The Official Superman Casting Thread

[850tgul]

Fox News is a cancer. The fact that anyone in Washington, Hollywood or anywhere else watches what they do or say in fear of Fox's reaction to it sickens me.

I was the one who referenced Fox and Bill O. I agree with everything you just said, but we need to deal with reality here. MANY Americans are homophobic and xenophobic. WB already got a taste of unwanted controversy with the "Routh is gay" rumors and this film doesn't need that. WB won't chance it. It's a sad condemnation of our society that people couldn't accept a gay "actor" acting in the role of a straight man, but it is what it is. So with that being said WB is a studio and a studio is a business and a business needs to play politics to make as much money as possible. They ask themselves how do we not offend anyone with our decisions. Think of it this way; I doubt many homosexuals would boycott the film if a straight man is cast as Supes, but would any very conservative straight people boycott the film if a homosexual was cast? Would a foreigner boycott the film if an American is cast? Would a proud American boycott the film if a foreigner was cast? You see my point it's not worth the risk, and Showtime has flat out said as much. BTW the Fox news thing was just one example. If you've ever had the "privelage" of watching Bill O, or Sean Hannity or whoever on Fox then you know how they talk at their sheep followers. Bill O is known to incite boycotts with his followers, and can you imagine what they would say if "the liberal left wing media at WB has cast a homosexual as America's greatest wholesome hero? WB is also Fox's competition, so there's another motive. That's just one scenario I could see playing out. Again, it's sad that we live in a society that couldn't accept such things, but we do.

 

[DorkyFresh]

i honestly don't think they'll be going with anyone who's over 35/36 years of age. even though they're trying to make this film it's own movie, that doesn't mean that if it's successful they won't reuse the same actor for a possible sequel. even though Nolan approached Batman Begins as a one film deal, he still cast a young actor to play Bruce Wayne/Batman in the event that the film was successful and a sequel were made (both which came true). WB wants to replicate Batman's success with Superman and the best way to do that is to prepare for a sequel even if the Nolan's are approaching it as a one picture deal. that means their preference will be for younger actors who will be able to come back for 2nds and 3rds and still look fairly youthful. actors like Hamm and Hugh are great for now because they currently can pass for a more mature Superman and can act the part as well, however, what will they look like in 5 years time (when the potential sequel could possibly be made) when they're 45-ish? what more if they decide to do a 3rd film?



i'm not saying that they'll DEFINITELY be going with a younger actor and i'm not saying that age is the most important aspect of the actor for this role.....however, given that WB and the Nolans will most likely be casting with potential sequels in mind, i wouldn't get so excited about Hamm or Hugh or any OTHER actor over the age of 36 just yet.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I give you Clark Kent and Superman! How any one cannot see this is beyond me?

Plenty of us see it...

1) Homosexual? Really? Yes, I know that will dissuade studios but its hardly a reflection of how he would play the role. Oh, and for the record, Bomer is not openly homosexual, nor is he in the closet. He simply (and rightfully) says its no one's business.

2) Small frame?

Seems fine to me. Put on 20 pounds of muscle and it would work just fine.

3) Voice is subjective. I think his voice is just fine, so we'll have to agree to disagree.

4) It was a cheap Japanese car commercial. I'd hardly say thats a fair indicator.

Big thumbs up to everything you just said.

And I actually really like the tone of his voice...

And I'm quite sure a good majority more are NOT bigots and could look past it and see the character he plays.

I always hope, but every time it even gets mentioned people are like 'not that i'm homophobic... BUT...'

Small frame, Height. Pictures don`t save the guy. In live action he looks small and is small. No amount of muscle is EVER going to change that.
.

While I do think he has quite a small frame in White Collar, I do think he could bulk up plenty... shall I quote the Bale pics from the Machinist again?

That said, if he is gay, he cannot be cast. The media would very unfortunately tear him apart.

I don't really see why.

A pic was found of him kissing a guy.

He has been asked about it, but given no yes or no answer.

Everyone has kind of made their own minds up now, and they aren't pursuing it.

Nobody in the media is going to have the guts to make a big deal out of Superman being played by a man who's sexuality is in question... it would be horrendously discriminatory... they just wouldn't be allowed.

The depiction of Superman in the DC Universe Online game kinda looks like Hugh Jackman to me!

This DC Universe Online game just looks simply EPIC and BAD ASS!

Don't know if any of you have seen the trailer yet, if you haven't.....check it out. It is freakin awesome!

