Early in his career,Simon Peggappeared in an audio-drama version ofStrontium Dog, playing protagonist Johnny Alpha, and with the franchise long overdue for a live-action adaptation, there is still time for Pegg to star in the film. Even if he didn’t take the lead, the actor could still play a pivotal role in bringingStrongtium Dogto life.
Pegg voiced Johnny Alpha in the early 2000s, portraying the character inStrontium Dog: Down to EarthandStrontium Dog: Fire from Heaven, as well as the crossoverJudge Dredd: Pre-Emptive Revenge.
WhileDreddhas been adapted for the screenseveral times, Johnny Alpha andStrontium Doghave lapsed into obscurity. However, longtime fan Simon Pegg could potentially resurrect the franchise.
Simon Pegg Is Still The Right Person To Bring “Strontium Dog” To The Big Screen
Pegg Previously Voiced Johnny Alpha From 2002-2004
At first glance, there are a lot of similarities between Johnny Alpha and Judge Dredd. Both originated in the pages of the British comic anthology2000 A.D.; both characters exist in post-apocalyptic futures. Their character designs are even very similar. YettheDreddfranchise has captured the public imaginationin a wayStrontium Dognever quite managed to.
[Strontium Dog] is no stranger to time travel, meaning casting Pegg as an older Johnny Alpha wouldn’t preclude a film featuring a younger Alpha alongside him.
With Dredd having been played on-screen by the likes of Sylvester Stallone and Karl Urban, it might seem like Simon Pegg would be playing against type as on-screen Johnny Alpha. Yet that could actually work in favor of an adaptation, helping make it distinct fromDredd;Pegg could be a natural fit as a grizzled veteran version of the character.
LikeDredd,Strontium Dogis a serial sci-fi saga with decades of lore to draw on. Notably, the franchise is no stranger to time travel, meaning casting Pegg as an older Johnny Alpha wouldn’t preclude a film featuring a younger Alpha alongside him. In fact,that could be the perfect atypical blend of buddy comedy and sci-fi action for Simon Pegg.
Johnny Alpha Is Overdue For A Comeback; Fans Want Simon Pegg Involved One Way Or Another
The Actor’s Versatility Opens Up Many Possibilities
There are many otheroptions for including Simon Peggin a modernStrontium Dogadaptation; instead of mutant hero Johnny Alpha, Pegg could play his human partner Wulf Sternhammer. Or, he could perhaps voice the Gronk, a lovable alien sidekick with a weak heart. Realistically, the actorcould appear in a myriad of ways, from existing to new characters.
Regardless of the role,the point is that ifStrontium Dogis ever adapted, fans would appreciate the full-circle moment of Pegg’s involvement.There’s also always the possibility that, in lieu of a live-action appearance,Simon Peggcould resume his voice-acting duties as an animated Johnny Alpha, perhaps even inanotherJudge Dreddcrossover.
