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Best Actor/Actress Who Has Played A Superhero

posted 7 years ago by R_Kane (15828)
26 replies | jump to latest

We all know that we're awash is a sea of superhero movies and TV shows. Why? Because they make money. Why do they make money? Largely because they have a built-in, pre-sold audience, often referred to as fanboys. Superhero programming is a lot like porn. It doesn't have to be very good. It just has to be, and the fans are happy. And, like porn, the actors don't really have to be very good. They might be movie stars, like Chris Hemsworth or Scarlett Johansson, but most fans don't care that they're not much in the acting department. A lot of folks who've played X-Men haven't really been much of anything and the fans still bought it. I am NOT decrying this situation; but what I am saying is that there have been a few really good actors who have played supers, and this topic is here to recognize them.

I think Michael Shannon is an exceptional actor and that his General Zod was the best thing in Man of Steel. Terrance Stamp's General Zod was not the best thing in Superman II, but he was ONE of the best things in a movie that, even with the studio changing the directors mid-steam, is in every way better than Man of Steel. Stamp is an actor who has shined over decades.

I nominate James McAvoy as Professor X, and also Patrick Stewart, playing the same role, and Ian McKellan as Magneto, and Michael Fassbender as Magneto. Interesting that the two eminance grise of the X-Men movies have been so carefully cast, isn't it?

I nominate Edward Norton as The Hulk, and Tim Roth as The SuperHulk.

If we can agree that James Bond is a superhero--and, if Batman is, then so is Bond--I nominate Sean Connery.

Although her appearances have been, to date, limited, I nominate Gal Gadot for actually making me believe that she IS Wonder Woman. She just inhabits the role.

But the one I think is the best? The one who brought literally everything the role required, has been loved long after his death, and was a real, multi-faceted actor, and who was, not for nothing, a real-life superhero? You already know who I mean: Christoper Reeve, Superman. I have four words: what courage, and dignity.

Now it's your turn. They don't really have to be heroes. They just have to be super.

[–] 000 (474) 7 years ago

clooney?

[–] bravo_bravo (187) 7 years ago

For me, this question begins and ends with only one answer... Yes,

Christopher Reeve in Superman (1978)

The epitome of superhero for me. His Superman was a proper hero, and his Clark Kent a gentleman. It was a great call to depict masculinity with not only strength and courage, but also gentleness and vulnerability. He was superhuman *and* human, he had nerve *and* heart. And rarely if ever has devotion to your loved one been this heroic ([spoiler]What does he do when the woman he loves dies, but go back in time in answer? He literally moved heaven and earth to save someone. Hard to top that.[/spoiler]). But most gutsy and genius of all is his innocence. I never saw any of the Superman sequels, but at least in the original Superman, he managed to hold on to the part of him that's pure. I admire that.

He was also the first superhero (and probably the first hero) I ever saw in movies. And from what I've read about his life, he was a great human being, too.

[–] bravo_bravo (187) 7 years ago

[deleted]

[–] R_Kane (15828) 7 years ago

That's a great post. Thank you. First, thank you for your research into the foundations of Chris basing his Clark Kent on Cary Grant. I've an older friend who dated Cary, so I know that he was the epitome of a gentleman. Remember, to be a gentleman, you must first be a MAN. Cary Grant was born into a Cockney family that lived on the London docks. He wanted to better himself, so he would go to movies that had gentlemen in them, and learned how gentlemen behave and present themselves. Kal-El, the fundamental character Chris portrayed, had to study humans and learn how to present himself as one of us. To me, this is inspired acting at the same level as Heath Ledger channeling Jack Lemmon, one of THE greatest comic actors in film of all time, as The Joker, or Johnny Depp channeling Keith Richards as Captain Jack Sparrow, but done decades before either of these guys. Your comments about the importance of the Clark Kent side of Kal-El's earthly persona resonate with me powerfully. It's been many years since I've seen any
of the Reeves Superman movies; but I've a vivid recollection of his Clark Kent, whereas I have no memory whatsoever of what the fuck Henry Cavill did with Clark Kent, other than (as Superman, not Kent) telling Batman their mothers were both named Martha. That is beyond sad. Chris's Kent has a (memorable) sweetness, kindness and goodness that makes the REAL Ubermensch a true hero. I think that you have identified a real criterion fior evaluating, from a critical perspective, the true worth of a superhero character in any medium: is s/he super, first and foremost, or is s/he made of flesh and blood, and can bleed, and fights nonetheless? The obvious choice is the latter.

[–] bravo_bravo (187) 7 years ago

p.s. This thread got me reading up a bit on Reeve's work on Superman on Wikipedia; apparently he had "based his portrayal of Clark Kent on Cary Grant in his role in 'Bringing Up Baby'." Grant happens to be one of my favorite actors and "Bringing Up Baby" one of my favorite movies. Always nice seeing a convergence of favorites.

I also read about casting director Lynn Stalmaster's efforts to get Reeve the opportunity:

Lynn Stalmaster, the casting director, put Reeve's picture and résumé on the top of the pile three separate times, only to have the producers throw it out each time. Through Stalmaster's persistent pleading, a meeting between director Richard Donner, producer Ilya Salkind, and Reeve was set in January 1977 at the Sherry Netherland Hotel on Fifth Avenue.

So, thank you to Mr. Stalmaster.

[–] Renovatio (2990) 7 years ago

Bale... Solid actor, not that you need it in Batman movies...

He's ao good in nearly every movie he's in...

[–] R_Kane (15828) 7 years ago

I agree. Bale rocks hard in his movies. Love American Hustle and American Pycho; also, though not quite as much, Reign Of Fire. One of the owners of the Hard Rock Cafe (wow, how much did we lose when Jim Morrison died?) once said that their food was better than it needed to be. I agree with your statement, absolutely, but I think that having acting that is better than what it needs to be in a comic book series is what distinguishes Nolan's Batman series and Christopher Reeve's Superman characterization. Reeves got stuck with two bad scripts and one bad director change in Superman II, but his acting was always right on the money. Brandon Routh? I like the guy, but no comparison to Chris Reeve. Henry Cavill? Who? Being better than what you need to be is what distinguishes class from mediocrity.

Not disagreeing with you in any way. Just elaborating on the spirit of this topic.

[–] Renovatio (2990) 7 years ago

👍

[–] Wint3rFir3 (7400) 7 years ago

Sir Patrick Stewart as Professor X. Love him as that, he's iconic as that character. Also I love Chris Pine as Steve Trevor, Wesley Snipes as Blade and Charlie Cox as Daredevil.

I like some actresses who've played superheroes, like Rebecca Romijn and Gal Gadot stand out to me. But we haven't had many repeat movie female superheroes - so I don't know if they're the best. I'd even say this about the actors.

[–] Stratego (31087) 7 years ago

Michael Keaton is an unattractive Bruce Wayne, but he's a great Batman.