Superman Returns Unknown Routh is new face of Superman

[skruloos]

Neither Bale nor Jackman were "unknowns". JAckman was fairly well known in the broadway circuit for his work on Oklahoma and a pretty prominent name in Australia if I'm not mistaken (not famous in the US does not equate to not being famous. Hell, before Lord of the Rings most people in America probably could not tell you who Ian McKellan is).

As for Bale...he had some notoriety in the US, he was critically acclaimed and huge in the Indy market.

And for all intents and purposes, according to Hollywood standards, they are unknowns.

 

[The Kid]

I think the only factor that truly matters is if they're right for the part.

 

[Newb]

Then why did producers choose Chris Reeve instead of:

Clint Eastwood
Burt Reynolds
Al Pacino
Sylvester Stallone
Bruce Jenner
Paul Newman
James Caan
Jon Voight
Steve McQueen
John Travolta

even Richard Donner himself on the DVD explained why he couldn't see Robert Redford as Superman.

LMAO, a bit of revisionist history here, nice try. CR was picked over all those people, because none of them wanted the role at the time. Donner's desicion was made easy by the fact that no leading man wanted to be seen in the suit. I remember a Superman Trivia book that came out after SII talked about the list for named actors was exausted before the search for an unknown began.

Steve Mcqueen? He was 47 in '77, and 3 years from death from lung cancer. I doubt he was a contender for the role, but if you say so.

 

[Pickle-El]

Neither Bale nor Jackman were "unknowns". JAckman was fairly well known in the broadway circuit for his work on Oklahoma and a pretty prominent name in Australia if I'm not mistaken (not famous in the US does not equate to not being famous. Hell, before Lord of the Rings most people in America probably could not tell you who Ian McKellan is).

As for Bale...he had some notoriety in the US, he was critically acclaimed and huge in the Indy market.

It's all about the illusion man. That's what it comes down to. It's nothing against 'known' actors getting these parts.

'It helps maintain the illusion.'

Batman is a little easier mantle to escape because of the cowl. Remember as well, Superman/Clark Kent is biggest mantle to carry when it comes to comic book films. EVERY single one of them has been type-cast:

Alyn
Reeves
Reeve
Cain
Welling
Routh WILL be

The other comic properties I dare say are a little less well-known. I'm not saying it isn't possible to break away from the cape, but it's just different when you're Superman as opposed to......Commissioner Gordon, or the 'Newest Batman'. (We've had what 4 in the last 10 years on screen?)

 

[skruloos]

I'd feel a lot more comfortable about this movie if someone like Jim Cavaziel or someone I knew could act had the lead role as opposed to someone fired from a soap opera.

And I think that's playing it safe. What do you think the audition process is for? It's the chance for ANY actor, whether known or unknown, to prove they can handle the role. The only thing that differentiates and unknown and a known actor is exposure. But both, regardless of past work experience, retain the same odds for failing or succeeding at a role. Talent is talent and if they show it during the audition process, people will see it.

The only thing using known talent would do is placate the fears of the audience. But if a known is not the best person for the role then why bother?

 

[Newb]

And for all intents and purposes, according to Hollywood standards, they are unknowns.

Jackman perhaps, but Bale? I think being the lead actor in multiple movies before BB precludes him from unknown status. All I had to tell my friends who the new Batman was mention American Psycho.

 

[skruloos]

Jackman perhaps, but Bale? I think being the lead actor in multiple movies before BB precludes him from unknown status. All I had to tell my friends who the new Batman was mention American Psycho.

American Psycho didn't exactly make Christian Bale recognized name in middle America. He did a lot of indie roles. By Hollywood standards, that's still unknown. It's low profile. That's what Hollywood labels a "relative unknown".

 

[Pickle-El]

Jackman perhaps, but Bale? I think being the lead actor in multiple movies before BB precludes him from unknown status. All I had to tell my friends who the new Batman was mention American Psycho.

Personally, I only knew who Bale was because of these boards. His movies up until Batman were made for specific audiences. I had only watched some of American Psycho...judging by the receipts, it was a great movie that didn't make much money.

At best, before Batman, Bale was one of those 'Wasn't he in.....' actors the people recognized. Not a knock on his acting, his visibility just wasn't there prior to Batman.

 

[Newb]

American Psycho didn't exactly make Christian Bale recognized name in middle America. He did a lot of indie roles. By Hollywood standards, that's still unknown. It's low profile. That's what Hollywood labels a "relative unknown".

Good thing I don't live in Hollywood then, because out in the real world, Jackman was an unknown, and Bale wasn't.

 

[Pickle-El]

Edit

 

[Pickle-El]

Good thing I don't live in Hollywood then, because out in the real world, Jackman was an unknown, and Bale wasn't.

They call those Bale was in 'Indie films' for a reason.....And it has nothing to do with his acting.

 

[The Kid]

Bale's such a cameleon that he's pretty hard to make an 'known' actor because he's so different in all his roles. He has a big "I'm Batman" stamp on his butt now, but he's still one of the best cameleons in the biz, I'd wager so he like jackman will be doing different movies.

