SUPERMAN: BIRTHRIGHT
Based on Mark Waid's brilliant take on the Man of Steel's origins, Birthright is a modern retelling of how Clark Kent "became" Superman.
The only difference I'd make is I would change the Kryptonian General from a common Earth mercenary/actor to it being Lex in a facial cloaking disguise based on General Zodd from Kryptonian archives (played by an awesome Karl Urban cameo). During the battle, the cloaking would fail and Superman would see it's actually Lex in a "power" suit. Lex would cause a distraction involving Lois falling from the building and when Superman flies off to save her, Lex would retreat back to his lab and then the film and book would coincide from there…same ending and all.
Eddie Cibrian, Rose Byrne, Bret Harrison, Cirian Hind, Zachary Quinto
Clark Kent/Superman –
Eddie Cibrian – I don't normally make it a habit of selecting model-turned-actors as major leads or characters…but every now and then, one of them will catch my eye and really impress me. Cibrian is this exception. I first noticed him way back when during his stint on
Baywatch Nights. Yes…that show. But where he really impressed me was during NBC's
Third Watch. So taking a cue from Donner and Singer's book…I wanna go with an unknown (or relative unknown from a Hollywood standpoint). Cibrian has the look and build (with a slight bulk up plan) to fill the blue tights. Coupled with his natural charm, he'll have no problem channeling the shy, farmboy Kent role…and from what I hear, once you put on the Superman costume…you take on a whole new air of confidence. I see him coming off a bit more serious than Dean Cain's Superman…but not as somber as Routh's.
Lois Lane –
Rose Byrne – 2 words: FX's
Damages. I am so serious about this. She has the look, the tenacity, ferocity and vulnerability of Lois Lane. Ourchair has stated that this casting is more brilliant than I realize. Not gonna argue.
Jimmy Olsen –
Bret Harrison – There's something about Bret Harrison that says young and immature like Jimmy. But then there's something about him that screams "on the verge of being his own man"…much like James Olsen. I think this X factor along with his great comedic timing make him a great cast for Olsen. Catch a few episodes of CW's
Reaper and you'll see that he's talented enough to hold his own against such iconic counterparts like Superman and Lois, without trying always to steal the show.
Perry White –
Cirian Hind – I'm counting on Hinds' to really steal the show as Perry. I want him serious and constantly telling Lois and Clark that they've got no clue on what it was like to cut your teeth as a journalist when he was coming up…only to begrudgingly succumb to Lois' natural talent as a writer. In my version, Pa Kent is dead and Hinds' will take on the role of Clark's figurative father figure without Perry really even knowing.
Lex Luthor –
Zachary Quinto – First…with Luthor being bald…I'm expecting Quinto's Peter Gallagher-like eyebrows to be prominent throughout the film. Fans of NBC's
Heroes can attest to Quinto being the only consistently awesome thing of whom we cannot get enough of.
Alternate Casting
Brandon Routh, Rose Byrne, Adam Brody, Brian Cox, Michael Rosenbaum
Clark Kent/Superman –
Brandon Routh – Say what you will about
Superman Returns, but I think Routh did great as Singer's Superman. Keyword is
Singer's. I think to avoid alienating fans and average movie-goers as well as putting the film into production/casting hell, recasting Superman would be a major mistake. Personally, a few costume changes aside, Routh was great as Superman. It's Clark that he failed to really capture. I think if Routh was allowed to loosen up and not try to solemnly imitate Christopher Reeve and just be
Birthright's normal Clark Kent, he'd really capture the role perfectly and we can really see a Superman for the 21st century. For a great example of Routh loosened up and having fun, just see Kevin Smith's
Zack and Miri Make A Porno.
Lois Lane –
Rose Byrne – Yes I'm sticking with her. It's too perfect to change.
Jimmy Olsen –
Adam Brody – Although Routh would be allowed to cut loose in this film and portray a "normal" person in this version of Superman…I'd like to use sarcastic Brody to counteract any excessive stoicism on Routh's behalf. I'd really like to have this Jimmy be his own entity. Sure he's still the young pup learning the ropes of reporting…but when Lois calls him Jimmy, I want there to be a slight sarcastic quip coming from Olsen like, "It's…James. You know…what my mom named me. I have a birth certificate confirming this!" All while Lois is still ignoring him. Brody's natural easy going attitude will be a perfect addition to this "heavy" tale of destiny.
Perry White –
Brian Cox – Brian screaming at everyone the entire film and then saying "Great Cesar's Ghost" once he lays eyes on the alien invasion. Then right back to yelling at everyone and chastising them for running for their lives instead of reporting. You ****ing love it and you know it!
Lex Luthor –
Michael Rosenbaum – One of the few things that
Smallville got right. After several years of being Lex and being surrounded by so much Superman lore with
Justice League Unlimited, why not bring Rosenbaum to the big show. Have him bring his version of Luthor (only 5x more ruthless and maniacal) to the big screen. The only big difference between the 2 versions is that
Smallville's version doesn't have Lex as the brilliant astrobiologist. Fixed easily.
Whew! Now that
that's done. I'll get around to commenting on everyone's casts later.
