Leo Needs a Cape

Leo Needs a Cape

With the best hero roles being filled out with our most prolific actors, why not give the best of the best a shot?

Editorial Opinion
By FrostyVoice - Mar 18, 2010 12:03 AM EST
Filed Under: Fan Fic

Leo, much like Robert DeNiro and thanks to Marty Scorcesse, is now one of the great and prolific actors of our time. It's rare that anyone pulls up a series of performances that really compare. And range? His is of an epic level.

I gotta hand it to Marvel, they know how to pick actors of the high caliber these days. RDJ and the great Ed Norton. Proof that great actors can truely MAKE a superhero stand on his own. As a matter of fact, even now as I'm thinking about it (and please correct me if I'm wrong because I am no expert), the best comic films are the ones that have including great leads and stand up support. Batman, Iron Man, The Hulk, 300, Watchmen, Star Trek, X-Men...exluding 3 and Wolverine. But the duds like Fantastic 4, Superman Returns, Push...all have, quite honestly, B-list actors.

It's obvious that the A-List experienced leading men/women know what it takes to totaly develope a character and immerse themselves into the range of emotions that each character feels. They bring their years of experience to the table and they steal the show. Bale, Downey, Norton...

What about our most predominant leading man to date? DiCaprio?

Whould it be wrong to suggest that with his incredible talent that he could be the best available to tackle a prolific american icon role in a Superhero film?
Would it be a stretch to see him buff up and play the role of a hero coming off the beaten road into someone great?

Would it be hard to see him in a gritty fight seen in this modern era of hero films kickin ass the way we have become accustomed to?

Am I off base to say that, above nearly all others, DiCaprio could really make a certain hero shine in the hero film history?

Is it not a legit arguement to say that DiCaprio could rise to the legendary status of the GREAT Christopher Reeve if given the opportunity and the proper tools?

You tell me. I wanna hear some arguement with this one.
Even better, who would he play?

Captain America? The Flash? Green Arrow?

DiCaprio is an expensive pick as a leading man these days. But given how much even the flop superhero flicks make, would it not be worth a shot to take this genre of superhero films to the level of ART with his abilities?
Like I said, what do you think?

My personal opinion is that he is just TOO big of a name to attach to a huge deal with Marvel and he might honestly outdo some of the other actors. I see him best as his own entity in the DC world as the Flash or Green Arrow or someone else. It would just be easier if his character stood alone like Batman, Superman, and the Green Lantern. He could really do omething with that kind of role.

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Shaman
Shaman - 3/18/2010, 7:07 AM
Yeah, Leo could play Super Bloated Raspberry Face Man!!! The guy has talent but looks wise, he looks NOTHING like ANY comic book character... AT ALL!!!
BLADE44
BLADE44 - 3/18/2010, 7:18 AM
He's a old 35 and he's usually not in very good shape atleast not heroic shape...overall he just doesnt have that heroic feel to me.
He's a great talent,but not heroic NOT SAYING THERE ISNT A ROLE FOR HIM.
I think like Downey and Norton Leo needs a role that doesnt really focus on him as the hero persay look wise... example Downey puts
on a suit of armor that he invented so his Tony persona is what makes Iron-Man no stunts or ripped body needed
just acting chops period.
Norton again it's just about the acting chops because CGI takes care of the rest the only one who needs to be believeable as both his secret i.d. and his heroic counterpart is Bale as Batman/Bruce Wayne.

So I can see Leo casted for a role like Ant-man,Atom,or (Green Arrow MAYBE if he gets in shape) but not Superman,Hawkman,or Hercules..we as fans expect to see a strong muscular heroic figure for those type roles Leo doesnt have that he could never pull off the look. Thats one reason why I didnt care for the Chris Reeve Superman he just looked so weak not to mention other things I found wrong with the movie as a whole. Hope you get my point with LEO I think there's a role for him just not CAP or THOR type characters.
Shaman
Shaman - 3/18/2010, 8:46 AM
Leo is a great actor but he'll never fit Cap's role. No matter how talented he is, he's just not Steve Rogers post syrum. Even Sentry would not fit him. I agree with blade40, Leo could be a good Atom or Antman, he'd actually look pretty cool in the Yellow Jacket suit!
airbeyonder18
airbeyonder18 - 3/18/2010, 8:59 AM
I would love to see Leo star in a Superhero role. But not in a DC or Marvel film, a Superhero movie that someone would make entirely different.

You who I'd also like to see in a Superhero film? Tom Cruise.
Stumblin
Stumblin - 3/18/2010, 9:14 AM
I like Leo, like the rest of you I doubt he'll fit in any superhero tights. However it's not because of his age, Christian Bale is 36, Robert Downey Jr. is 45, age is hardly an issue in movies.
BLADE44
BLADE44 - 3/18/2010, 9:20 AM
Shaman: We need a fancast from you dude...what's up?

airbeyonder18: I agree with you somewhat about LEO like
I stated earlier there's a role for Leo in a marvel,DC,image,or whatvever universe it just has to
fit what he brings to the table.
Or like you mentioned
do what they did for Will Smith create Leo a Hancock
type character.

