This is what I consider to be the ideal cast for the ideal Superman film franchise. You may have already read my article A Superman Movie for All Generations! If not then head on over and give it a read. That is just the first of my multi-part article of my idea for a new Superman franchise. And this these are my choices for the cast of the first installment in the Franchise. I decided to make this a separate article because otherwise my first article would have been forever long. In the following articles that tell the sequels I'll include any new casting in the articles. I hope everyone enjoys my picks but if you don't agree don't hesitate to post your reasons and try to supply me with an alternative suggestion.
It will come as no surprise who I have chosen to play the Man of Tomorrow. To me he is the perfect choice for Superman. He has the look of our modern day Supes and the physical build. He has also been given the honor of actually being recommended for this role by the man who perfected it, Christopher Reeves. Plus he is familiar with the role having played Clark Kent for the past 8 going on 9 years. My choice for Superman/Clark Kent is Tom Welling.
I think Lex needs to be played by someone who can be hard to hate if necessary but at the same time ruthless and completely evil. The actor I chose has mastered playing Lex in exactly this manner. Now I know that many of you don’t want to see another Lex Luthor movie but to be fair he is Superman’s arch nemesis. Plus with this story Superman would actually have someone to fight. In Birthright Lex creates a Kryptonian army to invade Metropolis in order to frame Superman. He would have Metropolis believe Superman was a scout sent to earth before the invading army. My choice for this devious master mind of Lex Luthor is Michael Rosenbaum.
My choice for Lois was a hard one. I love how Erica Durance plays Lois on Smallville. I think Lois should be able to take care of herself to an extent without running to Superman every 5 seconds but I also don’t want her saving Superman either. As much as I like Erica Durance I don’t think she has the acting ability to carry that role in a major motion picture. Plus it wouldn’t hurt to bring in a big name to draw crowds. Therefore I chose someone I know can play the sassy journalist we know and love perfectly. Plus it doesn't hurt that this actress is uber sexy. My choice for Lois Lane is Sophia Bush.
Now for the wholesome Kents. For this story the Kents would have to be played by a younger couple. Not too young but also not the one foot in the grave Kents we are used to seeing in the films. Plus much like Tom and Michael these actors know the characters having played them for so long. It seems only fitting that the Kents would be played by the very actors who they were modeled after for Birthright. My choice for Jonathan and Martha Kent is John Schneider and Annette O’Toole.
Now onto Kal-El’s birth parents. As small of a part as they would have in this film I don’t think it is necessary to cast someone of Marlon Brando’s caliber in these roles. Therefore I think it would be a stellar nod to Supermen and Women past to cast these two as Kal-El’s parents. My choice for Jor-El is Dean Cain, My choice for Lara-El is Helen Slater.
In my opinion Perry White is an iconic character who shouldn’t be swept aside and ignored like he was in Superman Returns. I think that Perry needs to be the kind of guy who give his staff hell but can still be a big softy. He should be the kind of man who scares his workers on a bad day, but also the kind of guy they aren’t afraid to talk to. So I chose an actor who I think has played a perfect balance of stern but kind. My choice for Perry White is Brian Cox.
And last but certainly not least, Jimmy Olsen. I didn’t have any problems with Sam Hunington as Olsen, but seeing as how this would be a reboot the part would have to be recast. This is actually the hardest character I had to cast. I chose this actor because he is excellent at portraying the goofy type and perfect for this role. He has made his fame on Nickelodeon on shows like "Drake and Josh" and "iCarly". My choice for Jimmy Olsen is Jerry Trainor.
Well there it is, my core cast for Superman: Birthright, and it's sequels. There is more casting fun to look forward to with each sequel I post. So stay tuned and let me know what you think.