Grayskull: Masters of the Universe - Part 2

[aNarcHy2day]

muscles can be cgi or naturally built acting talent not so much

I'd like the muscles to be more organic, I guess.

But I wholeheartedly agree with your point. Acting talent and charisma have to be of foremost importance when casting this. But the guy must not look like Micheal Cera!

Oh, Superman does need it. Man of Steel may have been garbage, but at least Cavill looked way better in the suit than Brandon Routh did.

Some people may have found it underwhelming but it was not garbage. It's your opinion of course which you are entitled to but consider this me registering my protest.

 

[Pink Ranger]

But I wholeheartedly agree with your point. Acting talent and charisma have to be of foremost importance when casting this. But the guy must not look like Micheal Cera!

Michael Cera can be Him-Man (the passive object).

 

[Jordacar]

Oh, Superman does need it. Man of Steel may have been garbage, but at least Cavill looked way better in the suit than Brandon Routh did.

It's got flaws, but garbage? Please.

 

[Thundarr]

Personally I could care less what the toys or cartoons look like. You might as well refuse to cast anyone for a GI Joe movie because no one has real life swivel-arm battle grip.

Actors aren't molded plastic action figures and just like superhero movies I don't expect talentless bodybuilders to be cast just so they resemble a ridiculously overmuscled Bart Sears drawing. It's 2015, why aren't we past casting wrestlers and weightlifters by now?

Certainly you want someone with good muscle definition but realistically finding a Chris Hemsworth (who can bulk up as needed) is far more likely than praying you stumble across a Mr. Universe competitor with the necessary talent and charisma to lead a big budget action adventure film.

Also that 2nd pic with the guy wearing duct tape and a fur diaper is awkward to look at.

I'm not saying don't audition people and try to find the best He-Man you can get. But just because an actor has blonde hair and acting talent doesn't mean he'll be a good casting choice for the role either. I mean I'm 6' tall with long blonde hair and blue eyes. I have experience in both film, television, as well as stage acting. Does that mean I would make a good He-Man? Heck no! Why? Because I also happen to be about 50 lbs overweight. I would have to turn that 50 lbs of fat into 50 lbs of muscle in order to even have a chance of qualifying for the role. I Just don't see Skarsgård or Wakefield being able to bulk up enough to properly look the part.

I'll give you another real life example. I'm trying to produce a trailer for my live action Thundarr film to help develop interest in getting the full length feature produced. There has been plenty of local actors interested in playing Thundarr, Ariel, Sabian, Zogarr, and the Pig-Mutants. But only three people asked to audition for the role of Ookla. Unfortunately the one who was most qualified for the role was disqualified because he's not local and is way above my budget for the trailer (although I'd love to cast him in the actual feature). He was Mark "Conan" Stevens, who is probably best known as "The Mountain" Ser Gregor on Game of Thrones. The other two are local boys trying to break into the film business. Neither really has much of a resume. One of them, a guy named David, stands 6'6", weighs about 240 lbs, and is very physically fit. While not quite 7' tall, there are little tricks that you can do to make him appear bigger on film (thick soled shoes, lifts, camera angles, forced perspective shots, etc). The other guy is 6'0", and weighs about 150 lbs. Between those two, who do you think I'm gonna end up casting?

Of course casting someone as a mutant cat person whose dialogue is going to be replaced in post with animal noises and casting someone as an incredibly muscled superhero in a fur loincloth aren't exactly the same thing. Acting talent and charisma aren't nearly as important when you're wearing a ton of prosthetic make up and have no dialogue (at least none that the audience will understand). However you still will want someone with more or less the same physical characteristics as the character they're auditioning for.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, for example, is very physically fit, quite large at about 6'6", incredibly charismatic, and not a terrible actor. But would he make a good He-Man? No. Why? Because he's half black and half Samoan, while He-Man is white with blonde hair and blue eyes. He might be well suited to a secondary character, perhaps one that's not necessarily one ethnicity or another (Man-E-Faces, Mekaneck, Buzz Off, etc), but for He-Man he'd be all wrong. Skarsgård and Wakefield have a similar, though different problem. Their acting ability isn't in question, nor is their ethnicity, but rather their physical presence. Physically, I don't think either of them can fit the bill.

