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Post by dlw66 on Sept 29, 2006 7:39:32 GMT -5
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steed
Reservist Avenger
Posts: 215
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Post by steed on Sept 29, 2006 8:24:06 GMT -5
Let me be the first to say "Kill me now"
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Post by dlw66 on Sept 29, 2006 8:34:23 GMT -5
I am usually one to scream about these choices of actors that we seem to get in our superhero movies; I was very upset about Michael Keaton's casting as Batman. However, I did think he was acceptable in the first Batman movie (don't ask me about my opinions of the next three...). Toby Maguire, while a curious choice for Spider-Man, works. Even Ben Affleck, despite my not caring for him or the movie script, was a serviceable DD. So, I will try not to be judgemental until I see the film. But I have to tell you, Downey's substance abuse was the first thing I thought of when I saw his name attached to the film -- hey, first hand knowledge of Tony Stark's substance abuse.
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steed
Reservist Avenger
Posts: 215
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Post by steed on Sept 29, 2006 9:30:16 GMT -5
I thought of Keaton when I read this and I agree, he was alright in the first movie. I thought Affleck was alright but I didn't want to see a sequel. All the casting in the first X-Men movie and both Spider-Man movies worked for me. But I'm beginning to wonder if they've been to the well too many times. Here are some examples:
Jennifer Garner as Elktra Jessica Alba as Sue Storm Reed and Dr. Doom from the FF movie (I don't even remember the actors' names.) half the new cast in the last X-Men movie. Kelsey Grammer didn't work for me.
I don't know who I'd cast as IM, but I don't think Downey would have been high on my list. But I felt the same way about Keaton as Batman and that turned out fine. And also like Batman, I'm sure the IM armor will be the big star of the movie.
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Post by dlw66 on Sept 29, 2006 9:48:58 GMT -5
True about the armor -- kind of like the Batmobile.
I thought the guy who portrayed Johnny Storm just nailed the character -- with the exception that he wasn't blond, I thought he played the Torch just like I would have envisioned him.
Dafoe and Molina were very good as the Goblin and Doc Ock, respectively.
Sometimes I think the unknown actor is almost better, though. Who'd heard of Christopher Reeve before Superman? And, virtually all of the Star Wars actors were unknown or little known (with a few obvious exceptions -- Sir Alec Guiness, Samuel L. Jackson and others) before they hit it big with George Lucas. Brandon Routh was a great cast for Superman because of his resemblance to Reeve. No preconceived notions on the part of the viewer.
I am waiting for Van to chime in, as he is our resident Iron Man junkie and biggest supporter.
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steed
Reservist Avenger
Posts: 215
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Post by steed on Sept 29, 2006 10:23:34 GMT -5
I thought they nailed the Torch and the Thing in the FF movie. Classic FF.
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Post by Van Plexico on Sept 29, 2006 11:20:22 GMT -5
I am horrified.
I mean, he sorta, kinda, sorta looks like Tony... kinda... Though not nearly as much as a dozen other actors I can think of (even Ben Affleck might have been more appropriate, I'd say), or as much as Timothy Dalton used to.
But his voice, his persona, his everything... it just does not say "Tony Stark" to me. At all.
If this is the final decision-- if they had to have a "known" actor-- then I'd honestly have preferred they go a different route entirely and pick someone who evokes the "spirit" of an early, young Tony Stark, rather than an older guy who sorta vaguely looks like him and has experienced similar problems (what should that have to do with the actor choice?!) Maybe a Will Smith or some other fairly young, charismatic figure, regardless of race or whatever, who gets the whole Stark vibe across.
This does indeed remind me of nothing so much as Keaton's Batman/Wayne. And while I agree with most that Keaton was entertaining and engaging as Wayne, let's face facts: He was NOT Batman, NOT remotely Bruce Wayne, and it was more (IMO) us simply enjoying an engaging Keaton performance than really buying into "Michael Keaton is Bruce Wayne," for crying out loud.
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steed
Reservist Avenger
Posts: 215
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Post by steed on Sept 29, 2006 11:54:46 GMT -5
But other than that, how did you like the play Mrs. Lincoln.
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Post by Tana Nile on Sept 29, 2006 13:42:24 GMT -5
When I think of dashing, arrogant, brilliant playboy Tony Stark, I don't automatically think of Robert Downey Jr. But if they are going for the brilliant but alcoholic Stark, just maybe it makes sense. Actually, I prefered the other actor rumored to be considered: Terrence Howard. Different ethnicity, but fit the look very well and should be able to play the role.
