ThunderCats: Villains

 The Villains:

 

Idris Elba (Pacific Rim, The Jungle Book) as MUMM-RA: Alongside Cobra Commander and Megatron, Mumm-Ra is one of the most popular and feared villains from any of the 80’s cartoons.  He is a demon-priest, that serves the Ancient Spirits of Evil, and resides within the Black Pyramid on Third Earth.  He exists in a weakened mummified form that must return to a stone sarcophagus to replenish his energy.  However, he can transform himself into a more powerful being by reciting the incantation: "Ancient Spirits of Evil, transform this decayed form... to Mumm-Ra, the Ever-Living!"  No matter what form he is in, his one weakness is seeing his own hideous reflection; which forces him to retreat back to the Black Pyramid.  He cannot be killed, because "Wherever evil exists, Mumm-Ra lives!"

Additional suggestions: Sharlto Copley (District 9, The A-Team); Gerard Butler (300, Greenland); or Matthew McConaughey (Interstellar, Dallas Buyers Club).

 

 

Nick Frost (Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz) as SLITHE: The self-appointed leader of the Mutants on Third Earth.  He is ruthless, cruel, and arrogant; which often leads to overconfidence on the battlefield.  His weapon of choice is the battle-axe.  The Mutants are from the planet Plun-Darr and have unsuccessfully tried to invade Thundera many times.  As planet Thundera was exploding, the Mutant army chased after the survivors to eradicate anyone escaping.  The Mutant Mothership chased the Royal Flagship with the intention of stealing the Eye of Thundera, that is hidden within the hilt of the Sword of Omens.  Eventually, they located the Thundercats crashed ship on Third Earth and made a deal with Mumm-Ra, after their vessel sank beneath the desert sands.  They managed to construct their own fortress, which they called Castle Plun-Darr after their homeworld, and salvaged equipment from their downed spaceship to build weapons and vehicles that they could use on Third Earth (i.e. the Skycutters, the Nosediver, etc).  In general, the mutants exhibit an extraordinary incompetence that was characteristic of most cartoon villains.

Additional suggestions: Andy Serkis (The Hobbit, Black Panther); Timothy Spall (Harry Potter, Enchanted); or Steve Buscemi (Desperado, Fargo).

 

 

Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead, Star Trek) as JACKALMAN: Although Slithe calls him "Jackalman", his real name is Kaynar.  His cunning mind is constantly trying to view all sides of a situation and he’s very cautious before doing anything.  Whenever Slithe announces an attack plan or expedition, Jackalman tends to question whether it is prudent.  Because of this, Slithe often accuses him of being a coward.  Jackalman is definitely an opportunist; mostly seen as an obedient lackey, but willing to risk everything for more power.  He is always questioning and undermining Slithe’s leadership role in an effort to assume it for himself.  His weapon of choice is a wooden club and sometimes a net gun.  He also pilots a Skycutter.

Additional suggestions: Adam Sandler (Waterboy, Billy Madison); Karl Urban (Star Trek, Dredd); or Paul Rudd (Ant-Man, Knocked Up).

 

 

Mark Hamill (Star Wars, Knightfall) as MONKIAN: Although Slithe calls him "Monkian", his real name is Addicus.  He is a very good spy, a shifty no-good eavesdropper, and the mission scout.  Known for being all brawn and low on brains; his imposing stature is accompanied by an almost childlike mentality.  When sharing information, he gets so hyperactively excited that Slithe must tell him to slow down.  Once the Mutants manage to piece together what he is attempting to say, Monkian disappointingly sighs "That's what I've been trying to say!"  Occasionally he can be mildly rebellious toward Slithe.  When Monkian finds the Sword of Omens unguarded, Jackalman suggests they should tell Slithe, but Monkian asserts the two of them should control the sword and put Slithe back in the kitchen where he belongs.  His weapon of choice is a ball-and-chain flail; sometimes wielding a cannon shield.  He pilots one of the Skycutters.

Additional suggestions: Sebastian Stan (Avengers, Black Swan); Robin Lord Taylor (Gotham); or Tom Hardy (Venom, Warrior).

 

 

Lennie James (The Walking Dead, Snatch) as VULTUREMAN: He is the brains behind the muscles; an arrogant scientist who knows that he is smarter than his barbaric peers.  Vultureman serves as chief inventor and mechanical know-it-all for the Mutants.  His skills with both machines and science make him indispensable, but he is more often than not blamed when his devices or machines fail to live up to Slithe's expectations.  He pilots a vulture-styled Flying Machine, carries a crossbow-shaped weapon, and later commands weapons like the Mutank and Thundrainium Cannon.  His ambitious nature is evident by the number of times that he has broken ranks with the Mutants; either striking a solo deal with Mumm-Ra or joining up with the ThunderCats' other enemies.

Additional suggestions: John Malkovich (Con Air, Warm Bodies); Joel Kinnaman (Suicide Squad, RoboCop); or John Turturro (Transformers, Mr. Deeds).

 

 

Jason Mamoa (Aquaman, Braven) as GRUNE: He was once a respected and revered Thundercat warrior.  Grune wields a mace and possesses immense superhuman strength.  His great-grandfather was Lord of the ThunderCats, so he is related to Lion-O and the royal family.  King Claudus entrusted him and Panthro to find the Book of Omens.  Later, Grune and Panthro fought bravely for the promotion to general; only to find out that the job was already given to Lynx-O.  This caused a rift and his thirst for power led to a failed rebellion against King Claudus.  He was exiled into space, but eventually landed on Third Earth where he looted and dispensed terror across the planet, gaining the name of Grune the Destroyer.  At some point, Grune lost one of his fangs.

Additional suggestions: Jon Bernthal (The Walking Dead, The Punisher); Hugh Jackman (X-Men, Real Steel); or Chris Evans (Avengers, Knives Out).

 

 

To be continued . . .