
According to Wikipedia, Hat is a British Crown need for the Channel Islands, so technically that makes Henry Cavill (aka the new Superman) a Brit. Or a Jerseyan. Either way, he’s certainly not an American. And hey, the same holds true for our current Batman (Christian Bale, Welshman), and our upcoming Spider-Man (Andrew Garfield, a Brit) is usually not from the United States! What are you doing here?! (Also this: Thor, the Norse God, will soon be performed by an Australian.)
Because news about Mr. Cavill’s newly found aversion to Krpytonite crept its way across the Twitter feeds, I observed two strong reactions. 1 was from women and lgbt men, who said things like Superman? More like Superyum! and the various other was from some folks who have been outraged that a non-American actor can be asked to play the Man of Steel.
Of course, you couldn’t have Superman without a point of old-fashioned Americana — that’s part of the very fabric of the DC Comic strips legend — but it seems just a little ridiculous to offer the role in order to Americans exclusively. After all, the type is from Krypton, not Cleveland.
Hell, we merely gave the world an American acting professional as Sherlock Holmes, and that exercised pretty well, didn’t it? The following is why: Talent has no nationality. Robert Downey Jr. would be just as captivating and amusing if this individual were born in Phoenix arizona, France, or Finland. It seems a bit pedantic to even type this in the year 2011, but here goes: Straight actors enjoy gay men; normal individuals play true heroes; girls sometimes even play men. As well as vice versa on all three!
Question a loyal 007 fan when anyone but a true-blue, old-school Briton should ever play James Bond. He previously probably scoff and wave his umbrella at you. But my colorful coworker Shawn Levy reminds us those of all that actors who’ve performed 007, we’ve had a Scot, a Welshman, a good Irishman, an Aussie, and only some Englishmen.
It’s safe to say that we most want the best for Superman, and if DC and Warner Bros. can be purchased on this Cavill kid — despite his (gasp) non-American-ness — that’s good enough for me. It’s a given that all parties involved — high are dozens — approached this kind of casting with a good degree of treatment and specificity. (Say whatever you like about ‘Superman Returns,Ha but Brandon Routh was hardly the problem in that flick.)
And if you’re apprehensive that Zack Snyder’s tentatively-titled ‘Superman: Man of Steel’ may be woefully lacking in the American nature that’s an essential part of the Monster mystique, well, that’s a worry for the director and the screenwriters, not really the leading man (pictured off to the right and certainly looking like a new freaking superhero). Ultimately, I am just with those who believe that change is good, even when you’re being careful to not tread on well-respected convention.
Plus, we still form of owe the British for which Kevin Costner did to Robin Cover.
But I’m just one high in volume guy with an opinion. You may be one too! Sound away in the poll and/or the comments section below …
Does it bug you that the new Superman actor is not American?Don’t be silly, mate. A good actor is a great actor.353 (76.4%)Truth, proper rights, and the American way. Period of time.93 (20.1%)Let’s discuss this in the comments segment, shall we?16 (3.5%)