The The Dynamic Duo animated film promises to team Jason Todd up with another Robin, Dick Grasyon, for a thrilling animated adventure.
When speculating on who the DCU could reach out to for the role of Jason Todd, it's important to that James Gunn has stated that the DCU will use the same actors across animation and live action, meaning that whoever is chosen will have to be capable of possibly returning to the role in the Batman: The Brave and the Bold, as well. As a character, Jason Todd is colored by tragedy and edginess, and would be greatly served by an actor who is familiar with troubled personalities.
10 Benjamin Wadsworth
Understands Jason Todd's coarse personality
Above all else, despite his appearance as a co-lead in a film literally titled Dynamic Duo, Jason Todd is known for being a loner. This is doubly true after his transformation into Red Hood, which leaves him prone to violence that most other superheroes don't condone. A young actor with a great track record for comic book work, Benjamin Wadsworth might be just who the DCU is looking for to embody Jason Todd.
Wadsworth plays Marcus in the comic book series Deadly Class, a show about an academy designed to teach its students to be master assassins. Not only does Wadsworth display some great assassin skills as Marcus that would come in handy for a live-action Red Hood, but he's no stranger to ostracized characters, with Marcus having a caustic sense of sarcasm that would translate well to a Jason Todd performance. Wadsworth also guest starred in an episode of Teen Wolf, not to mention a feature film appearance in the 2022 zombie comedy Unhuman.
9 Jacob Elordi
A critically-acclaimed actor familiar with tragedy and anger
A rising star in Hollywood as of late, Jacob Elordi is a name often repeated in fan circles when it comes to the discussion of the next Jason Todd. Elordi is best known in recent years for Saltburn, a shocking drama that went on to gather numerous accolades for its intense performances. In the movie, Elordi plays an affluent character with a saddening fall from grace not dissimilar to that of Jason Todd's own.
Previously to Saltburn, Elordi had become famous for his role in Euphoria, in which he plays a similarly troubled teen character. Meanwhile, his run as the King of Pop in the feature film Priscilla demonstrates his flair for show business, something that any superhero needs to have, regardless of their moral com. With a demonstrated ability to convey quiet fury, deep tragedy, and unresolved issues, Jacob Elordi is a no-brainer for the role of the second Robin.
8 Curran Walters
Has played Jason Todd once before
A relatively recent character in the grand scheme of DC Comics mythology, Jason Todd has had few movie and TV incarnations, especially when it comes to live-action performances. Yet the character did appear in the flesh once before in the superhero series Titans, which provided an edgier take on the classic titular team of superhero youths. Titans followed Jason Todd's arc from Dick Grayson's replacement as Robin to this death and revival as Red Hood.
Not only did Curran Walters do an excellent job as Jason Todd, but he demonstrated a clear ability to play off of another actor as Dick Grayson, the original robin. This skill will be invaluable for a film appearance like Dynamic Duo, which sounds to be quite reliant on the relationship and chemistry of its two Robins to work. Considering the DCU's fondness for relatively unproven actors, Curran Walters would also be a great underground pick that fans don't know they needed to see.
7 Cameron Bowen
Provided an iconic voice for Red Hood
It's important to that Dynamic Duo will be an animated film, so a grasp on voice acting will be invaluable for any potential Jason Todd actor. This makes Cameron Bowen a promising potential choice, being an experienced voice actor who portrayed Jason Todd in the video games LEGO DC Super-Villains and Injustice 2. In the latter, Bowen provides Red Hood with a biting sense of bitter humor that oozes through the screen, perfect for the DCU movie.
Considering that the animated cast of Dynamic Duo will need to be comfortable in live-action as well, Bowen continues to provide his worth with a good number of more physical performances, as well. He held his own on screen as a child actor in a varied suite of films, from tense dramas like Family Under Siege to meditative dramas like Wristcutters: A Love Story. With his return to the live-action arena, Bowen could be a force to be reckoned with.
6 Dacre Montgomery
The MCU's loss could be the DCU's gain
Dacre Montgomery made a name for himself in Stranger Things as Billy Hargrove, an aggressive and life-threatening bully. Not long ago, Mantogmery was a popular choice for the role of the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Johnny Storm, a.k.a. The Human Torch. Sadly, Dacre Montgomery was ed up for the cast of Fantastic Four: First Steps in favor of his Strange Things co-star, Joseph Quinn.
