Update: In further inspired casting,
Latino Review say
Connie Nielsen has been offered the role of Lara, Jor-El's wife and Superman's biological mother. That's quite simply genius as we already have a pre-conceived notion of Russell Crowe and Connie Nielsen as a couple having starred in
Gladiator together and enjoying rapturous chemistry. Another fabulous addition! An offer is also reportedly out to Crowe's State of Play co-star
Harry Lenix to join the film. Has Snyder/Nolan gone for a black Perry White? I could dig that. In casting that most definitely mirrors that of
Marlon Brando's famous paycheck turn as Jor-El in Richard Donner's classic 1978 Superman movie,
Zack Snyder has chosen A-list movie star
Russell Crowe to play Clark Kent's biological father in his
Man of Steel reboot.
Variety says talks have begun and Crowe is close to taking over one of the most iconic roles in comic book film history... so iconic Bryan Singer made sure Brando would play the role after his death, CGI resurrecting him for Superman Returns. Not in a million years would I have thought of the Australian to play Jor-El but that's probably my own closed-mindedness. Crowe has an incredible body of work, an Oscar winner who has the necessary screen presence, the build, the larger than life stature (and attitude) in Hollywood and the way with words that can inspire anyone. See Robin Hood, Gladiator, Master and Commander - here is an actor that will live up to the God-like status Jor-El has in every Superman story.
Chris Nolan, the 'Godfather' of the Superman movies is said to have made his voice heard on the casting and always wanted a huge name to cameo as Jor-El, the final three apparently coming down to Crowe,
Sean Penn (which would have equally been great) and
Clive Owen (which would have been tough to watch). If you cast your mind back to when he was originally casting Batman Begins, Nolan said he was inspired by Richard Donner's decision in the 70's to cast around his unknown lead Christopher Reeve with the most talented actors of their day - Gene Hackman, Brando, Glen Ford, etc when he chose Liam Neeson, Michael Caine and Morgan Freeman. Now he has made sure Snyder has done the same for Man of Steel and what an enticing prospect we have on our hands. Most Jor-El appearances in Superman lore are in opening introductory scenes or flashbacks and I imagine the new movie will follow a similar path with brief scenes set on the dying planet Krypton. Variety says the last major role in the movie to cast is Supes' biological mum, Lara - which confirms there'll be no Lex Luther in the new movie (good decision) but also, especially with Michael Shannon's General Zod and Antje Traue's Ursa that we might get a scene reminiscent of this. My favourite ever moment in any Superman story, print, on screen or otherwise - and it doesn't even feature the red, white and blue icon. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLZmoO-BUMs Man of Steel begins filming next month in Illinois with the most spectacular cast of any comic book movie in recent memory;
Henry Cavill as Superman
Amy Adams as Lois Lane
Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent
Diane Keaton as Martha Kent
Michael Shannon as General Zod
Antje Traue as Ursa and now
Russell Crowe as Jor-El The movie will fly late 2012.