 

[Airwings]

Well, Thundarr... I believe Skarsgård and Wakefield can do it. We all have our different opinions.

Now let's talk about characters.
Next to the royal couple and Adam/He-Man, we need to see Man-At-Arms, Teela, Orko, Sorceress, Ram Man and Stratos. In other words, the basic ones.
I also have a soft spot for Mekaneck. If he's ever going to be used, it's in the first film and not in a sequel. I mean, why would Mekaneck be introduced when the stakes are bigger?

 

[slumcat]

But Skarsgård jr and Wakefield aren't up and comers? Is that what youre saying?

Lol how did you get that? I was just adding names to your list.

 

[slumcat]

I'm not saying don't audition people and try to find the best He-Man you can get. But just because an actor has blonde hair and acting talent doesn't mean he'll be a good casting choice for the role either. I mean I'm 6' tall with long blonde hair and blue eyes. I have experience in both film, television, as well as stage acting. Does that mean I would make a good He-Man? Heck no! Why? Because I also happen to be about 50 lbs overweight. I would have to turn that 50 lbs of fat into 50 lbs of muscle in order to even have a chance of qualifying for the role. I Just don't see Skarsgård or Wakefield being able to bulk up enough to properly look the part.

I'll give you another real life example. I'm trying to produce a trailer for my live action Thundarr film to help develop interest in getting the full length feature produced. There has been plenty of local actors interested in playing Thundarr, Ariel, Sabian, Zogarr, and the Pig-Mutants. But only three people asked to audition for the role of Ookla. Unfortunately the one who was most qualified for the role was disqualified because he's not local and is way above my budget for the trailer (although I'd love to cast him in the actual feature). He was Mark "Conan" Stevens, who is probably best known as "The Mountain" Ser Gregor on Game of Thrones. The other two are local boys trying to break into the film business. Neither really has much of a resume. One of them, a guy named David, stands 6'6", weighs about 240 lbs, and is very physically fit. While not quite 7' tall, there are little tricks that you can do to make him appear bigger on film (thick soled shoes, lifts, camera angles, forced perspective shots, etc). The other guy is 6'0", and weighs about 150 lbs. Between those two, who do you think I'm gonna end up casting?

Of course casting someone as a mutant cat person whose dialogue is going to be replaced in post with animal noises and casting someone as an incredibly muscled superhero in a fur loincloth aren't exactly the same thing. Acting talent and charisma aren't nearly as important when you're wearing a ton of prosthetic make up and have no dialogue (at least none that the audience will understand). However you still will want someone with more or less the same physical characteristics as the character they're auditioning for.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, for example, is very physically fit, quite large at about 6'6", incredibly charismatic, and not a terrible actor. But would he make a good He-Man? No. Why? Because he's half black and half Samoan, while He-Man is white with blonde hair and blue eyes. He might be well suited to a secondary character, perhaps one that's not necessarily one ethnicity or another (Man-E-Faces, Mekaneck, Buzz Off, etc), but for He-Man he'd be all wrong. Skarsgård and Wakefield have a similar, though different problem. Their acting ability isn't in question, nor is their ethnicity, but rather their physical presence. Physically, I don't think either of them can fit the bill.

I agree with this post. I think it goes back to what the original character was.

He-Man was not a novel, nor a comic when he started. He was an action figure. An image first and foremost. And he was supposed to be this uber masculine guy, I mean his name is He-Man for god's sake. So he has always been visually represented a certain way and it is absolutely a part of his identity.

So a great physique is pretty much a requirement for the role and that is something that they will absolutely have to get.

