As DC Universe’s Stargirl series continues to flesh out its cast, the series has moved to bring S.T.R.I.P.E. into the fold.
Via The Wrap, Bottle Rocket and The Royal Tenenbaums’ Luke Wilson has been cast as Pat Dugan, aka S.T.R.I.P.E, the stepfather of Brec Bassinger’s titular heroine. Dugan is a character who used to be the sidekick of the Star-Spangled Kid, using the moniker of Stripesy. As he got older, Dugan became the pilot of the Special Tactics Robotic Integrated Power Enhancer, later on taking on the S.T.R.I.P.E. identity as a way of keeping an eye on Courtney once he realised that she was fighting the good fight as Stargirl.
When discussing this news, showrunner Geoff Johns enthused, “When I first moved to Los Angeles in 1996 and saw Bottle Rocket, I became a huge fan and admirer of Luke’s. 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! Luke’s talent, humour, compassion – his presence and professionalism – and his creative collaboration, his ideas – we’re so lucky to have him alongside Brec in Stargirl.”
Wilson joins a cast the features Brec Bessinger as Stargirl, Henry Thomas as Doctor Mid-Nite, Joel McHale as Starman, Brian Stapf as Wildcat, Lou Ferrigno Jr. as Hourman, and roles for Anjielka Washington and Giancarlo Esposito. On the other side of the fence, the villains of the piece so far will be Neil Hopkins as Sportsmaster, Joy Omanski as Tigress, and Nelson Lee as Dragon as the series gets set to feature the nefarious Injustice Society to do battle with some of the JSA’s finest heroes.
The early synopsis on Stargirl reads:
Stargirl will follow the story of Courtney Whitmore (Bassinger) who is a smart, athletic and above all else kind girl. This high school teenager’s seemingly perfect life hits a major speedbump 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 iconic Geoff Johns is on writing and producing duties for Stargirl, with him famously having created the Courtney Whitmore character following the tragic death of his own sister.
As ever, expect more on Stargirl as it continues to develop.
