Wow… things have actually been pretty quite here on the “tear Hollywood a new one” front, but this story puts the powers that be right in my sights once again. According to a recent interview with Will Smith, he was offered the iconic role of Superman in Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns before it was offered to Brandon Routh.
Thankfully, Smith had the presence of mind to turn it down.
According to MTV:
“There is no way I’m playing Superman!’ Because I had already done Jim West [of 'Wild Wild West'], and you can’t be messing up white people’s heroes in Hollywood! You mess up white people’s heroes in Hollywood, you’ll never work in this town again!”
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Well, I don’t know about never working in Hollywood again, but would there be an outcry?
Are you kidding?
The only thing I’d like to know is what brilliant Hollywood mind floated that idea? I mean heck, maybe they could have suggested Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to play Muhammed Ali instead of Smith in Ali. I’m sure there might be a bit of controversy had that been the case.
This is complete speculation, but I’m wondering if there’s any chance it was director Bryan Singer who floated the idea… after all he didn’t have a problem with making Superman the father of an out-of-wedlock child.
I’m actually quite glad that Will Smith dipped his toe in the superhero genre with Hancock - I only wish the studio had kept their hands out of it and allowed the film to be released as an R-rated film as originally intended. I’m sure it would have turned out to be a better film.
This whole story is just a plain head-shaker as far as I’m concerned.
Source: MTV via ComicBookMovie
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30 Comments
“Superman Returns is a beautiful film.”
Uh, nothing personal, but if I want to see “a beautiful film” I’ll let my wife drag me to some Victorian era chick-flick.
Vic
Batz: Kind of: I’m aware of John Henry Irons but even an intended black version of Superman didn’t work. What has Shaq done since then? But then again, comparing Shaq’s stage presence to Will Smith’s is about like comparing their NBA careers.
Steel is something I still think could work on the big screen. Maybe that’s a franchise that needs a reboot/remake/reimagining.
Totally disagree with the guy who said X-3 was bad…no-way, this film was my fave X-Men movie…tighter…great effects…good cast…I don’t know why some folk took this view it was poor…and wasn’t it a smash at the box office too!?!I rest my case!!!
I want to see another Superman movie too,but like Spiderman,they got to give us something new and different or they risk flushing the worlds biggest heroes down the pan.
I don’t believe this. Wil is just saying this for hype purposes only. Superman is such an iconic character, they wouldn’t dare cast Smith in the role. Just too far off the mark. Dwayne “rock” Johnson for Capt. Marvel maybe. But Wil Smith as Supes? Gimme a break. BTW, the Superman franchise is one large snoozefest. They need to jettison the whole Superman/Messiah stuff. It shackles the character and prevents him from any type of growth because he’s supposedly perfect. Batman works so well because of the contrast between his perfect crimefighting skills and psychological complexities…
I actually really like Brandon Routh as I thoiught he did a fine job in Superman Returns. I have givin some though to Dwayne (THE ROCK) Johnson if WB wanted to try something a litte different. He’s certainly is one likeable guy! Singers Superman film is flawed but it’s still good in my opinion.The next Superman movie needs a villian other than Lex Luthor.
I’m sure Routh is a great guy. But as Superman, he was too effeminate for me. They should’ve gone with a more rugged type. Its bad enough that the guy wear tights resembling pantyhose, did they have to cast some guy who looks like he belongs in an Abercrombie & Fitch advertisment? Reminds me of former Houston, Texans quarterback David Carr. Great looking dude, but couldn’t play ball. The same hold true for Routh in Superman. Chris Reeve was a rarity…he could play macho and sensitive at the same time…not too many other guys can pull that off
Carter,
I’m with you, bud. I would LOVE to see someone cast that fits the look as Alex Ross depicts Superman.
Vic
Zipper Stevens: And I agree with you! I would have understood that the Steel movie didn’t dwell any into the Superman angle. But the core of the character, I.E. “Make it count” could have been presserved. Saw the movie the other day on Youtube. Man, John Henry is essentially a mix between Shaft and MR T. When what he SHOULD be is a smart engineer who knows he can’t get the job done with just strenght.
~Forgive me for this…~
Now this is the story all about how/
My life got flipped, turned upside down;
And I’d like to take a minute, just sit there, Miss
I’ll tell you how I became the toast of this fine Metropolis…
In a podunk town, Smallville, found and raised/
In the barnyard is where I spent most of my days….
Cleanin’ stalls out, geekin’, peekin’ like a fool,
Usin’ x-ray vision on the cheerleaders showerin’ after school.
When Adopt-A-Pop died, ’cause his heart gave him strife,
Started makin’ trouble in my bucolic life;
I lose one adoptive parent and my mom lets it rip,
‘You’re not of this Earth, boy; you came by rocketship!”
I begged and pleaded with her to say she was wrong;
But that’s when the green crystal started singin’ its song
Told me to go North, past Santy Claus land
And when I got there, pitchin’ practice with green lightstick in hand
First class, don’t I wish;
Drinking melty snow and eating frozen raw fish!
Is this what my life is supposed to be?
I’ll give it two weeks; then again, maybe three.
But wait…I hear the crystal hit the icecap,
Then I see weird alien girders and that kinda crap!
I don’t think so…I’ll see what they sell;
Hey! Big Charley Rich head, calls himself Big Jor-El!
Stood there for 12 years, watchin’ pretty lights
Then the show stopped an’ I was wearin’ tights!
My costume designer must have drunk too much grape
Cause my underpants are outside, and I’m wearin’ a cape
Well, I flew to Metropolis like a meteor aflame,
Then got major hotvibes from Miss Lois Lane.
If anything I could say that this chick was rude,
So I got her brushoff, then went for some food
I left the building then heard a strained cry
Little Miss Snobby was just ’bout to die
So one quick-change later, up, up, and away
Now I’m savin’ the world almost every day!
Carter K.?
Shocking as it may seem, they were @ one time considering Beyonce Knowles for Lois Lane…yes, the former Destiny’s Child/Foxxy Cleopatra from the last Austin Powers film.
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