Cyberpunk 2077 has a live-action adaptation coming, as announced by CD Projekt Red. And while the story has yet to be confirmed, we’re already dreaming about who would make for the perfect cast. One of the game’s most beloved characters is Jackie, who’s a big brother of sorts to V in the merc world of Night City. Casting him is definitely tough due to his larger-than-life persona, but we’ve got some thoughts. Here are 10 actors who should play Jackie in the live-action Cyberpunk 2077 adaptation.
10 Actors Who Should Play Jackie in the Live-Action Cyberpunk 2077 Adaptation
Dwayne Johnson (The Rock)
While he’s arguably the biggest movie star on the planet, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson doesn’t take the most challenging roles all the time. Playing Jackie Wells would be an interesting move for him, as he has the character’s highly likable energy. But he can also completely hold his own in action sequences. He has experience in plenty of action flicks, such as Black Adam and G.I. Joe: Retaliation. He’s also familiar with the sci-fi genre, too, being the highlight of the 2005 Doom film.
Related: 10 Actors Who Should Play V
John Cena
Sticking with the former wrestling stars, John Cena has been making quite a name for himself in movie and TV roles as of late. He exudes the “take you under his wing” type of energy that Jackie is known for. And although he doesn’t fit the look of the character, he certainly fits the vibe to a T. As a veteran in both physical and comedic roles, Cena would be an interesting but appropriate choice for playing Jackie.
Josh Brolin
Josh Brolin is one of the most well-known names in Hollywood today and has plenty of experience playing tough but loveable characters. His turn as Thanos was so charismatic that he had MCU fans almost rooting for him. He’s played gun-toting badasses in several films, and his quiet calm and knack for comedic timing would be a fun choice for a character that everyone seems to love.
Hugh Jackman
This would be a bit of an outside-the-box choice, but hear me out. With Jackman’s ability to play tough, gruff, and loveable all at the same time, would it really be that strange to see him nail the role of Jackie? He’s got action experience and is a fantastic actor to boot. He could bring both physicality and charm to a role that demands both in spades. He may have put action roles behind him, but we at least know he’s whipping the Wolverine claws out one more time. Jackie would be an awesome role for him to try.
Related: 10 Actors Who Should Play Panam
Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal is in everyone’s favorite franchises at this point, so why not add him into Cyberpunk 2077, as well? Pedro has both the comedic chops and badass persona locked down. He’s highly capable of playing a hard-nosed mercenary who also acts as a mentor. We’ve seen his physicality in all of his roles, but he also has a warmth and likeability to him that allows him to connect with audiences. He might just be too busy to take on this role, sure. But we’re willing to bet it would be one he’d be highly interested in playing.
Benicio Del Toro
Beinicio Del Toro is a fantastic actor who’s had roles ranging from dramatic to action-based and everything in between. He has an air of mystery and charm about him. Few actors can match it. IT helps he has experience in the sci-fi universe in multiple franchises, too. The role of Jackie would need to be expanded upon greatly for him to take on the role. However, he would be an awesome choice for the character.
John Leguizamo
John is one of the more interesting actors in the various roles he’s played in his career. Early in his career, he played The Clown in Spawn, and he exudes playfulness and danger all at once. He’s played a mentor to an up-and-coming character in Kick Ass 2, as well. So he could nail it from that aspect, as well. He’s a veteran of action films and has always been one of the more likable actors out there, be it in interviews, his one-man shows, or on the big screen. Jon Leguizamo would be a fun choice and one that fans could easily get behind.
Michael Pena
Michael Pena has been in movies of all kinds, playing cops, sidekicks, and more. He’s had a knack for stealing scenes no matter what he’s in. That’s perfect for Jackie, as he remains many Cyberpunk 2077 players’ favorite character despite having little screen time. Pena’s got experience in action scenes and is one of the funniest actors around. While he’d need to bulk up a bit for the role, he could absolutely kill it if given the opportunity.
Javier Bardem
No actor encapsulates likability and danger more than Javier Bardem. Even in his most terrifying role in No Country For Old Men, he was still the star of the film despite saying very little and being an obviously horrible person. Javier has played a protagonist many times as well, so his versatility is unquestioned. He is both intimidating and charming at once, which fits Jackie Wells’ personality perfectly. While he’s a bit of an older choice for the role, he could bring a fierceness to Jackie that few others could accomplish.
Dave Bautista
There are perfect matches for characters and actors out there. Dave Bautista and Jackie are two that couldn’t be more perfect for each other. Tough and funny with the ability to hold his own in any kind of action scene is a rarity. But Dave Bautista can do that. Whether it’s his roles in Blade Runner 2049 or Guardians of the Galaxy, Bautista has a ton of experience in sci-fi and navigates the genre well. As someone with both the stature and charisma to pull off this character, he’s been the call for this character since the game first released. With the live-action adaptation in full swing, it’s time to make it a reality.
Those are our choices for the 10 actors who should play Jackie in the live-action Cyberpunk 2077 adaptation. Casting roles in video game franchises is nearly an impossible task, but luckily, when it comes to Jackie, there are so many great choices to play him. Any one of them would be a great fit. If you’re playing Cyberpunk 2077 2.0 or the Phantom Liberty expansion, check out our guides section for tips and tricks.
Published: Oct 8, 2023 05:45 pm