The Good Citizens of Metropolis: The Casting Thread

[Sawyer]

Actually I heard he will be filming for 24 hours, 365 days a year, without breaks to even use the bathroom or eat.

Seems like an OSHA violation. Linklater better watch his ass.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

Yeah he genuinely checks a lot of boxes to the point it's kinda surprising he's not a more popular fancast.
-He's the perfect age (26)
-He's a rising star that's bound to become super big eventually (the Oscar nom is just the start)
-His look, while perhaps a little unconventional compared to previous Supermen, is also not completely outside the norm to the point that the image of him in the suit couldn't become iconic.
-He's by all accounts an extremely strong actor that could probably bring quite a bit to the role.

It also helps that in a lot of ways he feels like the anti-Cavill. And I don't know... in a lot of ways he feels like he could pull off something maybe a bit closer to Golden Age Superman or maybe the Tim Sale Superman.

If Gunn were to do an extremely traditional take on the character in the sense of almost being Christopher Reeve but modernized I feel Corenswet would be the obvious choice but if Gunn is planning on putting some sort of twist to the character idk... Mescal feels like the pick he'd go towards.

He also feels similar to Will Poulter getting cast as Adam Warlock.

I would be perfectly happy with Corenswet, he's a very good actor who I'd like to see in bigger roles, but I've never totally gotten what makes him such a particularly beloved fan cast apart from ticking the basic boxes?

The only post-Reeve live action Superman who entirely works imo, Tyler Hoechlin, isn't obvious casting at all and that's part of what makes him work so well. He has a unique quality to him while also completely having the right vibe.

 

[flickchick85]

I would be perfectly happy with Corenswet, he's a very good actor who I'd like to see in bigger roles, but I've never totally gotten what makes him such a particularly beloved fan cast apart from ticking the basic boxes?

The only post-Reeve live action Superman who entirely works imo, Tyler Hoechlin, isn't obvious casting at all and that's part of what makes him work so well. He has a unique quality to him while also completely having the right vibe.

I’m a big believer that Superman is very different from Batman in terms of casting because I feel that the only Superman actors who have worked have had the key qualities of Clark Kent inherent to their being. Whoever plays Superman needs to on some level really BE Superman IRL, imo, which is so not the case with Batman. The reasons I’m all in on Corenswet:

-Very good actor, as you said
-Naturally a gigantic dork (watch the sketch comedy videos he made with a friend in college which are still on YT or his Instagram videos for more evidence on that)
-the warmth is inherent
-the earnestness is inherent
-Then we get to the surface stuff: He’s 6’4”, got a great, deep, calming voice, he’s got the face for Superman, believably looks like a guy who grew up on a midwestern farm, he’s got Jewish roots like Superman, he’s a Juilliard grad like Reeve, he’s openly spoken about wanting to play a more upbeat, optimistic, colorful Superman, and he’s played multiple facets of the character already in various roles (I can clearly see Clark’s naive enthusiasm in Hollywood, Superman’s zen-like confidence in The Politician, etc) and nailed them, imo.

The surface stuff is nice, but the reason he’s my favorite candidate is all that stuff above it.

 

[Deck Rickard]

Yeah, Corenswet really is the whole package. I haven’t seen Mescal in anything yet so I can’t comment on his acting (though I’m sure he’s very good, just based on all the accolades). But Corenswet seems so perfect for this role that I think I’m honestly going to be frustrated if he doesn’t get it. I’ll get over that, of course, but it will definitely feel like a missed opportunity unless he flat out isn’t interested in the role (and from what FlickChick just said, it sounds like he does want it).

 

[jetage]

I don't see much Superman in Mescal, but if WB does want to do a Lex Luthor series similar to the Joker, I can really see him as Lex, both young and then aging over a series of films. He has that look to me.

I just sense that from his instagram page and other things I have seen him in. Also it would probably take a decade to make three films, he could be set for a while in terms of jobs.

