DC’s Failed Western Has the Perfect Shot at Redemption, But It’s Going to Leave Batman Fans Disappointed

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The DCU is beginning to expand as Supergirl starts shooting and Lanterns starts to do camera testing. Each new DCU development only leaves fans hungry for more, and that’s before Superman​​​​​​has even been released. Yet, one of the most anticipated announcements is who will be wearing the cape and cowl and becoming the Dark Knight of the DCU. There are dozens of fan-casts on the internet but Scott Eastwood continues to be a dominant choice. While Eastwood would likely make a fantastic Batman, there is one character he could play even better, even if it might upset Batman fans.

The Brave and the Bold, after Superman, might be the project that has the most expectations around it. Batman is the tentpole character for not just DC Comics, but most DC films for over a decade. Scott Eastwood has been a fan-favorite choice for the Caped Crusader for a long time, even during the casting period for The Batman​​​​​​before Robert Pattinson took on the role. Eastwood has the physicality, the charm, and the skills to play an incredible Batman, but the DC has a character that would be even better for him and would redeem one of DC’s biggest film failures, Jonah Hex.

Who is DC’s Jonah Hex?

DC’s Favorite Gunslinger Has a Large Onscreen History

Jonah Hex is the ultimate Western hero. He is an expert tracker, a near-perfect marksman, and can bring in any wrong-doers dead or alive. As a child, Hex was sold into slavery to a First Nations tribe by his father. He lived as a slave until he saved the tribe’s leader and was adopted as his son. Yet, he was left for dead by his adoptive brother, only to be saved by a trapper. When the Civil War broke out, Hex initially fought with the Confederates, but he wasn’t able to tolerate fighting for slavery so he surrendered to Union forces. It wasn’t until after the War that Hex’s most famous stories began, including how he got his iconic scar.

Hex returned to the First Nation’s tribe and confronted the leader’s son. He killed the son in combat and the leader was enraged. He burned off Hex’s face with a tomahawk, giving him his intimidating and deadly visage. Hex then went on to become a bounty hunter and continued to hone his skills. He fought alongside Batman, Hal Jordan, Flash, Zatanna, and even the Legion of Super-Heroes. He has a reputation for being cold, efficient and just. Hex may be a bounty hunter, but he has a code of honor that keeps him on the heroic path.

Over the years, Hex has appeared in several different DC shows including Batman: The Animated Series, Justice League Unlimited, Legends of Tomorrow, and even Justice League Action. Along with all of that, Hex also was played by Josh Brolin in the self-titled movie Jonah Hex. With only a 12% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the movie is easily one of DC’s biggest failures of all time. Even Brolin himself has been open about his dislike of the film. The DCU is a chance to make up for past mistakes and Jonah Hex is a movie and a character that both deserve redemption. James Gunn has already made and announced several more unique projects like Creature Commandos, Swamp Thing, and The Authority. Jonah Hex could fit seamlessly into the DCU and add more depth to the universe without needing to have him directly tied into any other story. Scott Eastwood may have the fan support for playing Batman, but he has the Hollywood pedigree for redeeming Jonah Hex.

Scott Eastwood is the Son of Hollywood’s Most Famous Cowboy

Not only is Scott Eastwood a great actor in his own right, but he also is the son of Clint Eastwood, Hollywood royalty. Eastwood is one of the biggest actors and directors of the past few decades. Clint Eastwood seemingly took the torch from John Wayne and carried the Western genre throughout the 60s and 70s, even in the 90s with Unforgiven. His most iconic role is The Man With No Name, a bounty hunter who roams the West in Sergio Leone’s Dollars Trilogy. On top of all that, it has always been hinted that Hex’s original inspiration was many of Clint Eastwood’s iconic roles. Scott Eastwood playing Jonah Hex could not only redeem the failed DC movie but also fulfill a role that his father nearly played in the 70s.

According to Jared Vian, the grandson of Jonah Hex’s creator, Warner Bros/DC and Eastwood’s production company, Malpaso, were in discussion to bring Jonah Hex to life with Eastwood in the titular role. This movie never came to pass, which is why James Gunn and Peter Safran can finally right this wrong. Clint Eastwood would have been perfect as Jonah Hex, bringing his iconic stoicism and gritty attitude to bear for the DC legend. Scott Eastwood is a spitting image of his father, making it perfect for him to take over the role. Scott Eastwood could become synonymous with a new brand of superhero Westerns, as opposed to joining the long line of actors who have played Batman.

How Jonah Hex Can Work in the DCU

An Anthology Series Would Allow Hex to Shine

Traditionally, Westerns can be made quite cheaply, which is why they were such a popular genre for so many years. Creating simple stories in a TV series focusing on Jonah Hex hunting down various villains of the West would make for a fascinating series. The anthology format can come into play by having each episode be a standalone episode, along with each episode combining different genres with the Western motif. The Western genre is so easy to blend with others, seeing Jonah Hex take on horror stories, thrillers, and even sci-fi would all help to elevate the series and provide something fresh for audiences. Eastwood’s Hex could even cross paths with occasional other heroes like the time-traveling Booster Gold or even Sgt. Rock if he becomes a man out of time.

This format of storytelling would not only provide endless entertainment for audiences, but it would allow Scott Eastwood to demonstrate his wide range of acting abilities. Being able to flow seamlessly between multiple genres and stories is difficult for even the best of actors, but a Jonah Hex anthology series could push Eastwood’s abilities and create an award-winning performance. Batman has many stories to tell, but the character himself is hard to push beyond a brooding man and broken child, Jonah Hex leaves more room for creative performances.

Jonah Hex may have failed on the big screen before and Clint Eastwood may have never been able to provide his take on the legendary bounty hunter, but Scott Eastwood is the perfect actor to redeem the character and its legacy. The DCU can create a powerful and creative-driven anthology that would challenge Eastwood and give the audience a memorable series with Jonah Hex at the forefront.

“}]] DC Comics has a plethora of incredible characters, but only one character needs to be redeemed onscreen, even if it means upsetting Batman fans.  Read More