Taika Waititi and Drew Pearce recently signed on to develop a newJudge Dreddmovie, based on the popular comic book, andseveral actors would be a great fit for the titular role.Following a Sylvester Stallone-starring film from the 1990s and a much better reboot in 2012’sDredd, cult audiences have developed a cinematic fascination with the dark character.
For years, many have hoped to see a sequel to the Karl Urban-starring reboot. ButDredd’s budget and box officemade the film a failure. It has gained many fans on video and streaming over the year, butthe movie only grossed $41 million worldwide,which was not enough to recoup the costs of its $30-45 million budget.
While Karl Urban was a great Judge Dredd,the only path forward for the studio is to reboot the property.WithTaika Waititi signing on asJudge Dredd’s director, one of the biggest questions looming over the project is who will play the titular character. There are a number of choices for the star of the new film. The right one will depend on the specifics of this take, but these names would be excellent choices.
10Chris Hemsworth
The Actor Worked With Waititi On The Thor Films
Chris Hemsworth is one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, and he has proven to be a strong collaborator with Taika Waititi.WhileThor: Love and Thunderwas not beloved, audiences adoredThor: Ragnarok,and pieces of that energy, as a complex and fresh comic book adaptation, might make sense for the new reboot of Judge Dredd.
Hemsworth is tough, and he can be frightening.He has shown dynamism in performances, from his role as Thor to appearances inExtractionandFuriosa.His voice is booming and powerful, and he could make for a compelling Judge in the new film.
Granted, Chris Hemsworth is a big star, andgetting a big star for the role might be a huge risk.CastingSylvester Stallone as Dredd was a big mistake, and much of this had to do with Dredd removing his mask too often to show off Stallone’s face. Still, Hemsworth would be a strong fit for the role.
9Josha Stradowski
The Wheel Of Time Star Has A Bright Future
Many audiences were disappointed whenThe Wheel of Timewas canceled after only three seasons. The series was a strong fantasy epic, andJosha Stradowski especially stood out in the ensemble cast as Rand,the man who would go on to become the Dragon Reborn.
Tasked with a heavy weight,Rand often had to act as judge, jury, and even executioner in the sprawling series.Stradowski played the role with an intensely stoic gravitas, all while reflecting the internal turmoil beneath it all.
It is unfortunate that Stradowski’s time inWheel of Timeis over, butthere is much that the actor showed there that would be a great fit for this new adaptation ofJudge Dredd.As an up-and-comer on the rise, this would be an excellent franchise for him to become attached to.
8Sterling K. Brown
One Of The Best Actors Working Today Would Be An Interesting Choice
One of the most important things that this newJudge Dreddneeds to do is to distinguish itself from the other iterations.Bringing in a powerhouse of an actor like Sterling K. Brown to take on the titular role would be a quick way to do this.
Rather than a juggernaut of action films, like Urban and Stallone,Brown has proven himself a strong and complex performer.Known for dramatic roles in movies likeWaves, but also showing his range in projects fromBlack PanthertoThis is UstoParadise, Brown would make a distinct but strong version of Dredd.
With a focus on both the satire in the story and the emotional turmoil that results from it,Brown could be the best pick for a very different take on the character.
7Josh Brolin
A Gruff, Older Star With Comic Book Movie History
Josh Brolin has done it all,but some signs might suggest he is done with comic book movies.The actor starred as Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Cable inDeadpool 2. Since then, he has been seen in theDunefilms, and wound uppassing on a Green Lantern role. Brolin opened up about this toComicBook:
You know what? Green Lantern didn’t work out, but that’s okay. It’s working out. Who is it going to be, Kyle Chandler? I love him as an actor, I think he’s wonderful, actually. And, you know, we’ll see what’s down the line, man.
It sounds like Brolin is open about his future, which could see the actor taking on another comic book role. Dredd would be a perfect fit for the intensity and power Brolin has shown in his best characters, including Llewellyn Moss fromNo Country for Old Men.
At 57, Brolin might be a bit old for the character,but this would be dependent on the specific take. After all, Stallone played the character in his late forties, and there is certainly a story for an older Dredd to tell.
