The Official Casting The Superman Reboot Thread - Part 1

[DorkyFresh]

No, it's the cinematic equivalent of affirmative action. I've got no issues with a racially diversified cast. But don't do it at the sacrifice for the iconography of 70+ year old characters.

i'm not saying they SHOULD cast Perry or Jimmy as black, i'm just saying that if they chose to then i would be okay with it. you have a good point about the iconography when it comes to Jimmy but Perry isn't nearly as iconic as Clark, Lois, Lex, or Jimmy. i'd be willing to bet that if you ask the average movie-goer who Clark's boss at the Daily Planet is, most of them wouldn't be able to tell you.

There are other parts you can cast without the requirements of being white.

like?

As an aside, there's nothing timely of skin color. That "modern" argument always bugged me.

the main characters for Superman were created pre-MLKjr in a time and nation where whites were very much still the majority and standard. times have changed and America is a much more racially aware nation. the argument might bug you, but it holds water. if you're going to make a modern movie, it helps to include races other than just Caucasians.

 

[Dark Knight]

Interesting. Did any you notice in the article below (click the link) they mention Sean Penn was heavily courted for a role in Man Of Steel?

http://www.deadline.com/2011/04/sea...e-the-last-photograph-along-with-dark-castle/

I wonder which role Penn was being offered?

I'm thinking Zod, Lex Luthor or Perry White maybe?

 

[Krumm]

i'm not saying they SHOULD cast Perry or Jimmy as black, i'm just saying that if they chose to then i would be okay with it.

That's important here. No one is saying that.

you have a good point about the iconography when it comes to Jimmy but Perry isn't nearly as iconic as Clark, Lois, Lex, or Jimmy. i'd be willing to bet that if you ask the average movie-goer who Clark's boss at the Daily Planet is, most of them wouldn't be able to tell you.

Jimmy is much bigger in the comics but he is such an afterthought in the films that I don't think people would really blink. Granted this is a brand new franchise so who knows their plans with the character but if it were the usual 5-10 minutes of screen time then whats the big deal?

 

[KRIM]

Also, do you find nothing significant about America having an AA president?

Has nothing to do with adaptations of characters with a particular look.

i'm not saying they SHOULD cast Perry or Jimmy as black, i'm just saying that if they chose to then i would be okay with it. you have a good point about the iconography when it comes to Jimmy but Perry isn't nearly as iconic as Clark, Lois, Lex, or Jimmy. i'd be willing to bet that if you ask the average movie-goer who Clark's boss at the Daily Planet is, most of them wouldn't be able to tell you.

If our barometer for what should be adapted is to go by the clueless non-fans of mainstream, you'd have an abomination of a movie. It doesn't matter what they want or know, they have no vested interest in the franchise. We do.

like?

Literally anyone else. Outside the main supporting cast and the conventional rogues gallery, that's a number of roles that can be filled with anyone. Fill your ethnicities there.

the main characters for Superman were created pre-MLKjr in a time and nation where whites were very much still the majority and standard. times have changed and America is a much more racially aware nation. the argument might bug you, but it holds water. if you're going to make a modern movie, it helps to include races other than just Caucasians.

I clearly indicated I'm a supporter for a diversified cast, so not sure why that was directed at me. When it comes to the portrayal of a culture, yes, modern sensibilities dictate there would be much more color filling the streets of Metropolis.

However it does not give permission to retroactively alter established and well-known iconographies in the name of racial appeasement. That is beyond absurd. Create new characters if you must. Don't take something that is already there and force it to someone else's image.

 

[Eddie Dean]

How do you feel about Idris Elba in Thor, KRIM?

 

[KRIM]

How do you feel about Idris Elba in Thor, KRIM?

My knowledge of Heimdallr is strictly towards the Norse mythology. Having never opened a Thor comic in my life, I'm not particularly affected by it. But as I noted above, non-fans should not be who the creators concern themselves with. The source material is the one being owed respect.

