-
Hey, guest user. Hope you're enjoying NeoGAF! Have you considered registering for an account? Come join us and add your take to the daily discourse.
Who played the best Clark Kent, Superman, Lois Lane & Lex Luthor?
- Thread starter Kadin
- Start date
- Status
Poodlestrike
Banned
Really? I can believe it. When you see a guy who looks just like Brad Pitt working at, say, McDonalds, is your first thought "what's Brad Pitt doing working at McDonalds" or "huh, funny, that guy looks just like Brad Pitt." Maybe you take a picture (creep) and spread it around, everybody has a good laugh.
Combine that with the differences in posture, voice, mannerisms, and the fact that most people (in-universe) don't really know that Superman has a secret identity, and I have no trouble believing it.
I get what they were doing but reeves portrayal was bordering on slapstick. Just very cheesy that wouldn't go over well nowadays. Not to mention it makes you wonder how the hell this guy got a job at such a prestigious news organization.
Poodlestrike
Banned
Yeah, he took it a step too far, but making the body language different enough is something most adaptations ignore.
teruterubozu
Member
That's how the Superman comics were - kinda slapstick. We're all into this new Frank Miller gritty shit these days.
I was never denying that's how the character was at the time just saying I'm not a fan of that version of the character. Just like im a fan of green lantern but I don't want any modern versions to have a side kick mechanic Inuit named pie face. Or the Hal Jordan that punches yellow pterodactyls on Venus. As hilarious as those things are. Or a batman movie with the goofy zany version from the 50s or 60s.
I know the traditional handwaves and they're enough to get you by if you accept the trope, but they're not realistic. In a campy universe, fine, everyone on the planet makes the same assumption and suffers from low grade aphasia... but I don't think the films were ever trying to make you believe this would work in the real world.
Even at his campiest in the comics, note two things:
- Lois Lane always suspected Clark Kent and Superman were one in the same and spent a lot of time and energy trying to confirm that fact;
- The comics didn't consider acting a sufficient explanation which is why there were tertiary explanations like Superman being able to remodel his face, super hypnotism, or face blurring powers.
So it seems more a part of the tradition of Superman than something meant to be taken seriously as an explanation.
No one is going to have difficulty telling these people apart:
No one is going to say, "Is that Henry Cavill or Tom Welling? I can't tell, I'm not certain!"
You might be able to pull off uncertainty in a stranger as in your McDonald's example, but that's not going to hold up with co-workers and friends... or modern times with cameras everywhere. We might all have a laugh on Reddit at look-a-likes... but that's because those cases are typically where a dual identity is essentially impossible... in a case like this, someone puts a picture of Clark Kent on Reddit saying, "Haha, I found Superman in civies!"... someone is going to take that seriously, run it through biometrics, or start putting scrutiny on Clark.
For Superman/Clark Kent, I'll go with Christopher Reeves. For me, it's because he really did make you think that Supes and Clark were two different people. He sold it with physicality. Every other live action Superman/Clark felt like they were the same person. Welling's Clark and Supes were the same in everything, from voice to behavior, ditto for Cain and Cavil.
If you didn't know better, Reeves would've had you thinking that they were two different characters, played by the same actor.
Lois is easy too: Margot Kidder, although I thought Erica Durance did a fantastic job with her, despite me not caring for her earlier appearances as Lois. She really grew on me in later seasons.
Lex is a lot harder, because I've yet to be disappointed with any incarnation of Lex I've seen. Clancy Brown IS Lex Luthor, and I don't get why they don't have him playing him in any live action version. I always liked the idea of Lex being older than Clark, hammering home the mortality of Lex, and how that is rarely an impediment to him being a threat to Superman.
Hackman, Spacey, Shea, and Rosenbaum all did great jobs with the Luthors they portrayed too. Even James Marsters in DCUniverse did a great job as Lex. This one is really tough, because they all brought a nice layer to Lex. Hackman is up there, because he's clearly having fun with the role, but I think Clancy Brown's Lex is truer to the character.
Hell, the Animated DC Universe is the best portrayal of the DC Universe in television/film, period, in my opinion.
If you didn't know better, Reeves would've had you thinking that they were two different characters, played by the same actor.
Lois is easy too: Margot Kidder, although I thought Erica Durance did a fantastic job with her, despite me not caring for her earlier appearances as Lois. She really grew on me in later seasons.
Lex is a lot harder, because I've yet to be disappointed with any incarnation of Lex I've seen. Clancy Brown IS Lex Luthor, and I don't get why they don't have him playing him in any live action version. I always liked the idea of Lex being older than Clark, hammering home the mortality of Lex, and how that is rarely an impediment to him being a threat to Superman.
Hackman, Spacey, Shea, and Rosenbaum all did great jobs with the Luthors they portrayed too. Even James Marsters in DCUniverse did a great job as Lex. This one is really tough, because they all brought a nice layer to Lex. Hackman is up there, because he's clearly having fun with the role, but I think Clancy Brown's Lex is truer to the character.
Hell, the Animated DC Universe is the best portrayal of the DC Universe in television/film, period, in my opinion.
paradox121
Member
I can pretty much give or take most Supermens or Lex Luthors but I wanted to give a shoutout to Durance for nailing Lois Lane. Like, the fact that Kate Bosworth and Amy Adams came after her is mind-blowing to me - they are so bland in comparison.
She perfectly nails that Lois Lane aspect of being totally forthright and almost up herself without crossing the line into being infuriating.
