The Official Superman Casting Thread

[Adenjo]

The height thing is really ridiculous, Daniel Craig, George Clooney and Viggo Mortenson are all around 5' 10" and you never hear anyone complaining about them.

Let's just cast Jon Hamm and be done with it.

Dean Cain is 6ft tall.
In some scenes in Lois and Clark (If Hatcher was wearing heels) Lois was as tall as Superman. There were bit part characters that towered over Superman.
Superman needs to be tall.. Naturally tall. No lifts. no camera tricks.

 

[That-Guy]

Height and age issues aside... I think that Hamm would be a perfect choice for this film, the more I think about it.

The problem with casting Superman is finding an actor who looks the part, isn't so famous that people would think "oh, that's just ___ in a Superman costume," and isn't afraid of the role hurting his career. Even if Routh and Welling were better actors, they still might have run into the roadblock that Chris Reeve and George Reeves did... they took on the role early in their careers and thus, people have trouble seeing them as anything but that.

Hamm, in contrast, has received resounding acclaim for his role on Mad Men, and has been in the industry for a while. People respect him as an actor, yet he's not SO famous that audiences wouldn't be able to accept him in the role. And though he may be a bit older, it works for an established Superman movie. Hamm could pass for 32-35, which is an ideal age, IMO.

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

Hamm is quite famous and well known. He would have to be to host SNL.

He's quite popular with the younger demographics given his viral video appearances.

He certainly wouldn't be an 'unknown' in the tights. He would be Jon Hamm in the tights.. a 'known' actor.


However, I'm GLAD the studio is 'looking' at him now, at this early point in the casting process.

It's a good starting point... and it also means it's VERY unlikely he'll be one of the final names for Superman. I can't wait to hear about some unknowns.

 

[betamox]

I'm not suggesting this guy for the movie although he's an actor he's actually a brazillian model Thierre Di Castro is his name, from the Zoosk.com (so not an american) commercial i'm sure most people have seen. "Someone" who looks like that is what i'd like to see cast as Superman

just look at him tall, not too big and can easily seem smaller while wearing a suit.

I can't think of anybody who fits that but wouldn't it be good if the actor cast as Superman this time around actually looked Super !

 

[MAN O STEEL]

The actor needs to look like Superman onscreen and off, as Showtime said once.

I agree with this.

I don't want a dude that needs to stand on boxes to look the same height as Ryan Reynolds or whatnot.

Superman needs to be tall and imposing. The physical requirement for the character is huge, that's why it always goes to unknowns.

Why can't people listen to this man?. Superman has vital statistics for a reason, why does every other comic film get pretty close to matching the physical stats of their heroes & yet we have to have another 6 nothing Superman?. Ppl say, "Well look at Wolverine, Jackman is 6'2". So what?, i'd rather to tall than to short. Short looks unimposing & weak, tall looks broad & powerful, so either way, Wolverine looked pimp. A Superman that will be close to the same height as Lois, not so much. Iron man, Thor, Cap, Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, all have people cast who match for the most part, the vital statistics of the heroes they play, why, when were on the verge of Superman being one movie away from what could be Superman not being seen again for another 20 something years would people want to risk any aspect of the character story or physically, for the sake of a 40 year old, balding guy who's to short & doesn't want to play Superman because he's not a conflicted hero. I'll never understand.




Steve

 

[Micromind]

Chris Reeve reportedly said "Superman is 70% looks and 30 % acting" so there, this is a matter of making people believe that this man is Super.

and being Tall, Good physique, Warm Smile, and above Average Good Looks are necessary traits plus acting.

 

[That-Guy]

Hamm is quite famous and well known. He would have to be to host SNL.

He's quite popular with the younger demographics given his viral video appearances.

He certainly wouldn't be an 'unknown' in the tights. He would be Jon Hamm in the tights.. a 'known' actor.


However, I'm GLAD the studio is 'looking' at him now, at this early point in the casting process.

It's a good starting point... and it also means it's VERY unlikely he'll be one of the final names for Superman. I can't wait to hear about some unknowns.

He's popular but my point is that he's not like Tom Cruise or someone whose stardom would overpower the role.

I'm also curious though, what unknowns (or lesser-knowns) are being considered. There are thousands of talented actors out there that no one has ever heard of... however, somehow mainstream movies periodically have a knack for casting the worst ones possible.

 

[batman44]

Why can't people listen to this man?. Superman has vital statistics for a reason, why does every other comic film get pretty close to matching the physical stats of their heroes & yet we have to have another 6 nothing Superman?. Ppl say, "Well look at Wolverine, Jackman is 6'2". So what?, i'd rather to tall than to short. Short looks unimposing & weak, tall looks broad & powerful, so either way, Wolverine looked pimp. A Superman that will be close to the same height as Lois, not so much. Iron man, Thor, Cap, Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, all have people cast who match for the most part, the vital statistics of the heroes they play, why, when were on the verge of Superman being one movie away from what could be Superman not being seen again for another 20 something years would people want to risk any aspect of the character story or physically, for the sake of a 40 year old, balding guy who's to short & doesn't want to play Superman because he's not a conflicted hero. I'll never understand.




