Superman: The Search for the Perfect Actor

Superman: The Search for the Perfect Actor

OK so we've seen what Hollywood can do, and what they are doing these days, but they should at least read Superman's description. Do you have an idea of who should be the new Superman? Tell us about it.

Editorial Opinion
By RealSupesFan - Jul 09, 2010 08:07 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman

OK so in my other editorial I went into what I think is wrong with the way Hollywood, the new generation of fans and yes even DC themselves view the man of steel but this time around I am going to change track a little bit. I would like to see who is out there as far as actors that meet the necessary criteria. But there are rules, Superman is an icon of Americana that has to be treated with the right amount of respect. You can't just throw somebody out there because you like them or you think they're good looking they MUST meet certain criteria. Below is a list.

Superman is:

6'3" tall ( I thought it was 6' 4")

Weighs in at 225lbs solid muscle.

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Black

OK now that we have the physical description lets get to the personality. In my other editorial I gave a pretty involved description that you can read over there but for the purposes of this one I'll keep it simple. Superman is handsome but not necessarily a pretty boy, he has an intensity about him that is palpable, he is friendly but not overly so, he tends to be serious all of the time unless he is around kids or the elderly. He doesn't smile a lot because when he is in the costume he is "on duty" and wants to keep it on a business level unless the situation calls for something different. That should do it. Start posting your pics (please include names as I am not up on who's who in the acting world these days). One poster from the other editorial offered up Daniel Cudmore who definitely fits the physical bill but I am not familiar with his body of work so?!? OK kiddies WHO DO YOU WANT TO PLAY SUPERMAN?

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AshleyWilliams
AshleyWilliams - 7/9/2010, 8:35 PM
Harmon Walsh.
-6'2
-Looks a lot like Superman.
-Unknown.
-Good actor.
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 7/9/2010, 9:01 PM
Alexander Skarsgard. Yeah, I went there. 6'4", decent frame to put muscle on, imposing as hell, masculine, relatively solid jawline, blue eyes, and most importantly, an excellent actor (IMO). I am of the opinion that sacrificing a bit of the classic "Superman" look is okay as long as the actor in question delivers on the most important front, the performance. There is no living actor (who isn't a complete unknown) today that is tall like Superman, lantern-jawed, blue-eyed, black-haired, buffed out, appropriate aged (mid 20's - mid 30's), AND has the raw talent to fully pull off such a huge role for DC entertainment. Skarsgard has shown immense talent on True Blood and on Generation Kill as a righteous, stoic leader of men. Hell, his character on Gen. Kill almost perfectly fits your description of Supes' personality: intense, friendly but not overly so, has his mind set squarely on the mission at hand when he is on duty, but can also joke around and enjoy himself from time to time. If given a good dye job, and a make up team (I am well aware that he has bags under his eyes), and he hits the gym like almost every actor would have to do, he would be an amazing Superman. I know I'm opening the flood gates for bashing, but so be it. Skarsgard for Superman. With Emily Blunt as Lois Lane BTW :)

And to distract from my ridiculously open-for-bashing opinion, enjoy this gif of a man getting hit in the nuts with a baseball.

holiday getting hit in the balls 100809 Pictures, Images and Photos
AshleyWilliams
AshleyWilliams - 7/9/2010, 9:24 PM
^I could see Skarsgard doing a good job!
LP4
LP4 - 7/10/2010, 3:31 AM
They need to hurry this movie up...it's taking forever.
ThunderCougarFalconBird
ThunderCougarFalconBird - 7/10/2010, 6:43 AM
Matt Keeslar

- 6' 2"
- good jaw
- good frame

Not perfect but I can't think of anyone who could completely fit the bill.
secretasianboy
secretasianboy - 7/10/2010, 10:09 AM
@nightavenger
i've never seen harmon walsh act but i must say he looks a hell lot like a young superman
ThunderCougarFalconBird
ThunderCougarFalconBird - 7/10/2010, 10:40 AM
Secretasianboy - that's the problem! We don't want a boyish young Superman! He is the hero other heroes turn to, a boy can't put that across. We need a seasoned actor. Think about Bale as Batman and now imagine Superman next to him as a leader of men, no young pretty boy is going to cut it.
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 7/10/2010, 11:31 AM
Ron: I agree with you in regards to a more masculine actor. Definitely a priority when it comes to the reboot. But is Bale going to do Justice League, or any film featuring Bats after Batman 3?

And I don't want to see another bumbling Clark Kent. He should just be your average guy, a bit shy but not clumsy or awkward like Reeve and Routh's portrayals. Skarsgard has shown that he is incredibly talented, and I do think that he, as an actor, would be able to pull off Superman and Clark Kent. There was a scene in True Blood where his character, Eric, pretended to be human and normal for a minute, and even though it was pretty short, it did show that he has potential for Clark. But also on TB, he has shown immense screen presence and power. On Gen. Kill, again, he showed screen presence, and displayed great Superman qualities, as his character was stoic, friendly, mission-oriented, leader-like, inspiring, righteous, funny, and noble. I have no doubts in my mind that he would absolutely pwn the role of Superman, and I do think that he can pull off Clark Kent, as he is an actor and that's what actors do. Skarsgard for Superman.

