The efforts to reboot Superman are picking up some steam now, which is good because they are on a little bit of a schedule. With Christopher Nolan overseeing the project to make sure good decisions are being made in the franchise’s best interest, rumour is now saying he is close to naming his brother Jonathan Nolan as director.
This latest rumor comes from Geek Tyrant, who claim their sources “on the lot” have informed them that Jonathan Nolan (Christopher Nolan’s brother) is currently the “unannounced director” of the new Superman movie. The other Nolan has been rumored to be up for the gig ever since his brother came onboard to sort of “godfather” the project with writer David Goyer.
There is rumour that the deal to have Nolan godfather the Superman reboot included him naming his brother Director, so it would be a shame for Jon Nolan to get the gig because his big brother strong armed him the job. But if he does the film justice I won’t complain.
And another rumour flying around in Superman’s pajamas is the casting for big blue himself. Right now the buzz says TV’s Chuck star Zachary Levi!
I really dig Zachary Levi. If it was up to me, I’d halt everything right here and sign the guy up to play Superman. One thing Levi brings to the table that Routh didn’t is instant charisma. You can’t help but like the guy. If you’ve watched the TV show Chuck, then you’re familiar with Levi — you know he can do the clumsy, fish-out-of-water thing — but at the end of the day he’s got a great contemporary Clark Kent look going on, and he’s definitely capable of turning on the action if need be.
I really like the idea of Zachary Levi as Superman, and it would be a casting full circle as Brandon Routh currently stars on his show Chuck.
But I worry about Levi as Kent. Sure he can do the nerdy awkward thing, and it works for him in spades on Chuck, but I don’t want Chuck to be Superman. Can Levi distance himself from Chuck’s socially awkward? Can he do a different socially awkward that is more Clark Kent?
I am very curious about the potential casting of Levi in the role, and if they go with it I will assume that they saw something that put them at ease with him in it. Remember, Nolan is overseeing this and he has final veto on any decisions.
if you want someone who has the small-town to big city kind of look and who is bulked up I’d suggest Daniel Cudmore, the guy that played Colossus in the X-Men movies. think about it he has the big square jaw and he is the right age. I know nobody wants an actor to jump Marvel to DC, but it wouldn’t be the first time (Ryan Renolds. Hally Berry) and he plaid a small role in the movies anyway. Nolan likes to change characters up and make them more real life people, Kent could be more of a loner instead of a nerdy geek.
I am a big fan of the show Chuck! Zachari Levi would make a great Superman I think!
Not saying there aren’t better choices, but dangit it just sounds right to me.
I don’t think Levy would be a good choice. I still think that Brandon Routh is the best choice.
A lot of people seem to want Routh back for Superman. I’d also take him over Levi any day. Hopefully he gets another chance.
It’s about who you know. It’s about what you know to last.
I think Joe Manganiello could pull off supes. I mean honestly,can we, for once, get a dude who fills the spadex like the Man of Steel should! Every live action supes is a disappointment to what the comics and then the cartoons brought us.
Joe Manganiello is all beef and might look good in the supertights, but there is no way that guy can pull off meek and awkward.
well if they are straying from the Donner version he wouldn’t have to be awkward.
NO! :( Not Zachery Levi! I want Brandon Routh!
I agree on most points that you make about Levi and I would hope they don’t make Clark Kent a geek, never read the comics but IMO he’s someone who should be smart, funny educated just someone who is a boyscout, an innocent that has yet to become cynical though the daily grind from our urban lifestyle.
He’s should be that awe shucks kid that moves from the country to the big bad city and that’s it. I don’t think there needs to be this big contrast between Kent and Superman and if that’s the case then I think Levi is the perfect fit for Clark Kent.
As for Levi as Superman, I just don’t know. He’s a tall dude with a decent build that could bulk up and look more the part but from watching Chuck I also know he’s not very athletic as his fight scenes look fake as he doesn’t move athletically.
I love Zach Levi as Chuck, but I agree that he is no Supes. I just finished reading Brian K. Vaughn’s Y The Last Man series for the second time and think that Yorick is a part perfect for Levi.
what films does are credited to Jon Nolan? I’m team Routh.
He has not directed a film yet, but he is the genious mind who wrote Memento the film that made Christopher famous, and he has colaborated in writting the screen play for the batman movies. In the behind the scenes feture of Memento Jonathan talks about how he and his brother complement each other when they work together cause they are so different yet have similar vision for their projects. I think Jonathan will do a fantastic job specailly with David Goyer writing the Story and Christopher Nolan keeping a close eye on the whole thing.
