All right it's been a long time since I've done an article. I'm glad my Punisher one was well received, and expected all the controversy around my Top 10 Underrated Comic Book Films. But each to their own.
This may seem strange but this article will be an update to my very first article about my casting ideas for the Spider-Man reboot.
If you haven't read it you can fine it here: http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/jmanmoviecasting/news/?a=15157
Over the past several months I've been doing some re-thinking and watched some new movies, and decided to change around some of the actors I chose for certain characters, and to cast the ones that didn't make it into the original articles. I'm not going to do any repeat actor character match-ups from the original article so if you haven't read it, please do. Any characters not mentioned I haven't changed my opinion on.
So let's get this started...
Logan Lerman as Peter Parker/Spider-Man
A while after making my original article I watched PERCY JACKSON & THE OLYMPIANS: THE LIGHTNING THIEF. While my feelings towards the movie were mixed it was an overall okay movie. My original pick was Shia Labeouf, more or less because I couldn't think of anyone else and that's when the crazy rumors about people like Taylor Lautner, Robert Pattinson, and worst of all Zac Efron were still flying around. As I said I had mixed feelings towards PERCY JACKSON but I thought he did a good job and is the right age for a high school Spider-Man. I think Shia could still play Spider-Man if it were an older Spider-Man, but not a high school one. They just recently cast somebody named Andrew Garfield. I've never seen any of his work or even heard of him. That doesn't bother me so much as the fact that he's 26 years old. Can he really pull of a high school Peter Parker? I guess only time will tell on this one, but let's hope it turns out well. So I think Lerman is the proper age and has the acting chops for the role, and is my current pick for who I think could play Spidey.
Hugo Weaving as Norman Osborn/Green Goblin
Unlike my Spider-Man choice my choice for Norman Osborn wasn't controversial at all and was very well liked. And that was Jason Isaacs. Do I still believe he could make a good Norman Osborn? Definitely. But since the time I did my first article I finally watched the MATRIX trilogy and you know what, Hugo Weaving would've been the perfect man for the part! I'm serious. Before MATRIX all I saw him in was LORD OF THE RINGS as Elrond, V in V FOR VENDETTA, and as the voice of Megatron in the TRANSFORMERS movies. But after watching him as Agent Smith I realized that he'd be perfect to play the Green Goblin and match what I thought was a great performance from Willem Dafoe in the original film. As Smith he played a cold and stoic personality that is a perfect match for Norman, but did have his moments where he lost it also showing how perfect he'd be as the Green Goblin. He even looks the part! I mean look at him, he actually does look a ton like the character. But sadly this could probably never happen considering Weaving was casted as the Red Skull in the upcoming Captain America film. Don't get me wrong I think he'll make a great Red Skull, but I think he'd make a PERFECT Norman Osborn. Despite the fact this character/actor match that was made in Heaven will never happen I will hold onto hope that it could. Why, for all you other Hugo Weaving fans: Because I choose to!
Keith David as Lonnie Lincoln/Tombstone
My original choice for the role was Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson because he had the physique for the role, but looking back on it I wasn't completely satisfied. My vote now goes to Keith David, who actually did voice the character in the great animated television series THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN, which was cancelled way to prematurely. He definitely has the acting abilities and the voice for the role as well as being closer in age to my choice for Joseph "Robby" Robertson Danny Glover, which Dwayne Johnson clearly isn't. Anyway he's my new pick to play the part of Tombstone. He'd be great.
Jason Isaacs as Morlun
Yes I've moved Jason Isaacs from one role into another. As I said earlier he could still play a great Norman Osborn but now he's my number two pick for that role, and now my number one pick for the role of Morlun. He looks the role and is a great actor who has played some great villains in the past.
Bruce Greenwood as Curt Connors/Lizard
I couldn't think of anybody to play this role when I made the first article. But a short while ago I heard this idea and I think it's perfect. There's not much to say on it but he is a very good actor and would make a great Curt Connors. I don't think they'd have him play Lizard, but for this role the important part is whoever plays Connors.
Kenneth Branagh as Quentin Beck/Mysterio
And last but certainly not least is Mysterio. Another character that I didn't know who to choose an actor for. My initial choice for Mysterio was the fan favorite pick Bruce Campbell. But that loses its touch outside of the Raimi movies. Who knows maybe he could still play a good Mysterio, but my personal pick for the role is Kenneth Branagh. He is a great actor. If you've seen HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS you know why I picked him. In that he played the over theatrical, arrogant, egotistical character Gilderoy Lockhart. He was kind of an antagonist in that, but for Mysterio he'd act similarly but with a sinister edge to it obviously. But sadly this pick like Hugo Weaving for Osborn probably wouldn't happen. Why? Because he's directing the upcoming Marvel film THOR. Although after THOR there is AVENGERS with JOSS WHEDON directing so maybe he could be free for the role. Probably not, but I still choose to hope!
This isn't a lot, but I wanted to voice my new thoughts on this subject. I'd like to see what all of you think about these choices.