And I will express a very controversial opinion, but I think there is a lot of ridiculous snobbery around tent-pole films. People demand the best actors and stuff for them when the material simply is not good enough. Tent poles are B films today, pay checks for actors. Most of the times, I would say 90% of these movies are extremely mediocre. I am rarely, if at all, impressed by the film-making or acting in them. So what's the point of getting a great actor who can act rather than an actor who looks like the character. The end result will be close eitherways.

I mean lets say Daniel Day Lewis agress to star as he-man. Will that be a good casting because he is Daniel Day Lewis? No it would still be a monumentally awful miscast.

This is an action tent pole spectacle with badass action scenes and this alpha male hero. Better get somebody who can fill the part, look good in a loin cloth and be convincing in action scenes. By a happy accident you might stumble onto a brilliant performance. But if the material is any good and decently directed, you'll end up with a fun entertainment eitherways and that's the point.

I feel it is futile to clamor for "great" actors in these kind of films. Many of them just phone in their **** or still give terrible performances. The paycheck might be high, but the motivation for them would be low and quite simply the material is a trap, what can they really do with it.

So I would say they should go for the visual first, get a guy with a great physique. Any absolutely anybody can give a good performance on film if directly properly. Many of the greatest European directors worked with non-actors all the time and delivered fantastic films.

So yeah I agree. For a role like He-Man, absolutely fulfill the visual requirement first and foremost but keep an eye on good acting.

End of my unpopular controversial opinion.

 

[DawnWarrior]

^Sounds good to me.

 

[rogue trooper]

So I would say they should go for the visual first, get a guy with a great physique. Any absolutely anybody can give a good performance on film if directly properly. Many of the greatest European directors worked with non-actors all the time and delivered fantastic films.

So yeah I agree. For a role like He-Man, absolutely fulfill the visual requirement first and foremost but keep an eye on good acting.

End of my unpopular controversial opinion.

Mario Bava's Hercules and The Haunted World with Reg Park comes to mind from that post for some reason. Same with with Pietro Francisci's Hercules Unchained with Steve Reeves and Robert Day's Tarzan films with Mike Henry. It's way back, but still.

 

[superhero]

i would like to see prince Adam transform but they could do with out Adam in the squeals or only show Adam transform in some parts of the squeal movie im to or if they make an squeal show more of he-man less of prince Adam I would like to see prince Adam a transform s he-man . not sure if any one agree with me but I always wanted the rock as he-man all he has to do as dye his hair blond he's already got the muscles . I know lot of people don't like the rock but I think he be a perfect fit for he-man he almost looks like he-man either way. I would like to see the rock as he-man

 

[Thundarr]

I agree with this post. I think it goes back to what the original character was.

He-Man was not a novel, nor a comic when he started. He was an action figure. An image first and foremost. And he was supposed to be this uber masculine guy, I mean his name is He-Man for god's sake. So he has always been visually represented a certain way and it is absolutely a part of his identity.

So a great physique is pretty much a requirement for the role and that is something that they will absolutely have to get.

And I will express a very controversial opinion, but I think there is a lot of ridiculous snobbery around tent-pole films. People demand the best actors and stuff for them when the material simply is not good enough. Tent poles are B films today, pay checks for actors. Most of the times, I would say 90% of these movies are extremely mediocre. I am rarely, if at all, impressed by the film-making or acting in them. So what's the point of getting a great actor who can act rather than an actor who looks like the character. The end result will be close eitherways.

I mean lets say Daniel Day Lewis agress to star as he-man. Will that be a good casting because he is Daniel Day Lewis? No it would still be a monumentally awful miscast.

This is an action tent pole spectacle with badass action scenes and this alpha male hero. Better get somebody who can fill the part, look good in a loin cloth and be convincing in action scenes. By a happy accident you might stumble onto a brilliant performance. But if the material is any good and decently directed, you'll end up with a fun entertainment eitherways and that's the point.

I feel it is futile to clamor for "great" actors in these kind of films. Many of them just phone in their **** or still give terrible performances. The paycheck might be high, but the motivation for them would be low and quite simply the material is a trap, what can they really do with it.

