After days of speculation, James Gunn has officially announced that Josh Hutcherson (The Hunger Games, Five Nights at Freddy’s) and Mackenzie Davis (Station Eleven, Speak No Evil) will be taking on the lead voice roles of Scott Free and Big Barda, respectively, in Tom King’s upcoming Mister Miracle animated series at DC Studios.
From Apokolips to DC Studios: Casting Scott Free and Big Barda
The anticipated project takes inspiration from the acclaimed 12-issue comic book series of the same name by Tom King and Mitch Gerads, with King serving as showrunner and executive producer. Before Gunn posted the announcement on social media, DC Studios co-chief Peter Safran confirmed the casting with IGN at the recent world premiere of Clayface.
Peter Safran on Bringing Tom King’s Acclaimed Book to Life
“I think that Tom King really learned a lot in his season of co-creating and executive producing Lanterns and he adapted his book Mister Miracle fully on his own, wrote all eight episodes and I think it’s just dynamite,” Safran told IGN. “Josh Hutcherson as Scott Free and Mackenzie Davis as Big Barda. And I just think it’s a book that I’ve always loved and I remember Tom telling us early on that, every convention he goes to, at least a couple people come up to him and say this book saved my life and I love that we got to tell that story over eight episodes. And it’s just a beautiful story.”
What Is Mister Miracle About?
Here’s the official synopsis for King and Gerads’ Mister Miracle:
Scott Free is the greatest escape artist who ever lived. So great that he escaped Granny Goodness’ gruesome orphanage and the dangers of Apokolips to travel across galaxies and set up a new life on Earth with his wife, the former Female Fury known as Big Barda. Using the stage alter ego of Mister Miracle, he has made a career for himself showing off his acrobatic escape techniques. He even caught the attention of the Justice League, which counted him among its ranks.
You might say Scott Free has everything…so why isn’t it enough? Mister Miracle has mastered every illusion, achieved every stunt, pulled off every trick—except one. He has never escaped death. Is it even possible? Our hero is going to have to kill himself if he wants to find out.
A Superhero Romance Built on Heart and High Stakes
While Tom King can be hit and miss for some comic fans, I think Mister Miracle, The Vision (for Marvel Comics), and Helen of Wyndhorn (Dark Horse Comics) are some of his best works. Casual DC fans should know that, at its core, Mister Miracle is a love story. While some comic labels shy away from establishing comic book couples, Scott Free and Big Barda are prime examples of romance in superhero comics, done with humility and heart. There’s still plenty of superheroics to be had in King’s story, but Mister Miracle is also strange, dark, and emotional. I’m sure the internet will be fine with this. Zero complaints.
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