The Good Citizens of Metropolis: The Casting Thread

[Flash525]

Why exactly? I mean, considering how Clark Kent's race has always been Kryptonian, not white, what's the problem?

Because (AFAIK) Clark Kent has never been black.

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

Why exactly? I mean, considering how Clark Kent's race has always been Kryptonian, not white, what's the problem?

He's a rural conservative farmboy from Kansas. He's representative of Middle America white culture. There is far more to the character than just being an alien. He's not like Flash or Green Lantern who could realistically be of any race. Clark Kent is very much tied to one specific background and location.

 

[Rorschach2012]

He's a rural conservative farmboy from Kansas. He's representative of Middle America white culture. There is far more to the character than just being an alien. He's not like Flash or Green Lantern who could realistically be of any race. Clark Kent is very much tied to one specific background and location.

I agree with this. But then, the idea is that he is adopted by people that raise him with beliefs and values that reflect Middle American white culture. Superman is raised in said culture, but wasn't born out of it, so he could realistically be any race and it still be in line with the character. I don't feel a race change is necessary, but it wouldn't hinder my enjoyment as long as the actor is able to convincingly sell himself as a Kansas farm boy.

 

[unholyrevenger]

Because (AFAIK) Clark Kent has never been black.

That's because, if the rumors are true, Will Smith turned down the role during Superman Returns brainstorming.

 

[samsnee]

I agree with this. But then, the idea is that he is adopted by people that raise him with beliefs and values that reflect Middle American white culture. Superman is raised in said culture, but wasn't born out of it, so he could realistically be any race and it still be in line with the character. I don't feel a race change is necessary, but it wouldn't hinder my enjoyment as long as the actor is able to convincingly sell himself as a Kansas farm boy.

I don’t think it would be believable for him to be black and a Kansas farm boy without bringing in race relations. Even if you update the timeline so he grew up after the Civil Rights era, there were still racial tensions in the 80s. So in that regard it would be very different from the Clark people are familiar with.

In today’s climate, a bulletproof black man would need to address those issues.

 

[Flash525]

That's because, if the rumors are true, Will Smith turned down the role during Superman Returns brainstorming.

Thank God for that. Will Smith as Superman would have been terrible.

 

[Guts]

Why not make an Icon movie?

 

[Kane52630]

I don’t think it would be believable for him to be black and a Kansas farm boy without bringing in race relations.

I don't know, man....Flynt Flossy is doing fine. I don't see the issue here.

 

[Manasrepublic]

I am certainly not against WB wanting to cast a non-caucasian actor for superman but my main question is what is their motivation to do so? Is it mainly because MBJ is one of the major stars out there? It certainly would be very interesting casting and obviously he could pull it off

 

[flickchick85]

This rumor does not merit its own thread, merged into Superman casting thread.

 

[Vaibow]

I have always thought superman look like a handsome jew.. in the fact that was what he was based on (if my memory serves me correctly) - therefore i am happy with any lighter skin tone, with dark hair and strong features. Couple of examples, Liev Schreiber back in the day, Josh Hartnet etc.

 

[David H.]

Who’s got a Harold Lloyd thing going on?

 

[Vaibow]

Minus the fingers?

 

[flickchick85]

Y'all looking for handsome Jewish actors now? Here ya go...

That's all I can think of at the moment. I don't see any of 'em as Supes, personally.

 

[Rodimus]

I don't particularly see MBJ as supes, but surely one of the facets of the superman character is the whole fish out of water, adopted by people from kansas and trying to fit in where he doesn't belong thing?

In which case those people saying he wouldnt look like someone from kansas are actually making a good point FOR a person of colour to be cast.

 

[Assassin32]

He's a rural conservative farmboy from Kansas. He's representative of Middle America white culture. There is far more to the character than just being an alien. He's not like Flash or Green Lantern who could realistically be of any race. Clark Kent is very much tied to one specific background and location.

I hate to break it to everyone, but there are, in fact, people with black skin in the state of Kansas. And some of them even work on farms.

 

[Assassin32]

Because (AFAIK) Clark Kent has never been black.

And Clark Kent had never been part Japanese until Dean Cain played him on TV. So what?

 

[Kahran Ramsus]

I hate to break it to everyone, but there are, in fact, people with black skin in the state of Kansas. And some of them even work on farms.

Sure. But they are a small minority and not at all representative of the population and culture that Clark Kent is supposed to be a part of. There are white people in Harlem, but that doesn't mean Luke Cage should be white. It isn't at all what the character is.

And Clark Kent had never been part Japanese until Dean Cain played him on TV. So what?

Clark Kent wasn't part Japanese, just the actor playing him. That's like saying Lex Luthor was gay in SR just because Kevin Spacey played him.

 

[Eddie Dean]

Superman’s from outer space, bro.

 

[Robin's Gambit]

It's amazing to me how some people still desire remixing established white characters instead of supporting the creation of new original black characters or elevating ones that already exist. What is the point of MBJ playing Superman? Just to have a Black Superman? How does it advance the story? As a black Spiderman fan, I never cared that he was white. It was about his heroism, characterization, and the story. All of that is far more important than race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, etc. This is what SJWs don't get it. Race may be part of the story. It's a problem when it becomes THE story.

