Last month, when producer Christopher Nolan announced that Zack Snyder would be the director of the new Superman movie, I wildly speculated on ten possible actors for the role, to which our fair readers added a few candidates of their own. Then we whittled the list down to six, y’all voted in a Popwatch poll, and if nothing else, we all learned that Smallville‘s Tom Welling has quite the mobilized army of online fans.
Well, Smallville fans, I’ve got good news, kinda good news and not so good news. According to a Deadline report, Snyder and Nolan have started looking for their man of steel, casting the proverbial wide net for the right actor with the following qualifications: He’s currently on TV (that’s the good news) or more likely someone more-or-less unknown (that’s the not so good news), and he’s anywhere from 28 to 32 years old (that’s the kinda good news, since Welling is 33). While that age range seems a bit narrow for a supposedly wide net, believe you me, that’s pretty much the age range everyone looks in Hollywood.
Still, it does winnow down the field a bit. Jon Hamm, sorry buddy, you are nine kinds of handsome, but you do look your 39 years — in the best way, of course, but no one’s exactly describing you as in your late 20s anymore. Conversely, Armie Hammer, you’ve become rather ubiquitous ever since your breakout turn as the Winkelvi in The Social Network, but at a particularly fresh faced 24 years old, no one’s exactly describing you as in your early 30s.
Other than Welling, meanwhile, this particular news bodes pretty well for White Collar‘s Matthew Bomer (33), The Tudors‘ Henry Cavill (27), and True Blood‘s Joe Manganiello (33). But there’s a reason so many actors who’ve worn the red cape (Christopher Reeve, Brandon Routh, Dean Cain, and yes, Tom Welling) were unknowns when they got the gig — the man’s face is Superman. Batman’s got that striking cowl, Spider-Man’s entire face is covered up, but there’s no hiding for whoever plays Superman, and I imagine any director would want audiences seeing the Man from Krypton and not the Man from That Show They Watch On Their DVR. Which is to say: Sorry, Wellingites, but it’s just as likely that our next Superman’s online fanbase consists of whoever he knows on Facebook.
But that won’t stop us from continuing to wildly speculate, anyway. Given the aforementioned criteria — an actor, 28 to 32 (or, at least, who looks 28 to 32), not widely known, but possibly working in television — who do you think will at least read for Superman who hasn’t been discussed here already?
Read more:
The new Superman: Vote for your favorite!
The Superman movie has a director, writer, and producer. But who should be the star?
Paul Wesley!
Wes Bently would be even better.
I want Brandon Routh to return, but playing their game I would suggest
Justin Hartley (Green Arrow from Smallville)
Taylor Kitsch (Friday Night Lights)
Eric Johnson (played Whitney on Smallville)
Another vote for Wes Bentley! He was so good in American Beauty!!!
I agree he looks like he be from another planet, his face would change and bring about a new “Superman” also, I love that Chris Nolan is directing this version even though they should pay some homage to Christopher Reeve and Brandon Routh who I thought made great screen Superman’s.
He’s too scrawny
love that suggestion! but Eddie Cahill seems more likely. on tv, 32 years old, and killer blue eyes.
mcfly, why can’t Superman be scrawny? He’s alien. His power doesn’t come from his muscles.
Ugh…I like Wes Bentley but I think he would be a terrible choice to play Superman–he’s too dark and quirky…and scrawny (you’re right, mcfly). The best choices would be Joe Manganiello or maybe Armie Hammer.
@Ida Seenit Chris Nolan is producing, not directing. Zack “300″ Snyder is directing…considering both 300 and watchmen were underdeveloped, over aestheticized yawnfests I was actually really disappointed when I heard he’d be directing.
Christopher Reeve set the drop dead gorgeous bar pretty high, so Matt Bomer is the best choice.
I would LOVE Matt Bomer as Superman! I prefer my Clark Kents to have some kind of personality… like Dean Cain did… and Bomer has tons!
Please get real, Bomer is cute but he’s way too small for this role. Fact.
Much as I think he would be perfect, I can’t help but wince at Fox News’ “A gay man is playing Superman? This will ruin our children!” bullsh!t that would follow his casting.
Enrique, I’ve seen him a lot bigger than he his now. He can bulk up pretty easily
Matt Bomer!
He’s been bigger before. He’s leaned out recently but in his previous work, he’s been bigger. He can bulk up quickly.
Cory Monteith would be perfect!
Victor Webster would be PERFECT!
