Who Should Be The Next Superman?

[sher]

CHRISTIAN BALE

STATUS Bale was once considered a front-runner to play Batman to Jude Law's Superman in the now shelved ''Batman vs. Superman'' project. Who's to say this buff Brit couldn't swap the black cape and pointy mask for red and blue spandex?

SUPERHERO CRED None, and maybe that's why he's the best choice: He hasn't worn out his action hero credibility yet.

PRO Shirtless turns in ''American Psycho'' and ''Reign of Fire'' that showcased abs of steel prove Bale, 28, has the look; and his disheveled journalist in ''Velvet Goldmine'' is sooo Clark Kent.

CON One might argue his British accent (though well concealed) is a strike against him, but then again, Superman wasn't really American, was he?

VERDICT He's got the beefcake pinup factor (and ferocious Internet following) that would guarantee a considerable female crossover audience, but Bale has yet to find his breakout role. Warner Bros. would be wise to persuade him that this is it.

*source: http://www.ew.com/ew/article/comment...should,00.html

[sher]

BILLY CAMPBELL

STATUS ''Superman'' director Ratner hinted that he might cast an unknown or lower-profile lead, and ''Once and Again'''s Campbell popped up as a contender.

SUPERHERO CRED He earned his flying wings in 1991's ''The Rocketeer.''

PRO At 6'4'' and with a well-toned bod, he fits the bill physically. He can do nice-guy Clark Kent without even blinking (think ''Once and Again''), but take off the glasses and muss the hair and he's a battle-ready Superman. He's 43 years old, but wears those years well and could easily play mid-30s.

CON ''Billy Campbell as Superman'' certainly doesn't have the marketing ring that some of his competitors might bring.

VERDICT The disappointing ''Rocketeer'' ($46 million in U.S. box office) grounded Campbell's career before it took off, but a role like this would work wonders for the versatile actor, who's since polished his acting chops on television and the big screen. Of course, Warner Bros. isn't likely to see it that way.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,356656~1||233612|1~0~sh ouldbillycampbellplay,00.html

[sher]

MATT DAMON

STATUS Back when director Wolfgang Petersen was scouting potential superheroes for ''Batman vs. Superman,'' he cited Damon, 31, as the type of performer ''who can really act and give complexity and emotions'' to the character.

SUPERHERO CRED The Academy Award winner only recently got to play an action hero, in ''The Bourne Identity''...to mixed reviews.

PRO His prep-school charm and well-coiffed (albeit dirty blond) hair work in his favor as Kent. Think Tom Ripley (''The Talented Mr. Ripley'') -- minus that whole sociopathic killer thing.

CON He'd have to play Superman, too. Hard to imagine.

VERDICT This is the sort of predictable career move that Damon buddy director Kevin Smith satirized in ''Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back.'' It didn't go over so well in that film, and in this case, life would most likely imitate art.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,356659~1||233612|1~0~sh ouldmattdamonplay,00.html

[sher]

JOSH HARTNETT

STATUS When Jude Law reportedly bailed on ''Batman vs. Superman,'' rumors had Hartnett lined up to take his place...until that film was benched indefinitely.

SUPERHERO CRED He battled aliens in ''The Faculty,'' showed superheroic willpower in ''40 Days and 40 Nights,'' and played a tough guy in ''Black Hawk Down.''

PRO Hartnett's a mere 24 years old, and Warner Bros. no doubt likes the idea of a youngster who'd be around for years and years of prequels, sequels, and spin-offs. And, hey! Christopher Reeve was just 25 when he landed ''Superman.''

CON He may be 24, but he looks even younger -- and perhaps more suited to play Clark Kent's youthful reporter pal Jimmy Olsen. Plus, if the script ends up with a Superman in his 30s, Hartnett (who passed as a prep school teen in ''O'' just a few years ago) just ain't the guy.

VERDICT Hartnett told EW.com earlier this year that he yearned to steer clear of spandex-heavy roles. ''The superhero stuff was never really my thing,'' he said. ''I've turned down every superhero [role] I've been offered.'' Still, considering his popularity and box office appeal, producers may want to persuade him to wear the tights.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,356660~1||233612|1~0~sh ouldjoshhartnettplay,00.html

[sher]

JUDE LAW

STATUS Word is Law, 29, had the Superman role in the now-stalled ''Batman vs. Superman'' project all but sewn up...until the deal unraveled over sequel obligations.

