«Caring About A Character» Doesn't Make A Movie Good

«Caring About A Character» Doesn't Make A Movie Good

A great misconception among the fans is that the simple fact that the actor «cares about the character» is going to make the movie awesome. But guess what?

Editorial Opinion
By AgentZero - Jun 07, 2012 09:06 PM EST
Filed Under: Fan Fic

Whenever a movie is about to come out- especially with comic book or novel adaptations- the main stars are always bombarded with questions that, to me, don’t really lead anywhere. If you think about it, the actors always say they did their research on the character they were hired to portray, that they were huge fans of that particular hero and that they can somehow relate to him/her.

A great misconception among the fans is that the simple fact that the actor «cares about the character» (as they say) is going to make the movie awesome. Sometimes the actor in question, while promoting another movie, might be asked by a journalist how excited he or she is about playing the upcoming superhero character. In answer, the actor will say something vague like «there’s something about him that goes beyond the mask and I can’t wait to show the audience a new side of him» or « we want to show the audience what makes him tick». To which the fanboys will comment and say: «Super pumped!!! », «You can see he really cares about the characters », «This is getting better and better». But if you really think about it, did the actor really say anything?

I clearly recall how Mark Ruffalo was bashed by the «fanboys» because in an interview he was saying «Smash Hulk... yeah! » in lieu of «Hulk Smash». In the comment section, people were saying that he didn’t care about the character, that the movie was going to suck and every other negative thing imaginable. But guess what? Since the Avengers came out, Mark Ruffalo has been praised for his performance and his interpretation of Bruce Banner was dubbed the best so far by most.

I think it clearly doesn’t matter if the actor has «done his homework» or not after receiving the role. It’s all about good ACTING. What makes a good superhero movie is a combination of three things done well: the Story, the Acting and the Action.


Have an opinion? Feel free to share it with the world.

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BIGBMH
BIGBMH - 6/7/2012, 9:38 PM
I agree. It's not necessary to be a huge fan to do a character justice. However, I believe that the best performances come when talented actors have a passion for the character which makes them work hard to bring their interpretation to life. Even then, you always have to consider the surrounding aspects such as the script, director, etc.
95
95 - 6/7/2012, 10:04 PM
Agreed. Glad someone did an article on this.
Georgep66
Georgep66 - 6/8/2012, 12:20 AM
The complete opposite is also true.. It's more about understanding the character
Orphix
Orphix - 6/8/2012, 2:58 AM
Totally agree with the article. It drives me a bit bonkers sometimes the amount of 'weight' fans put on respecting the source material and caring about the characters.

The bottomline is do the filmakers and actors understand the characters as written in the script? Do you care about THAT character and, most importantly, make the audience care about THAT character. Do we care what happens to them and the choices they make.

A good example of a valiant failure (in my eyes) was Zack Snyders Watchmen. A film so respectful and so in awe of its source material that it forgot to be a good film. It wasn't an adaptation in the end - it just slavishly followed the book. It didn't add anything and wore the comicbook like a straitjacket. No chances were taken, nothing new was brought to the story, nothing creative was explored. So in that case what was the point? It just looks like a pretty version of the comicbook so I may as well just read that again. And even then for some fans that wasn't enough because of the ending.

On the other hand when Anthony Hopkins was interviewed about Thor he confessed he had never read a Thor comic in his life - and had no intention to. But it didn't matter because he had a well written character in the script that he could bring his professional talent to. And he was perfect in the role.

