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http://media.www.michigandaily.com/...osing.The.Right.Superhero.Actor-2764266.shtml
By Elie Zwiebel, Daily Arts Writer
3/8/07
In the wake of botched comic-book adaptations like "Ghost Rider" and "X-Men: The Last Stand," it's time to examine what it takes to make a great movie superhero. Keep the following three rules in mind before you get your heart set on seeing Tobey Maguire in "Spiderman 3," the "Fantastic Four" sequel or any movie with your favorite childhood - or geek-hood - superhero vitalized via some Hollywood star.
Rule No. 1 - It might seem obvious, but the actor should fit the part. If the comic-book version was muscle-bound, the film one should correspond. Likewise, if the cartoon adaptation was young, the actor should probably not be pushing 40.
No one would deny that Christian Bale had the youth - and guns - to be the dark knight in "Batman Begins" (2005). But Billy Zane's pudgy pot-belly and flabby arms made him a poor candidate for "The Phantom" (1996). Even if the superhero isn't trim and cut, casting makes a big difference. Patrick Stewart's bald head and angular jaw suit Professor X perfectly in "X-men" (2000). In superhero talk, looks do matter.
Rule No. 2 - Either the actor playing a superhero must be dynamic or he must have no reputation that precedes him. If the actor is relatively unknown, the audience won't want to cheer for him. Think of superhero casting as a Hollywood-meets-comic-book draft for dorks. Everyone wants to see the big names. Conversely, if a big name is cast but he doesn't have the skills for the part - or if off-screen image interferes with the part - that actor or actress should be immediately disqualified.
Prior to "Batman" (1989), Michael Keaton had demonstrated the ability to fit flawlessly in comedies, dramas and action films. He had a range that allowed him to set the bar for the filmic Batman. Meanwhile, Ioann Gruffudd - who? - was too unknown to be Mr. Fantastic in the first "Fantastic Four," and Michael Jai White wasn't popular enough to be head hellraiser in "Spawn" (1997).
While obscurity is a no-no in superhero casting, an even bigger one is picking a famous actor based solely on popularity and without regard for the actor's ability or off-screen reputation. Halle Berry is a poor superheroine as Storm in "X-Men" and in "Catwoman" simply because she's no good in action flicks - for further evidence, note that poor excuse for a Bond flick "Die Another Day" (2002).
Rule No. 3: The actor must be able to be both the brawn and the socially awkward alias. Every superhero has an alias, and every alias has a moral conflict. That's what makes the character and story interesting. It's the doorway through which we can relate to this otherwise unbelievable character. So the actor better be able to be both of the character's personas.
Christopher Reeves defined the modern Superman ("Superman," 1978) as both an imperturbable man of steel and an uncomfortable Clark Kent. Brandon Routh in "Superman Returns" is believable as Superman, but struggles to exude the cheesy, awkward nature of Clark Kent.
Tobey Maguire is an interesting case. He was great as a high school, or even collegiate, Peter Parker in "Spider-Man" (2002). But his boyish looks make him unbelievable as the older, more mature and weathered Parker or Spiderman. Not only does he still look like he's pubescent, he sounds it, too; when his voice cracks in the "Spider-Man 3" preview while saying "the power," he doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
So there it is. Now it's all the more obvious why Jennifer Gardner, Jessica Alba, Chris O'Donnell, Hugh Jackman and too many more failed as superheroes. When you're having a debate with a friend over who was the best Batman, you'll have reason to discount Clooney and Kilmer. And we should all forget that Kelsey Grammar was ever mentioned in the same breath with the word "superhero."
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This guy has a lot of typing errors in this article(names wrong..etc)....but I still think he makes a few good points
By Elie Zwiebel, Daily Arts Writer
3/8/07
In the wake of botched comic-book adaptations like "Ghost Rider" and "X-Men: The Last Stand," it's time to examine what it takes to make a great movie superhero. Keep the following three rules in mind before you get your heart set on seeing Tobey Maguire in "Spiderman 3," the "Fantastic Four" sequel or any movie with your favorite childhood - or geek-hood - superhero vitalized via some Hollywood star.
Rule No. 1 - It might seem obvious, but the actor should fit the part. If the comic-book version was muscle-bound, the film one should correspond. Likewise, if the cartoon adaptation was young, the actor should probably not be pushing 40.
No one would deny that Christian Bale had the youth - and guns - to be the dark knight in "Batman Begins" (2005). But Billy Zane's pudgy pot-belly and flabby arms made him a poor candidate for "The Phantom" (1996). Even if the superhero isn't trim and cut, casting makes a big difference. Patrick Stewart's bald head and angular jaw suit Professor X perfectly in "X-men" (2000). In superhero talk, looks do matter.
Rule No. 2 - Either the actor playing a superhero must be dynamic or he must have no reputation that precedes him. If the actor is relatively unknown, the audience won't want to cheer for him. Think of superhero casting as a Hollywood-meets-comic-book draft for dorks. Everyone wants to see the big names. Conversely, if a big name is cast but he doesn't have the skills for the part - or if off-screen image interferes with the part - that actor or actress should be immediately disqualified.
Prior to "Batman" (1989), Michael Keaton had demonstrated the ability to fit flawlessly in comedies, dramas and action films. He had a range that allowed him to set the bar for the filmic Batman. Meanwhile, Ioann Gruffudd - who? - was too unknown to be Mr. Fantastic in the first "Fantastic Four," and Michael Jai White wasn't popular enough to be head hellraiser in "Spawn" (1997).
While obscurity is a no-no in superhero casting, an even bigger one is picking a famous actor based solely on popularity and without regard for the actor's ability or off-screen reputation. Halle Berry is a poor superheroine as Storm in "X-Men" and in "Catwoman" simply because she's no good in action flicks - for further evidence, note that poor excuse for a Bond flick "Die Another Day" (2002).
Rule No. 3: The actor must be able to be both the brawn and the socially awkward alias. Every superhero has an alias, and every alias has a moral conflict. That's what makes the character and story interesting. It's the doorway through which we can relate to this otherwise unbelievable character. So the actor better be able to be both of the character's personas.
Christopher Reeves defined the modern Superman ("Superman," 1978) as both an imperturbable man of steel and an uncomfortable Clark Kent. Brandon Routh in "Superman Returns" is believable as Superman, but struggles to exude the cheesy, awkward nature of Clark Kent.
Tobey Maguire is an interesting case. He was great as a high school, or even collegiate, Peter Parker in "Spider-Man" (2002). But his boyish looks make him unbelievable as the older, more mature and weathered Parker or Spiderman. Not only does he still look like he's pubescent, he sounds it, too; when his voice cracks in the "Spider-Man 3" preview while saying "the power," he doesn't exactly inspire confidence.
So there it is. Now it's all the more obvious why Jennifer Gardner, Jessica Alba, Chris O'Donnell, Hugh Jackman and too many more failed as superheroes. When you're having a debate with a friend over who was the best Batman, you'll have reason to discount Clooney and Kilmer. And we should all forget that Kelsey Grammar was ever mentioned in the same breath with the word "superhero."
______________________________________________________________
This guy has a lot of typing errors in this article(names wrong..etc)....but I still think he makes a few good points
