Summary
Although a proper live-actionDragon Ball Zmovie has yet to happen, the success of Netflix’s live-actionOne Piecemay be the spark that’s needed — and, if it happens, one actor from HBO’s Warrior is the only choice to play Vegeta. The prince of the fallen Saiyan race, Vegeta arrives on Earth early on inDragon Ball Zas an antagonist. A ruthless and arrogant warrior, he’s shocked when Earth’s go-to protector, a fellow Saiyan named Goku, has a power that exceeds his expectations. From then on,Vegeta is determined to become more powerful than Goku.
Over the course of the anime,Vegeta hasDragon Ball Z’s best redemption arc, transforming from a cold-blooded villain to a begrudging and bitter ally to an outright hero. Despite all of that change,Vegeta’s rivalry with Goku remains one of the series' defining dynamics. Needless to say, casting a standout Vegeta actor is just as important ascasting a live-action Goku in aDBZmovie. A lot rests on the actor’s ability to capture the fan-favorite Saiyan Prince’s demeanor as well as his top-notch fighting abilities, making Vegeta’s casting incredibly crucial.
Joe Taslim Would Be Perfect As Live-Action Vegeta
The Warrior Actor Has What It Takes To Play The Ruthless Saiyan Prince In A Dragon Ball Z Movie
Renownedmartial artist-turned-actor Joe Taslim is the perfect choice for a live-action Vegeta. A member of Indonesia’s national judo team for over a decade, Taslim won the role of Sergeant Jaka inThe Raid, an award-winning action-thriller flick set in Jakarta. The actor’s first big-name Hollywood role came in the form of 2013’sFast & Furious 6. Able to show his range, Taslim played the villain and mercenary Jah, who memorably fights Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson) and Han Seoul-Oh (Sung Kang) in hand-to-hand combat.
…playing an iconic character like Vegeta isn’t a stretch [for Taslim].
From the Indonesian action filmThe Night Comes for UstoHBO’s now-canceledWarrior, Joe Taslim has played a wide-range of characters, all of whom tap into the actor’s martial arts prowess. Currently, Taslim is set to star in Kenji Tanigaki’sThe Furious. Tanigaki, who’s best known for being an action choreographer in Japanese, Hong Kong, and Hollywood cinema, is a perfect match for Taslim’s wheelhouse.No stranger to taking on roles in beloved franchises,Taslim was also Sub-Zero in 2021’sMortal Kombat, so playing an iconic character like Vegeta isn’t a stretch.
Dragon Ball Z Ending Explained, What Happened to Goku & Vegeta in the Series' Finale?
Dragon Ball Z’s ending shows the path that the two main characters have walked on and teases how they will progress further in the future.
Joe Taslim’s Previous Roles Prove He Would Nail Vegeta
From Mortal Kombat To Fast & Furious, Taslim Has The Chops For The DBZ Villain-Turned-Hero
There’s no doubt that Taslim’s previous roles have prepared him to playVegeta,Dragon Ball’s best father. In HBO’s action-packedWarrior, Taslim played Li Yong, a skilled martial artist who serves as chief enforcer for the Long Zii tong. Incredibly determined and loyal, Li Yong is a rather reserved figure. While he doesn’t have Vegeta’s arrogance,he certainly has the same purpose-fueled grit and ambition. Meanwhile, Taslim’sMortal Kombatcharacter, Sub-Zero, is a warrior ninja who’s often defined by his rivalry with Scorpion. It’s hard not to see shades of Vegeta and Goku in that dynamic.
Dragon Ball’s Dark Future Secretly Explains the Real Reason Gohan is Stronger Than Goku & Vegeta
Gohan has achieved a wild new level of power in Dragon Ball Super, but he may owe his new power to a key difference between Super and its dark future.
A New Dragon Ball Live-Action Movie Would Have To Get The Cast Right After Evolution
Dragon Ball Evolution Killed Any Hopes Of Another Live-Action Adaptation (Until Now)
In 2009, the whitewashedDragonball Evolutiontried to adapt the iconic manga and anime series into a live-action format and, ultimately, upset fans and newcomers. Although Vegeta didn’t appear, the project was rife with awfulcasting for a live-actionDragon Ballmovieas well as a terrible story and baffling approach to the world. Making a mere $56.5 million at the box office,Dragonball Evolutionis widely considered one of the worst movies of all time. Needless to say, getting a strong, accurate cast would be essential for a potential live-actionDragon Ball Zmovie’s success.
Dragon Ball Z
Dragon Ball Z follows Goku, who lives a peaceful life with his family until the arrival of Raditz, a mysterious warrior claiming to be Goku’s brother. This revelation unveils their true heritage as Saiyans, a formidable warrior race known for conquering planets.
