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[DMczaf]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1118038628

EXCLUSIVE: Whether paying homage to Marlon Brando's cameo in "Superman" or just wanting splashy marquee name, Christopher Nolan had all along been seeking an A-list thesp for Jor-El, Superman's biological father, since agreeing to godfather the franchise reboot "Man of Steel" for Warner Bros.
He's got his man, and it's Russell Crowe.

The mercurial Aussie is in negotiations to take the role in "Man of Steel," which Zack Snyder is on board to direct. Brit thesp Henry Cavill set to play Superman. Warner Bros. had no comment on Crowe's casting.

Amy Adams, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane and Michael Shannon have already joined the cast. David Goyer penned the script and developed the story with Nolan who, as is his way, has kept plot details under wraps.

Charles Roven will produce along with Emma Thomas, Nolan and Deborah Snyder.

With production set to start next month, Jor-El was one of the last roles to cast, though they also are looking for a big name to play Superman's biological mother.

Brando was 54 when he appeared in Richard Donner's 1978 classic; Crowe is 47. Other names that had gone out for the role included Sean Penn and Clive Owen, Crowe was the final choice.

Crowe is currently filming "The Man With the Iron Fists" for Universal.

He is repped by WME.

 

[The Elite]

No. I don't see it at all. Penn and Owen would have been worse though.

 

[ryutaro's mama]

Coolio.

 

[Qwomo]

Sounds good to me.

 

[PantherLotus]

Wonderful! Maybe he'll end his career on a high note after all.

 

[TheKaeptain]

Cool with me.

 

[badcrumble]

Why the Crowe/Brando comparison, exactly? I hate you, Variety. I hate you to death.

 

[DMczaf]

With Russell Crowe and Kevin Costner as My Two Dads, you better damn well grow up to be Superman.

 

[Tucah]

Sounds good to me.

 

[The Outsider]

I posted this in the existing thread because of my Junior status, so thank you for making an actual thread out of it.

 

[G-Fex]

Why the Crowe/Brando comparison, exactly? I hate you, Variety. I hate you to death.

One guy was considered the greatest actor of all time

One guy beat another man with a phone

 

[SimleuqiR]

The Next Three Days was actually good. Russell is a great actor IMHO.

 

[badcrumble]

One guy was considered the greatest actor of all time

One guy beat another man with a phone

don't you mean he's "mercurial"

edit: wouldn't be surprised in the least to see Lara played by Lena Headey, btw.

 

[The Elite]

With Russell Crowe and Kevin Costner as My Two Dads, you better damn well grow up to be Superman.

Should have been Sean Bean instead.

 

[DMczaf]

Should have been Sean Bean instead.

Sean Bean would find a way to get killed before Krypton even blows up.

 

[FreeChicken]

Sounds like it could work out pretty good I think

 

[sixteen-bit]

Australia has a monopoly on Super Heroes

 

[James Woods]

Mighty have fallen. Why the fuck would Sean Penn or Clive Owen take this role?

 

[pringles]

The Next Three Days was actually good. Russell is a great actor IMHO.

Crowe has got many great performances during his career. Insider, Gladiator, LA Confidential, Master&Commander etc, and he's never really anything less than "very good" in any of his movies.

I probably wouldn't put him on Brando's level, but what currently active (or even living) actor is on Brando's level? Crowe is definitely one of the best actors of the last 10-15 years.

 

[rikichi]

I'm cool with this

 

[Dyno]

Russell has hit it out of the park on several occassions. Romper Stomper and Master and Commander are my two favs.

 

[DMczaf]

Mighty have fallen. Why the fuck would Sean Penn or Clive Owen take this role?

Clive Owen is "mighty"? He should have been begging his agent to get him this role.

 

[FunkyPajamas]

Sean Bean would find a way to get killed before Krypton even blows up.

Hey, he made it out of Silent Hill alive, don't be dissin' my man!

With Russell Crowe and Kevin Costner as My Two Dads, you better damn well grow up to be Superman.

Ayup.

 

[James Woods]

Clive Owen is "mighty"? He should have been begging his agent to get him this role.

I was talking about Crowe. Clive Owen isn't mighty but he's still too good for this shit.

 

[Angry Fork]

Scariest prospect about this movie is Goyer writing the script on his own. I hate that Snyder is directing but at least Snyder can make a decent action movie (even if they're dumb), but Goyer... It's his job to turn that dumb action movie into a smart one and there's no way he can do it. Guy is riding on the coat tails/success of Nolan Brothers so fucking hard.

 

[The Elite]

Russell has hit it out of the park on several occassions. Romper Stomper and Master and Commander are my two favs.

Ok, you've got me with Master and Commander. Despite not being a huge fan of the actor he just happens to be in one of my favorite films ever.

 

[Ohwiseone]

Alright.

Still more excited to See Costner in the role of Pa Kent.


all of the casting so far is really good for this movie, I am really hoping that script isn't terrible.

 

[Joel Was Right]

Kevin Costner and Russell Crowe being the fathers of Superman/Clark Kent? Sounds good to me. I just wish Kevin Spacey had been cast [if he wasn't already in Returns] and Morgan Freeman as Perry. What a cast that would be!

 

[Matrix]

Awesome, that is all.

 

[JB1981]

Good shit

 

[Weenerz]

I don't mind this news. I just want a damn trailer! It's supposed to come out next year and they are still casting.

 

[Ohwiseone]

Kevin Costner and Russell Crowe being the fathers of Superman/Clark Kent? Sounds good to me. I just wish Kevin Spacey had been cast [if he wasn't already in Returns] and Morgan Freeman as Perry. What a cast that would be!

I really liked Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor in returns, I thought he was one of the best parts of that movie.

 

[Ifrit]

He'd make an awesome Jor-El

 

[Blader]

I don't mind this news. I just want a damn trailer! It's supposed to come out next year and they are still casting.

It comes out next December, a full trailer is probably a year away.

 

[RustyNails]

I love Russel Crowe. I don't see him in Jor El's shoes right now, but it will be interesting nonetheless.

 

[PantherLotus]

Why the Crowe/Brando comparison, exactly? I hate you, Variety. I hate you to death.

Should they compare him to the other Jor-Els? They kinda look alike, too.

 

[Veidt]

Crowe is currently filming "The Man With the Iron Fists" for Universal.

Movie of whenever it comes out.

 

[Solo]

I thought Jor El was cast months ago. I guess not, lolz.

 

[effzee]

Cast is stellar. Movie just needs a solid script and great action. Snyder should be able to direct great action sequences. Lets hope with Nolan producing and helping with the story, Goyer is able to step up to the plate.

 

[MisterHero]

He was Krypton's most beautiful mind

 

[Messypandas]

This may actually be good

 

[Lard]

This is going to be a bigger disaster than Superman Returns.

 

[ChocolateCupcakes]

This could be good.

 

[Ninja Scooter]

Good Robin Hood vs Russell Crowe Robin Hood

 

[DieH@rd]

No one can be better than Brando...

you will travel far my beloved kal-el, but we will never leave you...

 

[DMczaf]

Good Robin Hood vs Russell Crowe Robin Hood

Cary Elwes to play Clark's creepy uncle?

 

[Matrix]

This is going to be a bigger disaster than Superman Returns.

LOL

 

[Blader]

This is going to be a bigger disaster than Superman Returns.

Superman Returns made $400 million.

 

[Tron 2.0]

Ew.

 

[jett]

If anything this movie has a quality cast. Who knows what the quality of the actual movie will be...goddamn I wish I hadn't watched Suckerpunch.