The Official Superman Casting & Discussion Thread

[Karelia]

Wait, people DON'T want Superman to be tall and muscular?

*Slowly leaves thread until someone is casted*

 

[Eze]

5'9.5 for the US. But average does not mean common (or 'normal'). It means that the range of heights averages out to that number. Tall people exist. And people as tall as 6'3 aren't uncommon. And unless you're over 6'6 you won't draw much attention to yourself.

This is where I stopped reading Jak, you are delusional. You twist reality to rationalize your own subjective tastes. "Tall people exist", ffs, like I was claiming they didn"t? "And people as tall as 6'3 aren't uncommon", except they are uncommon enough to not bump the average height of males over 6' any where in the world except the Netherlands.

What are you hoping to accomplish Jak? Why can't we just agree to disagree? You want 6'4" and up, I want 6-6'1" max. You think giant Superman is awesome, I think giant Clark Kent is an eyesore. You want what has been done before, by Reeve (who will never be surpassed in performing that take on Superman) and I want something totally different, I want Superman to be the pulp fiction hero like he was in the Golden Age.

 

[Eddie Dean]

I have to admit Hammer has as very similar voice to Hamm.

 

[Eze]

Wait, people DON'T want Superman to be tall and muscular?

*Slowly leaves thread until someone is casted*

Ya, that's what were talking about...

 

[Hobgoblin]

Lets discuss casting without name calling, ok?

 

[Hobgoblin]

As I just said, lets discuss things respectfully.

 

[SuperMike335!!]

OMG, you got to be kidding. You honestly think Superman has the same wide audience appeal that Batman, Iron Man, Wolverine, Thor, Green Lantern, or Spider-man, don't you?

The definition of Ignorance is Ignore.

In YOUR opinion he does not have the same appeal, but all I have seen lacking is a good superman movie, in a while.

There has been a TV show on for 10 years, an Animated series, current animated cartoons are still released, and the comic books still sell.

Do you have actual statistics showing the Superman comic book sales to be down so little, compared to ALL those other characters? Or did you just mean what you see people talking about in general?

Batman is ahead, but turning Superman into Averageman is not going to help anything.

 

[SuperMike335!!]

Wait, people DON'T want Superman to be tall and muscular?

*Slowly leaves thread until someone is casted*

Don't worry, I still think he should be tall and muscular.

** No don't leave. Come back! **

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

How's his voice though? Hamm's voice is perfect for Superman to me, deep and commanding.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNUzzJG5XIQ

 

[hopefuldreamer]

That about sums up WHY I don't agree with you.

You have a problem with Superman's disguise, his stature, his ethics, and his costume.

Exactly... I don't really understand why someone who dislikes everything core to the Superman story would even bother entering into the Superman casting thread...

Wait, people DON'T want Superman to be tall and muscular?

*Slowly leaves thread until someone is casted*

I might have to joing you soon...

In YOUR opinion he does not have the same appeal, but all I have seen lacking is a good superman movie, in a while.

There has been a TV show on for 10 years, an Animated series, current animated cartoons are still released, and the comic books still sell.

Do you have actual statistics showing the Superman comic book sales to be down so little, compared to ALL those other characters? Or did you just mean what you see people talking about in general?

Batman is ahead, but turning Superman into Averageman is not going to help anything.

Exactly what I was asking myself... I think Superman is very much still at the top of DC's money makers. But if someone can prove this isn't so, then i'll except he has gone down in popularity.

 

[shieldshero]

I look at it this way,

Loved the last 2 Batman movies, can't wait for the 3rd, but I'm pretty sure I will love it for sure, and we already know half the cast at least. . .

But with Superman, not been a good movie in so long now thanks to Returns, my curiosity level, anticipation level for this new movie, through the roof, not to mention my curiosity level, (that's a lot of levels!)

I guess I'm saying as a nerd, anticipating superman on film again is more interesting because who knows what we’re gonna get?. . . or who

from a general admission pov, I can see how you would say Batman has the upper hand, considering the unbelievable success of TDK. . .

