The re-casting of Superman for the Zack Snyder lead reboot has come to an end, and Tudors star Heny Cavill will officially be donning the red and blue.
Zack Snyder, who will be directing the Super reboot, says in a statement: “In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honored to be a part of his return to the big screen. I also join Warner Bros., Legendary and the producers in saying how excited we are about the casting of Henry. He is the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield.”
Seems the recent story with Joe Manganiello leading the rumour list might have been a bit off base as days later we get the official announcement that Cavill has the gig.
Joe Manganiello, and even left field longshot rumours that sounded like fans just hoping for some wank with Orlando Bloom, Wrestler John Cena and Dwayne Johnson rumoured for the role. Those were just dreams and fabricated buzz – wasn’t going to happen.
Of the names I was kind of curious about Joe Maganiello caught my eye, but also Patrick Wilson and even Glee’s Matthew Morrison might have made for a very different Superman that I would be curious to see. Didn’t happen.
Tom Welling was never in consideration, mostly because of his decade long presence as an alternate Superman in Smallville. If they made him Superman, it would have to be in a Smallville movie, which this is not. Smallville has its own following and its own take on Superman that sort of paralells Snyder’s proposed story of discovery for the Man of Steel, wihc Welling’s Clark Kent has already taken.
Fan favourite Jon Hamm was never in real consideration, and of course while they said they would give him a shot, I honestly didnt think they were going to get Brandon Routh back in the blue pajamas. His audition was just a courtesy that despite playing an amazing Kent and Superman, the reboot was pulling the carpet out from under his feet.
But as for Cavill, I can say I do like him up for the role. Especially after seeing this image of him:
This image was not from the casting for Superman, or at all related to this project. Perhaps someone saw it and said “Now THERE is our Clark Kent” – or they should have.
Cavill is a diverse and capable actor who has taken on a number of roles and while I have yet to get around to The Tudors, I did enjoy him in The Count of Monte Cristo, and even in Stardust, each in smaller supporting roles. This is good news.
Now the debates will rage on about who the villain will be.
Superman Man of Steel is slated for a December 2012 release.
i agree about tom welling not being in the newest superman movie, but i do also think that they could’ve picked a better clark. honestly he looks like the 1980’s version of the man i truely hope thats not the look they were goin for in this new movie. if so you wont find this fan watching it.
Now if they can just get Rachel McAdams for the Role of Lois Lane.
Thoughts?
I’m rooting for Emily Blunt to be cast as Lois Lane.
i still think billy zane is a perfect lex luthor!
Too bad Nolan took Anne Hathaway as Catwoman. She would have been awesome as Lois Lane.
Not saying that actors from the other side of the pond can’t act but it’s a bit odd that 2 of American comics biggest icons are not played by American actors. Yes I know that Batman & Superman have a broad appeal worldwide but both characters firmly established USA. I’ll even cede that Supes is actually alien but he was raised in Kansas, not Jersey, Channel Islands, UK.
I think Christian Bale ended that whole argument. In a shrinking world and a “modern context” for these characters it really doesnt matter what the nationality of the actor, not the character being portrayed, but the actor, is.
If they portrayed Superman having a British accent, that would be different…
It’s more than just two American comic icons. Remember, Wolverine is played by an Australian, and Thor is as well. Not to mention the new Spiderman is British. I’m always fascinated with how temperamental the American moviegoer is with casting. Movies like “Last Airbender” get slammed for casting against nationality, but the truth, justice and American way of Superman is completely acceptable played by a Brit. Personally, I don’t much care either way, but wouldn’t it be fascinating to see how Britain would react to an American playing James Bond…
i thin kyour right about the james bond thing. good show ole chap. lol
Casting suggestions for the other roles in this Superman reboot.
Emily Blunt or Tanit Phoenix or Ashley Greene – Lois Lane
Robert Patrick – Brainiac
I thought for sure Manganiello would get the role but I think I dig this casting as well. So long as he’s a great actor like some are saying.
Actually, now that Joe isn’t in this I’m all for Alexander Skarsgard also from True Blood to play Metallo.
If it’s Braniac that would be cool also, but I’m not sure who would be good as him.
After letting it sink in for a minute, Im happy with the choice. Im not too familiar with his acting ability, but I hear he is good on The Tudors. He definately has the look, but I keep wonderring how tall he is, anyone know? They can always make him look taller but being on the plus side of six feet helps.
Now hopefully they ditch the cgi suit idea, or they make it look better than the Green Lantern…
alot better.
According to his IMDB page he’s 6’1″.
Thats pretty good, with camera tricks, lifts, etc, they can easily make him look 6’3″+…
now guys please PRAY that they get somebody decent and competent enough to play Lois Lane…. one of the reasons i didn’t like Returns much was because of Bosworth…. please please please get a good Lois Lane!!
or how about give us a lois lane and no super baby lol
oh yeah how can i forget superbaby!! lol
I agree with others, now that Superman is set I hope the storyline doesnt include Lex Luthor! I am so tired of the whole Luthor storyline, it isnt Keven Spacey’s fault either he was a great Luthor and really brought out the homicidal side of Lex that I was looking for. Lex has just been over-used as the main villain in the films is all.
Time for a new villain and I will go see it for sure.
Love Spacey, but to me he came off as canned ham.
Hope this f’n rocks!!
I hope they go with brainiac but the 60s superfriends braniac that is black and wearing red underwear. THis guy has the look lets see if he has the chops. I am excited for this, with all of the current technology a superman movie could be amazing.
I can see Hugo Weaving pulling off an awesome brainiac, when I think of Hugo Weaving playing brainiac, I see an agent Smith type of role
there’s still possibi;ities for actors they may have looked at..for other roles. I wouldn’t be surprised in Joe’s name cropped up again…to play the bad guy. The real questin for me is who’s Lois…
Now thats out of the way, gimmie a villan other than Lex and lets get moving.
good choice
I agree on that one, no more “movie Luthor” please, at least for now.
Movie Luthor sucks but Comics/Animated Series Luthor fucking rules!!!!
I want a villain who can take a beating from Sup (and give one) and come back for more.
I want fight scenes where the characters get punch through buildings and create craters when they crash on the ground.
I want punches so fucking powerful that they create shockwaves and shatter windows around them. I WANT EPIC!!!….and a story of course ;)
Zack Snyder to the rescue my friend!
Joe Manganiello could work as well… maybe Snyder saw something in Cavill that led him to cast this guy as Supes.
Henry Cavill and Brandon Routh were finalists to play Superman in Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns, where Singer ultimately chose Routh… Cavill was also in the running to play Bruce Wayne and James Bond in both Batman Begins and Casino Royale … now that he’s given this plum role, let’s see how he does as the Man of Steel.
Apparently he auditioned for Superman Returns but lost out to Routh.
as he should have, BOO to Henry, that guy just looks awful for the role, I usually agree with you, but man he just doesn’t look the part. All this coming from a huge Superman, Smallville geek. I mean sticking with Routh would have been better to me
He was in the running for Bond apparently, but considered too young. Guess hes bagged himself an iconic role at last (thats you dont count Henry VIII as iconic)
*Grumble*
Just you wait Rodney… Next time I’ll get to an even bigger story before you! lol