Photobucket
ThunderCougarFalconBird
ThunderCougarFalconBird - 7/10/2010, 12:08 PM
Tyler - good point, but Bale or not, the point stands. If you can get the right man to look authoritative next to Bale chances are he can pull it off next to anyone. I'm not saying Bale has an amazing screen presence but he's not exactly a fresh faced young man. He is a well built seasoned actor who knows how to hold himself on screen.
InTylerWeTrust
InTylerWeTrust - 7/10/2010, 12:13 PM
Agreed. The actor playing Supes needs to be commanding and powerful, he needs to have immense screen presence. That's kind of why I don't want Cavill to be Superman. Even though I think he's a pretty good actor, he just doesn't have the powerful presence, strong looks, or commanding aura for Superman. While I did want him for Batman, I think there's another actor out there who would be even better...
naterator
naterator - 7/10/2010, 12:55 PM
I COULD SEE SKARSGRD FOR SUPES IF THEY ARE DEFINATLY MAKING THE CHANGE. BEEF HIM UP A BIT AND GIVE HIM BLACK HAIR AND HE WOULD ALSO LOOK AMAZINGLY SIMIAR TO CHRIS REEVES
naterator
naterator - 7/10/2010, 12:55 PM
GOOD CALL TYLER!
AshleyWilliams
AshleyWilliams - 7/10/2010, 2:02 PM
Skarsgard is a good choice. But Bomer is WAYYYYY too small IMO.
superbatspiderman
superbatspiderman - 7/10/2010, 2:18 PM
I think that the best candidate is Cavill he seems to be a classy actor. I think that Skargard is more of a villain type I don't see him being Supes. Cudmore is a good choice but I think he might be a little too big.

I still stand by a Routhboot though I think that he is the best pick.

RealSupesFan
RealSupesFan - 7/10/2010, 9:53 PM
Hey guys its me, good stuff keep it coming. I did a little research on people out there and put up some pictures so click on pictures above. I am only familiar with a couple of the guys I put up but most of them look the part. If any of you know about any of these guys post it will ya? Some of these guys look great but I don't know how tall any of them are or if they can act except for one and you'll know who he is. Later.
naterator
naterator - 7/12/2010, 10:28 AM
ROUTHBOOT. Please.
J0RELLC00LJ
J0RELLC00LJ - 7/12/2010, 3:05 PM

@Tyler - I wouldn't rule out Skarsgard only cause alot of people said Tobey M. couldn't do Spidermahng. You did hit the nail on the head with JJ Abrams directing, good one.

I think Jon Hamm would be a great actor to play Supes, not Green Arrow! (sheesh)



exerciseguy
exerciseguy - 7/13/2010, 7:26 AM
I would like Tom Welling, but that isn't going to happen...even though it really should.

Jon Hamm would be great, if he was a bit younger he would be perfect, he'd need to hit the gym hard like yesterday though.

Similarly, Howie Long would have been my choice 10-15 years ago, but I'm afraid he's a bit too old for what I suspect the Nolans have in mind, but he would work great in a film adaptation of THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS! (Keep that in mind Zack Snyder)

Whoever winds up playing THE MAN OF STEEL, Dear God let him look the role, if I see a pencil-neck pretty boy with a padded and/or CGI suit, I'm going to be sick!
commanderhulk
commanderhulk - 7/13/2010, 1:27 PM
I agree with Tyler, Alexander Skarsgard would be perfect. He's got my vote and full suport. He is a good young actor and has a lot of potential.
thisisover09
thisisover09 - 7/15/2010, 11:22 AM
It just has to be Tom Welling if not I just wouldnt be used to it. Ive been watching smallville for years and when I think Superman I think of Tom Welling as the guy with the S on his chest.
scrivo29
scrivo29 - 7/16/2010, 4:35 AM
ok i personally agree with thisisover09 tom welling should play superman in the films look at the fog or cheaper by the dozen after nearley a decade of playin clark on smallville thats it he should now go to the cape and tights oh and it would be so cool if it starts with the end of smallville same cast on big screen no lana nor chloe just the main ones and have michael rosenbaum return has lex luthor.
JLAAvengers
JLAAvengers - 7/16/2010, 11:45 PM
I think routh would be the best guy to play him
axwolvie
axwolvie - 7/22/2010, 2:17 AM
Hi everyone.
I don´t have any pictures or a name to put on here of an actor. But, I just want to say, that for my opinion, they have to pick SOMEONE WHO LOOK LIKE THE ALEX ROSS´S SUPERMAN!!! it seems like it´s always difficult to think, but they have it just in front on them!!! the study that Alex Ross made for Superman when he write the first line on the paper is the right way!!! I pray for someone on the cast direction for the next movie really take a deep look on the Superman of Alex Ross. They HAVE to find someone who can portray that kind of appearance, the look of a real man, not a boy.
talentuk
talentuk - 10/9/2010, 7:18 AM
hi everyone.
anthony doughty starnow.co.uk
what do you think hes 6"4 heavily built and has a massive square jaw,he reminds me of a young john hamm

please let me know what you think,and if someone could get a picture of him on here,i have tried and can not do it thanks
pumpkinkid0
pumpkinkid0 - 11/4/2010, 10:53 AM
I'm for harmon walsh all the way. you should join the "Harmon Walsh for Superman" fan page http://www.facebook.com/pages/Harmon-Walsh-For-Superman/159404280766714
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