How Steven Yeun Can Bring Invincible to Life in the Live-Action Adaptation

The live-action Invincible film is currently in the works, with plans for a new adaptation. Steven Yeun, who voiced Mark Grayson in the animated series, may have a chance to play the titular character in the live-action version. Universal Pictures announced the live-action adaptation back in April 2017, with Evan Goldberg and Seth Rogan set to direct. In August 2017, Robert Kirkman, the creator of Invincible, made a deal with Amazon to develop series for Amazon Prime Video. The animated Invincible series started development in July 2018 and premiered in April 2021.

While the animated series was in production, the live-action film was put on hold until January 2021, when it was confirmed that it was still in the works. Fans are curious if Steven Yeun could potentially appear in the live-action adaptation, given his previous role in the animated series. One way that Yeun could not only be a part of the adaptation but also reprise his role as Invincible is by being cast in the live-action film.

At the time of writing this article, the Invincible TV show is streaming on Prime Video.

The Live-Action Invincible Movie Should Cast Steven Yeun As A Mark Grayson Variant

Alternate Mark is restrained by the GDA in Invincible  - The Live-Action Invincible Movie Should Cast Steven Yeun As A Mark Grayson Variant

Yeun could potentially appear in a live-action film by playing a different version of Invincible. In the Invincible comic book series, there is a significant storyline called the Invincible War. This story involves alternate versions of Invincible being sent to destroy the original Mark's reality. The mastermind behind this war is Angstrom Levy, who holds Invincible responsible for the failure of his experiment to absorb the memories of his alternate selves. Following this, Levy travels to various universes to gather these alternate versions of Invincible and bring them back to eliminate the original Mark's world.

This Casting Trick Worked Out For Marvel (& Invincible Has The Perfect Setup For It)

While Yeun has aged out of playing the original Mark in the live-action film, as Mark is 17 years old when the series starts, the Invincible story involves a multiverse. Therefore, the film could bring Steven Yeun into the live-action Invincible movie as one of Mark Grayson's variants. This would allow Yeun to reprise the role he helped shape, while also adding an intriguing dimension to the character's storyline, as he would be an older version of Mark Grayson.

Mark Grayson against a starry night in Invincible season 2 - This Casting Trick Worked Out For Marvel (& Invincible Has The Perfect Setup For It)

Invincible has the ideal setup for bringing back past actors to reprise their roles, just like in the successful Marvel Cinematic Universe. In Spider-Man: No Way Home, fans saw Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield return as different versions of Spider-Man, showcasing alternative futures for the beloved character.

Including Steven Yeun in the live-action movie is a must This created a lot of excitement among viewers when they saw three different versions of the character on screen. As a result, Spider-Man: No Way Home broke records to become the highest-grossing Spider-Man movie ever and the sixth-highest-grossing film of all time. With Invincible's multiverse storyline already in place, it would be a seamless transition to have Yeun play an alternate version of the character when the Invincible War kicks off.

Mark Grayson taking off his mask in Invincible season 2 - Why The Live-Action Movie Must Include Steven Yeun In Some Way

It's important to find a way to include Yeun in the live-action Invincible movie, even if he doesn't end up playing an alternative version of Mark Grayson. Audiences have come to associate him with the character and the show, making his involvement a major draw. While Yeun has expressed interest in being part of the movie, he also understands that due to his age, he may not be the right fit to portray Mark.

Kirkman suggested that Steven Yeun could play the live-action role of Cecil Stedman in Invincible, which would be a significant change in character. It is unclear whether this was a serious consideration or just a joke, but it shows that the creators are thinking about Yeun for a role. Despite gaining recognition for his voice acting in Invincible, Yeun is also highly skilled in live-action acting.

Yeun has appeared in various TV shows and movies such as The Walking Dead, Nope, and Beef. He even received the Best Actor award at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards for his performance in Beef. Given his extensive experience, there are numerous potential roles for Yeun in the live-action adaptation of Invincible. Whether he plays an alternate version of Mark or a completely different character, Steven Yeun is an essential element for the success of the animated series in a live-action format.

Editor's P/S:

The live-action Invincible film presents a unique opportunity to explore the character's multiverse, potentially offering a tantalizing role for Steven Yeun. By casting Yeun as an alternate version of Mark Grayson, the film could capitalize on his established connection to the character while introducing a fresh and intriguing dimension to the storyline. The success of Marvel's multiverse approach in Spider-Man: No Way Home suggests that this strategy could be equally effective in expanding the Invincible universe.

Furthermore, Yeun's versatility as an actor makes him a valuable asset to the live-action adaptation. His proven ability to portray both complex and relatable characters would enhance any role he takes on. Whether as an alternate Mark Grayson or a different character altogether, Yeun's presence would undoubtedly elevate the film's narrative and appeal to fans of the animated series.