But on an added note, I did find it humorous Idris and the other minority (Asian, i think) were the only non-Caucasians found in that footage. When such transparency is evident, it's clear to me why they went with those actors. So if I'm to judge purely on that, it's not a good enough reason for me that they did it to fill some quota.

 

[Krumm]

Has nothing to do with adaptations of characters with a particular look.

No, it has something to do with the idea that there would be nothing "modern" about the change.

If our barometer for what should be adapted is to go by the clueless non-fans of mainstream, you'd have an abomination of a movie. It doesn't matter what they want or know, they have no vested interest in the franchise. We do.

If your barometer for what should be adapted is to go by a small, overly critical (I am guilty of this from time to time) population, then big budget, tent-pole movie producing is not in your future.

Literally anyone else. Outside the main supporting cast and the conventional rogues gallery, that's a number of roles that can be filled with anyone. Fill your ethnicities there.

Gabrielle Union would make a nice Cat Grant.

However it does not give permission to retroactively alter established and well-known iconographies in the name of racial appeasement. That is beyond absurd. Create new characters if you must. Don't take something that is already there and force it to someone else's image.

The argument is that Perry is not iconic, and I would argue in the MOVIE landscape neither is Jimmy. And there is no forcing on our part. AGAIN, I think Donald would be a great Jimmy.

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

I wonder if they'll have Black Kryptonians in this.

I know Donner didn't obviously.

But it made sense, there aren't too many tropical areas on an Ice Planet.... :|

 

[DorkyFresh]

If our barometer for what should be adapted is to go by the clueless non-fans of mainstream, you'd have an abomination of a movie.

honestly...if they even went by want FANS wanted, there's still a big chance we'd end up with an abomination as well. you have to strike a balance.

I clearly indicated I'm a supporter for a diversified cast, so not sure why that was directed at me.

um...because you said that the "modern" argument always bugged you?

However it does not give permission to retroactively alter established and well-known iconographies in the name of racial appeasement. That is beyond absurd. Create new characters if you must. Don't take something that is already there and force it to someone else's image.

again...........not saying they should, just saying that i'd be okay with it to a degree. i would never want to see a black Lex Luthor or Jonathan Kent, but i wouldn't mind it if they happened to cast Perry, or even Jimmy, with black actors.

 

[Project862006]

Interesting. Did any you notice in the article below (click the link) they mention Sean Penn was heavily courted for a role in Man Of Steel?

http://www.deadline.com/2011/04/sea...e-the-last-photograph-along-with-dark-castle/

I wonder which role Penn was being offered?

I'm thinking Zod, Lex Luthor or Perry White maybe?

ah damn Sean Penn would of been great

You see Dead Man Walking? Look in his eyes in that movie. He's got the eyes of a violent caged animal, of a *****ing killer.

 

[KRIM]

No, it has something to do with the idea that there would be nothing "modern" about the change.

I don't think you're fully comprehending my position. Neither a black Perry or Jimmy is indicative of a modern time. To say as much, is to imply that whiteness is somehow becoming "outdated". Surely you can see that is absolutely silly.

Your example of Obama cannot apply here as you're speaking of a political position, I'm speaking of established characters. There are other ways to present a contemporary time which avoids discussions on forced racial equality. Yes, representing ethnic groups in powerful positions is a great start in separating it from a time in which they would be relegated to roles of servitude. I have no issues with that.

If your barometer for what should be adapted is to go by a small, overly critical (I am guilty of this from time to time) population, then big budget, tent-pole movie producing is not in your future.

Yes to both accounts. There are certainly precautions to take in taking material to be distributed amongst the masses, but on a fundamental level you are still adapting a source with a niche audience. By pure logic alone, you would much sooner listen to those that actually are familiar with the material, than those who don't. There is no argument to this. The latter can provide nothing to the table.

The argument is the Perry is not iconic, and I would argue in the MOVIE landscape nor is Jimmy.

Doesn't fly with me. On the hypothetical that there have been no live-action Superman projects up until now, would you conceivably accept this point once it is applied to literally every character in the Superman lore?

And there is no forcing on our part. AGAIN, I think Donald would be a great Jimmy.