Seen it, and the game looks great, but if that insanely angry evil looking Superman is what we get i'll be rioting outside of the cinema.

Well, remember all the Routh was cast because is gay and "Superman returns" will be a gay fest rumors that Rich Johnston started years ago?
They didn't help the movie...

I doubt that had much of an effect.

Though I do remember people going 'Superman's gonna be playing a gay guy' when Zack and Miri came out.

Then again, this is the Superman Casting Thread where openly gay actors are being suggested as Superman candidates also. I have nothing against gay actors, but if a gay actor was cast, that would open up Pandoras Box and would create all kinds of crazy criticism, that the next film does not need.
Ugh....

1. He's not openly gay
2. Maybe that's something that seriously needs to be looked at. We're supposed to have equal rights, and we are basically all saying that a gay man doesn't have an equal chance to land a leading role, regardless of his acting talent.

Just like Batman needed to be intimidating, right?

Enter Michael Keaton...

He was the least believable as a superhero I have ever seen, let alone Batman... there was absolutely no range of emotion in Keaton... just a capacity to look a bit thoughtful.

 

[betamox]

I might be the one lone voice screaming it out loud but Jon Hamm for Superman ? That's the best they can come up with ? no thanks !

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Gerard Butler is the only actor suggested so far that I think has the right body shape to be able to bulk up to the standard of Superman some people expect.

I would be totally on board if they could get him to do it. Just a shame he's 41, and so probably a bit far out of the age range.

 

[850tgul]

Gerard Butler is the only actor suggested so far that I think has the right body shape to be able to bulk up to the standard of Superman some people expect.

I would be totally on board if they could get him to do it. Just a shame he's 41, and so probably a bit far out of the age range.

This picture actaully illustrates a good point about build. Butler with that build would look terrible in a Superman suit. He is way too trim. His bulkier build in 300 would be best as he had the size to FILL out the suit. Unless the suit is painted on the actor's skin, his extreme definition will not hsow through. We don't need an actor with dick veins popping out. We need a guy with bulky muscles and only a low enough body fat % to bring out the chisleled look in his face. Bale's build in BB is a good example. He has bulky muscles without being shredded. It's also easier for the actor to bulk for awhile and then just cut down a little bit b4 filming to get his body fat down to decent levels. It's actually counterintuitive to try to bulk and cut at the same time, which is what it seems a lot of Hollywood nutritionists suggest. The dude needs to stuff his face for awhile and do big compound exercises- deadlifts, squats, flat bench. Get a bodybuilder to consult, not a yoga expert or some ****. Superman doesn't need to take his shirt off in the movie to show you his 12 pack. He needs size more than he needs to be completely shredded.

 

[manofsteel4life]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R2bLNkCqpuY

just imagine a speech like this from Hamm given infront of a crowd in metropolis, or infront of the police force, before lets say.....when darksied is arriving, or maybe infront of the justice league.....

 

[Slugster]

agreed

 

[Sub-Zero]

hamm is way too sinister-looking and aged to play superman. he did a funny or die video where he played lex luthor. it was funny, and i could kinda see him as lex or jor-el, but not superman unless this is the kingdom come movie.

 

[Compi716]

In all honesty, I'd love for WB/Nolan to at least grant Routh an audition.

 

[Asgard]

Butler's horrible American accent will ensure that hell never be offered the part.

As far as Bomer being gay or whatever(Im not even sure he is) it really doesnt matter to me, but I think if he was offered the role and accepted it, it would become an issue. Mostly for him though because hes chosen not to disclose his sexuality from what Matt said, and if he is gay then you know gossip sites like TMZ and their ilk will try to out him and that wouldnt be fair to him.

 

[DCnightwing23]

I completely agree that routh should atleast get a audition, i really think tom welling should get a audition as well especially knows christopher reeves wanted him when he was a consultant for the jj abrams superman movie that was scrapped.

 

[Strider14]

Height is irrelevant on camera. Short actors can be made to look tall and vice versa. As for weight, it is possible to bulk up. Having boxed, I've done it before to be eligible for increased weight classes. People act as if because someone is slim now, it would be impossible for them to bulk up. Putting on body mass is very very easy and actors do it all the time.

Height may be irrelevant to you, but having a large imposing physical stature isn't irrelevant for a role like Superman for many fans. We don't need a short, wimpy Superman with lifts in his heels or camera angles to make him look taller. We need a larger, long torso, muscular actor who fits the look. Physical stature can't be replaced by making someone simply look taller. Short, powerful build and tall, powerful build are two different things and Superman should have a tall, powerful build.

