If you don't already know who Goku is, he's the star and protagonist of Akira Toriyama's Dragon Ball animated television series. Many manga artists cite Dragon Ball as an inspiration for their own now-famous works, making it one of the best and most influential manga series ever created. The series' popularity doesn't stop with other creators. However, people all across the globe hold Dragon Ball and its beloved characters dear to their hearts.
Update July 28, 2023: This article has been updated with even more characters that could play Goku.
So, if Dragon Ball were to be turned into a live-action movie again following the disappointing 2009 film Dragonball Evolution, one question is begged: What actor would best portray Goku in a reboot? Casting Goku is a major deal, as the character means a lot to many people. While no Dragon Ball or Dragon Ball Z adaptation is in the works, here are some actors that could bring the character of Goku to life on the big screen.
15 Henry Cavill
Henry Cavill, who is most well-known for his role as Clark Kent/Superman in the DC Extended Universe, also played the main character Geralt in The Witcher. Actor Henry Cavill hails from England, and his breakthrough came in 2007 when he played Charles Brandon on the Showtime historical drama The Tudors.
Henry Cavill would make an excellent Goku because of his dark hair, strong muscles, and inclination toward all things "nerdy". A battle between Goku and Superman, anyone?
14 Ross Butler
Ross Butler, known most for his role as the original Reggie on Riverdale, was born in Singapore to a Chinese-Malaysian mother. In order to continue playing his part as Zach Dempsey in 13 Reasons Why for its second season, Butler left Riverdale High.
Butler would make an incredible Goku in a live-action remake because of his versatile acting skills, flowing dark hair, and toned stature. What's more, his whopping 6'3" height would surely set him up for success as the warrior.
13 Paul Wesley
Yes, he's most known for being half of the blood-sucking Salvatore crew, but we think Paul Wesley made a great Goku! An American actor, director, and producer, Wesley wears many hats, so why shouldn't he wear Goku's (er, hair)?
He is well-known for his roles as James T. Kirk in the Paramount+ original series Star Trek: Strange New Worlds and Stefan Salvatore in the supernatural drama The Vampire Diaries. Wesley's broad build and flowing, dark-toned hair would work well for a Goku casting.
12 Charles Melton
Charles Melton is a successful actor and model, and he is most well-known for playing Reggie on Riverdale on The CW, and Daniel in The Sun Is Also a Star.
It appeared that the Riverdale cast took to the half-Korean actor right away when he replaced Ross Butler in the role of Reggie. His charismatic attitude, striking good looks, and muscular frame all rival those of the anime character Goku. We think Melton would smash the role!
11 Tom Hardy
Edward Thomas Hardy, better known by his stage name Tom Hardy, was a British actor who was best recognized for his eccentric attitude, striking good looks, and thoughtful performances in both indie and box-office hits.
Tom Hardy is well-known for his role in the Mad Max franchise. He's a buff guy with brunette hair; we think he'd make a great Goku. Although, some may say Hardy might be a little old for the role. What do you think?
10 Dwayne Johnson
Where did the name "The Rock" come from? Well, it was the ring name of American actor and former professional wrestler Dwayne Johnson. His huge build, energetic attitude, and legitimate melee skills would all help him crush the role of Goku in a live-action reboot.
Dwayne Johnson can earn up to $20 million in pay per project, which is his main source of income, but like most actors, he also benefits from a share of the money the movies make at the box office. Would you like to see The Rock play Goku?
9 Ki Hong Lee
Along with Dylan O'Brien, Ki Hong Lee co-stars in the Maze Runner series, but you may also recognize the Korean-American actor from the popular Netflix series Unbreakable. There is nothing greater than an actor who can play a variety of characters, whether he is terrifying you or making you laugh!
Because of his versatility, Lee would make a fantastic Goku. Although Goku is a pure-hearted character, that doesn't mean that his fighting is anything like his kind personality.
8 Liam Hemsworth
Australian actor Liam Hemsworth is well-known for playing Katniss' hometown friend, Gale, in the movie series The Hunger Games. Liam Hemsworth was born in Melbourne, Australia, on January 13, 1990, and is the younger brother of actor Chris Hemsworth.
