SZA, the five-time Grammy award-winning artist, made her big acting debut earlier this year in the film One of Them Days. Opposite Keke Palmer, she was praised for her role in the wacky comedy. The performance has many people thinking bigger. During an appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show, she revealed her love for Marvel comics and her dream role, the weather-controlling mutant Storm.
SZA Reveals She Would Love To Play Storm
As someone who grew up surrounded by the rich lore of Marvel and DC comics, SZA has always had a soft spot for comic book characters. Her connection with the Marvel universe stems from a cherished childhood memory: her father’s collection of first-edition comics, including the original Thor and Silver Surfer issues, stored in their basement. Reflecting on this, SZA humorously notes how her favorite hero, Silver Surfer, is “a dude,” steering her interests toward the formidable weather-controlling powers of Storm.
Storm has been a staple with the X-men for years. Originally known as Ororo Munroe, Storm is the daughter of a tribal princess from Kenya. She possesses the extraordinary ability to manipulate weather patterns, commanding everything from windstorms to lightning with just a thought. The character first graced the pages of Marvel Comics in 1975, conceived by the illustrious creators Len Wein and Dave Cockrum. Over the years, she has been a beacon of strength and resilience, both in comics and on screen. Halle Berry and Alexandra Shipp have beautifully portrayed Storm in previous X-Men film adaptations.
For SZA, the opportunity to play Storm in an origin story is more than just a career milestone; it’s a way to fulfill a lifelong passion she inherited from her father. She talked about how Storm’s roots in a “whole other place” like the jungle resonate with her, drawing parallels to her own life experiences and artistic journey.
Would Marvel Studios Cast Her?
Marvel Studios has never been shy about casting decisions against the grain. Robert Downey Jr., the one who started it all, was not seen as a great hire at the time. He will be returning as Doctor Doom in the upcoming Avengers movies, another bold casting decision after Tony Stark was killed off in Avengers: Endgame. Marvel hasn’t always gotten the top actors but has chosen to cast based on the characters. It has worked out very well for them.
SZA would clearly bring a passion to the character that many others may not. She doesn’t just want the role because it would look good on a Wikipedia filmography page. She has a true connection with the character, and would love to bring her to life on the screen. Marvel Studios has kept their X-men plans under wraps so far, only teasing things here and there. It will be interesting to see how they introduce the fan-favorite characters into the MCU.
Final Thoughts
Before seeing One of Them Days, many would have considered SZA being cast as Storm absolutely crazy. Given her performance, it doesn’t sound as crazy now. The MCU is expanding and will be looking for fresh talent to take on new roles. Will we see some surprise castings in the next few years from the studio?