As far as the Bomer's and Cavill's of the acting world, I just don't care to see the meterosexual non-masculine actor playing the role of Superman. Gay or not, I want a more macho looking and acting actor. My gay friends even get that. Reeve got away with it, though I found his strong feminine side rearing its side in various scenes in his movies.

 

[Comicfan]

hamm is way too sinister-looking and aged to play superman. he did a funny or die video where he played lex luthor. it was funny, and i could kinda see him as lex or jor-el, but not superman unless this is the kingdom come movie.

Thank you, I knew I wasn't alone

 

[Asgard]

Lol. He was pretty sinister looking in the Hamm and Buble SNL sketch.

I really dont see the sinister look unless hes going for it though.

 

[Gamma Goliath]

Hamm is too old. Cavill is my first pick. But that Joe dude is starting to look good as supes.

 

[elgaz]

Hamm would be perfect for Superman - if this was the 40s or 50s. He's definitely carrying that old school Superman look, but the reality is that Superman fans the world over have been exposed to Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh, Dean Cain, Tom Welling, etc for the last few decades - and next to them Hamm just looks too old and sinister.

I'm surprised people keep bringing up Bomer also. Facially, yes he's got a perfect Superman face - but that's it. He's just too short at 5"11 and no matter how many camera angles & heels they use, or how much gymn work he puts in, he is always going to have the stature of a 5"11 person - he just would not be imposing or powerful enough for Superman.

The casting of Thor is showing us (physically at least, as no-one can judge Chris Hemsworth's performance yet) how to go. Asides from his height (6"3), the guy has huge neck and shoulder muscles and just looks like a powerhouse. That's the kind of size and presence they need to be looking for when casting the next Superman, someone who could stand toe to toe with Chris Hemsworth and not look small next to him. Can you imagine Bomer next to him? They'd be yelling Superboy instead of Superman.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Hamm would be perfect for Superman - if this was the 40s or 50s. He's definitely carrying that old school Superman look, but the reality is that Superman fans the world over have been exposed to Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh, Dean Cain, Tom Welling, etc for the last few decades - and next to them Hamm just looks too old and sinister.

I'm surprised people keep bringing up Bomer also. Facially, yes he's got a perfect Superman face - but that's it. He's just too short at 5"11 and no matter how many camera angles & heels they use, or how much gymn work he puts in, he is always going to have the stature of a 5"11 person - he just would not be imposing or powerful enough for Superman.

The casting of Thor is showing us (physically at least, as no-one can judge Chris Hemsworth's performance yet) how to go. Asides from his height (6"3), the guy has huge neck and shoulder muscles and just looks like a powerhouse. That's the kind of size and presence they need to be looking for when casting the next Superman, someone who could stand toe to toe with Chris Hemsworth and not look small next to him. Can you imagine Bomer next to him? They'd be yelling Superboy instead of Superman.

You probably made the most sense out of anybody i've heard so far.

1. Yeah, my problem with Hamm is not that he's too old... but that he's too old fashioned. He has a superhero look that would fit black and white series.

2. Yes Bomer has a great face for it. Yes he is quite small... I know i keep defending him, but only because he's my fantasy... i just can't help myself (and also because i don't like anybody not being considered because of sexuality).

3. TBH I think one of the biggest problems is going to be Ryan Reynolds. Kyle Rayner is supposed to be 5'11... much shorter than Superman... but they have cast a 6'3 actor... making it much more difficult to find a Superman that is going to tower over him...

 

[elgaz]

Interesting, just watched an interview with Welling from the SDCC this week where he is directly asked how he would feel about playing Superman in a film version. And despite the fact that it's been posted on this forum many times that Welling apparently once claimed he didn't want to play Superman on the big screen, it seems he is up for it. He does add that there would be a lot of things to iron out - by which I presume he means the conflicts arising from dual roles.

http://theflickcast.com/2010/07/27/...bout-finally-becoming-superman-on-smallville/

 

[elgaz]

You probably made the most sense out of anybody i've heard so far.

1. Yeah, my problem with Hamm is not that he's too old... but that he's too old fashioned. He has a superhero look that would fit black and white series.

2. Yes Bomer has a great face for it. Yes he is quite small... I know i keep defending him, but only because he's my fantasy... i just can't help myself (and also because i don't like anybody not being considered because of sexuality).

