This was in my inbox tonight:
Superheroes Hate James Marsden
James Marsden has the unique distinction of being in four of the
biggest superhero movies of the last 10 years: "X-Men," "X2," X-Men:
The Last Stand" and "Superman Returns."
Unfortunately, Marsden also has the unique distinction of being the
most put upon actor in superhero history. He's made a career out of
playing the morally-upright good guy whose desire for a happy home
is thwarted by a cooler and/or more potent superhero rival.
Consider the evidence:
In the "X-Men" films all Cyclops (Marsden) ever wants is to settle
down with Jean Grey and raise a couple telekinetic kids who can blow
the **** out of stuff with their eyes. But noooooo ... Wolverine
saunters in and chops Cyclops' idyllic life to shreds with his
adamantium claws and those ridiculous cheek muffs. Worst still, Jean
sacrifices herself in "X2" and then comes back to life as the badass
mutant Phoenix. "Hey honey, I'm home ... and I'm evil!"
Verdict: Cyclops = X-Tool.
In "Superman Returns" Marsden is Richard White, a true-blue fiancee
who has admirably stepped in to take care of glory-hound Pulitzer
winner Lois Lane and her inhaler-snorting son. All Richard wants is
to live in his far-too-nice-for-a-reporter seaside home with his
neurotic fiancee and her moppy-haired kid. BUT NOOOOOOOO ...
Superman returns after a five-year vacation and before you know it,
Lois is floating over Metropolis with the Man of Steel while Richard
fetches take-out for Lois and her friggin kid. Oh sure,
Richard "technically" gets Lois, but it's a temporary gig. When
the "Superman" sequel rolls around, you just know Richard is
targeted for a freak sea-plane accident, or maybe he'll fall into
the clutches of Lex Luthor and spend the entire film being tortured
in a subterranean lair.
Verdict: Richard = Superman's Underoos.
Marsden has paid the price, run through the fire, jumped through all
the hoops and tackled all those other do-gooder cliches. He
deserves -- nay, requires -- an R-rated superhero role that lets him
spout snarky lines, kick massive ass, and steal some noob's gorgeous
girlfriend. James Marsden, your time is now! -- Mac Slocum
source:
http://www.filmfodder.com/comics/archives/2006/07/superheroes_hate_ja
mes_marsden.shtml