DC Universe already transferred its original programming to HBO Max when it became a digital comic book platform. Now, HBO Max is getting even more content inspired by DC comic book stories. In addition to the Snyder Cut of Justice League, the streaming platform announced that projects featuring heroines Batgirl and Zatanna are in development. Batgirl comes to the platform on the heels of Joss Whedon stepping down from the movie for the character. Zatanna comes to the platform along with works inspired by Justice League Dark and a reboot of Constantine - both projects where the character could potentially appear as well if they exist in an interconnected universe.
Originally a stage musician, Zatanna Zatara discovers she has real magical powers of her own. In most versions of her comic book origin story, that discovery goes hand in hand with a search for her missing father, who is also a magician. One of her magical skills involves reciting phrases backwards to cast a spell. In some continuities, she finds love with John Constantine. Others see her as a childhood friend of Bruce Wayne who harbors feelings for him even after learning his identity as Batman. Since her first comic book appearance was in 1964, there are decades of material for writers to draw inspiration from, leaving fans wondering just who could play her.
Alexandra Daddario
When fans talk about their dream casts for comic book adaptations, there are a lot of opinions. In the case of Zatanna though, there's one name that's been popping up in fan speculations for years: Alexandra Daddario.
She earned recognition from a lot of genre fans for her role in the Percy Jackson movies. Though the movies weren't what book fans wanted, most fans didn't fault the actors, including Daddario, for their performances. Daddario has run the gamut of movie genres, appearing in everything from a Texas Chainsaw remake to Baywatch and a slew of romantic comedies. The wide variety of projects proves to fans she's got the dramatic and comedic chops to handle the lead as a superhero.
Ana de Armas
When rumors of a potential Justice League Dark movie surfaced several years ago, rumors also persisted that Warner Brothers was interested in casting a Latina actress for Zatanna. Whether or not that rumor is true is unclear, but more diversity in superhero casting is always a good thing. With that in mind, Ana de Armas might be the actress on everyone's mind.
Though she's got quite a few projects under her belt, de Armas became a household name thanks to the popularity of Knives Out. The mystery balanced the anxiety of a thriller with the laughs of a comedy. De Armas appeared at the center of it all as a vulnerable nurse up against a wealthy family who would be more than happy to blame her for the death of the family patriarch. Fans are eager to see what she'll do next, and a superhero role would certainly be something different for her.
Arden Cho
Though Arden Cho has worked on television, film, and music, her best known role was on MTV's Teen Wolf. For two years she starred as high school teen Kira. Kira also happened to have the spirit of a thunder kitsune. That gave her character special abilities and some great fighting skills.
Those fighting skills are all Cho's own. Though Zatanna isn't often thought of as a hand-to-hand combatant, the control of movement that comes through fight training would definitely be good for an actress playing the character. As a stage magician, Zatanna is someone very conscious of the moves she makes - and of misdirection. That's something unique Cho would bring to the role compared to other candidates.
Odeya Rush
For most of her professional career, Odeya Rush has been playing teenagers. That's with good reason since she's the youngest actress here. In her short time acting, however, Rush has already amassed several memorable roles at both the comedic and dramatic ends of the spectrum.
The Giver, Goosebumps, Lady Bird, and Dumplin' are all in her repertoire. She has a knack for playing roles involving a search for identity. That's why she'd be a great fit for a Zatanna origin story. If Zatanna's magical life isn't already established for the events of the HBO Max project, the audience could see her discover her real magic for the first time as she searches for her father.
Naomi Scott
Naomi Scott might be one of the most versatile of actresses today. She got her big break in the Disney Channel original movie Lemonade Mouth, but since then she's gone on to be a Disney princess, a Power Ranger, and an Angel - one of Charlie's Angels.
Despite so many of her big roles being remakes or continuations of different properties, Scott's work as characters like Princess Jasmine and Kimberly Hart stands out. She's able to make them her own though fans have decades of attachment to the existing characters. That's a skill that will come in handy for someone like Zatanna. Though the character hasn't appeared in a live-action movie before, she did recur on the series Smallville, so there are sure to be fans hoping to see the character they already know.
Eiza González
After studying acting in Mexico, Eiza González became something of a TV darling. She appeared in hundreds of episodes of TV dramas in Mexico. Her big mainstream break came in From Dusk Till Dawn: The Series. The show catapulted her onto an international stage, and it's unlikely to ever hear a superhero movie being discussed without her name coming up in the mix.
Some fans were eager for her to play the role of Catwoman before Zoe Kravitz was cast for The Batman. With her scene stealing in features like Baby Driver and Hobbs & Shaw, however, it's clear it's time for her to be the lead. Zatanna would allow her the chance to do just that. Artist BossLogic has already imagined her in the role. She's demonstrated a talent for action, drama, and comedic one-liners, like so many of the actresses here.
Fans will simply have to wait to see who Warner Bros. taps to play the magical heroine.