Steve

Robert Downey Jr: 5"8-Tony Stark 6"1
Chris Hemsworth: 6"3-Thor 6"6
Chris Evans: 6"-Captain America 6"2
Andrew Garfield: 6" Spider-man 5"10
Hulk is CGI so it doesn't matter.

Considering someone is cast who is six foot, that person would be in the same "difference of inches" range as those guys

 

[Strider14]

Robert Downey Jr: 5"8-Tony Stark 6"1
Chris Hemsworth: 6"3-Thor 6"6
Chris Evans: 6"-Captain America 6"2
Andrew Garfield: 6" Spider-man 5"10
Hulk is CGI so it doesn't matter.

Considering someone is cast who is six foot, that person would be in the same "difference of inches" range as those guys

Chris Hemsworth is still tall and physically imposing at 6'3". Much more so than someone who is 5'11" or 6'. The taller the actor and the hero the less difference I see it making as long as they are much taller than the average person and have the physical imposing stature. Hemsworth has that. If Thor were 6'3" or 6'4" and Hemsworth were 6', then I would have more issues with it. Anyone smaller than me shouldn't be playing a Superhero like Superman or Thor. It just loses all credibility in my eyes. :-P

Tony Stark's size doesn't really matter as he has to put on the armor, which makes the actual hero larger. Apples and oranges there.

I am finding more references for Chris Evans being 6'1" tall. I am not going to quibble over 1" for the part of Cap. 4 inches for playing Superman, I will.

Spiderman going a few inches taller doesn't bother me, much like Man O Steel says. I would rather error on the side of a little taller than too short and wimpy.

Superman is different than most other hero castings, in my opinion. He is...Superman. Look at his images. He is physically imposing.

The guy Betamox posted on the last page has the perfect build for Superman. Perfect. It is not a short compact muscular build. He has a tall, physically imposing stature. That is what I would Superman's build should look like.

 

[That-Guy]

I would agree that a build like Chris Hemsworth has in Thor is ideal... the only problem is, you need to have someone with enough talent and charisma to be able to carry the whole movie. Hell, at this point, we don't even know if Hemsworth will be able to do that in Thor (though I hope so).

 

[romeogbs19]

Why can't people listen to this man?. Superman has vital statistics for a reason, why does every other comic film get pretty close to matching the physical stats of their heroes & yet we have to have another 6 nothing Superman?. Ppl say, "Well look at Wolverine, Jackman is 6'2". So what?, i'd rather to tall than to short. Short looks unimposing & weak, tall looks broad & powerful, so either way, Wolverine looked pimp. A Superman that will be close to the same height as Lois, not so much. Iron man, Thor, Cap, Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, all have people cast who match for the most part, the vital statistics of the heroes they play, why, when were on the verge of Superman being one movie away from what could be Superman not being seen again for another 20 something years would people want to risk any aspect of the character story or physically, for the sake of a 40 year old, balding guy who's to short & doesn't want to play Superman because he's not a conflicted hero. I'll never understand.

Steve

I respect the concern re: the height issue but I'm with batman44 on this one. 2 inches or even 4-5 inches isn't going to matter here. It's the presence that the actor brings to the role. Height is just one factor in picking Superman. Sure, he can't be way short, but Hamm and Fox clearly have the build to play. That, and I agree with That-Guy that it's much more about presence and an actor like Hamm brings that to the role (seriously, watch Mad Men).

As for whether Hamm's early look means he's out of the running is anyone's guess. I think just because he's being looked at first means nothing here because this is a very different production being led by potentially a new group (DC Entertainment, the Nolans, the WB, probably Geoff and Nelson, too) -- Superman is the next DC Entertainment push behind Green Lantern and you have to think that they're being very selective with their looks since they don't want too many leaks going around.

I'm not saying Hamm is the best pick, but I'd certainly be very happy with him.

Those who see him as Luthor probably keep thinking back to that little skit he did about bailouts. I disagree, he doesn't look anything like Luthor.

 

[Comicfan]

Why can't people listen to this man?. Superman has vital statistics for a reason, why does every other comic film get pretty close to matching the physical stats of their heroes & yet we have to have another 6 nothing Superman?. Ppl say, "Well look at Wolverine, Jackman is 6'2". So what?, i'd rather to tall than to short. Short looks unimposing & weak, tall looks broad & powerful, so either way, Wolverine looked pimp. A Superman that will be close to the same height as Lois, not so much. Iron man, Thor, Cap, Incredible Hulk, Spiderman, all have people cast who match for the most part, the vital statistics of the heroes they play, why, when were on the verge of Superman being one movie away from what could be Superman not being seen again for another 20 something years would people want to risk any aspect of the character story or physically, for the sake of a 40 year old, balding guy who's to short & doesn't want to play Superman because he's not a conflicted hero. I'll never understand.