White liberals at Marvel/DC/Disney/Warner Bros. may honestly feel like they're helping but race-bending isn't being progressive. You're hindering the ability of POC and female characters to exist without being a comparison or competition to their predecessor. This is the dilemma with someone like Miles Morales. Peter Parker will always be Spiderman. Miles will forever be tagged as "The Black Spiderman", and I find that tragic.

Black versions of historically white things are a complete waste of time and they never have the PUNCH they were initially set out to have. MBJ as Supes would have followed a similar trajectory of ethnic Annie, ethnic Dorothy Gale, ethnic Buffy The Vampire Slayer, ethnic Johnny Storm/Human Torch. Why bother? I prefer black characters as fully-realized beings that can stand on their own two feet.

Lastly, the insinuation that any and all casting backlash by fans or the general public is racism is weak. I'm sorry. Superman at almost 80 years old is the most iconic superhero, ever. He's been around for 7 damn decades as a white man. So if you choose to cast someone that doesn't coincide with what people have come to visualize as Superman, I think naturally it would strike people as odd. People are going to stop and say, "Wait, what?" It's not even like it's a Nick Fury situation where you have a supporting character that was never represented on the big screen for the masses to see prior to Sam Jackson portraying him. it's easier for the public to accept it because the public at large had no idea who Nick Fury was. Superman is another case entirely.

 

[Jochimus]

The more I think about it, if I was casting MBJ in a Steel reboot, I'd probably bring in Metallo a la The New 52 (i.e. John being semi-responsible for his creation) as an ally/enforcer of the White Rabbit, and crib John's relationship with Lana from Rebirth. I mean, if WB's gonna keep insistently culling everything out of the Superman mythos BUT Superman, they may as well go the whole nine yards.

 

[Vaibow]

The more I think about it, if I was casting MBJ in a Steel reboot, I'd probably bring in Metallo a la The New 52 (i.e. John being semi-responsible for his creation) as an ally/enforcer of the White Rabbit, and crib John's relationship with Lana from Rebirth. I mean, if WB's gonna keep insistently culling everything out of the Superman mythos BUT Superman, they may as well go the whole nine yards.

This is it, there are so many good, rich characters to delve into. Imagine JL was actually a version of reign of the supermen story line, Batman and wonder woman make up the trinity, wondering what's to come of the world now superman has gone, then sightings appear - Steel would have been great to see, Ray Fisher would have been great (as would Aml Ameen) and probably have more fun with the character than he did Cyborg. Imagine the scout ship's AI producing a hologram of sorts or nano tech of a replicant Superman - the last son of krypton - imagine the eradicator being played by Henry Golding, Matt Bomer. Cyborg could have been someone like Serkis. Introduce GL corps and let the universe flow.

 

[Rijowhi]

Rise, Tommy boy, rise!

View attachment 11277
View attachment 11279

Yes, at some point my stanning for the Canadian doppelganger went from ironic to real and I ain't even ashamed. Most of his lead roles are in French but I recently procured one of his stupid Hallmark movies and was converted. He sounds perfectly American when speaking English, has a great Supes voice and is charming as hell, y'all. He just has this natural easy-going confidence I could see really working for him in the role. On a side note, I always have an added admiration for people who can act fluently in two different languages, but I digress. Same height as Cavill (though for some reason he looks a little taller to me on screen - I think because he has a lankier build, longer arms/legs vs. torso ratio compared to Cavill) and one year older. In motion, he also looks MORE like Supes than Cavill to me, crazy as it sounds, because he has less boyish features, a slightly larger chin and less prominent nose.

It depends on what you want.
A new origin story again?
Or, an established superman, or at the least one who has been superman for a couple of years.
They could go the older route with a more mature superman, one who has been at it for 15+ years.

Give us a Superman movie with a Supes who's been around a couple of years. He knows what he's doing. Like someone said previously tell his origin story via the Credits (with John Williams Krypton and Main Theme playing behind from Superman The Movie). State General Zod is locked away in Prison leaving him as a possible Villian in a sequel at some stage...I'm thinking telling the story via a possible Comic Book intro...then it's time for a BRAND NEW story. Throw elements of both Williams and Zimmer soundtracks into the mostly new mix to please 'old' fans. Another thing don't go absolutely crazy with the budget...be sensible WB!

Oh and I think that Tommy guy could do a good job, I've been impressed by what little I've seen.

 

[Vaibow]

Give us a Superman movie with a Supes who's been around a couple of years. He knows what he's doing. Like someone said previously tell his origin story via the Credits (with John Williams Krypton and Main Theme playing behind from Superman The Movie). State General Zod is locked away in Prison leaving him as a possible Villian in a sequel at some stage...I'm thinking telling the story via a possible Comic Book intro...then it's time for a BRAND NEW story. Throw elements of both Williams and Zimmer soundtracks into the mostly new mix to please 'old' fans. Another thing don't go absolutely crazy with the budget...be sensible WB!

Oh and I think that Tommy guy could do a good job, I've been impressed by what little I've seen.

I like this mate... i like it. Let's have some fun.

 

[Vaibow]

I actually think JL did the one good thing of using the Williams score... which now paves the way for future movie to use it, if that makes sense. Just like Spiderman home coming used the cartoon theme, williams theme is superman to a lot of us.