Tom Cruise would own an enchanced superpowered merc/
solider type role...not CAP lol,but somebody just
dont know who right off hand.


Anil: I hear what your saying but Bale and Leo phyiscally are light years apart. Bale is ripped with nice muscle bellies even shrunk down to 125 for the machinist you could see his muscle tone. All he needed to do was fill out again and you have BATMAN now Leo doesnt have that ,but what he does have is superior acting skills no doubt about that. I just personally feel that Leo strenghts would lie with a character thats known for his intellect and not his brawn or might. Leo for Cap in my book is a huge NO, but I hear you.... strong argument/case.

FrostyVoice
FrostyVoice - 3/18/2010, 9:28 AM
Cruise has the redone Mission Impossible mix. 3 and the upcoming 4 have him in the hero role he really belongs in. I PERSONALLY see Leo in the Green Arrow role but I would absolutely settle for the Yellow Jacket. Hadn't thought of that...
So, out of curiousity, who do you guys see as the Flash?
This is one I would actually give to Torch man Chris Evans. Very similar roles. Cocky with own agenda...
Leo: Green Arrow.
Evans: Flash.
I could even argue Carla Gugino as WW if it were done soon. But there is a great list of possibilities for all these roles.
Flash could have nearly ANYONE who was on the CAP list but doesn't make it and the leading lady in the brunette rhelm is a boomin business.
DarkWebs
DarkWebs - 3/18/2010, 9:33 AM
@ Frosty
I agree on Leo for Green Arrow he looks perfect for the part, he just needs to get in Hero shape. I don't agree on Flash.
ecksmanfan
ecksmanfan - 3/18/2010, 10:52 AM
I have a hard time with Leo as a Leading Super hero like Cap, it just doesn't mesh with me. He's a more dramatic actor and I think he could pull off a more intellectual hero, like others have said, Ant Man or Atom.
OdinsBeard
OdinsBeard - 3/18/2010, 11:34 AM
He'll be the riddler.

... probably... lol

other than that im not really sure what hero he could play - i would take him as Cap America but marvel's to cheap to do that. and apparently the don't realize how high the bar was set when they cast RDJ.
OdinsBeard
OdinsBeard - 3/18/2010, 11:40 AM
blade40 and whoever else@

yeah he should totally be hank pym! i always thought if they did an ant-man/wasp movie it would be like "revolutionary road" but with super-heroes. a strained marriage on the verge of collapse. leo could definitely pull off Pym. but that means you would have to get a HUGE name for cap - like pitt or damon. cuz if you had RDJ, Norton, Jackson AND Leo ... whooo boy cap better be an AWESOME AWESOME actor - shit by that point you'd have to cast daniel day lewis just so cap could keep up with all of that awesome screen presence.
1chris2
1chris2 - 3/18/2010, 1:20 PM
i agree totally that he would be a awesome captain america. when he first started acting i hated him,but over the years he stared doing griitier film and he shows that he really knows how to act watch the beach,departed,catch me if you can (etc) he can act.and even when marvel first announced that they were looking for someone like leonardo decaprio for the role of captain america i was like no way, but i took a step back, thought about it, and he would be the perfect cast for steve rogers.
Macksimus
Macksimus - 3/18/2010, 3:19 PM
Bale was an unknown for the most part before Batman Begins.

I'd much rather find a an actor like Bale who always had the talent but never the notoriety.
1chris2
1chris2 - 3/18/2010, 3:58 PM
{frick}!!! you bmanhall!!! you have no idea what your talking about! go watch daparted and tell me what you think!
FrostyVoice
FrostyVoice - 3/18/2010, 5:22 PM
he couldn't be the cap. that would be a joke. he has wrong look and demographic for the role
1chris2
1chris2 - 3/18/2010, 5:49 PM
i cannot remmebr the movie he did with russel crowe but watch that and tell me he can not be a a bad ass.
blueballs
blueballs - 3/18/2010, 7:55 PM
Sorry frosty although Leo is a pretty good actor, he's unfortunately not interested in slumming it in a superhero movie, around the time star wars was casting Anakin he was rumoured to be looked at for that role and he said he had no interest in films like that and he made fun of his friend Tobey Maguire for taking the Spiderman role and he trashed comic books and action movies calling them stupid and pointless,I'm not lying just look around for those old rumours you'll see.
Dmon
Dmon - 3/18/2010, 9:05 PM
Leo for Clayface or a new villian named Saggy Faceman or Douche-boy
AshleyWilliams
AshleyWilliams - 3/18/2010, 9:21 PM
Maybe Animal Man,Hank Pym,The Atom,etc,etc
seanxvito
seanxvito - 3/18/2010, 10:20 PM
Leo can be the Vision...i'd even believe him as a candidate for Flash (either Bart or Barry) but he'll never be Superman/Batman caliber. he might could be one of the x-men or even a reboot of F4 could make him a believable Mr. Fantastic or Human Torch.
supermarioworldE
supermarioworldE - 3/18/2010, 10:42 PM
He's definitely a great actor, it's just that he doesn't have the conventional characteristics of a superhero. His baby face, unmasculine voice, Welterweight build, and 5'11 height makes it hard to picture him as a superhero. I'm sure that there's some superhero role out there for him, but it definitely wouldn't be superman or captain america.