I totally agree, I really get what people see in Hamm, maybe if the new movie was a period piece I could see him as a 50's Superman, but the superman of this generation, hell no

Chris Reeve reportedly said "Superman is 70% looks and 30 % acting" so there, this is a matter of making people believe that this man is Super.

That's right, Reeve was to many people the best superman to date, but he really wasn't a great actor (just check his other movies)

Look at Routh, he was a bit wooden in SR, but it sold the part to me

Or Welling, another wooden actor, but to many the favorite choice for a Superman

(Actually I like superman to be a bit stiff, is more like he is putting a little distance from the people)

I'm not saying "lets get a crappy actor", but Acting with a good director and editing can improve a lot, I agree with Reeve (and many people), the new actor should be imposing on his own, without any help of body suits or lifts

And should be able to play a kind-warm smile-caring Superman as well as the Ass kicking Man of steel many people want

 

[Dark Knight]

Yeah....Hamm is a bit too KNOWN now for all you UNKNOWN for Superman pushers out there isn't he?

Or weren't some of you Hamm backers all for an "unknown" being cast as Superman beforehand anyway?

Hmmm....

 

[Dark Knight]

Man....I keep thinking how awesome it would have been if Hugh Jackman was ever cast as Superman.

Oh well, another ship has sailed for the role of Superman. Same thing happened with Caviezel.

Sheesh....

 

[\S/uperman]

I think there are more "I wouldn't be angry if he was cast" folks concerning Hamm, than people who really wish for him to get the role.

 

[Comicfan]

I respect the concern re: the height issue but I'm with batman44 on this one. 2 inches or even 4-5 inches isn't going to matter here. It's the presence that the actor brings to the role. Height is just one factor in picking Superman. Sure, he can't be way short, but Hamm and Fox clearly have the build to play. That, and I agree with That-Guy that it's much more about presence and an actor like Hamm brings that to the role (seriously, watch Mad Men).

You have to take into account genetics as well, some people no matter how hard they work out they don't bulk up, they just got slim and ripped, some others bulk up but without any definition

I have no idea if this pic is real BTW

He could improve but you can see he has broad shoulders, and good defined muscles that could get bigger

Jon on the other hand has a very average built

Sorry, I just don't see him as an imposing Superman (he does has a really good voice)

And my choice:

 

[\S/uperman]

Those abs must be cgi!

Wow, I feel out of shape now Thanks a lot

 

[Comicfan]

Look at ben stiller (I know it a bit of an extreme example), he has gained a decent built for some movies

but you will never see him as imposing because he is to short

(I bring him up, because I have a similar built at 5'7", and I'm in no way imposing)

 

[Dark_Lord]

I know we shouldn't be talking about Welling in this thread, but I thought some might enjoy this. Especially Showtime.

I was at the Spider-Man forums and there's a guy on youtube posting videos with "exclusive scoops", mainly about Spider-Man. CalebYourMaster posted a link from the Sony Pictures forums where the guy revealed his source (I had no idea until now) to be archangel. I think most of you know who he is....

Anyway...I just wanted to post something he (archangel) said when I checked the Spider-Man guy's source.

Is WB playing games again or did they really have a meeting with C. Nolan and Welling? Don't want to get my hopes up just yet...

Again...I apologize to Showtime for mentioning Welling in this thread and especially that other guy, but I thought (like I said) some might enjoy it.

 

[\S/uperman]

I know we shouldn't be talking about Welling in this thread

 

[Comicfan]

BATMAN

GREEN LANTERN

WOLVERINE

CAPTAIN AMERICA

THOR (pre built up)

Superman?

When we the previous ones were:

 

[batman44]

Look at ben stiller (I know it a bit of an extreme example), he has gained a decent built for some movies
but you will never see him as imposing because he is to short

(I bring him up, because I have a similar built at 5'7", and I'm in no way imposing)

Yet, I would say Tom Cruise had imposing presence in Collateral or Joe Pesci and Robert DeNiro in Goodfellas.

 

[betamox]

You have to take into account genetics as well, some people no matter how hard they work out they don't bulk up, they just got slim and ripped, some others bulk up but without any definition

I have no idea if this pic is real BTW

He could improve but you can see he has broad shoulders, and good defined muscles that could get bigger

Jon on the other hand has a very average built

Sorry, I just don't see him as an imposing Superman (he does has a really good voice)

And my choice:

Joe definitely has the body but his nose is a little diconcerting at least for me but not completely a deterent !

That picture of Matthew Fox that had some doubt if it's really him is obviously not him it seems to be his head attatched a picture of some nude guy from someplace .

and Jon Hamm no thank you !

 

[Comicfan]

Yet, I would say Tom Cruise had imposing presence in Collateral or Joe Pesci and Robert DeNiro in Goodfellas.

Of course, they carry guns with them t:

 

[Comicfan]

Joe definitely has the body but his nose is a little diconcerting at least for me but not completely a deterent !

His nose is more noticeable in stills

In the series I have see him (in motion) you really don't notice it