6Jon Bernthal
The Action Star Has The Right Style And Feel For The Role
Jon Bernthal is among the best tough guys in Hollywood.He brings a unique and brittle edge of vicious emotionality to each of his roles,and has recently shone in projects likeThe Accountant 2andThe Many Saints of Newark.There may be no other actor who is a better fit for Dredd, except for one major issue.
Jon Bernthal first rose to prominence in 2010, when he played Shane onThe Walking Dead.
Jon Bernthal is already playing Frank Castle, andThe Punisher will next appear inSpider-Man: Brand New Day. The Punisher is another twisted look at justice and its function in society, andthere is simply far too much overlap between the two characters.
It is undeniable thatBernthal would be a fantastic Dredd, but it also might be too similar to the role he already plays. Still, depending on how the story of the new film looks at Dredd, Bernthal could be the right choice.
5Damson Idris
The Up-And-Coming F1 Star Is Bound To Join A Huge Franchise
Damson Idris is on the rise in Hollywood, andit is only a matter of time before he is snatched up for a huge franchise. Attaching him toJudge Dreddwould be a great way to raise the hype around the Taika Waititi project, but could also do great work for Idris' career.
Idris has shown intensity inSnowfall, and charismatic range in his recent role inF1. Younger than many of the stars on this list,Idris could be the star of a very different and fresh take on the role of Dredd.
4Antony Starr
The Fellow New Zealander Needs A New Project After The Boys
Antony Starr is both terrifying and incredibly charismatic inThe Boys, where he plays Homelander.The twisted take on Superman is a horrifying force who views himself as the highest authority, above all else.This type of character has a lot in common with Dredd, and that overlap could pull a great performance from Starr.
From New Zealand, just like filmmaker Taika Waititi,Starr has the ability to lead a movie likeJudge Dredd. He is able to reflect so much with so little, and even with a mask on the entire time, he would be able to craft one of the most compelling and strange versions of the popular character.
WithThe Boysending after season 5, Starr could be in the market for another big role. Judge Dredd fits the actor’s strengths, and would be a great next step for him.
3Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
An Incredible Comic Book Star
InYahya Abdul-Mateen’s best movies, he has shown great range in his performances.He can be light and likable, or he could be downright terrifying.This duality is an important fit for a character like Judge Dredd, and Abdul-Mateen would be among the best picks to wear the mask.
Yahya Abdul-Mateen II already has experience playing comic book characters, such as in HBO’sWatchmenas Doctor Manhattan, and even wearing a big helmet, thanks to playing Black Manta in twoAquamanfilms. These roles, and others, have proven he’s tough, cool, and charismatic. All characteristics would fit nicely with Judge Dredd.
2Brandon Sklenar
An Intense Performer On The Verge Of A Huge Breakthrough
Brandon Sklenar has become a popular Batmancasting choice, and much of the reason the actor is good for that role also applies here.Sklenar has a powerful physique and brought a dark, brooding style to his character of Spencer Dutton in the series1923.
Sklenar is the type of rising star in Hollywood thatJudge Dredd’s reboot should be seeking. The actor most recently appeared inDrop, where his performance was praised.He will next appear inThe Housemaidalongside Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried.
If this new take on Dredd is looking for an emerging star to headline it,grabbing Sklenar now would be the right choice.It is only a matter of time before he breaks through on an even bigger level.
1Frank Grillo
One Of The Best Gruff, Muscular, And Yet Unassuming Performers
If there is a new Karl Urban in 2025, it’s Frank Grillo.The actor has appeared in so many big franchises, in so many notable roles, and yet has not become a household name. From the Marvel Universe to the new DC Universe toThe Purgeand more, Grillo has shown himself to be a perfect tough guy character actor.
There is only one downside to Grillo, and that’s the actor’s age.At 60, Grillo is the oldest performer on this list.That shouldn’t eliminate him from contentino, especially without knowing exactly what Waititi’s version will look like. Still, everything about the actor and his performances speaks to what a strong choice he would be for the role of Dredd.
Grillo doesn’t bring a lot of star power, but he has the right look, voice, style and attitude. He has tons of experience in the industry and could be the best choice to wear the mask in the newJudge Dredd.