So I would say they should go for the visual first, get a guy with a great physique. Any absolutely anybody can give a good performance on film if directly properly. Many of the greatest European directors worked with non-actors all the time and delivered fantastic films.

So yeah I agree. For a role like He-Man, absolutely fulfill the visual requirement first and foremost but keep an eye on good acting.

End of my unpopular controversial opinion.

Couldn't have said it any better myself. In fact, I made many of those exact same points. There have been plenty of actors over the years who had started out as bodybuilders, wrestlers, or football players and had gone on to become very successful actors. Schwarzenegger, The Rock, and Kevin Sorbo being three prime examples. Of course sometimes you get guys who don't transition very well, and their acting careers die almost as quickly as they started. Lou Ferigno, Hulk Hogan, and Brian Bosworth being three examples of the latter. But to not even consider someone for the role because they're "just" a bodybuilder/wrestler/football player/MMA Fighter/whatever and not a "real" actor is ridiculous.

If John Milius felt that way, would we have all the awesome Schwarzenegger films we have now? Probably not. If the producers of The Mummy Returns had said that about The Rock, would we have all the great Dwayne Johnson movies we have now? Again, doubtful. Had Sam Raimi and Rob Tapert said that about Kevin Sorbo, would we have had 5 great years of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys? Nope.

So give the bodybuilders, wrestlers, football players, MMA fighters, and whoever else a chance to audition. You'll never know. You just might find a diamond in the rough.

 

[Thundarr]

Well, Thundarr... I believe Skarsgård and Wakefield can do it. We all have our different opinions.

Now let's talk about characters.
Next to the royal couple and Adam/He-Man, we need to see Man-At-Arms, Teela, Orko, Sorceress, Ram Man and Stratos. In other words, the basic ones.
I also have a soft spot for Mekaneck. If he's ever going to be used, it's in the first film and not in a sequel. I mean, why would Mekaneck be introduced when the stakes are bigger?

Earlier on this thread someone suggested Sean Bean as King Randor. This prompted about a page and a half of jokes about the character dying before the end of the first movie. But all kidding aside, I think he would make a very good choice for the role. He legitimately looks a lot like the way the character was drawn in both cartoons.

For Queen Marlena, maybe Lena Heady? And no, I'm not just fan casting people from Game of Thrones into the roles. In fact, my motivation for the suggestion was her performance as Queen Gorgo in "300".

I always liked Michael Chiklis for Ram Man. Then maybe Jason Stathom as Mekaneck? Ever since he played King Leonidas in "300" and seeing how Stratos was portrayed in the 2002 version of MOTU, I think Gerard Butler would be the perfect Stratos.

For the villains, I always wanted Ron Perlman as Beast Man (try watching him as Vincent on TV's Beauty & The Beast and try telling me he wouldn't be perfect). Brian Thompson should play Trap Jaw.

As for the others? I'll have to think on that some more.

Edit: Jeff Bridges for Man-At-Arms. After seeing him in Marvel's Iron Man, I think he'd be perfect as the captain of the king's guard and royal inventor.

 

[rogue trooper]

Yeah, athletes, such as Adam Copeland(aka Edge), have shown certain range(Haven).

Still, if Hugh Jackman has been able to transform his body in such an impressive way as Wolverine each time, I'm sure someone like Alexander Skarsgard or Jared Padalecki would have no problem taking that same step. Maybe just slightly a little further.

 

[Thundarr]

Yeah, athletes, such as Adam Copeland(aka Edge), have shown certain range(Haven).

Still, if Hugh Jackman has been able to transform his body in such an impressive way as Wolverine each time, I'm sure someone like Alexander Skarsgard or Jared Padalecki would have no problem taking that same step. Maybe just slightly a little further.

Hugh Jackman's transformation into Wolverine isn't nearly as extreme as trying to transform Alexander Skarsgård into He-Man though. Jackman only had to put on maybe 10 or 20 pounds of muscle for the role, and he was already in pretty decent shape to begin with. Skarsgård is going to have to put on 80 or 90 pounds of muscle in order to pull off a decent He-Man. He'll have to put off working for YEARS to get that big.