I guess I also have concerns about Downey's ability to stay sober and not screw up the production.
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Post by Shiryu on Sept 29, 2006 14:23:21 GMT -5
I agree with Doug, most choices for the Marvel movies have been peculiar at first, but worked well in the end. Let's give him a chance and see what happens
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Post by Doctor Bong on Sept 29, 2006 20:02:19 GMT -5
Thanks for pointing out that a thread already existed on this subject, dlw66! While I agree that probably an unknown actor would have been the best way to go, I fail to see just why Downey would be such a (particularly) bad choice... Let's just hope he stays commited to the film and that tananile's concerns do not materialize. How about the Mandarin...? We know now that he will be IM's adversary. Who do you guys envision playing the master of the Rings of Power...? I was trying to think of any oriental actors who would be well suited for the role, but I kept drawing a blank. All I could come up was David Carradine (I know, I know...)...
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Post by imperiusrex on Sept 29, 2006 22:42:33 GMT -5
long ago in a far away land, Robert Downey Jr was actually a gifted actor. anyone seen Chaplin? Oscar worthy... I'd rather have an actor with chops who can play the role, especially if they cover the alcoholism in any way, than another blandoid who fits the face more accurately. as for the mandarin, the dude from the last samurai, Ken Watanabe would be alright save for the fact that he already played a villain in batman begins and is Japanese, I believe. an interesting choice could be BD Wong who is on Law and Order SVU. He's a classically trained actor and could bring an air of cultured, cunning imperiousness to Mandarin that a more over the top actor might not. Of course I'm always ready to put Chow Yun Fat in anything, but, UA, David Carradine? Bruce Lee is spinning in his grave right now.
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Post by Doctor Bong on Sept 29, 2006 23:32:27 GMT -5
Yes, I see your point, imperiusrex, at least Bruce Lee never agreed to do a commercial for a computer server where he says "Dot.cooooooooooooooommmmmm......!!!".
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Post by henrypym on Oct 1, 2006 20:30:12 GMT -5
I am horrified. I mean, he sorta, kinda, sorta looks like Tony... kinda... Though not nearly as much as a dozen other actors I can think of (even Ben Affleck might have been more appropriate, I'd say), or as much as Timothy Dalton used to. But his voice, his persona, his everything... it just does not say "Tony Stark" to me. At all. If this is the final decision-- if they had to have a "known" actor-- then I'd honestly have preferred they go a different route entirely and pick someone who evokes the "spirit" of an early, young Tony Stark, rather than an older guy who sorta vaguely looks like him and has experienced similar problems (what should that have to do with the actor choice?!) Maybe a Will Smith or some other fairly young, charismatic figure, regardless of race or whatever, who gets the whole Stark vibe across. This does indeed remind me of nothing so much as Keaton's Batman/Wayne. And while I agree with most that Keaton was entertaining and engaging as Wayne, let's face facts: He was NOT Batman, NOT remotely Bruce Wayne, and it was more (IMO) us simply enjoying an engaging Keaton performance than really buying into "Michael Keaton is Bruce Wayne," for crying out loud. I agree with about the voice/persona thing. That's the first thing I thought of, "He just doesn't sound like Tony to me." They need someone with more of a James Bond kind of persona, but without the British accent. For the Mandarin, I could see someone like Jet Li doing that.
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Post by thew40 on Oct 3, 2006 22:56:56 GMT -5
Hmmmm.
I'm slipping into "wait and see mood."
And isn't Jet Li retiring?
~W~
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Post by imperiusrex on Oct 6, 2006 15:42:43 GMT -5
Hmmmm. I'm slipping into "wait and see mood." And isn't Jet Li retiring? ~W~ As I understand it, Jet Li is retiring from strictly martial arts films. I believe he will still make action adventure, but not costume dramas or straight martial arts. I myself don't see the fine distinction, but I imagine he could make room for Iron Man in his current criteria
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Post by Doctor Doom on Oct 10, 2006 11:02:17 GMT -5
The actor for Jim Rhodes (later to become War Machine, though not in this movie) has been announced. It is...
Terence Howard
An excellent choice, IMO. Won some good awards.
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BigDuke
Reservist Avenger
Posts: 136
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Post by BigDuke on Oct 26, 2006 8:39:25 GMT -5
as for the mandarin, the dude from the last samurai, Ken Watanabe would be alright I think this guy would be an excellent choice. He has an air to him. But will they put out the Mandarin as the mysterious master or the egomaniacal psycho? RD Jr, while an accomplished actor, will have a hard time overcoming the goofy character he played in Back to School in my mind.
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