 

[Eddie Dean]

As someone who's a huge fan of Superman, I would actually be disappointed if Paul Mescal was cast in the role. Can't we have a serious actor with real chops who isn't immediately sucked into a franchise?

 

[SwordOfMorning]

It's hard for me because I both agree but also really want them to have a serious get like Pattinson was for Batman. I feel like having an absolute best of the best as Superman would go a long ways to making the character work on film for the first time in a very, very long time. Hence why I gravitate toward people like Butler or Mescal for it.

 

[flickchick85]

I always prefer the “magic” of casting an unknown as Superman too, tbh. I love the notion that you see them, and you don’t see an established star or Oscar-nominee whose work you have lots of opinions on, you just see Superman. Kids see him, and will only ever see Superman. A lot of people see that as a “curse” for an actor, but considering everything Superman stands for and represents, I see it as a lovely, lovely thing. And when you cast an unknown, they’re more likely to see it that way too, imo.

When you cast someone whose career is already in the process skyrocketing, there’s an inevitable resentment that sets in (sometimes with the actor, maybe even partially with their audience) that a career as a “real actor” was cut short or held back by this superhero gig. Just look at Elizabeth’s Olsen’s Scarlet Witch comments. I don’t want that for Supes either.

 

[flickchick85]

I don't see much Superman in Mescal, but if WB does want to do a Lex Luthor series similar to the Joker, I can really see him as Lex, both young and then aging over a series of films. He has that look to me.

I just sense that from his instagram page and other things I have seen him in. Also it would probably take a decade to make three films, he could be set for a while in terms of jobs.

He’s definitely more of a Lex to me.

 

[C Prometheus]

I’m a big believer that Superman is very different from Batman in terms of casting because I feel that the only Superman actors who have worked have had the key qualities of Clark Kent inherent to their being. Whoever plays Superman needs to on some level really BE Superman IRL, imo, which is so not the case with Batman. The reasons I’m all in on Corenswet:

-Very good actor, as you said
-Naturally a gigantic dork (watch the sketch comedy videos he made with a friend in college which are still on YT or his Instagram videos for more evidence on that)
-the warmth is inherent
-the earnestness is inherent
-Then we get to the surface stuff: He’s 6’4”, got a great, deep, calming voice, he’s got the face for Superman, believably looks like a guy who grew up on a midwestern farm, he’s got Jewish roots like Superman, he’s a Juilliard grad like Reeve, he’s openly spoken about wanting to play a more upbeat, optimistic, colorful Superman, and he’s played multiple facets of the character already in various roles (I can clearly see Clark’s naive enthusiasm in Hollywood, Superman’s zen-like confidence in The Politician, etc) and nailed them, imo.

The surface stuff is nice, but the reason he’s my favorite candidate is all that stuff above it.

This is all fair and valid. I wouldn't be against Corenswet being cast in the role.

But here's the thing about Paul Mescal though; he nails all of the other aspects, aside from the surface stuff. I went ahead and bought Aftersun last night and have been making my way through that film. The man lives and breathes warmth and compassion in his roles.

He’s definitely more of a Lex to me.

I could see Mescal maybe playing Lex... but that would be a huge disservice IMO. He's got the soul for Clark.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

I always prefer the “magic” of casting an unknown as Superman too, tbh. I love the notion that you see them, and you don’t see an established star or Oscar-nominee whose work you have lots of opinions on, you just see Superman. Kids see him, and will only ever see Superman. A lot of people see that as a “curse” for an actor, but considering everything Superman stands for and represents, I see it as a lovely, lovely thing. And when you cast an unknown, they’re more likely to see it that way too, imo.

When you cast someone whose career is already in the process skyrocketing, there’s an inevitable resentment that sets in (sometimes with the actor, maybe even partially with their audience) that a career as a “real actor” was cut short or held back by this superhero gig. Just look at Elizabeth’s Olsen’s Scarlet Witch comments. I don’t want that for Supes either.

The latter is pretty unavoidable, in my opinion, with any actor who has the greatness in them to really excel in the role. Even Christopher Reeve I think its really, really depressing that he didn't have as much of a film career outside of Superman as he deserved - it's always a trade off.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

This is all fair and valid. I wouldn't be against Corenswet being cast in the role.