 

[JAK®]

This is where I stopped reading Jak, you are delusional. You twist reality to rationalize your own subjective tastes. "Tall people exist", ffs, like I was claiming they didn"t? "And people as tall as 6'3 aren't uncommon", except they are uncommon enough to not bump the average height of males over 6' any where in the world except the Netherlands.

If you go to the Netherlands you will find a lot more 6'3 people than anywhere else. It is this phenomenon of having taller people appear more frequently in a population that bumps up average height. That's why the average there is 6'0, not because a lot of people there are 6'0 exactly.

The average of the entire world is 5'7. So you are right that 6'3 is rare on a worldwide scale, but in the western world which includes North America and Europe, people reach heights over 6'0 far more frequently, bumping the average to over 2 inches higher than the rest of the world in the US/UK, and even higher in some parts of Europe.

What are you hoping to accomplish Jak? Why can't we just agree to disagree? You want 6'4" and up, I want 6-6'1" max.

6'4 and up? No, I want 6'3. I will also accept any actor over 6'1.

You think giant Superman is awesome, I think giant Clark Kent is an eyesore.

Except my entire point is that he is not giant, just big. Isn't that why you're getting so angry with me? That my standards of what constitutes a giant is higher than yours?

You want what has been done before, by Reeve (who will never be surpassed in performing that take on Superman) and I want something totally different, I want Superman to be the pulp fiction hero like he was in the Golden Age.

I don't even know what the height of an actor has to do with performance.

 

[Eze]

In YOUR opinion he does not have the same appeal, but all I have seen lacking is a good superman movie, in a while.

There has been a TV show on for 10 years, an Animated series, current animated cartoons are still released, and the comic books still sell.

Do you have actual statistics showing the Superman comic book sales to be down so little, compared to ALL those other characters? Or did you just mean what you see people talking about in general?

Batman is ahead, but turning Superman into Averageman is not going to help anything.

A T.V. show with no underwear, no costume, not much of a dual identity Blur is unrecognizable. No insult to our intelligence, no flimsy glasses. See how that show supports my argument?

Current animated movies, Lois knew all on her own in Superman/Doomsday. Or it's just Superman the whole movie with the Justice League. Superman/Batman: Apocalypse we see Kent again, shopping with his cousin, depicted as 6'4" 265 lbs. Ya that looked natural, nothing out of the ordinary there.

I'm not talking comic book sales, I'm talking general audience appeal. the people who like superhero movies, but think Superman is lame. All of your examples of Superman's popularity demonstrate a desire to play down the three fatal flaws that I pointed out to some degree.

Making Superman 6' ish is only going to help make the character more believable, because his Clark will be less obvious.

 

[Eze]

Exactly... I don't really understand why someone who dislikes everything core to the Superman story would even bother entering into the Superman casting thread...

I dislike everything core to the Modern Age interpretation of Superman. I love the Golden Age interpretation of Superman right up to the 1960s. I hear that Snyder is going mature with his lead so I might get my wish, so here I am.

I can't understand how fans don't know the differences between incarnations or how much the "core" has changed, and how it could change back. Seems like the fans are stuck in 1978.

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

 

[Wheels]

As long as the actor is 6'0 I couldn't care less. I just don want a guy who will be 41 by the time the movie comes out and looks 45.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Lets discuss casting without name calling, ok?

Fine, DOODY-HEAD!

 

[Keyser Soze]

As far as this whole question of "surely people would know Clark kent is Superman" goes, I like the theory Grant Morrison expressed at Comic-Con, that the Daily Planet all immediately figured out that Clark Kent is Superman, but play along with the ruse that it's a secret identity to humor him and not hurt his feelings.

 

[Sky Captain]

Not that I'm saying cast him (even though I love the crap out of him), has anybody else ever thought that Paul Rudd looks a lot like Superman?

I'm sure there's better pictures out there but I didn't feel like looking.