Oh, it's absolutely forced. Hollywood is dominated by white actors. These are white roles. There isn't a single ethnic actor without a white equivalent. The numbers and the probabilities of choosing the best actor for the role, and have him not white is incredibly slim.

 

[Majik1387]

 

[DorkyFresh]

me tinks you've gotten Olivia Wilde and Lana Lang's slots mixed up, hehe. also, still no Alec Baldwin under Perry White?? tsk, tsk

 

[Sawyer]

Jor-El = Bana

 

[Krumm]

Yes, representing ethnic groups in powerful positions is a great start in separating it from a time in which they would be relegated to roles of servitude. I have no issues with that.

Dare I say "modern?" This is what all +I am saying (and I believe DF is saying as well). I'm leaving it at that.

Doesn't fly with me. On the hypothetical that there have been no live-action Superman projects up until now, would you conceivably accept this point once it is applied to literally every character in the Superman lore?

Are you saying if everyone was black? If you are just referring to Perry and Jimmy then: For Perry, yes. And like I said for Jimmy, if it was 5-10 minutes, I don't care.

Oh, it's absolutely forced. Hollywood is dominated by white actors. These are white roles. There isn't a single ethnic actor without a white equivalent. The numbers and the probabilities of choosing the best actor for the role, and have him not white is incredibly slim.

I am not saying that a black Perry or Jimmy would be a major stride in American racial relations and therefore HAS TO happen. AGAIN Donald would be a great Jimmy because of his humor and acting NOT because he is black. Danny Glover was an afterthought and would be a good Perry because of his acting ability NOT because he is black. I didn't think what black actors would be great in roles -- that didn't happen no matter how much you wish it did.

 

[DorkyFresh]

Jor-El = Bana

seconded

 

[Majik1387]

me tinks you've gotten Olivia Wilde and Lana Lang's slots mixed up, hehe. also, still no Alec Baldwin under Perry White?? tsk, tsk

Haha, nope. I think she could be Lana as well, and if she really was in talks for a role in the movie, then Lana could possible be the role too.
I can see her as Ursa as well, I just think it would be a more interesting choice if she was chosen for Lana.

And after a lot of thought, I really don't care to see Baldwin in the movie. I mean, I think he could do the role justice and I won't complain if he were to be cast, but it be more of a bleh choice for me.

Jor-El = Bana

seconded

I can see him working.

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

Dude, again the trades confirmed there's only 3 female roles.

Likely to be Martha, Ursa and Lois.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

I like a few of your suggestion Majik1387. I really like the idea of Rose Byrne playing Lara. I fully support either her or Rachel Weisz for the character.

Now for some my suggestion, how about Tom Wilkinson, Jon Voight or John Slattery for Perry White?

 

[Eddie Dean]

If people are willing to go older with Lex, Slattery would be great. He'd have to shave off that white hair though.

 

[Project862006]

what about billy crudup for jor el

 

[Majik1387]

Dude, again the trades confirmed there's only 3 female roles.

Likely to be Martha, Ursa and Lois.

And which trades are these?
I'm hoping not the ones that said there was no Lois.

I like a few of your suggestion Majik1387. I really like the idea of Rose Byrne playing Lara. I fully support either her or Rachel Weisz for the character.

Weisz would be good as well, though I would want her in a bigger name role in a movie.

Now for some my suggestion, how about Tom Wilkinson, Jon Voight or John Slattery for Perry White?

If people are willing to go older with Lex, Slattery would be great. He'd have to shave off that white hair though.

No to Wilkinson and Voight, but I like the suggestion of Slattery.

what about billy crudup for jor el

I still like this suggestion

 

[Timstuff]

Jim Caviezel as Jor-El or GTFO.

 

[Sgt.Pepper]

Yeah, maybe Tom Wilkinson wouldn't be a good choice for Perry White. I just suggested him because he played a editor-in-chief in The Green Hornet.

 

[Eddie Dean]

Jim Caviezel as Jor-El or GTFO.

Don Draper would like to have a word with you.