LEEE777
LEEE777 - 3/19/2010, 3:09 AM
A cape?????

LEO needs a SHIELD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!



You know it makes sense! ; D

Hey though he'd be good for others too =





Quality actor!!!

I reckon a young Jack Nicholson already in the making!
ThunderCougarFalconBird
ThunderCougarFalconBird - 3/19/2010, 11:03 AM
No doubt he has talent. Anyone here see "what's eating Gilbert Grape"? So young in that movie but such a compelling performance!

What puts me off more than anything when thinking about him in a CBM is his voice. The traditional comic hero has a voice to match his neck muscles and Leo can't pull that off. He would be best used in a role like Keanu in Constantine, a lesser known comic with a "real" person at it's core. That would probably solve the problem of signing him for a multi movie deal. Pick a small comic with a great story and just make a damn fine movie to stand on it's own.
BLADE44
BLADE44 - 3/19/2010, 2:22 PM
BmanHall: I second that thought
1chris2
1chris2 - 3/19/2010, 3:33 PM
what ever you dumb @$$'$. when they pick some no name actor, and the movie fails and you are whining and crying, i'll be laughing my ass off.i dont even care who they pick anymore as long as they can act, thats what really matters. i dont care if he is six feet tall or five nine or whatever, as long as he looks close to steve rogers, and can act. but leo decaprio would eat the lines up and with the effects, he could move like emil blonsky aka the abomination did in the hulk film. im done argueing with this guy it pointless,but i am sticking to my opinion.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 3/19/2010, 3:56 PM
Leonardo DiCaprio IS Captain America!!!

; D
TheQuestion
TheQuestion - 3/19/2010, 11:58 PM
Leo was never Cap material, but I have to agree with everyone and say he'd make a great Green Arrow. That seems to be the concensus for good reason. By the way, if you haven seen Shutter Island yet, hurry before it leaves theatres! Great film!
flames809
flames809 - 3/20/2010, 8:57 AM
he could play green arrow thT WOULD BE A GOOD ROLE FOR HIM
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 3/20/2010, 10:13 AM
He is a great actor, but he would never do a superhero movie. He is too serious of an actor. he said once that he only likes doing dark and dramatic roles. He would never do a superhero film because they are too mainstream.
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 3/20/2010, 10:14 AM
Unless it is directed by Martin Scorsese.
gestlmutant
gestlmutant - 3/20/2010, 2:09 PM
Leo for the Question!!!!!!!
gorgeousgeeks
gorgeousgeeks - 3/21/2010, 1:08 AM
I know DeCaprio can act, but I haven't been a fan of his since I was a little girl, and I'm halfway ashamed to admit that I used to have a crush on him. He'll always be a boy to me, and he's much older than I am. A cape? How about tights? Peter freaking Pan. I just cannot take him serious as a grown up.
1chris2
1chris2 - 3/21/2010, 6:32 AM
how many have seen Gangs of new york,The departed,Shutter island,The beach,The aviator,Catch me if you can,Body of lies, and which ones did you like and which ones did you dis like. and hes doing inception with christopher nolan, and that looks great. leonardo dicaprio for steve rogers/ captain america.
Shaman
Shaman - 3/22/2010, 9:16 AM
I would flat out take Krazinsky waaaaayyyy before Leo for Cap. And you know how much i hate Krazinsky for this role!!!

gestlmutant- Great choice!!!

blade40- I don't do that anymore. I "sketch cast" every once in a while when i get a good enough reason to ;)
gorgeousgeeks
gorgeousgeeks - 3/22/2010, 10:23 PM
Shutter Island wasn't bad, but my sister figured out the entire plot of the movie because I made a casual observation of "his coat is too big" within the opening scene of the movie. Keep you guessing my butt! I saw Alvin and the Chipmonks The Squeakle with my little sister the day previously and I enjoyed that movie more. I could have definitely lived without seeing Shutter Island, and I thought it was going to be awesome. Disappointment.

Leo is a good actor, but I know for a fact that I could beat the crap out of him...since I was thirteen!
gorgeousgeeks
gorgeousgeeks - 3/22/2010, 10:25 PM
And Leo has too much of a baby face to be Cap. He really doesn't have a good look for being a super hero and isn't he kind of Hollywood elite? I don't see him doing it.
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