‘The Office’ Star Wants to Play Plastic Man in the DCU, and Gunn Is Already Aware of It

Rainn Wilson has his sights set on a very unusual superhero. While speaking at Fan Expo Chicago on August 16, the actor best known for playing Dwight Schrute on The Office revealed that he has already suggested to James Gunn which DC Comics character deserves a movie next.

“I’ve hinted to James several times, like, ‘Hey man, you’ve got to do something with Plastic Man,’” Wilson said during the panel. “He’s one of my favorite DC characters, and I loved him growing up.”

Plastic Man, whose real name is Patrick “Eel” O’Brian, started out as a small-time criminal. After a chemical accident during a robbery gone wrong, he discovered he could stretch his body into any shape, like rubber.

Instead of staying on the wrong path, he turned his life around and became a hero. The character was created by Jack Cole back in 1941 and became part of DC Comics in 1966 after first appearing in books from Quality Comics.

Wilson said the reason he connected with Plastic Man as a kid was because of the comedy. “He had a wicked sense of humor,” he explained. “The Plastic Man comics were very, very funny. That would be a fun one to unearth.”

The actor admitted that he would love to play Plastic Man himself but made it clear that just seeing the character come to life on the big screen would be enough. “I would be a fan even if I wasn’t in it,” Wilson said. “I would love to watch that… And play him.”

There have been rumors more than a year ago that a Plastic Man project is being developed for the DC Universe, but so far nothing has been officially confirmed.

Have something to add? Let us know in the comments!