To finish we have not one singular cringe-worthy moment, but a collection of the most genuinely distressing errors of casting that have affected comic book movies in recent years. Why are we being so harsh, though? Surely casting is a very difficult process and one that we have to expect won't always work out? Well that may be the case, however it's far less forgivable in comic books movies where the source material is so clear and basic. The majority of the characters who have appeared in comic book movies have been established in their primary medium for at least twenty years. While one or two incarnations of the characters may deviate slightly from the accepted norm to enhance or enable a particular story, they have fully-fledged histories and characterisations that really shouldn't be that difficult to get right. It's ultimately disappointing, then, that comic book fans have to sit through movies where Topher Grace presents a scrawny, lifeless Eddie Brock/ Venom, or where Scarlett Johansson is presented to us as nothing more than pointless eye candy as a character with such potential in her comic form. While taking a chance on Heath Ledger as the Joker was certainly a coup on the part Nolan's team, getting casting wrong can derail a potential blockbuster even before any footage is shot. You can't tell us you didn't die a little inside when you heard about Topher Grace as Venom, can you?
Gareth is 28 years old and lives in Cardiff. Interests include film, TV and an unhealthy amount of Spider-Man comics and Killers songs. Expect constant references to the latter two at all times.
Follow on twitter @GJCartwright.