She's kinda my watermark for the comic book TV series 'love interest who will eventually end up with the hero but for now has to stand around investigating him' i.e. Laurel Lane and Iris West. Comparing Erica Durance and Katie Cassidy somehow feels offensive.
She perfectly nails that Lois Lane aspect of being totally forthright and almost up herself without crossing the line into being infuriating.
She's kinda my watermark for the comic book TV series 'love interest who will eventually end up with the hero but for now has to stand around investigating him' i.e. Laurel Lane and Iris West. Comparing Erica Durance and Katie Cassidy somehow feels offensive.
MisterHero
Super Member
bigboss370
Member
Clark Kent- Brandon routh. He gets too much hate for SR
Lois- Terri Hatcher
Lex- rosenbaum. Goat. Even though he was bad, your rooted for him and kinda wouldn't mind if he won every now and then. I like that version than just a villain.
Superman- either reeves or routh
I don't like adding in the animated shows because of course they are gonna be leagues better because the shows have more time to establish the characters and make you like their ways
Lois- Terri Hatcher
Lex- rosenbaum. Goat. Even though he was bad, your rooted for him and kinda wouldn't mind if he won every now and then. I like that version than just a villain.
Superman- either reeves or routh
I don't like adding in the animated shows because of course they are gonna be leagues better because the shows have more time to establish the characters and make you like their ways
tiggerkiddo
Member
Never watched the Reeve Superman movies so for Clark/Superman, I will choose to not answer. As for Lois, I liked the actress who portrayed her in Smallville and Rosenbaum was a super awesome Lex.
QuantumDerp
Member
I doubt Cavill is 6'1". Next to Arrow.
Don't know if it is sarcasms, but both actors are 6'1.
Was gonna post this
also I love how terrance stamp eventually voices Jor-el in smallville
Smallville was a shit storm but all the old Superman & Lois actors they put in were really sweet touches
Smallville was a shit storm but all the old Superman & Lois actors they put in were really sweet touches
Lois Lane=Durance
Lex = Spacey. Rosembaum gets an honourable mention for indirectly voicing lex luthor in the animated series.
Clark Kent - Dean Cain. No contest.
Lois Lane - Dana Delany. Arguable
Superman - Nobody. They are all flawed. None of them match some of the best comic portrayals.
Lex Luthor - Clancy Brown. Definitely the best but I can respect anyone's opinion who likes Michael Rosenbaum's portrayal of the younger Luthor.
Lois Lane - Dana Delany. Arguable
Superman - Nobody. They are all flawed. None of them match some of the best comic portrayals.
Lex Luthor - Clancy Brown. Definitely the best but I can respect anyone's opinion who likes Michael Rosenbaum's portrayal of the younger Luthor.
SpacePirate Ridley
Member
Im pretty sure Chloe is canon in some dc universe. We had to draw her for Scribblenauts Unmasked, while we couldnt add other characters or versions coming from animation, tv and movies.
Clark Kent: Dean Cain. There is literally no contest, he is the only one that actually portrayed Clark Kent. It is directly linked to his charisma with the other actors.
Lois Lane: Teri Hatcher. Teri Hatcher portrays Lois Lane as a competent writer that can hold her own against Clark. Lois Lane is often an afterthought, she is the Pulitzer winner that can't spell in the Reeve movies...
Pa and Ma Kent: Eddie Jones and K Callan. Can you find two fictional parents that you want more than these two? They're the typical sweet nuclear family, they're like having two Aunt Mays (from the first Sony Spider-Man trilogy) as parents.
Perry White: Lane Smith. As I'm listing my favorite Lois and Clark characters, I can't forget Lane Smith. He was another great choice that show made.
Jimmy Olsen: The one from the upcoming Supergirl. That is how much I like the current portrayals.
Superman: Henry Cavill. As an unstoppable force without becoming ridicolous, Cavill. Cain and Reeve Superman had a bit of a stupid power problem.
Lex Luthor: Nobody. Gene Hackman was an idiot. John Shea was underused. Kevin Spacey was bad. Rosenbaum didn't live up to Shea and was again underused.
Lois Lane: Teri Hatcher. Teri Hatcher portrays Lois Lane as a competent writer that can hold her own against Clark. Lois Lane is often an afterthought, she is the Pulitzer winner that can't spell in the Reeve movies...
Pa and Ma Kent: Eddie Jones and K Callan. Can you find two fictional parents that you want more than these two? They're the typical sweet nuclear family, they're like having two Aunt Mays (from the first Sony Spider-Man trilogy) as parents.
Perry White: Lane Smith. As I'm listing my favorite Lois and Clark characters, I can't forget Lane Smith. He was another great choice that show made.
Jimmy Olsen: The one from the upcoming Supergirl. That is how much I like the current portrayals.
Superman: Henry Cavill. As an unstoppable force without becoming ridicolous, Cavill. Cain and Reeve Superman had a bit of a stupid power problem.
Lex Luthor: Nobody. Gene Hackman was an idiot. John Shea was underused. Kevin Spacey was bad. Rosenbaum didn't live up to Shea and was again underused.
WAT?
based purely on physical stature, i'd say Welling.
Cavill is too short, can't take him seriously.
That is a poorly tailored suit.
Thunder Monkey
Banned
I always wanted to be sandwiched between him and Durance.
Throw Mack and Hartley in there and we have an evening of exhausting fun.
Smallville cast was hot. Acting ability varied wildly, but damn that CW loves their pretty people.
- Status