CreedandBlack Pantherstar Michael B. Jordan, a huge anime fan, would be the ideal candidate to portray Vegeta in a live-action adaptation ofDragon Ball Z. Given the immense popularity of theDragon Ballfranchise, another attempt at a live-action movie shouldn’t be ruled out, despite the poor performance of the first effort. When that time comes, new actors will have to be sought out to play its most iconic characters, and that could very well include Vegeta - especially if the originalDragon Ballis skipped over.
Vegeta, the Saiyan who first appeared in 1989, has gone on to become a pop culture icon and one of themost beloved characters fromDragon Ball Z. With a myriad of superpowers, a compelling backstory, and an engaging character journey,Vegeta has rightfully earned his place in theDragon Ball Zhall of fame. Casting him in live-action sounds like a tall order, but Michael B. Jordan contains all the components necessary to make it work.
He’s A Popular Choice, But Michael B. Jordan Really Is The Best Actor For Vegeta In A Live-Action Dragon Ball Z Movie
The Actor’s Role In Black Panther Showcases Why He’s The Perfect Live-Action Vegeta
As surprising as it may seem, Michael B. Jordan’s acclaimed turn as Killmonger inBlack Pantheris nearly a decade old. That said,the character has often been regarded as one of the best villains in the entire history of the MCUsince his debut, due largely to Jordan’s charismatic yet maniacal performance. Killmonger successfully functions inBlack Pantherbecause of his fleshed-out backstory, which provides compelling motivation for his heinous crimes. The actor could effectively translate these sensibilities toa brooding character such as Vegeta.
There’s no doubt that Michael B. Jordan physically fits the bill to portray Vegeta. Look no further than his conditioning in Black Panther or the Creed trilogy.
There’s no doubt that Jordan physically fits the bill to portray Vegeta. Look no further than his conditioning inBlack Pantheror theCreedtrilogy. However, he possesses something no other performers do regarding the role: a genuine passion for the source material.Michael B. Jordan is a fan of anime, andDragon Ball Z.Anime heavily influenced his directorial style in Creed 3, his filmmaking debut, especially during the boxing sequences. The combination of the actor’s experience playing similar character types, physical attributes, and love for anime yields him as the prime live-action Vegeta candidate.
Vegeta Is A Lot Easier To Cast In Live-Action Than Goku
Goku’s Inherit Cartoony Nature Makes His Casting Much More Difficult To Figure Out
One of the most significant questions surrounding another live-action adaptation ofDragon Ball Zwill be the casting of the main characters. While Jordan seems like a no-brainer choice to play Vegeta, his rivalGoku is much harder to cast.This precedent was set by 2009’sDragonball Evolution, which featured a heavily misguided take on the character from actor Justin Chatwin. However, mastering Goku in live-action is more difficult than one may think.
Vegeta slides into a particular archetypeestablished throughout decades of film: a redeemable villain. Whether it’s Loki, Darth Vader, or Deckard Shaw, there are plenty of examples of villains or rivals with dramatic turns in the history of cinema. Goku, on the other hand, is much harder to pin down. Unsurprisingly, the legendary anime player is extremely cartoonish, but his mannerisms, storyline, and design don’t naturally translate to live-action as easily.Whoever is tapped to play Goku alongside Michael B. Jordan’s hypothetical Vegeta will have much to live up to, helping bring theDragon Ball Zrivals to life.
