Luke Wilsonhas joined the cast of DC’s streaming seriesStargirlin a superhero role that, believe it or not, was written specifically for him. Wilson will play Stargirl’s step-father Pat Dugan, and apparently he hasBottle Rocketto thank for the part.
“When I first moved to Los Angeles in 1996 and sawBottle Rocket, I became a huge fan and admirer of Luke’s. And I literally wrote this part for Luke, hoping that someday and somehow he’d play Pat Dugan. I only envisioned him. And now I feel like I won the lottery,” saidGeoff Johns, who will serve as executive producer and showrunner ofStargirl.The series has special meaning for Johns, as the character not only started his career as a comic book writer when he created her in 1999, butStargirlwas inspired by his late sister, who was killed in a plane explosion in 1996. I personally did not know that about Johns, and I imagine this series will be an incredibly cathartic experience for him, seeing his creation brought to life 20 years later.
Brec Bassingerwill play the title character, a high school sophomore named Courtney Whitmore who inspires an unlikely group of young heroes to stop the villains of the past. The drama is said to reimagine Stargirl and the very first superhero team, the Justice Society of America.
Wilson’s Pat Dugan used to be known as Stripesy, who was the sidekick to a young hero known as The Star-Spangled Kid, and later Starman of the legendary JSA, though Pat has since left his sidekick life behind him. But when his new step-daughter discovers Pat’s secret past and takes on Starman’s legacy to become Stargirl, Pat is forced to come out of retirement and once again become a sidekick – to his step-daughter – this time piloting a 15-foot robot called Stripe.
Joel McHalewill co-star as Starman, whileHenry Thomaswill play Doctor Mid-Nite andLou Ferrignowill appear in a recurring role as Hourman,
In addition to Johns,Stargirlhails from executive producersGreg Berlanti,Sarah SchechterandMelissa Carter. The series is produced by Berlanti Productions and Mad Ghost Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Johns is also writing the first episode of the series, which is expected to debut later this year.
Best known for his work withWes Anderson, Wilson recently co-starred alongside Bill Hader andKristen WiiginThe Skeleton Twins, and oppositeOlivia WildeinReed Morano’s indie dramaMeadowland. He’ll soon be seen inAtom Egoyan’sGuest of HonourandJohn Crowley’sThe Goldfinch, which also starsAnsel ElgortandNicole Kidman. I’ve always liked Wilson and this is a nice role for him in a buzzy superhero show, as well as a coup for the project itself. He’s represented by CAA.