SUPERHERO CRED The closest thing would be his supernatural turn as a vampire (hey, vampires fly too) in ''The Wisdom of Crocodiles.'' But he's never seemed comfortable the few times he's been put in harm's way.

PRO Uh...he's cute? Plus, Law is arguably the most talented of the lot -- and a bona fide actor can only be good for the franchise.

CON Law's frail figure in a form-fitting Superman suit would look... well, less than super. No one's ever called this vegetarian ripped, strong, or even toned. Of course, Tobey Maguire overcame the same issues to play a pretty convincing Spidey.

VERDICT Warner Bros. may be better off without him. Despite critical acclaim, Law's few leading parts haven't exactly filled seats: Last year's ''Enemy at the Gates'' mustered only $51 million.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,356667~1||233612|1~0~sh ouldjudelawplay,00.html

[sher]

HEATH LEDGER

STATUS Ratner recently hinted that his Superman might be in his 20s. And is there a twentysomething hotter than Ledger at the moment?

SUPERHERO CRED With ''The Patriot,'' ''A Knight's Tale,'' and ''The Four Feathers,'' he's seen his fair share of action.

PRO For the age group Ratner may want, Ledger is decidedly high profile: Think ''Smallville'''s Tom Welling done up A-list style.

CON The weight room is Ledger's Kryptonite, which may pose a slight problem for the scrawny 23-year-old (don't let those puffy period shirts deceive you). For the recent ''Four Feathers,'' he claims he quit pumping iron after just one session. Also, he's never really been able to hide his thick Aussie accent.

VERDICT The press-shy (and recently hair-shy) heartthrob seems unlikely to take on a role that would surely have him locked into press junkets and talk show interviews for years (and sequels) to come.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,356671~1||233612|1~0~sh ouldheathledgerplay,00.html

[sher]

KEANU REEVES

STATUS When Warner Bros. switched gears from ''Batman vs. Superman'' to simply ''Superman,'' Joel Silver allegedly expressed interest in taking a crack at producing the project, and reports soon had his ''Matrix'' star in line for the role.

SUPERHERO CRED Reeves has three ''Matrix'' movies (and the rather un-super ''Johnny Mnemonic'') worth of superhero-like ass-kicking under his belt.

PRO A youthful-looking 38 years old, Reeves has the loner quality that superheroes tend to possess, and his well-greased widow's peak (à la ''Devil's Advocate'') is dead on for the Man of Steel. Furthermore, Clark Kent was never much of a talker, a trait shared by Keanu.

CON He's grungy, not Clark Kent squeaky-clean; and he's simply got too much Ted ''Theodore'' Logan left in him.

VERDICT Before ''The Matrix,'' even the IDEA of Reeves as Superman might have induced uproarious laughter, but in the wake of the monumental sci-fi actioner, Reeves + Warner Bros. = box office superpower. Plus, he's got the name for it: George Reeves, Christopher Reeve...

[sher]

PATRICK ("WHO?") WHARBURTON

STATUS Warburton is a true dark horse entry, with a following of Web nuts campaigning online.

SUPERHERO CRED See ''The Tick.'' But this 37-year-old has also voiced Buzz Lightyear in several ''Toy Story'' direct-to-video sequels and...Superman, himself, in the Jerry Seinfeld/American Express commercial of a few years ago.

PRO This ''Seinfeld'' alum (he played Elaine's on-again, off-again boy toy, Puddy) was virtually born to play the Man of Steel, or at least a comic version of him. The jutting jaw...the squared shoulders...the Wall Street WASP-y voice.

CON Taking this guy seriously as Superman would be difficult, considering the goof-offs and humorously tough knuckleheads he's played for most of his career. And box office-wise, he's about as bankable as Carrot Top.

VERDICT Warburton has nothing to lose, but Warner Bros. does. Don't be surprised if the studio treats this fan favorite as if he were made of Kryptonite.

http://www.ew.com/ew/article/commentary/0,6115,356675~1||233612|1~0~sh ouldpatrickwarburtonplay,00.ht ml

[BravoFan]

These are hysterical!

[sher]

i thought so, too, BF!

but none is so perfect for superman as my superman!

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