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

I'd cast him if it was Clark Kent only but if I had to imagine as Superman?



Even if he good, I'd remember that its Paul Rudd and would probably laugh. Plus he's 5'9

And this is coming from someone who loves Paul Rudd.

 

[Keyser Soze]

Paul Rudd's an interesting actor. In the 90s he tried to make a go at being a romantic/dramatic leading man, and it never really panned out for him. Then in the 00s he kinda found his calling in scene-stealing comedic supporting roles, and has since reinvented himself as a comedy leading man. I'm not sure if he'd really want to venture out of comedy again. And if he did end up in the Superman cast, that droll, witty, snarky edge of his would be a much better fit for Lex Luthor than Superman.

 

[Mrs. Sawyer]

If he was younger, he would've been the perfect Jimmy Olsen.

 

[PreK]

I'm sure it can fool the general populace, but what about Lois Lane? Jimmy Olsen? People who spend time with Clark and Superman can't make the connection by just looking at the guy? Especially Lois, who is supposed to be "clever" can't figure it out? All she would have to do is snap a picture of Clark, remove the glasses and compare it to a pic of Superman.

And as I said, at best all that would be talked about in the offices is how much he looks like Supes. I'll expand on 'why' in a second.

Celebrities are not super-heroes. No one would think that Eminem (ugh) is secretly a vigilante, sure. But super-heroes tend to have secret identities. While Superman doesn't wear a mask, he is the most famous person in the world. People would surely theorize about his life and what kind of life he leads when he's not Superman. Especially people who work in a newspaper...Having a Superman look-alike who is never around when Superman does his stuff is just too distracting.

Saying "Oh you know what, he kinda looks like Superman, is a huge guy, and if you remove the glasses you pretty much have the same person. Yup, Clark is definitely not Superman. Oh silly me." doesn't cut it.

It's a cutesy gimmick, and that's it for me. Clark can use deameanor to sort of fool people but that alone is not enough. I don't know how it's going to be handled in the movie, but since Nolan is the master producer he will probably give some serious thought to this issue...Or just leave it alone. I'm fine with the disguse, it's classic stuff, but I can't take it seriously.

Superheroes in the context of the comic book world, ARE the celebrities. In fact they are the ultimate celebrity. They're in the constant eye of the public, are revered, and are held to a greater (or at least abnormal) societal standing. It's absolutely logical to draw the parallels to our own world. Be it Eminem, Michael Jackson, Oprah, Angelina Jolie, or whomever, these names have a face to go with the fame. So even if we only have a glimpse at their private lives, we draw the conclusion that they may go about as "regular people", but in no way are they leading a whole different identity. The whole dual-persona trope is carried about by superheroes who are in hiding. When you have no mask then (conceivably) you are in plain sight. That is why you do not group Supes with the other heroes.

George Clooney hanging out on a yacht is still Clooney. Someone who looks exactly like Clooney giving me my change at the supermarket is some guy with lucky genes. People could rag on either one, multiple times about that resemblance. What are both gonna say? George will laugh it off and wonder why such a ridiculous question is being asked. Fake-George will brush it off and tell you he gets that question a lot. What then? Well, nothing. The investigation stops there. If both are seen by peers and friends as routinely carrying out regular lives on a daily basis, you have nothing to go on. It's a goose chase.

THAT is the crux. Both Clark and Supes need to be displayed as having complete, separate identities. The look is second priority. You're right, Lois and the rest of the DP should be the most keen on figuring it out. But not if they have no reason to be led on that path. If Supes only comes out 5 minutes each day to perform a rescue and Clark is there the rest of the day doing paperwork, ok there's something fishy. If Clark is hard at work as a reporter all day long and Supes is seen all over the world keeping occupied, the illusion is safe. NO ONE will bother to pick apart two seemingly active identities. It goes against all logic and reasoning. I challenge anyone to argue otherwise.

 

[SuperZer0]

Eion Bailey, who was considered for Batman Begins and James Bond, could be another candidate for Supes.

