Joel Edgerton’s Jason2 isDark Matterseason 1’s primary villain, but his redemption at the end of the run opens the door for an already-established character to step in as season 2’s antagonist. Edgerton’s role as the leader of theDark Mattercastcalled for him to play various iterations of the same character, but he wasn’t the only actor asked to do just that.Dark Matter’s multiversal premise means most members of the cast need to double or triple up on their performances, which has quickly separated the Apple TV+ adaption from the 2016 sci-fi novel by Blake Crouch.
Moving forward,Dark Matter’s book changesare shaping up to pay off big time when the show returns. By theend ofDark Matterseason 1, the source matter is exhausted. However,Crouch’s return as theDark Mattershowrunner has already benefitted the TV show, as the alterations he has implemented to his original version of the story have vastly expanded the potential and lifespan of the Apple TV+ project. There’s one character from the book whose arc inDark Matterseason 2is perhaps a little easier to predict than most.
Dark Matter Season 1 Set Up Leighton Vance To Take Over From Jason2 As Season 2’s Villain
Jason2 redeemed himself at the end of Dark Matter season 1
Even though Jason2 wasn’t a conventional bad guy, he was still unquestionably the main antagonist ofDark Matterseason 1. His story ends very differently in both versions, though. In the novel, Jason Dessen kills Jason2 while on the run from the horde of his doppelgängers, whereasJason2 has a change of heart in the show and helps his stolen family escape. So, if Jason2 were to return inDark Matterseason 2, it wouldn’t make sense for his comeback to be as a villain. Instead, Dayo Okeniyi’s Leighton Vance is far more likely to take that spot.
Okeniyi’s version is given far more to do in the show, as he disappears from the book after Jason and Amanda escape from Velocity.
Just like Jason2,Leighton is handled far differently in the Apple TV+ adaptation. Okeniyi’s version is given far more to do in the show, as he disappears from the book after Jason and Amanda escape from Velocity. His TV counterpart follows them into the Box, butDark Matterseason 1 shows him on several occasions during his travels, and, to put it lightly, he isn’t having a very good time. He is battered, bloody, and bruised, and looks every inch like he’s experiencing a villain’s origin story.
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Although Leighton is far more familiar with Jason2, it’s actually the story’s “main” Jason (AKA Jason 1) who Okeniyi’s character would hold a grudge against. If anything, Leighton would be delighted to see Jason2 again, as they are very good friends and colleagues at Velocity. Inversely,it was Jason1’s escape that set in motion Leighton’s tumultuous journey through the multiverse, so it wouldn’t be surprising if Leighton had a thirst for vengeance after what he’s been through. Of course, he would have to find Jason1 first.
Dark Matter’s narrative theme revolves around the concept of the road not taken, which is upheld in the live-action adaptation of Crouch’s novel.
Dark Matter’s narrative theme revolves around the concept of the road not taken, which is upheld in the live-action adaptation of Crouch’s novel. So,Dark Matterseason 2 needs to stick with the message, and using Leighton as a bad guy is a brilliant way to do that. Adding to this is the fact thatCrouch added another version of Leighton to the show who never appeared in the original story, and they both end season 1 hopping between realities. That being said, one Leighton is having a far better time than the other, because he chose an alternate path.
Leighton Can Easily Take Up Residence In Jason’s Original Reality
Dark Matter’s other Leighton left his old life behind & ripe for the taking
From the perspective of many characters, the show’s new Leighton will have vanished from Jason’s original reality. So, if the lost and injured Leighton were to somehow find his way to that universe, then there would be an open spot for him to just slot into a new life. Even if he didn’t intend to stay there forever, it would be a good place to rest. The issues arise when it’s considered thatJason2 managed to persuade the departed Leighton to give all his money to Edgerton’s character, so Okeniyi’s exhausted persona would need to retrieve it.
The Leighton in Jason’s original universe is never mentioned in theDark Matterbook, and Jason doesn’t know who he is when he lands in Jason2’s reality.
At present,it seems unclear whether Jason2 will return, disappear back into the multiverse, or suffer a darker fate at the hands of the other stranded copies of Jason1. If Leighton does show up in Jason2’s last-known reality, it provides the perfect opportunity for Edgerton’s redeemed villain to join the story again. He is the holder of a fortune that once belonged to the other Leighton, so the two friends could find solace in each other’s company and build some form of a life together.
Leighton Vance’s Reunion With Jason2 Could Be One Of Dark Matter Season 2’s Best Storylines
They never directly interacted in either version of Dark Matter
Although the book and the show have both confirmed thatJason2 and Velocity’s Leighton Vance were good friendsbefore the former left in the Box, they have never been shown to interact in either version of the story. Instead, their friendship can mainly be interpreted via context clues rather than direct reveals. So, a team-up inDark Matterseason 2 would be a franchise first, and really fun to see.
With Jason2 at the end of his villain arc and Leighton’s just beginning, it would be incredibly compelling to witness how both men would address their respective dynamics with Jason1.
Furthermore, with Jason2 at the end of his villain arc and Leighton’s just beginning, it would be incredibly compelling to witness how both men would address their respective dynamics with Jason1, and how their differing opinions would impact their friendship. With Jason2 freshly removed from saving Jason1’s life and Leighton Vance presumably wanting to take his frustration out on someone,this storyline is set up to be one ofDark Matterseason 2’s most fascinating.
Leighton Vance’s Villain Origin Story Wouldn’t Be Possible Without Apple TV+s Big Book Changes
Blake Crouch has fleshed out Leighton Vance far more in the live-action version
Leighton’s aforementioned presence in theDark Matterbook is worlds apart from how Okeniyi’s version of the character is used. In the novel, Leighton feels almost like an afterthought or a means to an end, whereas the adaptation uses him to his fullest potential and then some. He’s still framed sort of like a bad guy in the source material, buthe’s easy to forget once Jason manages to escapewith the assistance of Amanda.
Dark Matter Season 2 Is Setting Up A Major Change From The Original Book, And It Won’t Be The Only One
Dark Matter season 1 made several changes to Blake Crouch’s 2016 sci-fi novel, but one alteration in particular has set up an interesting meeting.
Interestingly, Leighton’s arc in theDark Matterbook may be far more similar to his TV show storyline than it initially seems. Although he never shows up again in the novel, that’s because it’s told almost completely from the perspective of Jason Dessen, and so it would be very difficult to address Leighton’s fate after Jason departs from Velocity. Therefore,it’s very possible that Leighton also followed Jason and Amanda into the Box in the bookand equally became lost in the multiverse. However, theDark Matternovel doesn’t confirm, deny, or address this in any way.
Dark Matter
Cast
Dark Matter (2024): Jason Dessen is thrust into an alternate reality where he must confront an ominous version of himself. His quest to return to his original life leads him on a challenging journey to reunite with his family, navigating the complexities of parallel existences.
