How Important are A-list Celebrites in Comic Book Movies?

How Important are A-list Celebrites in Comic Book Movies?

We speculate all the time on wat big names we want in comic movies, but how much do they matter??

Editorial Opinion
By zinext - Jan 22, 2009 12:01 AM EST
Filed Under: Other

You know, there is always hope and buzz on certain A-listers to be in comic movies, but how important are they? I noticed in the case of the ever popular dark knight an up and coming actor by the name of heath ledger made history as the joker, yet Maggie Gyllenhaal, who happens have an academy award for best actress in a lead role, didn't quite seem like the ideal girl for a billionaire playboy. in ironman's case the movie resurrected Robert Downey jr.'s career, and ever a list actor shined,Gwyneth Paltrow,Terrence Howard,Jeff Bridges, Samuel jackson(for like a minute), all of them put 2gether a highly entertaining experience, now lets go to the infamous Ghostrider, With Nicolas Cage,Peter Fonda, Eva Mendes,Sam Elliott, all great actors,(and actress), but the movie was not so great, I personally felt it had its moments(like Sam Elliott being the original ghostrider), but it still was very disappointing.Than recently a new punisher with Ray Stevenson, There was so much bad acting i couldnt bare watching it Moving forward, there are still plenty of A listers that have yet 2 land in a comic movie, Leonardo Dicaprio, Brad Pitt, Denzil Washington,oh yea, The ever popular Jonny Depp, just a few big names that people would love 2 see in our favorite genre of films. But wait?! remember this much before we start to speculate who we want for a role, 1st of lets go with age, alot of a listers are in there 40's, some in there later 40's(jonny depp for ex), can that play a factor in a traditional athletic hero or villian??Also, some hero's are better fit for younger actors,like the flash. Now lets look at ego, alot of big time actors only go for The lead role, even if there a better pick for a minor villain, you have to cater to there ego(and pockets for that matter), a good example is Morgan Freeman as lucios fox, he just plays that role so well, and was the best fit, but i guess at his age u can take those kind of roles.And now there is Sam Jackson dropping his role as Nick Fury(a huge case of irony), his ego most definitly got in the way of that. Now there is that dynamic of once an actor is implanted in a universe of characters,thats who they are , granted, they can get re-casted, but wen they are gone, its a golden rule they are gone for good!! So how important are A listers 2 comic movies?? I feel as long as they consider taking on the roles we should feel pride in that alone, lets just hope all of them get casted right!

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Spock
Spock - 1/22/2009, 10:52 AM
You are right with age, but its also a matter of appearence & physical ability, not just acting ability. Sam is up there, and talented but his physically ability is there. No I don't believe he is going for the 6 pack look. No one is going to cast someone who is out of shape!That being said A-listers aren't always that important.
iNsaneMilesy
iNsaneMilesy - 1/22/2009, 11:29 PM
Traditionally I really dont think its important, looking back alot of superhero film that have had MEGA A-listers starring never did very well. The most successful ones were either "relativley" unknowns (or out of spotlight actors) or Actors that arent completely up themselves.
TheSoulEater
TheSoulEater - 1/23/2009, 8:32 PM
I'm for A list actors taking on roles, ONLY if they can deliver more then "HEY EVERYBODY, I'm (__)" If they can play past thier name then more power to em.
HUSoldier
HUSoldier - 1/25/2009, 11:38 PM
i am just wondering who really thought that heath ledger was up and coming? he was already UP. i mean he was nominated for best actor for brokeback right, and didnt every single girl have a crush on him since like knights tale came out? and yes big name actors are a big thing for comic book movies because we want someone who can do justice for the character they will play cuase most likely there will not be someone else to take their spot if they suck, instead the movie just never sees a sequel. another good reason to have a big name actor is that they are guaranteed at least some people to see the movie. i mean if me and my friends just went out and shot dark knight who would pay to see it other then our friends and family?
zinext
zinext - 1/26/2009, 2:37 AM
Yo HUSoldier, brokeback wasnt necessarly a hit wit the genaral public, also the conterversy of the movie is wat really sold the story, also, up until the dark knight, heath hasnt really had that proformance that defined his career, wen i said up and coming i ment he was on his way to be up there with brad pitt, leonardo dicaprio, that kind of star.
Scarface
Scarface - 1/28/2009, 7:10 AM
I don,t think the name should overshadow the role, and that is not always the actors fault we all know suits like to stick there 2 cents in there and stray away from the source material.
CRUSH
CRUSH - 1/30/2009, 1:39 PM
It's not important to have Hollywood's A-list....but it help's attract alot of people,sometime's it turns out to be crap nomatter how big the star,but in some scenario's the actor might be a fan of the material or just real passionate towards the project & if an A-list actor commits to his performance,fill's up movie theater's,sells dvd's, & just overall the movie becomes a huge success then you couldn't ask for more.

Check out my casting choices for a bunch of marvel characters.

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/MARVELMANIACS/news/?a=6087

-Zing
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