Long been rumored for the role for quite sometime now, English-born Henry Cavill has finally landed the role of Superman/Clark Kent, according to Deadline. Turning away from the younger men in their 20′s, both Reeve and Routh were 26 and 24 respectively, Cavill will be 28 this year and almost 30 by the time the movie comes out, which fits the criteria of what the WB were looking for this time around.
“In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honored to be a part of his return to the big screen,” said director Zack Snyder, who is helming the reboot. “I also join Warner Bros., Legendary and the producers in saying how excited we are about the casting of Henry. He is the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield.”
While not a complete unknown commodity that some movie studios like to cast for such a major role, Cavill is a relatively blank slate when it comes to the movie-going public at large. His biggest role to date has been on the cable TV series The Tudors, and he has a starring role in the upcoming Greek god epic Immortals as the warrior Theseus.
This isn’t the first time Cavill’s name has been brought up to play Superman — back when Brett Ratner and McG were in talks to helm a Superman flick prior to Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns, Cavill was a frontrunner in the role that ultimately went to Brandon Routh when Singer came onboard. After that film didn’t live up to Warner Bros. box office expectations – especially in light of the success of the Batman films — the studio went about assembling a new group to rehabilitate their franchise. Although this will be Cavill’s first time as a superhero, he started in previous comics-to-film flick Stardust and his work in the upcoming Immortals film should do much to introduce him to genre fans.
Okay readers, we now have our Man of Steel. Snyder has the confidence in Cavill’s performance, what do you think of the choice?
Additional Reporting by Chris Arrant
January 30th, 2011 at 11:50 am
Another massive fail waiting to happen. Snyder, needs to just drop the idea of a Superman film. He’s just going to make it suck again.
January 30th, 2011 at 12:55 pm
Cavill actually ahs great depth as an actor. Watching him develop the character of Suffolk on the Tudors proves he’s capable of acting that belies his good looks. He was almost the Craig-Bond, let’s not forget. I’m actually VERY happy about this piece of news. It’s better than the True Blod werewolf… let’s put it that way.
This movie’s going to have some testosterone in it, let’s face it. But then again, that’s probably wht Superman needs right now – to have it pointed out that his dick is definitely bigger that Batman’s is.
So this is good news.
January 30th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
Great news! Can’t agree with the naysayers on this. Like the sound of it. I’m just glad we can FINALLY put an end to the Routh/Welling crap! NOT GONNA HAPPEN!!!
Routh HAD his shot. Welling had Smallville. Reeve is gone and bumbling Clark is over.
Time for a new Steel Deal and it’s final. It’s Cavill!
He’ll do nicely under the direction of Snyder and production of Nolan. Those that complain? You don’t have to go see it.
January 30th, 2011 at 1:51 pm
He’s got the chops and the look. Now if they’ll only have a good story and script. They’d be onto something if they’d make Clark Kent tough like he was in the original comics and TV show. The whole meek thing is worn thin.
January 30th, 2011 at 2:23 pm
I just hope that they leave Lex Luthor out of the new movie. He was in four of the previous five and they showed that clearly don’t know how to effectively use the character. I would like to see Braniac, the Parasite, Metallo, Darkseid or almost ANYONE other than Lex.
BTW, what the hell happened to the forums? Or they ability to leave a reply in something other than the blogs?
January 30th, 2011 at 4:37 pm
Im fine with lex as a villain but spacey sucked michael c hall would be perfect
January 30th, 2011 at 5:06 pm
For me, I wouldn’t mind Lex in the new one. Really they haven’t presented Lex as the evil foil to Superman that he can be. Spacey’s Lex was an okay version but still too derived from the Gene Hackman land baron/swindler take. Which was a bit geared more toward comedic purposes back then in the 70s.
If Lex is in the new movie, I’d be okay with that because he’s a great character through whom the other more powerhouse villains can be brought in. Smallville showed that as a strength when Michael Rosenbaum was on the show as Lex. Plus I feel like Lex is more of a supporting player in Superman than just a villain. But so long as we get another more powerful villain like Brainiac or another of the rogues in Superman’s gallery as well.
January 30th, 2011 at 6:01 pm
Ok, so we have a good actor. Now we need to hit upon, for me, the points that will make this a great movie:
-Get rid of bumbling Clark. I have said before I prefer Dean Cain’s Clark, where he is earnest, but not a fool.
-Get us a good, smart Lois. Again, we need to get rid of the bumbling lois. And don’t make her a super bitch, either. Lois Lane must be smart, independent, a bit jaded, but also able to fall in love at first sight yet hide it well. Most importantly, I want her to figure out Clark is Superman first movie, but hide the knowledge even from him.
-Give us a good villain that can take on Supes in a real fist fight. Personally, if I were doing it, I would cast John C. McGinley as Metallo, making him a sarcastic thief that is turned into the cyborg by Lex. Speaking of Lex…
-GET RID OF BUMBLING LEX. Or lets get rid of bumbling all together. That is what the Donner films gave us…the characters from the 1950s and 1960s. I want them from our time. I want my Lex, in this movie, to be pure shades of gray. Don’t make him a villain to start with…make him a smooth businessman that loses it when he is dethroned by Superman as Metropolis’ favorite son. If I were casting it, I would pick James Marsters (he has plenty experience playing a Superman villain AND has done Lex before, voice atleast).
