entertainment•Fri, October 16, 2026•4 min read

Josh Hutcherson and Mackenzie Davis Join DCU as Mister Miracle and Big Barda

DC Studios has officially cast Josh Hutcherson and Mackenzie Davis as the leads for its upcoming animated project. The series, inspired by Tom King’s acclaimed run, marks a major expansion of the DC Universe under James Gunn and Peter Safran.

A New Chapter for the New Gods

The DC Universe is growing in a bold, new direction. DC Studios co-CEO Peter Safran recently confirmed that Josh Hutcherson and Mackenzie Davis have been tapped to voice the iconic New Gods, Mister Miracle (Scott Free) and Big Barda, in an upcoming animated series. The project, which pulls inspiration from the critically lauded comic book run by Tom King, represents another piece of the puzzle in the franchise's evolving roadmap.

Who Are Scott Free and Big Barda?

Created by legendary comic book architect Jack Kirby in 1971, Scott Free and Big Barda remain two of the most fascinating figures in DC lore. Scott Free, the son of Highfather of New Genesis, was traded to the ruler of the hellish planet Apokolips, Darkseid, as part of a peace treaty. Despite his brutal upbringing, Scott escaped his fate and fled to Earth, where he became a master escape artist and a member of the Justice League.

His partner, Big Barda, is equally legendary. A former commander of Darkseid’s elite warrior legion known as the Female Furies, she eventually turned against the tyranny of Apokolips to find love and freedom alongside Scott. Their relationship serves as the emotional bedrock of many of their most celebrated stories.

Josh Hutcherson and Mackenzie Davis bring the beloved comic book couple to life.

Why This Casting Matters

The news has ignited intense speculation among fans regarding the future of the DCU. While the project is confirmed as an animated series, the prestige nature of the source material—Tom King’s 'Mister Miracle'—has led followers to wonder if these actors might eventually transition to live-action roles under James Gunn’s oversight.

Josh Hutcherson will voice the master escape artist, Scott Free.
Mackenzie Davis is set to play the powerhouse warrior, Big Barda.
The project is based on the award-winning comic run by Tom King.
The series follows the characters' origins on the war-torn worlds of New Genesis and Apokolips.

Mister Miracle and Barda were both created by Jack Kirby in 1971’s 'Mister Miracle #1' and 'Mister Miracle #4,' respectively. Scott Free is the son of Highfather, the ruler of the Utopian planet New Genesis.
— The Wrap

Key Takeaways

Josh Hutcherson and Mackenzie Davis have been cast as the leads in the new 'Mister Miracle' animated series.
The series is heavily inspired by the award-winning comic run by writer Tom King.
Scott Free (Mister Miracle) is an escape artist with a royal heritage from the planet New Genesis.
Big Barda is a former commander from the planet Apokolips who joined the Justice League.
Fans are already speculating if this casting could lead to future live-action appearances within the broader DCU.

FAQ

Will Josh Hutcherson be in a live-action DC movie?

Currently, his casting is specifically for the new animated series. While fans are speculating about potential live-action roles, no such plans have been announced by DC Studios.

What is the new 'Mister Miracle' series based on?

The animated series is based on the award-winning comic book run of the same name written by Tom King.

Who is Scott Free?

Scott Free is the son of Highfather of New Genesis. He was traded to Darkseid to ensure peace and eventually escaped to Earth to become the world's greatest escape artist.

Is Big Barda a hero?

Yes. Although she was originally a commander for Darkseid on Apokolips, she eventually rebelled against that life and became a powerful ally of the Justice League.