Maybe cast him as Prince Adam, I could definitely see that working. Perhaps have him wear a motion capture suit and CG the change into He-Man. Then he'll still be playing He-Man, but with big fake CG muscles. That's about the only way I could see him fitting into that role.

Jared Padalecki already is pretty damn buff. I found a picture of him online dressed as a barbarian. Don't exactly know why, maybe for Halloween or just goofing around. Anyway, he was pretty impressive looking. Not big enough to play He-Man, but he looks like he might actually be able to pack on the extra muscle necessary for the role. Skarsgård? Not so much.

 

[Thundarr]

i would like to see prince Adam transform but they could do with out Adam in the squeals or only show Adam transform in some parts of the squeal movie im to or if they make an squeal show more of he-man less of prince Adam I would like to see prince Adam a transform s he-man . not sure if any one agree with me but I always wanted the rock as he-man all he has to do as dye his hair blond he's already got the muscles . I know lot of people don't like the rock but I think he be a perfect fit for he-man he almost looks like he-man either way. I would like to see the rock as he-man

I'm gonna go out on a limb here and guess that English isn't your first language. Either that or you're confusing Masters Of The Universe with Deliverance, because you seem very intent on seeing Prince Adam squeal.

As for The Rock playing He-Man? I've already stated in an earlier post, he's all wrong for that role. He'd be much better suited to Man-E-Faces, or Buzz-Off. But He-Man? Nope, not gonna happen.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

So a great physique is pretty much a requirement for the role and that is something that they will absolutely have to get.

The Michael Cera suggestions weren't serious, you know. I think it's safe to assume anyone who enters this thread is already onboard with "He-Man needs muscles"

I feel it is futile to clamor for "great" actors in these kind of films.

Did somebody do that? Clamoring? I'd certainly like an actor to be in the movie, yes. Maybe even a good one. I don't want a bodybuilder or a wrestler though, for much the same reason I don't go to Baskin Robbins for a haircut.

Any absolutely anybody can give a good performance on film if directly properly.

Not buying it, sorry. You need some combination of natural talent or training and a great many people have neither.

 

[cronosred]

Give me a talented and charismatic actor, get him to the size that Cavill was in Man of Steel and I'm good.

 

[aNarcHy2day]

I don't think anyone here disagrees that He-Man has to be muscular. Probably more so than Cavill since he won't be wearing a suit.

But I must reiterate that the guy must have charisma. I avoid saying acting skills though I personally prefer whoever gets the role to have at least decent acting skills is because if it will be an action-fantasy vehicle, which it will, I've seen them being entertaining and successful even without top top actors. But a faithful premise, a good story and a charismatic actor who looks the part (and can act a bit, at least) is a must!

 

[TheVileOne]

It's not impossible to do the transformation on film anymore.

Based on what was done in Ant-Man and Captain America, it can be done and done well. It doesn't have to be on such an intense scale. Just use it to dress the actor as He-Man down a bit as Adam.

Just saying, the work done on Michael Douglas in Ant-Man looked virtually seamless.

 

[Airwings]

Lol how did you get that? I was just adding names to your list.

Sorry. I thought you were correcting me.

He-Man was not a novel, nor a comic when he started. He was an action figure. An image first and foremost. And he was supposed to be this uber masculine guy, I mean his name is He-Man for god's sake. So he has always been visually represented a certain way and it is absolutely a part of his identity.

So a great physique is pretty much a requirement for the role and that is something that they will absolutely have to get.

Look at all the Masters action figures. They're all uber muscle men. But hey, let's be as close to the source material as possible and cast body builders and wrestlers for everybody.

And I will express a very controversial opinion, but I think there is a lot of ridiculous snobbery around tent-pole films. People demand the best actors and stuff for them when the material simply is not good enough. Tent poles are B films today, pay checks for actors.