So bascially any actor worth his salt will look at the script and talk to the director to make the character and each scene work. Thats all that is really required.
calin88
calin88 - 6/8/2012, 3:30 AM
Agreed,nice article I don't think RDJ was such a fan of Ironman, but he is the best Tony Stark anyone could imagine. But hardcore fans are just like you said, you get a set photo or a statement from an actor and they quickly decide if they love or hate the movie. And I already got used to actors saying stuff like "what makes him tick", to me, thats just standard answer 4 an interview
CptShellhead
CptShellhead - 6/8/2012, 3:35 AM
Very true. Sadly a lot of actors that do awesome jobs, know jack squat about the role until they get the script. And sometimes they ones that are true fans and great actors just mess it up. I really wonder if some of the best were even fans before? Like would we find a stach of Batman material in Bale's home prior to his 1st role? Or could RDJ tell you about the "demon in the bottle" side of Ironman prior to his 1st role? Same goes for a lot of Shakspearian actors who quote play after play... Do they really care about the character? Or just want the role?
MrsTonyStark0507
MrsTonyStark0507 - 6/8/2012, 5:57 AM
Agreed! Good article!

Even though Ruffalo made a bit of an ass of himself with that comment, I can kinda forgive that. What is SUPER ANNOYING is when an actor goes on and on about a character and their qualities and you just want to scream at them to pick up a comic book and do some reading!! Chris Evans has been driving me absolutely nuts lately. I LOVE watching him play Captain America, but every time he opens his mouth in an interview, he basically makes fun of Cap! If he actually knew anything about the character, he would know that Cap is a bad ass of epic proportions, especially when you see him in comics like Ultimate Captain America and the Civil War. He basically said that Cap is "a good man" but lame compared to the other Avengers, specifically Iron Man, and that Cap "has no business in this crew (speaking about the Avengers) and that his super powers are basically that "he could help you move on a Sunday." While it was funny the first time I watched, it makes me more mad every time I think about it. Cap was the LEADER of the Avengers, he has super human strength and NO FEAR! He went up against Iron Man and lived to tell the tail. Yet Chris Evans clearly wishes he could BE Iron Man (in an interview with Reelz TV, he kept going on and on about Iron Man and how great he is). While the man makes me drool when he is in the role, he is completely clueless! Here is the interview with Jimmy Fallon - http://www.hulu.com/watch/356166.

But like you said, I guess none of that is truly important. He plays the role very well and when on screen, seems to take his character very seriously, so I guess that is what is really important.
golden123
golden123 - 6/8/2012, 6:36 AM
Yeah, take Nic Cage as an example. He is a huge comic book fan, but he is a bad actor even when playing characters he loves like Ghost Rider. I still haven't even seen the second one.
MrsTonyStark0507
MrsTonyStark0507 - 6/8/2012, 7:11 AM
I actually like Nic Cage. I even think he is a decent actor (DECENT, not great, LOL!). Yes, he is always Nic Cage in EVERY role, but that is his thing and at least he is entertaining. I actually really liked Ghost Rider. (GASP! SHOCK! THE HORROR!) But to be fair, I don't know anything about the comic book character, so if I did, I am sure my opinion would be different.
Supes17
Supes17 - 6/8/2012, 2:10 PM
@teabag:
Agreed. He was given comics to prepare for the role. He said he tried to read them but put them down. Not everyone can be interested in comics..
As long as the performance is great, I'm cool.
BlackGate85
BlackGate85 - 6/8/2012, 6:27 PM
i agree. Nicholas Cage said he was a huge ghost rider fan. And we all know remember the tragic result or should i say results!
BlackGate85
BlackGate85 - 6/8/2012, 6:30 PM
Well i guess i should read the comments before posting my own! I see someone already commented on nicholas cage!
MrsTonyStark0507
MrsTonyStark0507 - 6/8/2012, 7:46 PM
Jollem - I know. I hang my head in shame.
MrsTonyStark0507
MrsTonyStark0507 - 6/8/2012, 7:47 PM
For what it's worth, I definitely did NOT watch the sequel. That looked HORRIBLE!!!
ThunderKat
ThunderKat - 6/9/2012, 11:14 PM
Here are a few items to chew on.

Tom Cruise wanted and was wanted to play Tony Stark.

Cage loves Superman...nearly got his chance.

A long time ago, everyone wanted Johnny Depp to play Bruce Banner.

A lot of comic book roles are played by actors ignorant of the books. Yet, they pull off a terrific performance because s/he has read a good script then studied the source material.
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