Nerdy News – Casting Couch
Wowza, this has been an interesting week for casting news. One is inspired, another is freaking brilliant and yet another leaves me scratching my head. Hollywood, you so crazy! I’m still waiting for my call…
Ok so this first one isn’t so much casting as it is someone just getting a job on a superhero movie but still, it’s very cool news. Latino Review posted an exclusive yesterday suggesting David Goyer would be writing the script for the next Superman film titled, The Man of Steel. They say neither actor Brandon Routh or director Bryan Singer would play any part in the new movie. “I can tell you that Goyer’s story involves Luthor and Brainiac. It is NOT an origin and assumes audiences already know about Lois, Clark, Jimmy and Perry. I know the Daily Planet is struggling due to the internet. And I know it sets up a huge Kryptonian mythology,” said the reporter.
Yah! right? Well, now there are conflicting reports. Aint It Cool says Legendary Pictures vehemently denies the Latino Review story. The Hollywood Reporter is staying somewhere inbetween saying, “No dealmaking has taken place; only meetings are happening at this stage. Reps for Warners and Goyer had no comment.” So maybe he will, maybe he won’t but hopefully he’ll be involved in some way. A good sign pointing to yes is his past work with Batman savior Christopher Nolan who, it was reported earlier in the month, would be a mentor on the next Superman film.
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Does Jim from The Office scream Captain America to you? Frankly, I’m a little appalled and I don’t even read Marvel comics.
This week a short-list of actors was released to take the title role in the upcoming Captain America film. Marvel is conducting screentests this week and the candidates are as follows: Michael Cassidy from Smallville, Patrick Flueger from The 4400, Scott Porter from Caprica, Wilson Bethel from…The Young and the Restless, Mike Vogel from Cloverfield and yes, John Krasinski from The Office. I don’t quite see him making that jump. Chase Crawford, Garrett Hedlund and Jensen Ackles are apparently also still in talks. “The studio has put the actors on 30-day holds during the testing process,” according to THR.
They are casting very young and are sticking with only Americans from the looks of things. “So far, no British or Australian actors have been seriously considered though the search could widen if no suitable candidates are found.” I’m still holding out for my hero. but I guess it’s a good idea to skew young considering whoever lands the role is going to be signing the rest of their life away. Deadline Hollwood said, “whoever gets the role will have to sign for another nine options for future films that include sequels, Avengers movies, or anything else Marvel decides.”
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Speaking of Captains, Captain Jack Sparrow is about to get another insanely perfect pirate to joust with. Ian McShane is in negotiations to play the notorious Blackbeard in Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
Just look at him! I’m giddy over here. “McShane will join Johnny Depp, reprising his role of Captain Jack Sparrow, and Penelope Cruz, Sparrow’s foil and equal in many ways, in a tale that revolves around the Fountain of Youth,” says THR. The fourth installment of the Pirate franchise is set to open May 20, 2011.
Little late to the party on this one.
Quick thoughts: Another Superman movie could be very cool. I would like to have one in which this supposed genius, Lex Luthor, comes up with something more interesting than another shallow real estate scheme and is smart enough to not hire idiots as henchmen.
Second, Ian McShane? Now you're cooking with petroleum byproducts! That could be a real delight!
I just wanna see the Red Skull get super pissed that his Swastika armband is suspended in jello. =D
Mollie, you didn't use nearly enough exclamation points. :) It's awesome news.
Randy, I agree it would be nice to have one without Lex. Maybe just mention him in passing but focus on another villain, Superman has plenty!
Michael, wow, I'd never heard of that book. That's very interesting they decided to use that. I may just have to check that out now.
OK, I just read the sentence "Pirates Of The Carribean: On Stranger Tides" and literally almost shouted "WHAT?!" I think I made the actual noise for an interrobang.
For those of you who don't know(which is most people in the world) "On Stranger Tides" is a fantastic Pirate Adventure novel by author Tim Powers, most well known for the time travel/Victorian age/Steamish adventure novel "The Anubis Gates". When I saw the first "Pirates" movie I thought "Oh, great, now they'll never be able to do 'On Stranger Tides' because it's too similar". Becuase it is. A guy gets forced to be a pirate and has to race Blackbeard to prevent him from finding the Fountain Of Youth(at it's core). It's amazing, and fantastically written, and… I have to say… I'm actually excited that it'll be made into a movie, even if they're going to try to shoe horn Captain Jack Sparrow into it. It'll work I think. Give it a try before you completely bad mouth it. Also: Go read the book, it's fantastic. But, then I'm a Tim Powers fanboy, so I'm partial and bias.
Oh, and the casting for Blackbeard is basically perfect as far as I can tell.
And the other casting… um… I don't remember. I got talking about Tim Powers and that made me forget what else I read.
Um… Captain America should be played by a hamster. It's unique casting and would get everyone talking.
Nick, allow me to second what you say. I can't honestly say I had someone in mind for Captain America but Jensen Ackles is perfect for not only Captain America but as a believable Steve Rogers before the Super-soldier Serum turned him into Cap.
I'm still rooting for Jensen Ackles to be the next Captain America. The rest are just pretty boys. Jensen has the look but also a great personality, and he proved during his short stint on Smallville that he can play the "All-American" type.
— Nick
from City of Kik
http://nickleshi.blogspot.com
I've already stated this a few times, but I think John Krasinski would be good in a remake of Greatest American Hero. Couldn't buy him as Cap'n A though.
your Michael Cassidy link opens John Krasinski's IMDB page.
Mark Valley HAS to be Captain America. That is all.
I wish we could have a good Superman movie that does not feature Lex Luthor. If my knowledge of Superman was limited to just movies, I would think that the only enemies this guy has are Luthor, Zod and Nuclear Man.
And Richard Pryor and John Cryer *as nephew Lenny Luthor in Quest for Peace.)
I think using Brainiac is a good move. Just too bad Luthor has to be in it at all.
But if Goyer is going to be involved, I'm willing to give it the benefit of the doubt. Just keep Akiva Goldsman far away.
Seriously, Pirates 4? I think I just threw up in my mouth a little. The first one was great, the second one was…not great, and the third one was literally the worst film I've ever seen. I actually feel they shouldve have paid me to watch it.
But anyway, yay Cap and Supes!
i hadn't heard there was anothing pirates movie coming out so that is totally exciting! thanks for telling me! i love those movies! (did i use enough exclamtion points?)
i'm a huge(!) captain america fan and i think that no matter what i'm not going to be happy with who they pick. i'm just going to have to wait until the movie comes out before i make any opinions.
I think, of all the possible Captain Americas mentioned, that Scott Porter would be the best choice. I remember he wanted to play Green Lantern a few years ago, so at least he's got a little Geek cred.
I can't see Krasinski as Steve Rogers…but I could be wrong. I do wish they were going a little older, but money & sequel considerations come first.
Great news about McShane & I long to see a Superman movie that starts in the middle or adapts Morrission's abbreviated origin from All-Star Superman.