Director Zack Snyder, screenwriters Christopher Nolan (who also will serve as the film’s producer) and David S. Goyer have picked their new Superman with the blessing of DC Comics and Warner Bros., and to the chagrin of many fans it won’t be Brandon Routh nor will the iconic Kryptonian hero who fights for “truth justice and the American way” be American. Henry Cavill, 27, the young British actor will don the Man of Steel’s cape and the famous Clark Kent spectacles.
Past credits for Cavill include a stupendous performance as Charles Brandon in the highly-acclaimed, award-winning Showtime serial “The Tudors,” which can currently be seen again on BBC America. It was announced by Warner that Cavill was always a main contender for the role in “Superman Returns,” but Routh beat him out for the role. While the studio was pleased with Routh’s portrayal of Superman, particularly his look on screen, execs weren’t pleased with the end product and admitted that the movie and box office “didn’t quite work … in the way that we wanted it to.” However, they insist that isn’t the reason Routh was passed over over for this next film. They say they were wanting a younger look and feel to the next movie and desired a twenty-something actor who could not only sell it, but continue on for more films should this one be a success and this led them back to Cavill.
Cavill follows in the footsteps of another British actor chosen for a well-known American comic icon after Brit-raised Andrew Garfield was chosen to star as Spiderman.
No hints were given about the next Superman script but a studio spokesperson announced a projected release date of December 2012. With the end of the world occurring on December 21, 2012 perhaps Superman will come to this planet’s rescue yet one more time.
Cavill can be seen in 2011 in the action fantasy film “The Immortals” also starring Mickey Rourke and John Hurt.
On top of two Englishmen playing Spider-Man and Superman, you’ve got a Welshman playing Batman.
Gives me hope that someday an American will play The Doctor, lol
For once a person from UK, is NOT playing the villian.
Not a bad choice for Superman. As for an American playing Dr. Who (lol) never happen.
I disagree. I could see an American playing The Doctor or even James Bond in the future. Accents can be faked. At first, I had no idea Hugh Laurie wasn’t American. John Barrowman hides his accent as Captain Jack very well. I’d rather see an actor get a role based on his talent rather than his place of birth. I am disappointed Routh isn’t playing Superman. Cavill can probably pull it off though.
He very much looks the part.
I am curious as to how it is that so many British actors have been chosen to portray the stolid American comic book heroes? And, how on earth did they not choose John Barrowman for Capt. America?
Barrowman was under consideration for Captain America, but I think with the American renewal of the Torchwood series things changed.
They say this version of Superman will be made more contemporary…
Does that mean that Superman will be French instead of American? Since its bad to be related to America in anyway these days? Not too mention, they are trying to get more money from overseas sales rather than domestically…
I don’t have much hope that this movie will be any good… Sad to say but its been the trend lately.
I have a little more confidence in this one since Chris Nolan is on board as co-writer and producer.
I hope the reboot has a reboot. Superman’s alter ego Clark Kent hasn’t been a loser since the mid 80s, when John Byrne did the reboot of the paperbased comic.
I did figure that the Smallville crew would migrate into the big screen.
I was hoping Brandon was going to be apart of the new mobie..But even though Superman Returns didn’t do so well he still is the best Superman for the part. I hope the new actor does a great job,looking forward to the movie in 2012..