Henry Cavill will be the first foreign actor to portray Superman on the silver screen.
Henry Cavill (Getty Images)
Look, up in the sky, it’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s … the Union Jack?
The news that Henry Cavill, a native of the British isle of Jersey, will fly across the screen as Superman brings us to an interesting point in superhero cinema – the three biggest Hollywood franchises based on American comic books will now star actors either born or raised in United Kingdom. Christian Bale (who looks poised to win his first Oscar for his stunning work in “The Fighter“) will soon be back in Batman’s cape on the set of “The Dark Knight Rises“ while Andrew Garfield is already wearing the red-and-blue tights of Spider-Man for the Sony reboot of the wall-crawler’s mega-franchise.
Andrew Garfield at the SLS Hotel in Beverly Hills on Sept. 7, 2010. (Kirk McKoy / Los Angles Times)
Garfield was born in Los Angeles but he is a dual citizen of the U.S. and England and moved across the pond at age 3. If you want to argue that he should be considered an American actor, you might want to start the discussion with the 27-year-old himself. As you read here at Hero Complex, he has plenty of Peter Parker’s self-doubt when it comes to taking on the uniquely American hard-luck hero. “This is a beloved character, and, you know, ironically, I’m gonna be the person in the audience going … ‘Who cast this English fool?’”
Bale, born in Wales and of English heritage, is the first foreign-born actor to play Batman in a theatrically released project (the previous Caped Crusaders were Adam West, Michael Keaton, Val Kilmer and George Clooney in feature films, Lewis Wilson and Robert Lowery in the 1940s serials and Kevin Conroy in the 1993 animated feature “Batman: The Mask of the Phantasm“). Cavill will have the same sort of distinction with the Man of Steel, who has been portrayed in live-action feature films twice by actors from Iowa (George Reeves and Brandon Routh) and three times by actors from New York or New Jersey (Kirk Alyn, Christopher Reeve and voice-actor Bud Collyer). If you’re curious, the Clark Kent actors from live-action television series – Reeves, Dean Cain, John Newton and Tom Welling – were all born in the States as well.
Christian Bale as Batman and Heath Ledger as the Joker in "The Dark Knight." (Warner Brothers)
There’s some relief, perhaps, that the most patriotic of American superheroes will be portrayed by domestic product this summer; Chris Evans, of Sudbury, Mass., has the title role in “Captain America: The First Avenger.” That community just happens to have the ZIP Code of 01776 within its city limits — no joke — which can only have helped when Marvel Studios looked for a fellow who could wear a wardrobe that Betsy Ross would have loved. There’s a “Wonder Woman” television series now ramping up, too, but there’s no casting news yet, so we’ll have to wait to see if the Amazon princess — who also looks like a walking flag – will be portrayed by a subject of the Queen of England.
Cavill will undoubtedly be asked if he feels a bit odd taking up Superman’s classic fight for “truth, justice and the American way,” so we have a suggestion for him if he grows weary of the queries. It might be worthwhile noting that the hero of Metropolis is, in fact, an intergalactic immigrant. The last son of Krypton may celebrate the Fourth of July, but let’s remember he arrived in Kansas as the ultimate outsider and then won all of us over as, um, a resident alien.
– Geoff Boucher
UPDATE: Due to an editing error, an earlier version of this story used “England” in the headline instead of “U.K.”
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how pathetic….now where your from in the world today reflects on your acting ability?? does it matter what part of the world the actor comes from as long as he does his duty and portrays the character to the best of his ability and makes his character believable to the target audience..least we forget Heath Ledger was Australian but where was the critique on his acting abilities because of his country of origin…i think the reporter really needs to grow up and stop being racist towards an actors country of origin and concentrates on the actors performance instead
Right. I'm sure the Brits would be so understanding if Jon Hamm got cast as James Bond.
I didn’t hear any of them whine when Downey took on Sherlock Holmes. Funny though many Americans did, though.Us, Americans, not me but generally, like to cry over every little thing. We seem to have this massive sense of entitlement for no reason.
As a Brit, I'd like to say that i'd LOVE Jon Hamm as Bond.
That is all.
I second that as a proud english man! Come on Garfield!
And I think Downey Jr was amazing as Sherlock!
they did'nt bitch like you are when rdj was cast a sherlock holmes
He wasn't being racist. How about reading the last paragraph again before throwing out the race flag!
Hey, if Robert Downey Jr. can be Sherlock Holmes, and various American and Australian actors can be Robin Hood, why can’t British/Australian be American superheroes?
Don't most English despise the jobs that American actors have done on Sherlock and Hood?
Robert Downey Jr is really fit.. and so are all the ones cast for the super heros so i couldnt care less where they came from:D xxxxxx
So what was J.K. Rowling being when she refused to allow any American actors to be cast in the Harry Potter movies?
Europeans are well known racists. Only Americans are expected to be so big hearted as to accept anyone.
You're so right. Nothing says "big heart" like racial segregation lasting into the 1950s and uproar over a black president.
Rowling is one person, she doesn't represent all of us. Consider that the Harry Potter cast is disproportionately white and middle-class when 14% of the UK population does not identify as "White British". Also, those casting the film opted for more mediocre actors from the London area rather than make much use of the prestigious acting academies in the north of the country. Americans were hardly the only ones excluded from the roles.
Also, considering that unknown child actors were going to be in the Potter films anyway, it makes more sense to have British children rather than needlessly drag a bunch of American kids through pronunciation classes to sound sort-of British.
Well at least the US has a minority president. And we don't air brush out blacks in our movie posters!
Nonsense…….
