Who Should Play Superman? | The Top 5 Candidates
Published on Oct 10th, 2010
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GotchaMovies.com
A plethora of names have been through out for the now Zack Snyder-directed Superman: Man of Steel.
But names are just names until something is official, which leaves the debate open for all to dive into. Go ahead, toss out any squared jawed actor in his 20s, 30s, or even 40s, and you could guess the next Superman.
Rather than list all of those possibles out, let's narrow it down to five. Five candidates, some obvious choices, some wild cards, and one darkhorse that would turn the franchise on it's head.
Check out the list, then leave your Superman wish-list in the comments!
Candidate #1 – Brandon Routh
It's best to get the seemingly obvious out of the way first. Routh isn't going to be Superman again. He had his chance, much like George Lasenby as Bond, and he squandered it. That's not to say it was his fault specifically, but people just didn't buy Routh as the Man of Steel, even though he certainly looks the part — and does a killer Clark Kent. Hopefully he can find a niche and stay in acting, because he can act, but it just won't be in a cape any time soon.
In a way, Routh was the attempt to just update the Christopher Reeves look into a new generation, and while it worked in moments, overall it failed. It failed because Superman came off as, uh, effeminate? So much of the writing, good guy morals without any sort of real backing, and internal struggles that weren't developed in Superman Returns got blamed on Routh. It wasn't all him, but he is going to pay for it.
Candidate #2 – Tom Welling
The other seemingly obvious choice, Tom Welling, is actually kind of intruiging. When Superman Returns was being rumored, his name came up, but it was decided that director Bryan Singer didn't want to go in that direction. Well, you can respect him for that, and something about Welling really does say "young" Superman. Can you imagine him with the slicked back hair, all neatly combed? It could work, but Welling has established a great foundation for the Superman character, and casting him as the lead seems like a cop-out.
Candidate #3 – Jon Hamm
Okay, so he isn't exactly the obvious choice like Welling or Routh would be, but he's the sleeper. While Hamm has (sadly) denied that any of the rumored talks are true, it doesn't mean it won't happen, or that it should. Hamm is hot right now thanks to Mad Men, and he is successful in his role because he has bravado. He has that man's man appeal that Superman has. Amazingly, throw some glasses on him, make him channel his inner "I got picked on in middle school", and he would work as Clark Kent too. We already know he looks good in a suit, and a retro suit at that. He could work in any sort of environment he needed too, but something still doesn't quite fit with Hamm. Maybe it's the timing, or the fact that Hamm will probably always be best know for Mad Men, and a slew of other great supporting roles in films when his career is done, or maybe it's the fact that he's just too good as Donald Draper.
Candidate #4 – Nathan Fillion
I love this guy. He is part of the Joss Whedon classics Firefly and Serenity, but he currently stars in Castle, which is a procedural, yes — but he makes the show with his sense of sarcastic witty banter and Han Solo like attitude about everything. The guy is pure magic on-screen, but he won't ever get this role. First, some people don't like him. Don't ask me why, but some think he's annoying and pompous. Also, his strength is the attitude, and Superman doesn't have attitude, in fact, the guy (when he's in the suit) is sort of a like a moralistic frat-boy. Clean but, nice tights, generally handsome, but also devoid of anything to say. I mean, he just goes around saving people and saying.. "Your welcome." How tepid is that? It's a no-go for Fillion.
Candidate #5 – Armie Hammer
Here's who you want to be Superman. Who is he you say? He played Cameron Winklevoss in The Social Network, and nearly stole the show. Even playing a stuck-up row crew member from Harvard, Hammer seemed to be able to handle anything that was asked of him. He has a presence on-screen that isn't menacing, it's comforting. Yet, when asked to seem imposing, he pulled it off. When asked to stretch emotionally and convey something on-screen, he did. All the while, never seeming mopey, which is what got Brandon Routh a dose of criticism. He could play a Superman that is broken, yet powerful. He's the perfect new direction for the franchise, and — he's blonde. Yep, Superman should go blonde 100%. Say what you will, but a change is what Superman needs to work on-screen. Don't worry, he'll always have that jet black main in the comics and the Richard Donner films.
Written by Lee C. Jaster on GotchaMovies.com
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Hey, everyone can’t hold a television show together for 10 years . Tom Wellng did !!! He proved without a doubt that he is a box office draw ! I won’t pay 10 dollars at The Theater to see anybody else play Superman. I will pay 10-20 dollars to see Tom Welling play Superman and the DVD on his Superman movies at the box office. He is that good !!!
In my opinion Tom Welling is what the majority of the “Smallville” audience seems to want for the role. I agree with them. Probably even non-watchers of the hit show approve also. He has the acting chops, and the muscular build. My second choice is Brandon Routh, because why fix what isn’t broken. Like others have said, the script for “Returns” was too weak for Routh to be given the blame for the bad movie. My third choice is Matthew Bomer, I haven’t seen his acting skills, but he definitely has the look that the lead role should have. I’ll throw one more name out there, Joe Manganiello, this guy never heard of, but he is ripped physically, and probably perfect atleast in that aspect for the role. Other than these four, it’s a stretch but maybe Zachary Levi “if” he has the acting range and skill for it.
Sorry but by saying that they should let Hammer play Superman as a blond shows lack of support for the characters mythos! Total mistake if you ask me.
Superman should look like he just stepped out of the comics, and out of our collective minds.
Which is why Singer tried to hire someone who looked like Chris Reeve the only problem was his script was horrible, and Brandon can’t act his way out of a paper bag.
The IDEA Was good but the result was bad because of different things like I said… Bad script, acting, casting… Kate Bonesworth as Lois Lane was a total joke, and I could go on forever here but honestly the best choice is Tom Welling!
He’s an actor who’s kept the character alive in the peoples minds for a decade with Smallville, and is known as this generations face to the role! Even with Routh playing Superman in the movies! Tom Welling is still known as this generations Superman.
HE IS Superman right now, and sorry anyone else being cast is a major, and epic fail.
Tom Welling 4 Superman!
Tom Welling proved for 10 years that he is the real Superman ! I won’t pay money at the box office for anyone else ! Tell Warner Brothers to wake up and smell the coffee ! Tom Welling is the best choice. From Steven Dunetz