Why do we think Liam would make a great Goku? He has the looks, that's for sure, but his superior acting skills and ability to accurately portray a wide variety of film characters would surely lead him to success as Goku.
7 Jason Momoa
Jason Momoa is famous for his role as Khal Drogo in HBO's hit fantasy series Game of Thrones and for his lead in Aquaman. He'd absolutely crush the role of Goku in a reboot because of his muscular build, superior acting skills, and flowing dark hair. The actor has the charisma that would help bring Goku to life, and everyone would believe he could pull off the incredible action required for the role.
6 Adrian Grenier
Adrian Grenier is an American actor, producer, director, and musician. His performance as Vincent Chase in the television series Entourage was what made him most famous. He has acted in movies like Marauders, The Devil Wears Prada, Trash Fire, and Drive Me Crazy. He recently appeared in the Clickbait Netflix series.
Funny enough, Grenier's character on Entourage played Aquaman which makes him right at home with one of our other picks, Jason Momoa. Grenier has never quite had a major role before, and this would be the perfect big-budget role for him.
5 Hugh Jackman
Known best for his role as Wolverine, Hugh Jackman is a hardcore, action-packed superhero completely capable of going Super Saiyan. He’s made a commitment to get back in shape for Deadpool 3, so maybe there are more extreme action roles ahead for this renowned actor. His incredible power and stage presence would work well when things get real on the battlefield.
Do you remember that huge roar he let out in X-Men Origins: Wolverine? When he burst out of the experimental tank, you could almost see his hair turning a fiery blonde. And Jackman comes almost pre-prepared to do any form close to Goku’s Great Ape. His animal instincts as Wolverine have him ready to fight aliens as the universe’s most powerful martial artist.
4 Chris Pratt
People forget that Goku is often as funny as he is fierce and Chris Pratt has a hilarious disposition to match with his awesome action training. Pratt could easily play both sides of the Saiyan. When Goku is hanging out at home with friends and family, he’s light-hearted and relaxed, but he’s always ready to fight when he’s taking on the next great challenge.
In Chris Pratt’s role as Star-Lord, he was an easy-going galactic traveler. But when things got serious, Pratt was always capable of delivering his lines with the same gravitas we see in Goku when he’s in a fight. Pratt is also one of those stars who’s famous for displaying his intense training regimen on Instagram, making sure he has the muscles necessary for the role.
3 Scott Adkins
Scott Adkins has been in tons of action flicks. And he’s regularly cast as the intense, physically capable character. Most recently, Adkins was in John Wick: Chapter 4 as Killa, but don’t be fooled, under that massive suit is a stone-cut statue of muscle. In Doctor Strange, his character was known simply as “strong zealot.” His entire resumé is completely filled with roles in action films.
But what makes him one of the best choices to star as Goku is his intense martial arts skills. Scott Adkins is trained in Taekwondo, Judo, Karate, Ninjitsu, Capoeira, Krav Maga, Wushu, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, Jeet Kune Do, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and Acrobatic Gymnastics. You’re not going to need a stunt double for this man. He’s practically a Super Saiyan already.
2 Heo Sung-tae
A famous Korean actor, you’ll probably recognize Heo Sung-tae from Squid Game. He was the big bully in the Netflix series. And everyone knows you need at least a little bit of attitude when going into a fight. He could probably be pretty intimidating on the battlefield.
But what makes him ready to play Goku is the very first acting job he ever got. Way back in 1990, Heo Sung-tae already starred as Goku in a low-quality live-action adaptation of the series. The movie was called Dragon Ball: Son Goku Fights, Son Goku Wins. And it looks almost as bad as that Super Mario movie from the 90s. It was complete with hand puppets smoking cigarettes and giant mascot-esq suits.
1 Taylor Lautner
Taylor Lautner practically has Goku’s spiky head of hair already. All he would have to do is grow it out a bit more, and he would have the look down. Known best for his role as Jacob in the Twilight Saga, experience as a werewolf would probably come in handy for an intense combat character like Goku.
He’s got the action experience, and he might not even have to wear a wig. With a character like Goku, that must save a ton of money in production. Taylor Lautner would be perfectly capable of pulling off this role, and depending on his performance, a lot of people might see him redeemed from being pigeonholed into being just a character from Twilight.
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