Fancast Friday: Bionic Six

It’s another Friday and so another Fancast Friday is here. I grew up in the 1980’s and Saturday morning cartoons were the pinnacle of culture for a latchkey kid. With my childhood currently being mined for new live action movies from the upcoming Masters of the Universe film from Amazon MGM Studios to the Voltron live action film from Netflix, I have been thinking a lot about what other animated properties from my youth could make their way to the big screen and who would star in them.

One of my favorite animated series from my childhood was Bionic Six. The series was produced and animated by TMS Entertainment and MCA TV or NBCUniversal. The series features a family of bionic superheroes who works for Professor Amadeus Sharp who fights against a mad scientist named Doctor Scarab and his gang of henchmen. Bionic Six ran for two seasons with 65 episodes. It has the potential to thrive on the big screen with the advancements in special effects, but it needs a stellar cast to bring these characters to life. So here is my list of who should play the main characters of Bionic Six.

Dr. Amadeus Sharp

Amadeus Sharp is a genius scientist and inventor who created the bionic technology that not only gives the team its powers, but is what prompts the schemes of Scarab who wants the technology for himself. Alan Oppenheimer voiced Sharp in the original series so the character needs to have a commanding physical presence as well a voice that can be both stern and soft. I can only think of Bryan Cranston in the role from his performances in series like Breaking Bad as well as films like Trumbo and Godzilla where he played a scientist.

Jack Bennett/Bionic-1

The patriarch of the Bennett family and leader of the team, Jack Bennett was a bionic spy working for Sharp before the tragic accident that forced his family to become bionic as well. Jack has to be believable as both a skilled pilot and adventurer but also a caring father. John Krasinski is my choice to play Jack. He has shown he can pull off the physicality necessary for the role in films like 13 Hours, but also the everyman spy quality needed from his role in the Jack Ryan series. What clinches it for me is his role as the father in A Quiet Place and the interactions with the kids in it.

Helen Bennett/Mother-1

The matriarch of the Bennett clan not only champions her family, especially her children, but is also a powerful psychic and telepath. She is deeply empathic regarding the needs of others, but also a capable fighter. My choice for Helen is Bryce Dallas Howard. Howard has shown her physical prowess in films like Jurassic World and Deep Cover, but she is also a sublimely funny actress who melts into roles like in her episode of Black Mirror and The Help.

Eric Bennett/Sport-1

Eric is a natural athlete who is also incredibly smart. Unfortunately, he would rather be considered cool, but that doesn’t stop him from doing the right thing or trying to help people. I think Ty Simpkins would knock it out of the park as Jack and Helen’s oldest child. I enjoyed Simpkins quiet intensity in the Insidious movies, but he really impressed me in Iron Man 3 and The Whale.

Meg Bennett/Rock-1

Meg is the more excitable and bombastic member of the family and is often considered ditzy even though she is a champion debater on the school team. I was looking for someone who could pull off the bubbly personality Meg has but also knows when to be serious as she rushes into danger to protect the innocent. I immediately thought of Sophia Lillis for Meg. She blew me away with her role as the young Beverly Marsh in the IT films with her intensity, charm and humor, but I also really loved her acting in Sharp Objects as well as Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.

James Dwight “J.D.” Corey/IQ

JD is the resident genius of the family academically and hopes to invent with Dr. Sharp someday. He created the family’s bionic pet FLUFFI with materials he gets from Sharp. He is also the strongest member of the Bionic Six physically and his bionic form pushes his intellect to its limits. Ethan Herisse blew me away in his role as the young Yusef Salaam in When They See Us and continues to impress me with his role in Nickel Boys. I think he would crush it as the character both physically and emotionally.

Bunjiro “Bunji” Tsukahara/Karate-1

Bunji is an athlete and avid martial arts enthusiast who was adopted by the Bennett’s after his father disappeared on a mission. He is also the most lighthearted member of the family with a quick with and a comedic timing as sharp as his martial arts skills. As a fan of Japanese superhero shows, I saw actor Fumiya Takahashi in Kamen Rider Zero-One and their performance blew me away. I thought it was the perfect balance of humor, athleticism and superhero presence.

What do you think of my choices? Are you a fan of the Bionic Six? Let me know who you would cast in the comments.