Superman : Man Of Steel

So what do we know?


We know Chris Nolan is overseeing the project and Zack Snyder is directing. That’s a fact, and I’m not here to debate that. We’ve heard the story will revolve around Superman’s origin and we have heard that a TV actor is their top choice for the role. There is also a rumour that the actor they are after is “middle aged”.


Using what we know:


When Chris and Zack talk about showing Superman’s origin, I don’t think they mean; Krypton goes boom, baby Kal-El lands in Kansas and is raised by wholesome Americans to grow with good old fashioned morals. No, that is Clark Kent’s origin NOT Superman’s. I believe this movie will play out similar to Batman Begins. We will see how and why Clark Kent becomes Superman. This fits with the age rumour floating around. Clark doesn’t become Superman as soon as he moves out of Smallville. When Superman is first seen he is a grown man with a wealth of life experience under that yellow belt of his. Again, this echoes Batman. Bruce Wayne spent years building his knowledge and fighting skills while Clark spent the same time learning to harness the incredible power he has and more importantly, how to use it. Christian Bale was 31 when his first outing as Batman came our way. In that movie he played Bruce Wayne at a similar age and also a much younger Bruce thanks to make up. Whoever plays Superman will likely be doing the same thing if my theory holds up.


I think Chris and Zack are smart people, they know what the audience want and that is a SuperMAN. Chris likes his actors more mature than most (keep your dirty thoughts to yourself teabag!). He likes actors with the experience to help him set the tone of a movie and grip you until the credits have ended. Zack is a director that can take a graphic novel and put it onto screen frame for frame, not just with his set pieces but with the actors he chooses. Watchmen had some of the best casting any comic based movie has ever seen in terms of translation from print to screen.


I am sure that these two people can find the right man to portray the hero of heroes and I am happy to leave the task in their capable hands. But that won’t stop me or anyone else from speculating! So if my ramblings are anything to go by we are looking at a TV actor, early to mid 30’s who is not only talented but also looks like Superman himself has jumped out of the pages. So who could it be?


Tom Welling? No, I don’t think so. Yes, he is the right age and is on TV but does he have any of the other qualities we are looking for? Honestly? Try thinking about it from Chris’s, Zack’s and even WB’s perspective, regardless of your like or dislike for Smallville. Wellings boyish looks are not the look of a hero that all other heroes turn to when in trouble. While his acting has improved there is still a very valid question mark over his ability to step up to the big screen. But the biggest thing against him is Smallville itself. He has spent 10 seasons trying to do what this movie will cover in 45 minutes and during that time there has been major changes made to many DC characters. All this means the general public will not accept him as a “new” Superman after playing the character in a different universe for so long. Equally, to use Welling in a continuation not only destroys continuity but would result in vastly inferior versions of some of DC’s best loved characters.


Brandon Routh? Again, no. Whether you liked him in Superman Returns or not there is the same problem Welling has with playing the same character in a different universe. Although I think he looks better as Superman than Welling, he still doesn’t look like the leader of the Justice League. Yes, I know they may not do a JL movie but Superman needs to have this same presence regardless.


So who? My choice is Joe Manganiello from “True Blood”. He is 33 (will be 34 when/if filming), 6’5’’ and built like a tank! He not only looks like a man (emphasis on “man”) with a commanding presence, he looks like Superman has clawed his way out of print and into the real world! To top it off, he CAN act! Just take a look and I’m sure you will see how awesome it would be to have him face off against Superman’s most notorious villains.