@”He has not directed a film yet, but he is the genious mind who wrote Memento the film that made Christopher famous, and he has colaborated in writting the screen play for the batman movies.”
So? Writing a screenplay, and directing a film are two different things.
@”. In the behind the scenes feture of Memento Jonathan talks about how he and his brother complement each other when they work together cause they are so different yet have similar vision for their projects.”
They’re brothers of course they’re gonna compliment each other.
I’m sorry, but they need someone who has experience directing a film. The only reason Jon Nolan is even being considered is because of Chris. If it weren’t for him, WB wouldn’t give him a chance.
Ok I can’t Reply to you matt for some reason.
Listen, they already got an experienced director to do a superman movie remember? Bryan Singer. Fans loved him for the X-men movies, everybody thought he would make an awesome superman movie, ahh guess what?!?!? It was a horrible rendition of Sup. Yeah it was a well put movie the story held together the scenes ware ok. Did people like it??? Yeah, Like 3 % of people who saw it (this is the actual stats by the way). If Christopher Nolan wants his brother to direct it is because he know Jonathan will keep it true to what Christopher has in mind for superman without trying to do his own thing and messing it up like the last superman movie. The great thing about Christopher is that he can tell a good story, he can make all the characters interact and bring something to the plate, also he understands the characters and how they react and why the are what they are, he has done a great job with batman he will do the same thing with Sup. Jonathan is the perfect candidate because he understands his brother well enough to know not to try and change anything he comes up with. Yes he is a screenwriter and its not the same thing as directing but it involves visualizing the scenes and he does that very well if anything he might bring more light to the film and not make it as dark as the Batman films….. P.S. don’t question the Nolan.
I like Levi, but he’s not Superman. Superman is the cool good looking guy who is perfect that pretends to be goofy and not so perfect when he’s Clark Kent. Not the other way around. I think a bulked up Matthew Goode would be perfect for Superman.
I don’t see Levi in the part. I just don’t. I would hope for someone like Jonathan Ryhs Meyers. But, if the Nolans really wanted a specific actor and signed that actor? That’s good enough for me.
My vote if for Routh.
I agree, there’s much love for Routh here it seems. Studios should stop worrying that people won’t be able to understand that it’s a reboot with the same actor and not a continuation of the movie and give him the role. He was perfect!
Routh is Supes! Give him one more chance!
Team Routh all the way. he was amazing. and if they wanted him to play the character differently i have full confidence that he could do it. the man IS SUPERMAN!
Levi definitely has the Clark Kent part down to a science with his Chuck persona but Superman??? I just don’t see it. Superman has a powerful gravitas to him that I haven’t seen Levi demonstrate at all yet. Jon Hamm really is the closest there is out there to a prototypical Superman, especially the Kingdom Come version of him, and I could see him pulling off the Clark Kent persona in his sleep. If the Nolans really are serious about grounding this franchise alongside the reality of the Dark Knight universe then Hamm is the only true way to go.
I like Jonathan Nolan as director, however Im not sold on Levi as Superman, cant put my finger on it exactly, but I dont look at him and think “Superman”. Oh how I wish they would keep Routh! He is perfect and I think he does have the charm and charisma neccesary for the role. After Returns, he IS Superman to me.
I’d like to see Mad Men’s John Hamm take up the role. I think he’d kill it.
Dave, I agree with your pick. I was just thinking that the other day…
I watched a rerun when he guest starred in 30Rock and his character was really funny…awkardly funny alongside Tina Fey. I can totally see him kinda do this for Clark Kent. As for Supes…he can bulk up…has the looks already…and he would nail Supes boy-scout charm and action side…
As for dear Chuck…please no no no. I don’t hate the guy, I love his Chuck series and what he does there…but c’mon really? Supes? I’m not saying he would be bad. But I think people will have a hard time getting used to the idea that this Chuck guy will be Superman (the most popular/iconic superhero of all time).
Oh well, we’ll see…but hey Dave, good idea.
Cheers
PS – what do you guys think of Dean Cain? i kid i kid. jaja
I second everything you just said. But, even though I was bored to tears by the last Superman, I loved Routh as both Sup and Clark. I don’t understand why studios think average moviegoers would be too stupid to separate the two movies if the character is played by the same actor. Anyway thumb down for the Levi casting. Hope it doesn’t happen.