That makes me wonder if being 'unknown' and then taking on such a huge brand name like superman and stamping it to your butt, will hurt routh's career. he's unknown now, but soon, if the movie's a hit, he'll be known as superman. Unlike bale who has his list of varied roles he's pretty well known for, routh will be known for one thing. Im not saying he'll be following the path of reeve and hardly ever be known outside of the blue tights for anything, same for adam west, but I do ackowledge the possibility of unknown status backfiring like that. What say you?

 

[skruloos]

Good thing I don't live in Hollywood then, because out in the real world, Jackman was an unknown, and Bale wasn't.

HAHAHAHA. You keep telling yourself that.

 

[Newb]

They call those Bale was in 'Indie films' for a reason.....And it has nothing to do with his acting.

Empire of the Sun, Newsies, Swing Kids, American Psycho, Shaft, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, and Reign of Fire are independent films to you guys?

I think you are confusing the term supporting actor with unknown. Bale has been a supporting actor for years, in several high profile hollywood movies.

I mean, how does this work, what ever opinion is the most popular becomes reality? Pardon my Newbism, but that just don't make sense.

 

[skruloos]

Empire of the Sun, Newsies, Swing Kids, American Psycho, Shaft, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, and Reign of Fire are independent films to you guys?

I think you are confusing the term supporting actor with unknown. Bale has been a supporting actor for years, in several high profile hollywood movies.

Out of that list, the only real high profile movie you have is Shaft but even that is stretching it. Empire of the Sun would be too but he was a child actor at the time so it doesn't really count much.

 

[Eros]

i glad they choose any "Unkown" for superman, Because really its better to have someone that bets fit the charatcer, then some guy whos only seleced because hes a big star. Hell I love Johnny depp as an actor, but i would not want him to play superman.

 

[ultimatefan]

Yep. The mark of a good actor, is that no matter how big the name is...you can forget who they are...and lose yourself in the role they are playing.

and no matter how small the name is, either. To demand a well-known actor is just as biased an argument as the one for an unknown. See the movie and tell if the guy´s right for the part or not. One of the worst things on these boards is people refusing to accept an actor and prejudge him cuz he wasn´t their favorite personal choice.

 

[DvilDog]

IMHO Routh is SUperman to me until he mucks it up. I dont see anyone else in the role cause we havent seen anyone else in the role we dont know

 

[ultimatefan]

Neither Bale nor Jackman were "unknowns". JAckman was fairly well known in the broadway circuit for his work on Oklahoma and a pretty prominent name in Australia if I'm not mistaken (not famous in the US does not equate to not being famous. Hell, before Lord of the Rings most people in America probably could not tell you who Ian McKellan is).

As for Bale...he had some notoriety in the US, he was critically acclaimed and huge in the Indy market.

None of that means squat in Hollywood, especially for high-profile roles. None of these actors had a single box office success prior to their superhero roles. In Hollywood language, that´s unknown.

 

[DvilDog]

and i mean supes in this in sr in case i confuse you guys, cause to me it kinda came out wrong

 

[DvilDog]

I dont bale did really well in AMerican Psycho

 

[green]

I'd feel a lot more comfortable about this movie if someone like Jim Cavaziel or someone I knew could act had the lead role as opposed to someone fired from a soap opera.

Caviezel, and people complain Routh is skinny?
Do you honestly believe in the time given he would have been big enough?

I love the fired from the soap opera dig, real original. Hey you know what? Brad Pitt was fired from a soap opera too.

 

[ultimatefan]

Empire of the Sun, Newsies, Swing Kids, American Psycho, Shaft, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, and Reign of Fire are independent films to you guys?

I think you are confusing the term supporting actor with unknown. Bale has been a supporting actor for years, in several high profile hollywood movies.

I mean, how does this work, what ever opinion is the most popular becomes reality? Pardon my Newbism, but that just don't make sense.

None of these movies were box office hits. Shaft was, relatively, but he wasn´t the lead in that one. American Psycho became a cult movie later, but for Hollywood that doesn´t count much.

 

[Pickle-El]

Empire of the Sun, Newsies, Swing Kids, American Psycho, Shaft, Captain Corelli's Mandolin, and Reign of Fire are independent films to you guys?

I think you are confusing the term supporting actor with unknown. Bale has been a supporting actor for years, in several high profile hollywood movies.

I mean, how does this work, what ever opinion is the most popular becomes reality? Pardon my Newbism, but that just don't make sense.

That list of movies you just put up isn't exactly helping your case. (not speaking in quality here)

 

[Newb]

That list of movies you just put up isn't exactly helping your case. (not speaking in quality here)

Here I figured co-staring with Nic Cage, Samuel Jackson, and Mattew Mcconaughey made a guy known. I get it, he can't be "known" until he gets a leading role. Don't make much sense to me, but I guess you movie aficionado's have a better idea than I.