While Dacre Montgomery's ability to play a hotheaded bully would be great for Johnny Storm, the level of darkness he's able to manifest as Billy Hargrove would go much further as Jason Todd. Montgomery has the edge factor and physicality to efficiently portray a Jason Todd in live-action, as demonstrated by his work in the hit Netflix sci-fi series. He also did great as another red superhero, the Red Ranger, in the underrated 2017 Power Rangers live-action film.
5 Harry Collett
Could be the second House of the Dragon alum to the DCU
As great as the murderous antics of Jason Todd as Red Hood are, it's important to that Dynamic Duo is likely to spend the majority of its runtime featuring Todd as Robin. In the efforts of a younger actor that might be better suited for the fresh-faced teen hero, Harry Collett might be a better option than his older peers. Collett is known for his character Jacaerys Velaryon among House of the Dragon, HBO's Game of Thrones spin-off series.
While Collett didn't get much screentime in the first season, House of the Dragon's second batch of episodes put more of a spotlight on his rich acting skills. As season 3 approaches, Collett's ability to portray a dynamic leader might be perfect for a superhero role. It wouldn't be out of the question for James Gunn to poach the cast of House of the Dragon for DCU heroes either, doing the same with Milly Alcock as Supergirl.
4 Nicholas Hamilton
A quietly popular industry darling
Nicholas Hamilton might not be the most well-known younger actor working in Hollywood today, but the 24-year-old actor has quickly accrued an impressive list of credits. He's most commonly recognized as Henry Bowers from It Chapter One, a sociopathic bully who serves as a minor antagonist. This personality, with a few adjustments, could easily work for a Jason Todd portrayal.
It's worth mentioning that It Chapter One was directed by Andy Muschietti, who is also set to direct the DCU feature Batman the Brave and the Bold. A working relationship with the director can't hurt, considering that Jason Todd has a high chance of also appearing in the other DCU project to feature Robin. Hamilton also has some prior superhero experience in Amazon's The Boys as the invisible hero Maverick, Translucent's son, which goes to show his voice acting skills as well.
3 Aidan Gallagher
An impressive young actor with a superhero pedigree
Another former popular fancast for Robin, Aidan Gallagher's popularity as a DCU potential is easy to explain. In fellow superhero property The Umbrella Academy, Galalgher portrayed Five, the time-displaced estranged sibling of the main cast. Despite being so young, Gallagher convincingly played a mentally 50-year-old assassin with a crotchety personality, making for the standout performance of the entire series.
In truth, Gallagher is more popular as a fan favorite for Damian Wayne's Robin, who is set to appear for the first time in Batman the Brave and the Bold instead of Dynamic Duo. Still, there's no questioning that Gallagher would be amazing as a Jason Todd, whether he's still Robin or already become Red Hood. Gallagher also had some impressive work in the fight scenes of The Umbrella Academy, proving he has what it takes to make it as a live-action superhero.
2 Tanner Buchanan
One of the most popular picks for Red Hood
It's clear that James Gunn has taken fan favoritism into when casting for the DCU, as demonstrated by David Corenswet's Superman and Aaron Pierre's John Stewart Green Lantern. Going by this precedent, Tanner Buchanan would be an obvious solution for Jason Todd in the burgeoning DCU. The demand for Buchanan as the character is highly justified, considering the young actor's experience with dramatic performances and engaging fight scenes.
Buchanan's most noteworthy character is none other than Robby Keene in the critically-acclaimed Karate Kid spin-off series, Cobra Kai. The character has demonstrated Buchanan is great as something of delinquent, not to mention a deep understanding of what makes martial arts choreography work. Considering Buchanan himself is interested in Robin, the former Fuller House star is one of the most obvious choices for Jason Todd.
1 KJ Apa
Led a comic book franchise for years
Even if it isn't exactly a superhero property, the Archie Comics characters are just as iconic as the famous names of the DC Universe. That makes it all the more impressive that KJ Apa was able to keep up appearances as the franchise's feature character Archie in the CW's Riverdale. Apa played Archie Andrews in Riverdale from the show's premiere in 2017 all the way to its finale in 2023.
KJ Apa had a brush with DC Comics in the tragically canceled The Wonder Twins movie, set to play one of the titular siblings. While the actor remained a popular choice for Wally West in the DCU, he could do just as well as Jason Todd, as shown off in the few glimpses in which Archie shows off his serious side throughout Riverdale's 7 seasons. With charisma to spare and a great mind for teen stardom, KJ Apa is a shockingly obvious Robin for the DCU.
