The stars are certainly aligning for DC Universe's upcoming live-action superhero TV series STARGIRL. On Wednesday, it was announced that comedic actor and COMMUNITY alum Joel McHale had been cast as Sylvester Pemberton, the Golden Age Starman, a respected member of the Justice Society of America, for the anticipated program. Then, just yesterday, word arrived that Lou Ferrigno Jr. will be joining the show as Rex Tyler a.k.a. Hourman, an accomplished chemist who discovers the chemical Miraclo, a "miracle vitamin" that permits Tyler to transform into a superhero with extraordinary abilities for one hour with each dose of his patented wonder drug. Now, TV Line has exclusively revealed that THE WALKING DEAD and BLOODLINE actor Brian Stapf will be stepping into the role of Ted Grant a.k.a. Wildcat, another founding member of the Justice Society of America.
Created by Batman co-creator Bill Finger and Irwin Hasen, Wildcat made his DC Comics debut in the pages of Sensation Comics #1 circa 1942. As per DC lore, Ted Grant grew up during the Great Depression with his father Henry. While cutting his teeth on hard times, Ted found himself to be athletically gifted, which eventually led to him becoming a professional heavyweight boxer. In time, Grant was framed and incarcerated for a murder he didn't commit, thereby ending his career as a respected boxer. Upon the completion of his sentence, Grant soon became inspired to take up a life of crime fighting. He then fashioned himself a formidable black suit, dubbed himself Wildcat, and thus began his career as a vigilante.
With regard to powers, Wildcat is gifted with the ability of resurrection, but can only bring himself back from the dead for a total of nine times. Because he's a cat-themed hero, you see? Furthermore, his returning from the dead also causes him to age at a decelerated rate. Lastly, Wildcat possesses enhanced vision, giving him the ability to see in the dark and then some. Oh yeah, he's also a master of martial arts. In other words, if you mess with the cat, you get the claws!
Here's the official synopsis for DC Universe's STARGIRL:
Courtney Whitmore (aka Stargirl) is smart, athletic and above all else kind. This high school teenager's seemingly perfect life hits a major speed bump when her mother gets married and her new family moves from Los Angeles, California to Blue Valley, Nebraska. Struggling to adapt to a new school, make new friends and deal with a new step-family, Courtney discovers her step-father has a secret; he used to be the sidekick to a superhero. "Borrowing" the long-lost hero's cosmic staff, Courtney becomes the unlikely inspiration for an entirely new generation of superheroes.
The series is coming to DC Universe, the studio's exclusive streaming service, from executive producers Greg Berlanti, Geoff Johns and Sarah Schechter. When the adventurous series gets underway, STARGIRL will feature Brec Bassinger (THE GOLDBERGS, BELLA AND THE BULLDOGS) as Courtney Whitmore a.k.a. Stargirl, Yvette Monreal (THE FOSTERS, FAKING IT), Christopher James Baker (TRUE DETECTIVE), and Anjelika Washington (YOUNG SHELDON, SHAMELESS, Marvel's RUNAWAYS) in a starring roles.
STARGIRL is expected to debut exclusively on DC Universe in 2019.