No to Cory Monteith, he’s too young. If Zachary Levi could bulk up enough, he could read for it. He carries a heavy nerd following but isn’t especially well known.
OR Zachary Quinto (but probably not because I just can’t see him able to put on the muscle). OH MAN I JUST HAD AN EPIPHANY. What about Scott Porter? He’s 31, done plenty of tv, is 6 feet tall and would have no problem putting on some muscle mass. My vote goes to him. SCOTT PORTER FTW.
I don’t understand… Tom Welling is the clear choice. I mean, it’s like he’s been auditioning for the role for ten years. He really ought to be in a Superman movie by now, because he IS Clark Kent/Superman. If not him, my other top choice would be Henry Cavill, simply because he is SO HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is a completely different franchise. Plain and simple.
My Top 3: Brandon Routh- Alcede from Tru Blood- TOm Welling
Tom Welling, Jon Hamm, and Henry Cavill are the only ones who get me excited.
I think it should definitely be someone unknown even though i dont think Routh was that bad at all. I would be happy with Matt Bomer or Henry Cavill, i’m just not sure they would get it since they are only about 6’1 and all other Superman actors taller around 6’4. We’ll have to wait and see, Tom Cruise is a little guy and hasnt had a problem not looking small in movies. lol
Adam Lambert. Lets bring Superman to the 2010s.
Fingers crossed it’s Rainn Wilson!
I’d rather see Brian Baumgartner!
Jim Parsons!!! (kidding)
hahaha…only if the new Superman movie is gonna be a parody lol
I’d actually prefer to see Brandon Routh and Bryan Singer get another shot at their self-described “Wrath of Khan” type sequel. But since that’s definitely not happening, I would cast my vote for Captain Awesome from “Chuck”. He’s the only one I could see doing it (with some hair dye, of course).
I absolutely vote captain awesome as well!
Who want to see Superman as a goober? It’s McPartlin’s one talent. Superman ain’t supposed to be a joke.
Both Zach Levi and Ryan aka Captain Awesome should be considered, especially since Zach has bulked up over the past few years. Ryan actually tried out for Superman Returns, but Singer was Hell Bent on making it a sequel to Superman 2 and Brandon just looked so much more like Chris Reeve that it was all over for everyone else once Brandon showed up.
Ryan McPartlin should be Marvel’s Iron Fist. He has the right look to be an AWESOME Danny Rand/Iron Fist. And no hair dye necessary! He is still a relatively unknown and could definitely make that work…him as Superman seems highly or possible.
Ryan McParltin (McPartlin?) is a great choice!
But he can’t act.
Brandon Routh! Give him another try!
I’M ON THE BRANDON TRAIN!!!
I’m all for Ryan McPartlin. I mean, I’d have preferred him as Captain America, but he’d make a great Man of Steel.
But the Man of Steel would require more than one expression, which McPartlin doesn’t have.
Both Ryan McParlin and Zach Levi acted rings around Routh on Chuck. So much second hand embarrassment watching Routh struggle.
Being better than Routh is no accomplishment.
Awesome (McPartlin) should have been cast as Captain America. Perfect look and voice for the part.
Donald Glover! I kid, but why not get him started again. Loved his campaign to play Spiderman.
I loved that campaign too, and um, he’s 27 and on TV. Only a year too young, guys, I’d say it’s close enough…
I’m still rooting for Tom Welling. Go Tom!
Totally agree. He has Clark Kent down to a T. I actually think both Tom and Erica would be awesome and kill a Superman movie but I dont think it will ever happen because the studio doesnt want people to think its just a continuation of a show with a pretty small audience at this point.
He may have Clark Kent down to a T, but as Supes, he doesn’t know who he is. He’s still chicken. Bok.
I think Jon knew he wasn’t the guy considering all the jokes he’s made (his superpowers are mall walking).
I’d like to see Tom Welling get it, even Brandon Routh (who I liked the last time round.)
“You can’t but super in front of every word!”
“Oh yes I super can!”
LOVE Jon!!!
I’m confused. If this info is accurate that WB/Nolan are going with an actor who’s between 28-32 – that would mean that Bomer and Manganiello would be OUT of the running. But it does make sense – that they would want someone who would be exclusive to that role. Then there’s also the sequels to think about too, so, he HAS to be relatively young.
33 is close enough for jazz.
too bad Routh/Singer didn’t get their sequel. But why should Welling be out of the running ? For a decade now he has been Clark Kent and can you really find a better Lois Lane than Erica Durance ?
