence when he was introduced as Harrison Wells on the CW’sThe Flash. In the show, Wells was a mentor and father figure to Barry Allen but ultimately was revealed to be Eobard Thawne.
If the DCEU wants to introduce Reverse-Flash in the same way, Tom would be a no-brainer, as he can bring an empathetic side to the villain while still being able to strike fear in viewers. With the recent news thatCavanagh will be leaving the show after its seventh season, he wouldn’t be tied down by filming the series and could be open to starting new projects. Whether or not he’d be willing to play the character again for the DCEU is another question.
C. Thomas Howell
Another person familiar with Reverse-Flash’s story and characterization is C. Thomas Howell. Howell has voiced the villain innumerous DC animated filmssuch asJustice League: The Flashpoint ParadoxandSuicide Squad: Hell to Pay. He already has the voice of Eobard Thawne down, growly, taunting, and all-knowing.
With the experience he already has, Howell could easily translate his voice work to the screen. Besides voicing a villain, he also spent years on a recurring role on the CBS seriesCriminal Mindsas a notorious killer named “The Boston Reaper” who terrorized the main cast for seasons.
Glenn Howerton
This pick may seem a little out of left field, but it just might be wild enough to work. Glenn Howerton is primarily a comedic actor, known for his decade-spanning role as the hilarious yet terrifying Dennis Reynolds in the seriesIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiaand Peacock seriesA.P Biobut has dramatic chops to spare and could definitely portray a villain on the level of Eobard Thawne.
The Julliard graduate is frequently dark with his comedy, going places other actors won’t. He is also not a stranger to superhero films, auditioning to play Star-Lord inGuardians Of The Galaxyand even beingdirector James Gunn’ssecond pick for the role after Chris Pratt. Howerton could bring a playful, yet sinister layer to Reverse-Flash, creating an interesting mirror for Barry Allen.
Jared Padalecki
Another veteran actor for the CW — the home of DC shows likeLegends of TomorrowandArrow— Jared Padalecki spent fifteen long years acting alongside Jensen Ackles as Sam Winchester in the smash-hit showSupernatural. Besides his role as Sam, Padalecki has only had bit parts in films and television shows muttered across his career (except for playing Dean Forrester inGilmore Girlsfor a few years in the early 2000s.)
He seems to be going back to the CW well, though, with his role as Cordell Walker in theWalker, Texas Rangerreboot. But now that his time as a Winchester is over —and left out of a spin-off— it just might be the perfect time for Jared to pick up something new and challenging, like playing a villain. There’s no doubt that he has the talent for it, just whether or not he is given a chance to do it.
Justin Hartley
It’s clear that Justin Hartley has all the makings of a superhero, or in this case, supervillain. Attractive and charming, the actor has been in the Emmy-winning NBC seriesThis Is Usfor five years. He also has been involved with previous iterations of DC.
Hartley portrayed Oliver Queen, better known as The Arrow, onSmallvillefor years and is voicing different versions ofSupermanand in the upcomingInjusticeanimated film. He was even rumored for the role of Barry Allen for CW’sThe Flashback in 2013. Besides his previous connections to DC, Hartley also looks very similar to the comics’ portrayal of Eobard Thawne, with his blond hair and striking features.
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