3. TBH I think one of the biggest problems is going to be Ryan Reynolds. Kyle Rayner is supposed to be 5'11... much shorter than Superman... but they have cast a 6'3 actor... making it much more difficult to find a Superman that is going to tower over him...

Thanks.

Out of all the suggestions so far, I still think Joe Manganiello ticks more of the boxes than most.

He's got:

- height and stature (6"5, broad shoulders & chest)
- build (very muscular and keeps himself in shape so could mould himself to fit the character)
- age (33 - perfect age to start playing the character)
- look (dark hair, strong facial features, but most importantly, he looks more mature than some suggestions)
- desire to play the character (has specifically said he'd love to play Superman)
- status (relatively unknown by the general public but has a fair amount of experience in various roles)

The 2 major criticisms levelled at him to seem be (1) the nose ..... and (2) the bruiser/thug look.

The nose could be fixed with a simple nose job. In fact, I think if he was offered the role this would be a prerequisite. It's not a vanity thing - it's purely down to logic - why would Superman look like he's ever had a broken nose?

As for part 2, unfortunately if some people think he's got a thug look there's not much you can do. In fairness, I think it stems from the fact that he played a thug type role in Spiderman, and also from the fact that he's often pictured unshaven and with longer hair. Give him a good clean up, put him in a Clark Kent suit or the Superman costume, let him take on the mannerisms of the character and I don't think he would come across as a thug.

And if he did somehow project aggression or intimidation? In small quantities it might not be a bad thing - as long as it's projected against villains. It's about time we got a Superman who scared the bad guys.

 

[Alientraveller]

I keep thinking Bradley Cooper would be good for the part, he has the all-American charm (though not being American, I probably don't know what that is). He's got a funnny nose I'll admit, but physically overall I think he's very Supermanish, could easily embody that average joe Clark Kent side and his eyes could easily come across as very alien.

Personally I hope for an actor in his mid-thirties, as this isn't an origin story.

 

[BruceWanner]

Hugh Jackman as Superman on SNL:

A video of the sketch: http://s551.photobucket.com/albums/ii448/brucestark/?action=view&current=HughJackman-Superman.flv

 

[JamalYIgle]

And I'm quite sure a good majority more are NOT bigots and could look past it and see the character he plays.



Once again, 20 pounds and he'd be just fine, as for height, I was unaware that you would be standing right next to him. Height is not nearly as big of a deal as people act.

No offesnse Matt, but don't you remember how apenuts people went when they found out the Brandon Routh wasn't 6' 4" like Christopher Reeve, he was on 6'2 and a half. You would have thought they'd been slapped with a rotten tuna.
As for Bomer. For me, he's a good actor but not a good choice for Superman.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Thanks.

Out of all the suggestions so far, I still think Joe Manganiello ticks more of the boxes than most.

He's got:

- height and stature (6"5, broad shoulders & chest)
- build (very muscular and keeps himself in shape so could mould himself to fit the character)
- age (33 - perfect age to start playing the character)
- look (dark hair, strong facial features, but most importantly, he looks more mature than some suggestions)
- desire to play the character (has specifically said he'd love to play Superman)
- status (relatively unknown by the general public but has a fair amount of experience in various roles)

The 2 major criticisms levelled at him to seem be (1) the nose ..... and (2) the bruiser/thug look.

The nose could be fixed with a simple nose job. In fact, I think if he was offered the role this would be a prerequisite. It's not a vanity thing - it's purely down to logic - why would Superman look like he's ever had a broken nose?

As for part 2, unfortunately if some people think he's got a thug look there's not much you can do. In fairness, I think it stems from the fact that he played a thug type role in Spiderman, and also from the fact that he's often pictured unshaven and with longer hair. Give him a good clean up, put him in a Clark Kent suit or the Superman costume, let him take on the mannerisms of the character and I don't think he would come across as a thug.

And if he did somehow project aggression or intimidation? In small quantities it might not be a bad thing - as long as it's projected against villains. It's about time we got a Superman who scared the bad guys.

Well it's not about the agression for me.

He plays Idiots. Really well. He has this 'duh' look on his face. It's really really annoying.

P.s. Please don't start saying 'Oh it's easy to find pictures that make people look bad...

No... it's easy to find one picture that makes someone look a bit Supermanly and ignore what they actually look like in real life.

Hugh Jackman as Superman on SNL:

A video of the sketch: http://s551.photobucket.com/albums/ii448/brucestark/?action=view&current=HughJackman-Superman.flv

 

[GreenKToo]

Lol, love the last sentence, and I like Joe.