The material is as good as how it's written for the big screen. Get the best people to write the script and we will get a great story with many layers.
B films? Give me a rest! The modern blockbuster is the very definition of an A film. Not always when it comes to the script (due to bad writers), but in terms of film making, it is

I mean lets say Daniel Day Lewis agress to star as he-man. Will that be a good casting because he is Daniel Day Lewis? No it would still be a monumentally awful miscast.

Miscast, but the performance will be fantastic

This is an action tent pole spectacle with badass action scenes and this alpha male hero. Better get somebody who can fill the part, look good in a loin cloth and be convincing in action scenes. By a happy accident you might stumble onto a brilliant performance

Cast the most muscular guys around for the different characters and hope that they might have the acting talent to deliever something. Sounds like a great idea.

 

[Thundarr]

Sorry. I thought you were correcting me.

Look at all the Masters action figures. They're all uber muscle men. But hey, let's be as close to the source material as possible and cast body builders and wrestlers for everybody.

The material is as good as how it's written for the big screen. Get the best people to write the script and we will get a great story with many layers.
B films? Give me a rest! The modern blockbuster is the very definition of an A film. Not always when it comes to the script (due to bad writers), but in terms of film making, it is

Miscast, but the performance will be fantastic

Cast the most muscular guys around for the different characters and hope that they might have the acting talent to deliver something. Sounds like a great idea.

Nobody is saying to just blindly cast a body builder or wrestler into the role and hope for the best. Of course there will be auditions. The prospective He-Men will likely have to come in to read several times in order to get the part. What we're saying is that there should be a happy balance between looking the part and having the talent/charisma to pull off a good performance.

Will we get that balance from a bodybuilder? Maybe, maybe not. Doesn't mean we shouldn't give them a shot though. Will we get that balance from a wrestler? A significantly higher possibility due to the fact that there is a level of acting required in being a wrestler, and the most successful in that business are the most charismatic. Doesn't mean the role will be handed to them on a silver platter though. Football players, MMA fighters, etc, same with bodybuilders. They might have "The Look", but can they act? I don't know, but it doesn't mean we should just write them off as being "just their previous profession".

 

[Airwings]

Brad Pitt as Achilles is proof enough that a real actor can bulk up to look like He-Man.

 

[Airwings]

Earlier on this thread someone suggested Sean Bean as King Randor. This prompted about a page and a half of jokes about the character dying before the end of the first movie. But all kidding aside, I think he would make a very good choice for the role. He legitimately looks a lot like the way the character was drawn in both cartoons.

For Queen Marlena, maybe Lena Heady? And no, I'm not just fan casting people from Game of Thrones into the roles. In fact, my motivation for the suggestion was her performance as Queen Gorgo in "300".

I always liked Michael Chiklis for Ram Man. Then maybe Jason Stathom as Mekaneck? Ever since he played King Leonidas in "300" and seeing how Stratos was portrayed in the 2002 version of MOTU, I think Gerard Butler would be the perfect Stratos.

For the villains, I always wanted Ron Perlman as Beast Man (try watching him as Vincent on TV's Beauty & The Beast and try telling me he wouldn't be perfect). Brian Thompson should play Trap Jaw.

As for the others? I'll have to think on that some more.

Edit: Jeff Bridges for Man-At-Arms. After seeing him in Marvel's Iron Man, I think he'd be perfect as the captain of the king's guard and royal inventor.

I like your choices. They're pretty solid!
To go even more GoT, I suggest Sophie Turner as Teela. How about that?

 

[Thundarr]

Brad Pitt as Achilles is proof enough that a real actor can bulk up to look like He-Man.

Conan The Barbarian, Commando, The Terminator, T2: Judgement Day, Total Recall, The Running Man, Red Heat, Predator, Kindergarten Cop are all proof that you can cast a bodybuilder as your main character and get a kick ass movie.

 

[Rowsdower!]

Yeah but I'd prefer a good actor who bulks up over a bodybuilder with limited acting skills. I'm not saying you need an A-List, Oscar winner here, but I'd prefer someone who is a better actor than Arnold or Dolph.