Hello everyone! I'm Levi from The Thought Vessel Show, and earlier this month, it was announced that we'll be getting a Magic: The Gathering film, which could potentially unfold into a full cinematic universe through Legendary Studios--the creators of Dune, The Dark Knight, Inception, and many more. This exciting news has sparked plenty of speculation about which actors might portray the famous planeswalkers. Over the next five articles, we'll explore different casting options for Jace Beleren, Chandra Nalaar, Liliana Vess, Garruk Wildspeaker, and Ajani Goldmane. Collectively, they're known as "The Lorwyn Five," since they were the first five planeswalkers printed as planeswalker cards in Magic: The Gathering. Today, we'll be looking at possible casting choices for the blue mind mage himself--Jace Beleren. But before we dive into the casting options, let's take a brief look at who Jace is as a character.

Jace Beleren is a mind mage and illusion specialist with a complicated past and an even more complex personality. His powers revolve around telepathy, illusions, and mental manipulation, making him both a brilliant strategist and a dangerous opponent. Originally from the plane of Vryn, Jace was an exceptional student of magic from an early age, quickly catching the attention of Alhammarret, a sphinx who became his mentor. However, their relationship took a dark turn when Jace discovered that Alhammarret had been manipulating his mind to hide secrets. This realization led to a fierce mental duel in which Jace's latent planeswalker spark ignited, propelling him to the plane of Ravnica.

On Ravnica, Jace found himself lost and alone, struggling to make sense of his new surroundings. He eventually became deeply involved in the political machinations of the city-plane, earning the title of Living Guildpact--a powerful arbiter who held the balance of Ravnica's ten guilds in his hands. Despite this prestigious position, Jace's journey has been anything but smooth. He's a character constantly torn between his sense of duty and his desire for personal freedom. His alliances have shifted over time, from working with morally gray figures like Tezzeret and Liliana Vess to becoming one of the founding members of the Gatewatch, a group of planeswalkers dedicated to protecting the multiverse from major threats.

Jace's personality is marked by his quiet intensity, intelligence, and tendency to overanalyze. He's often secretive and distant, not out of malice but because he's burdened by the weight of his own mind. He's known for being cautious and reserved, preferring to observe and plan rather than rush into action. However, Jace is also a deeply compassionate individual, especially when it comes to protecting those he cares about. His life has been a series of highs and lows--rising to great power only to lose it all, and at times even having his memory wiped, forcing him to rebuild himself from scratch. An actor portraying Jace needs to capture this duality: the cool, calculating exterior paired with the vulnerability of someone who's been through countless personal struggles. They should be able to convey subtlety and complexity--balancing Jace's intellect and confidence with moments of doubt, fear, and even madness. Bonus points if they can bring a slightly unhinged edge, as Jace has a history of mental trauma that sometimes makes him erratic and unpredictable.

Though Jace is canonically 24 years old, I think an older portrayal--someone in their 30s or even early 40s--would work well to depict him as a more seasoned, mature leader of the Gatewatch. This would give the character a sense of authority and depth, making him feel like a figure who's truly lived through the countless wars and crises that have defined his life. With these characteristics in mind, here are five actors who could bring the former Living Guildpact to life.

5) Ben Barnes

If we're aiming for an older version of Jace, Ben Barnes would be an excellent choice. Barnes is a veteran of the fantasy and sci-fi genres, with roles in The Chronicles of Narnia, Westworld, and most recently, Shadow and Bone. His portrayal of General Aleksander Kirigan in Shadow and Bone highlights his ability to bring a mysterious character to life. At 43, Barnes may be a bit older than the traditional Jace, but his experience and gravitas make him a strong contender.

4) Cameron Monaghan

For a more unpredictable, mind-broken take on Jace, Cameron Monaghan is a dark horse pick. He's an accomplished actor with a history of dynamic roles. Starting as a child actor, Monaghan has evolved into an impressive talent with standout performances in Shameless and Gotham, where his portrayal of the Joker displayed his ability to embody chaos and instability. His range could be a valuable asset for portraying Jace's complex mental state.

3) Barry Keoghan

Speaking of range, Barry Keoghan is next on the list. Keoghan has become a name of intrigue in Hollywood, known for his versatility and award-nominated performances. He's appeared in everything from true-crime dramas like American Animals to fantasy epics like The Green Knight. He was even tapped to play the Joker in The Batman. At 32, with a youthful face and impressive range, Keoghan could be the rising star that Magic builds a franchise aroun

2) Aaron Taylor-Johnson

Aaron Taylor-Johnson would be a dream choice for Jace. Known for his roles in Kick-Ass, Avengers: Age of Ultron, and more recent films like Bullet Train and Kraven the Hunter, Taylor-Johnson has proven his ability to play heroes, villains, and everything in between. While his more muscular frame might not fit the conventional image of Jace, the character's signature robes and layered clothing could easily mask that. My only concern is that his price tag might be too high for the film's budget.

1) Tanner Buchanan

Finally, my top pick for a younger version of Jace is Tanner Buchanan. Relatively new compared to the others on this list, Buchanan recently finished an impressive run as Robbie Keene on Cobra Kai. His Cobra Kai co-stars Jacob Bertrand and Xolo Mariduena have experience with Magic: The Gathering, participating in events like Game Knights and Game Knights Live. This connection might help Buchanan get an audition, and his combination of acting ability, age, and likely affordability makes him an ideal candidate to play Jace.

As of now, we haven't heard any news about casting or the film's storyline. It could very well follow the current storyline, Urza's Saga, The Weatherlight Saga, or something entirely new. We simply don't know enough to draw any definitive conclusions yet. Regardless, I'll be counting down the days until I can sit down in a theater and watch Magic: The Gathering come to life on the big screen. Until next time, happy gaming!