Henry Cavill may have taken his last flight as theMan of Steel. Reports crashed the internet with news that Cavill would not appear asSupermanin Warner Bros. upcomingShazam!.Talks between Henry Cavill’s representatives and the studio broke down. The rumor being that Warner Bros. wanted to take the DC Universe in a different direction. Shifting their focus to aSupergirlfilm adaptation and recasting the role of her cousin. Cavill then committed to filmingThe Witcherseries for Netflix. Followed by a mysterious instagram post where the actor captions, “Today was exciting #Superman.” While wearing a “Krypton Lifting Team” t-shirt no less.
It’s no secret that Warner Bros. and DC Entertainment want to emulate the success of their rivals at Marvel Studios. Henry Cavill’sSupermanfilms,Man of Steel,Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, andJustice Leagueall underperformed. If Ben Affleck is indeed also out asBatman, it gives the studio an epic do-over. They could relaunchBatmanandSupermanwhile keeping the otherJustice Leagueactors, especially Gal Gadot asWonder Woman.Warner Bros. official statement on the Superman matter, “We have a great relationship and great respect for Henry Cavill that continues to remain unchanged. Additionally we have made no current decisions regarding any upcomingSupermanfilms.” This could all be conjecture, or just part of Cavill’s negotiation strategy for a bigger chunk of Kryptonite.
Let’s assume thatHenry Cavillis out, and jump headfirst in the online speculation game. Most of the articles postulating a newSupermanare ridiculous. As a black critic and journalist, I almost fell off my chair laughing thatMichael B. Jordan was being considered for Clark Kent. Let’s get back to reality folks. Warner Bros. is going to cast a white actor asSuperman. I would absolutely love for Jordan and Idris Elba to be a possibility, but that isn’t happening. Warner Bros. wants a guaranteed money maker in their tentpoleSupermanfranchise, not to have equality discussions in Hollywood or fire up the fan base. The new actor will not be expensive. The studio will search for an unknown, or someone relatively famous that can be locked into a long term contract.
Any actor playingSupermanhas to fit his body type. They must be over six feet tall, have a muscular build, and have the acting chops to portray the gawky Clark Kent alter ego as well. Jon Hamm and Armie Hammer are popular choices. Jon Hamm is too old for the part at forty-seven. Armie Hammer is a good actor who’s certainly tall, but just doesn’t strike me asSuperman. Watch Hammer alongside Cavill inThe Man from U.N.C.L.E.for reference. I loved Christopher Reeve and Brandon Routh, but their interpretations ofSupermanmay be outdated. I believe that Warner Bros. will be looking for an edgier, more rugged actor as a reflection of the times. Someone who can kick superhero ass, but is attractive and versatile enough to win over that all important youth demographic. The picks below are not popular choices. They are five talented character actors with the physical and emotional gravitas to portray the greatest hero in the DC Universe.
5Tom Hopper
Tom Hopper is not a household name, but a well regarded British actor with excellent television credits. I first became familiar with Tom Hopper from his role as William “Billy Bones” Manderly onBlack Sails. Anyone who’s seen that show knows his character is absolutely shredded, kicks serious ass, and has earnest integrity. Hopper also played the honorable, but doomed Dickon Tarly on HBO’sGame of Thrones. He was roasted to cinders by Daenerys Targaryen last season. Hopper would be excellent as Clark Kent andSuperman.
4Boyd Holbrook
Boyd Holbrook is the star ofThe Predator. He is probably most famous for the Netflix seriesNarcos. Holbrook is known for playing dark and sinister characters, but has significant acting range. He has had memorable roles inBeyond the Candelabra,Hatfields & McCoys, andMilk. Holbrook may seem like an odd choice, but can play tough and sentimental.
3Garrett Hedlund
IM:NYg4pwTaYqTHWbm9EUAyeTFZWWovvbU|Garrett Hedlund as Superman
Garrett Hedlund’s feature film debut was opposite Brad Pitt inTroy. He has the physique to star in a swords and sandals epic, but guided his career with more interesting choices. FromFriday Night Lightsto last year’s rivetingMudbound, Hedlund is a serious actor that can carry a big budget film.Tron Legacywas mediocre at best, but Garrett Hedlund proved he had the starpower for an effects extravaganza. Hedlund would bring real depth toSuperman.
2Jamie Dornan
Jamie Dornan is the star of theFifty Shades of Greyfranchise. Don’t hold that against him, although Warner Bros. would be ecstatic to have the newSupermandraw a mammoth female audience. Dornan is extremely talented and versatile. He was amazing as the serial killer Paul Spector in the BBC crime dramaThe Fall. I also loved Dornan in the gripping World War II thrillerAnthropoid, about the Czech exiles that killed the evil Nazi Reinhard Heydrich. Dornan stands exactly six feet tall, and would have to bulk up, but would be fantastic asSuperman/Clark Kent.
1Adam Driver
Wait a second…what…Kylo Ren asSuperman? Yes, Adam Driver would be tremendous asSuperman, and add a completely believable dimension to Clark Kent. Follow this logic. Once upon a time, Nicolas Cage was going to be a very differentSuperman. Warner Bros. should think out of the box and choose an actor with that kind of presence. Adam Driver may not be as classically handsome as previousSupermanactors, but he is absolutely magnetic on screen. Driver has the height, build, and toughness to convincingly portray theMan of Steel. But imagine him as Clark Kent, tall, gangly, and stringy haired with glasses. Slick the hair back, clean shaven, sans spectacles, his facial features would be strikingly different asSuperman. Driver continually surprises as an actor. He can easily play a hipster onGirls, an undercover detective inBlack Klansman, and unstable, lightsaber wielding badass inStar Wars. Adam Driver would be a revolutionary choice asSuperman.