January 30th, 2011 at 7:54 pm
Superman VS Luthor’s deal with the devil aka Braniac. That’s the way to go. No more Superman dealing with being Superman movies. High hopes but I’m gonna miss Routh
January 30th, 2011 at 10:31 pm
I liked the Superman: The Animated Series take on Clark Kent. Not a bumbling fool, but an earnest and forthright person who also was able to hold his own. He was an investigative reporter, after all. In today’s world you can’t bumble and be an investigative reporter worth his salt in the journalistic community. I have no worry on that score. Thinking that the script by David Goyer, Christopher and Jonathan Nolan will show that. I can’t see them writing a bumbling Clark.
January 31st, 2011 at 7:23 am
I’m gutted. Awful choice. What is Hollywood’s fixation on making Superman effeminate?
January 31st, 2011 at 10:32 am
I like this guy. He’s got a great look that definitely evokes Superman, without just calling back to Christopher Reeve. I hope that they use Brainiac as the villain, with Luthor in a supporting role. That’s a film I’d be excited about.
January 31st, 2011 at 10:33 am
Also… Effeminate?
He’s good looking, sure, but he’s got hard cheek-bones and a chiseled chin. The blue eyes and wavy black hair don’t hurt either. I mean, he doesn’t look like a muscle bound thug or a pro-wrestler, but he just kind looks like Superman to me.
January 31st, 2011 at 10:38 am
You know what could be a cool foe?
Like some guy who changes kryptonie colors throughtout the movie
so it like makes superman all wacko and shows all his different side but then again he can also turn green and beat him up making superman have to go in a fist fight with him
January 31st, 2011 at 10:44 am
Excellent choice. Cavill rocks. He can act and he looks the part. Effiminate, kara? Are you crazy? Have you seen Cavill in “The Tudors”? He is anything but effiminate.
I agree – no bumbling Clark for this movie, please. This isn’t the ’70s when we need a lot of comedy thrown in. Let’s develop the character. Let’s think along the lines of George Reeves or Dean Cain’s portrayal of Clark.
I could go pro or con with Lex Luthor in this, but I agree – no bumbling real estate magnate. Superman needs a foe he can get into with. General Zod, Brainiac, Metallo, Mongul…let’s choose someone from that group.
Now for Lois…
January 31st, 2011 at 12:17 pm
What’s with all the outsourcing of America’s superheroes?
First Batman, then Kick-Ass, Spider-Man, and now Superman.
For a lot of people, Superman is more of an American icon than any other superhero — Captain America included — so, casting him with a British actor really is a sticking point with me.
Really? There was no actor in the entire country that could have played the part?
January 31st, 2011 at 12:40 pm
And Judge Dredd is now Australian and was Italian, so it’s not like Britain doesn’t suffer the same thing.
January 31st, 2011 at 3:29 pm
I’ve never seen the Tudors, so I can’t say I know how is acting is, but if it lives up to the hype then he’s got to have skills enough to be ABLE to play the role. And I agree he looks the part, except that almost every photo of him has a five o’clock shadow (and that’s what barbers are hired for!) Between this, Zach Snyder directing, and Nolan producing, I think the film has a lot of potential – now it needs to be carried out.
January 31st, 2011 at 4:06 pm
Cavill looks like a weak wishy-washy wuss. Most pathetically wrong casting ever.
January 31st, 2011 at 5:18 pm
Step in the right direction but the last time he was involved the thing never got off the ground. If that happens this time, we got a big problem Houston! Hello Marvel Comics presents Superman..
January 31st, 2011 at 7:12 pm
An excellent choice. Now who’s going to play Brainiac (he says hopefully)?
Lance Roger Axt
The AudioComics Company
January 31st, 2011 at 9:19 pm
Kevin:
“cast John C. McGinley as Metallo”
No, no, no. If there’s one comic-book villain McGinley was born to play, it’s Norman Osborn (he can even cut & comb his hair into the Osborn style – check him out in Office space).
Get someone else as Metallo.
January 31st, 2011 at 9:56 pm
I like that they picked someone a little older this time around for the man of steel. I’m not very familiar with Cavill, but at least this time around, Superman doesn’t look like a member of a boy band. I’ve always thought Patrick Warburton (The Tick and Puddy on Seinfeld) would make a good Superman. He certainly has the look and the build. He’s older, but I think I’d like to see that in a Superman movie. He reminds me of the Alex Ross version of Superman.
January 31st, 2011 at 10:38 pm
“…casting him with a British actor really is a sticking point with me.”
That’s one stupid sticking point. I don’t give a rat’s ass. If they look the part and get thje job done, I’m in.
As for the story, I hope they DON’T spend time on the origin. It’s not necessary i.m.o., most people know it already.