They won’t use Welling because he’s a pretty bad actor.
Like hell he is….Routh was a robot trying to emulate Christopher Reeve. Tom is Superman….
I agree.
with Enrique. Welling isn’t that good of an actor. There’s not that much going on there.
Get your heads out of your a**es. Tom Welling is good with drama and lady problems. He wouldnt hold his on the big screen. Want his big screen credit….CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN. Get a job.
I don’t think they should use Welling just because of the continuity from Smallville. You have to use the rest of the cast!
I wish they’d consider keeping Routh even though you could make the same argument about continuity with Superman Returns.
I’m confused as to why Joe Manganiello would even be mentioned for Superman. His face is pretty far from what Superman should look like.
Ah but when Joe has a nice, smooth shave…he’s gorgeous.
I agree, Mangianello looks nothing like the character. He’s so creepy looking. He should be cast as one of the thugs.
Isn’t Superman suppose to have blue eyes? Joe Manganiello is too ethnic Italian looking. He doesn’t have a Kansas farmboy look.
And he’s a terrible actor.
I would like to see the actor who plays agent Adam Davies on ENTOURAGE get a chance.
Matt Bomer all the way! He has the face that could easily work for superman, he’s a good actor, he’s in the age range, he’s on TV and relatively unknown. I actually can’t think of who would make a better Superman.
IA. He was supposed to be superman before anyway, before the new director hasted Routh.
BOMER OR TOM HARDY.
Be still my heart!
It does not matter who they choose because the writers, director will destroy Superman just like they destroyed Batman…The brooding flawed emo hero is overdone in hollywood…
Forgive JP; he clearly doesn’t read Batman comics.
nice.
Jared Padalecki is 28, and gets my vote! With a bit darker hair (and a haircut), he’d be an awesome Superman. Tall, all-American, and buff as hell.
Oooh, I never would have thought of JP, but he could pull it off. With darker hair, and a hair cut. He is tall, buff, and hot.
No. Superman has to have blue eyes.
Contacts
Brandon wore blue contacts for Superman Returns and boy was he ever smoldering. I love Jared too! He’d be mesmerizing with blue eyes.
Why does he have to have blue eyes. They should even expand the casting to different races. I’d love to see a “All you people” production of Superman.
You never hear anyone saying that Shaft should be white.
I like this choice but then what happens to Supernatural?!
They film during Supernatural time off ~ Supernatural must go on!
Yeah. Thanks for spelling jp’s name for me. He gets my vote.
I was going to say Jared Padalecki too… he’d be perfect for the role. He’s tall, has dark hair and is buff as hell now.
Tom Welling has been the face of Clark Kent for last 10 years. If he is willing to take on the mantel of Superman, I don’t see the downside. Sure he is 33 but as he has well proved during his tenure at Smallville, he can look much younger than his years.
I’m an old school (George Reeve/Christopher Reeves) Superman fan but am looking forward to the Welling era.
The downside is WB doesn’t want this movie to be viewed as a “Smallville” spinoff. That’s why Welling will NEVER get cast.
Plus Smallville and Welling sucks any way. Hardly anyone watches it.
Eva, Smallville is one of the few shows that has seen ratings increase as it nears the end. Whether you think it sucks or not is one thing, but you’re wrong about ratings.
You could be wrong…
Star Trek-the TV show did it without using the TV version gimme-ricks. The Show became a successful movie franchise. Using the same cast members….Nobody bitched about it….and because of it we NOW have almost 4-5 decades worth of geeks & nerds that are STAR TREKKERS . Why can’t Smallville do the the same? Clark is not in Smallville, Kansas anymore. Just drop the title “Smallville” and add the title..”SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL” with the same cast members. If WB does this..the franchise will be as or more successful than the Star Trek/old-Superman franchises together.
Fred, I have never watched the show so your argument stinks. The show and Welling sucks.
Eva, If you have never watched the show, how in the world can you determine if the show and Tom Welling suck? You have no idea what you are talking about.
Eva, you completely disarmed your argument by saying you’ve never watched the show. Therefore your opinion about the show and Tom Welling means nothing. Frankly, the statistics speak for themselves: Smallville is in its tenth season; it’s obviously doing something right. Having watched every episode since the season one pilot, as a fan I can say that (though cheesy oftentimes) I think Tom Welling would be great in the Superman movie.