With mere weeks until shooting begins on Zack Snyder’s Superman reboot, Man of Steel, the drunk-tweeting Russell Crowe has reportedly all but bagged the role of Jor-El. As fans of both comic books and the original movie will remember, Jor-El is Superman’s biological father, and this is a pretty plum role for Crowe at this stage in his career. See what a faux controversy surrounding a fairly amusing circumcision conversation can do in terms of revamping one’s overall marketability? Seriously, I kid.
Ever since he agreed to oversee the franchise reboot of Superman, Christopher Nolan had been seeking a star for the role of Jor-El, Superman’s biological father.
Nolan now has his man: Russell Crowe.
Crowe is in negotiations for the key role in Man of Steel, which has Zack Snyder on board to direct for Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures. Brit thesp Henry Cavill is set to play Superman. Warner Bros. declined to comment on the talks with Crowe.
Amy Adams, Kevin Costner, Diane Lane and Michael Shannon are already set for the pic. David Goyer penned the script and developed the story with Nolan, who has kept plot details under wraps, as usual.
With production set to start next month, Jor-El was one of the last roles to cast, though they also are looking for a name to play Superman’s biological mother.
Marlon Brando played the part of Jor-El in Richard Donner’s 1978 rendition of Superman. Other thesps who were pursued for the Man of Steel role included Sean Penn and Clive Owen.
[From Variety]
However much of a monstrosity the prospect of a Snyder-directed Man of Steel movie might turn out to be, the casting so far is pretty superb. The choice to cast Russell as Jor-El follows previous casting decisions of Henry Cavill as Superman, Diane Lane and Kevin Costner as Superman’s adoptive Earth parents, and Amy Adams as Lois Lane.. I might actually see this movie now, you know?
By the way, here’s Marlon Brando as the original Jor-El. The physical similarity to the current incarnation of Russell Crowe is simply uncanny.
Photos courtesy of Fame; Superman still of Marlon Brando courtesy of Obsessed With Film
Russell Crowe is a good actor- can bring up pretty much any movie he’s in. Nice choice.
I hate how budgy he is right now.
I like Russell as an actor, but it seems he is kind of phoning it in on his recent roles. Just doing them.
But not excited about still another super hero film. It has become over kill.. just too many and I find it sad that every male actor is a super hero or in the films. Damn
He may have to drop some pounds or all he can be cast in is a remake of Ghostbusters – as the Marshmallow Man.
Imagine an actress letting herself go like he. She would be ripped apart by the press.
Russell is a great actor and I think he would make a remarkable choice for Jor El – great line up as well
He really puts on the pounds when he’s not working.
ya know, there are skinny people and fat people and why do they have to be attacked for something that may or may not be their fault and why does it have to be the only tag they are bugged for.
He’s a remarkable actor and wouldn’t we be the first to chop him down if we thought he was too thin?
well, he’s puffing up like Brando did later in his career, so why not take the Brando role?
By the way, here’s Marlon Brando as the original Jor-El. The physical similarity to the current incarnation of Russell Crowe is simply uncanny.
Nuh-uh! Brando wasn’t looking his best but still looked considerably better than Crowe.
If they go for a 4th Star Wars Crowe can always play Jabba The Hut.
The man is on vacation. Who knows how he will look for the role. Sheesh. He can act and that’s good enough for me. There are a lot of worse choices.
*4th or 7th depending on which trilogy they’d follow.
Russel is a very good actor, and he can play any part IMO..he would be great!
Russell is one of my faves…always will be for bringing to life one of my favorite on screen characters…Bud White…
However, I do agree with the comments saying that as of late…his roles seem to be “phoned in”…
I think this is SUPERB casting…and if the casting is any indication to what the movie has in store…IT WILL ROCK!!!
If only he could’ve stayed 35 forever…
OMG the all casting of MAN OF STEEL is so good but the main trouble is Snyder the director (every one who saw SUCKER PUNCK will understand)
Yes! I can definitely see it 😀
He’s still a hot, sexy, OZ bad-boy to me. Yum.
@bf you are so right!! If Russell Crow was a woman he would’ve been completely torn apart by the tabloids for his weight gain by now. The double standard is sickening.
Bloated, drunken has-been. Not a bad actor but seriously; I don’t get the appeal.
Great actor, but I’m just not seeing it. He’s more of a rumply anti-hero type (I’m thinking most recently-for me-“American Gangster”) than the father of a Superman. Besides, who wants to compete with Brando (well.. Crowe probably does, but this is not the right role..)?
Who’s gonna play Jimmy Olsen? I vote for Justin Timberlake. Or Maybe Pee-Wee Herman. “Heh Heh!”
Crowe IS being torn apart here and on other gossip sites for his weight. So I don’t see how Bee and bf can think that somehow he’s escaping what THEY think he deserves.
I hate to tell you but it’s been 11 years since he filmed Gladiator and guess what ? He’s changed. So have I. So have you.