But here's the thing about Paul Mescal though; he nails all of the other aspects, aside from the surface stuff. I went ahead and bought Aftersun last night and have been making my way through that film. The man lives and breathes warmth and compassion in his roles.

And that is exactly what I want them to look for. Someone who is very, very different from anyone else who has ever played the role but still has that ineffable Superman quality that performers either have or don't have.

 

[flickchick85]

it will definitely feel like a missed opportunity unless he flat out isn’t interested in the role (and from what FlickChick just said, it sounds like he does want it).

Here’s his actual quote from an interview in 2019:

”But my pie-in-the-sky ambition is definitely to play Superman. I would love to see somebody do an upbeat, throwback [take on Superman]. I love the Henry Cavill dark and gritty take, but I would love to see the next one be very bright and optimistic.”

So yeah the interest is definitely there lol.

 

[Eddie Dean]

Mescal reminds me of the Butler casting a lot in that he's a hot actor right now who's the right age and in good shape but besides that doesn't have much about them that makes them a great fit. There's a lot of square peg into round hole casting. You have way more leeway in casting Batman than Superman I think. With Batman an actor can really disappear into the role and make it their own, it's even sort of a requirement, with Superman you really have to be fully out there in a way where you can't really bend the character to the actor.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

Keeping in mind, I think Nicolas Cage was amazing casting as the character so I'm probably a serious minority when it comes to who is and isn't suited to the role.

 

[flickchick85]

Yeah, can’t follow you down that path.

Like, I feel as if I’m pretty flexible on the aesthetic aspect - I’m open to any skin color, and not too picky about height - but the one thing I need aesthetically in a Superman is that he has to have that “wholesome golden boy” look. I think Eli Goree has it, as does Henry Golding (though he’s not a top pick for me because his acting range is spotty), so it’s not just a “pretty blue-eyed white boy” thing for me. It’s just a look. The Superman Look, as far as I’m concerned. Mescal and Butler will just never fit that for me. Hell, I still feel like Butler was miscast as Elvis, regardless of what awards he wins for it lol (and yes, I’ve seen the movie twice). He’s perfectly cast for his Dune role though. Because his natural look/presence is that of a villain to me.

 

[Eddie Dean]

Cage would have been awesome for that version of a Superman movie. Now it feels so long since we've had a good version of the character I'll be a little upset if we don't get a traditional version.

 

[LifesEnd]

I speculated on mescal being cast earlier but yea hes gonna be high in demand. And if hes interested in a big budget project he will probably be approached by marvel etc.

 

[flickchick85]

The latter is pretty unavoidable, in my opinion, with any actor who has the greatness in them to really excel in the role. Even Christopher Reeve I think its really, really depressing that he didn't have as much of a film career outside of Superman as he deserved - it's always a trade off.

I’ve never seen that resentment in Brandon Routh or Tyler Hoechlin tbh. They both just seem damned appreciative of the opportunity and honored to be a part of that legacy. I’ve seen it in Tom Welling though which is hilarious to me, as more than any other Superman other than maybe Dean Cain, I feel like “real actor” was never in the cards for him regardless.

 

[Sawyer]

Okay, I’m into this.

 

[SwordOfMorning]

Okay, I’m into this.

**** yeah.

 

[Deck Rickard]

Here’s his actual quote from an interview in 2019:

So yeah the interest is definitely there lol.

Well then all I can say is CAST HIM NOW. He’s perfect for the role, he wants it, and he won’t be as expensive as some of the names being thrown around.

 

[Lily Adler]

Okay, I’m into this.

 

[Babillygunn]

All I know is that, based upon these comments, whoever they get to star in and whoever they get to direct, the one thing that I would request for this movie is that @flickchick85 be hired as a script consultant. Your understanding and respect for the character are unparalleled.

 

[Sawyer]

Things are a little dull around here, shall I kick the hornet’s nest again?