Over the last decade we have witnessed some of the most ground-breaking special effects on screen breathing life into what has come to be known as "Comic Book Movies". Standing now as a genre all on its own, we, the CBM fans have continued to marvel (no pun intended) at who is hired to grace the screen as our favorite crime fighters. It has come to my attention that it's as if it seems the candidate list gets shorter every year and that the ads for your fave actors "super" position reads: Experience Required.
Just recently it was revealed that Chris Evans will be playing Captain America in the upcoming 2011 film adaptation of the beloved comic. But wait a minute, isn't that Johnny Storm AKA the Human Torch? Chris Evans played the character in two Fantastic Four movies. I won't go as far to say I loved these movies, but they were alright for the most part and I think Chris did a great job as Johnny. I'm not too sure about all you guys out there but I don't know how still I'm going to sit in the theatre when Chris Evans dons yet another tight blue costume. . .as a different hero. I say it's going to seem a little weird considering I know him as the Human Torch. What's shocking is that it’s another Marvel comic character. I say this because that is an opposing situation of the next action-hero I will mention.
And the name that comes to mind is Ryan Reynolds. He is also subject to the recycling method. He first appeared in the X-Men Origins: Wolverine movie. He undoubtedly left his mark as a well-played Deadpool to the extent where a spin-off of the characters very own movie is still being considered. With one notch already in his superhero belt, anticipation grows for Ryan Reynolds to take flight in next summers Green Lantern. Slightly different than Chris Evans' dual identity, Green Lantern is a DC comic whereas Deadpool is a Marvel character. I would also like to throw in that Ryan also appeared in Blade: Trinity (also from Marvel) as the private detective Hannibal King. Hopefully this will appease those of you who noticed my statement of which comic book movie he first appeared in as mentioned above.
I had hoped to draw this article out longer, but to what extent? I mean, all in all, there you have it. It seems that the repetitive use of actors in comic book movie roles will increase as they add more of these films to their resume. And this should make sense until it comes time to do a big movie featuring different characters-played by the same actors. Obviously it hasn't gotten that ridiculous yet, but consider this: It has been rumored for some time that Ryan Reynolds is a front-runner for the role of Wally West in a film adaptation of The Flash. Now if it turns out he actually took the role and played that character, wouldn't that cause a "slight" dilemma for a JLA movie? To tell you the truth, I would much rather see Ryan Reynolds as The Flash than Green Lantern, but perhaps that's just me. Anyways, how long is the trend going to last in Hollywood? Is it even a trend or just unprecedented coincidence? Who do you think are the best (or better) choices for these and other comic book characters? Let me know what you guys think...