[YT]Ycqp727dVyg[/YT]http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0047248/

 

[I Am The Knight]

And as I said, at best all that would be talked about in the offices is how much he looks like Supes. I'll expand on 'why' in a second.

Superheroes in the context of the comic book world, ARE the celebrities. In fact they are the ultimate celebrity. They're in the constant eye of the public, are revered, and are held to a greater (or at least abnormal) societal standing. It's absolutely logical to draw the parallels to our own world. Be it Eminem, Michael Jackson, Oprah, Angelina Jolie, or whomever, these names have a face to go with the fame. So even if we only have a glimpse at their private lives, we draw the conclusion that they may go about as "regular people", but in no way are they leading a whole different identity. The whole dual-persona trope is carried about by superheroes who are in hiding. When you have no mask then (conceivably) you are in plain sight. That is why you do not group Supes with the other heroes.

Celebrities do not have super-powers, so no one could theorize that they could pull off a "Clark". Celebrities/famous people cannot fly or run very fast. Also, they don't need to create a secret identity. Technically, they are beloved people who don't need to protect themselves or their loved ones like a superhero does. No Super-Villains are going to want to get revenge on them for foiling that bank robbery, etc. The media won't stalk them about political issues at their house at 3 AM, or go to their work to ask for the celebrity to save their cat. Celebrities need the standard stuff, and as such, can go on living their own life. Superman would be harrassed all the time.

When you have a God who can do all sorts of things, a lot of posibilities are left open. Just because he doesn't seems to have a secret identity does not mean he doesn't have one, or that someone wouldn't start wondering about these things. Someone like Lois, who is terribly infatuated with Superman...And spends all day with him....I mean, with Clark...

George Clooney hanging out on a yacht is still Clooney. Someone who looks exactly like Clooney giving me my change at the supermarket is some guy with lucky genes. People could rag on either one, multiple times about that resemblance. What are both gonna say? George will laugh it off and wonder why such a ridiculous question is being asked. Fake-George will brush it off and tell you he gets that question a lot. What then? Well, nothing. The investigation stops there. If both are seen by peers and friends as routinely carrying out regular lives on a daily basis, you have nothing to go on. It's a goose chase.

Um, no it doesn't. It's one thing to have a resemblance to a famous person, which happens all the time. It's another to look exactly like such person, and have personal connections with the same people (namely, the Daily Planet staff) to boot. Also, Superman is an alien. He looks human, sure, but no one could possibly look like him without turning a few heads.

THAT is the crux. Both Clark and Supes need to be displayed as having complete, separate identities. The look is second priority. You're right, Lois and the rest of the DP should be the most keen on figuring it out. But not if they have no reason to be led on that path. If Supes only comes out 5 minutes each day to perform a rescue and Clark is there the rest of the day doing paperwork, ok there's something fishy. If Clark is hard at work as a reporter all day long and Supes is seen all over the world keeping occupied, the illusion is safe. NO ONE will bother to pick apart two seemingly active identities. It goes against all logic and reasoning. I challenge anyone to argue otherwise.

You keep on ignoring Lois and the rest of The Daily Planet gang's real importance. Clark and Superman hang around the same set of people all the time. Take the Lois/Clark/Superman love triangle. How could a person not tell the difference? Clark looks exactly like the alien Superman? Something fishy there!

The look is first priority because surely someone who isn't blind can tell they are the same guy. Also, no one has to "figure it out" right away. But if they start noticing things, then questions start being asked, and eventually someone will photoshop a picture of Clark, remove the glasses, and discover Superman. You're assuming that if both identities keep busy, no one will notice, but the people around Superman and Clark would notice, and unless he mind rapes them like in Superman II, the disguise is f***ed. Superman/Clark have the same friends/love interests. Not all of them are ******ed. That is the problem. The rest of the world doesn't matters, but it only takes one person. Also, Lois, who is practically his press agent, could theorize that someone like Superman would be able to pull off a Clark and be in two places at the same time. She is just curious like that.