She was being sensible. There's a big difference between a US adult (e.g. Paltrow, Zellwegger) playing a Brit, with their ability to undergo exhaustive dialogue coaching, and a US child to do the same. She wanted to keep the integrity of her creation, and Haley Joel Osment just wouldn't have cut it. And as others have pointed out, that's a nationality issue not a race one.
She did WHAT? If I had known that, I wouldn't have paid one red AMERICAN cent to see her movies! American money she was more than happy to receive…
What does racism have to do with this article? "American" and "British" aren't races. God, you people are stupid.
Yes! Music to my ears, someone with inteligence, well done Jess!
I second that.
I agree,Jess People have no clue as to the difference between race and nationality.Ive actually heard People say that black people cant be from England!
Actually Andrew Garfield is an American. He was just raised in Britain.
He wasn't "just" raised in Britain – he has British Citizenship, we well as US Citizenship.
Hey, after Costner butchered the accent in Robin Hood, we (Americans) deserve this.
jon hamm isn't a bad bond… tom hardy will get the next one though
but it's not like we haven't had a non-brit in the role… George Lazenby was an australian and Pierce Brosnan isn't british.. he's irish.
How about Charlie Sheen or Lindsay Lohan for these roles? Second thoughts, maybe not…
Johnny Depp as a fabulous BRIT JAck Sparrow. Lara Croft played by Angelina Jolie. Anne Hathaway playing Jane Austin. Rennee Zelleweger as Brigit. Gwyneth P…. shall i go on?
This is just an attempt to sell newspapers. No story here. Films that are paid for by international investors, shot in multiple foreign countries, and packaged for a worldwide audience, are somehow suspect for hiring british actors? Yawn.
"Hero Complex" is a blog. It doesn't go into the newspaper, genius.
I am furious about this. But mostly because I wanted the super hot Tom Welling.
Yes, I was very disappointed. I won't lie.
My eyes deserved such sensory pleasure, basking in Mr. Welling's seething hotness.
Alas, we are denied.
I don't care if an actor is from Mars (or Krypton for this certain matter XP), so long as he can ACT (as well as look AMAZING in spandex)!!!
So, it's to be a return of SWIMMER'S BODY Superman?
.
Time to commence campaign of rage and hate.
.
Why do you have to keep fecking this up Hollywood – WHEN IT IS SO EASY????
I was just going to add about Robert Downey Jr. being Sherlock – thank God we're basing it on acting ability and not nationality/natural accent. We could've had far worse. As a Brit, I wouldn't have wanted anyone else come to think of it.
In terms of Superman, we once nearly had Nicholas Cage and recently Joe Manganiello. Cage is the same in every role he plays and looks nothing like Supes whereas Joe… was too Italian looking.
As a plus, Henry Cavill does actually have dark hair and BLUE eyes.
Mel Gibson, Australian- Brave heart
Pierce Brosnan-IRISH-James Bond
Russell Crow-New Zealand-Robin Hood
Americans should not get upset over foreign actors playing certain roles, If the actor is good enough for the role let the actor or actress play the part, take Pierce Brosnan, born in Ireland,yes an Irish man playing James Bond, imagine that, you did not hear us getting upset over that
Actually Gibson was born in New York
Aye, and Sean Connery, the best Bond, is Scots. And Sherlock Holmes was written by a Scot, and, that bloke who is featured in the King's Speech – he's not the King of England.
England is great but it's only part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
No, this isn't a lesson in geography, it's just a rant. And, no, I'm not Canadian.
I think you have all misunderstood this article. This is an article written out of curiosity on an interesting fact that Americas major icons are being played by British actors.Yes Sean Connery is scottosh but thats irrelevant as he is british and MI5/MI6 is an agency working for the 'queens people' which no matter you're political views includes both australia and scotland, but yes the pierce brosnan case is rather funny. + JC me being an islander of jersey myself I can confirm that being from jersey doesnt make you english but Cavill did go to boarding school in england from 13-18
“the three biggest Hollywood franchises based on American comic books will now star actors either born or raised in England”
Henry Cavill’s from Jersey – not part of England, or even the UK. It’s a Crown Dependency.
Well, now it seems Hollywood is a Crown Dependency…come to think of it, I HAVE a Crown dependency. I need a drink already. Up, up and away!
from Jersey – not part of England
He still speaks with an English accent.
Er.. It's actually a Jersey accent. if a Canadian has an American sounding accent (and a lot of us Brits think they sound the same) does that make him/her a citizen of the united states? There are people in Scotland with English sounding accents, does that make them English? Have you ever been to Wales? in Cardiff you have plenty of people who have an RP English sounding accent, but if you called them English they would punch you!
It's well known in Hollywood that British characters are brought it to either play villains, or dark/edgy roles. Why he would be chosen to play whiter-than-white American superhero is puzzling mind?
Newsflash: Wonder Woman should not be anywhere in this article. She is an Amazon Princess, and at no point is ever an "American." She is an ambassador from Themyscira AKA "Paradise Island" and never ever considers herself an agent of the USA, affiliated with it, or any such thing.
For goodness sake, does it really matter who plays the part of a comic book hero or where they come from!
Remember please that Superman is not an American but a Kryptonian.
As long as the actor meets the need to portray Truth Justice and the American way whats the problem?
Stand and remember true heroes,like the 24 Brits that died on the walls at the Alimo supporting the Texas dream or the Yanks that flew with the RAF during the Battle of Britain before America joined the fray. Remember true heroes,Yanks Brits and others from Iraq and Afganistan. Enough said! ( A true Brit from Scotland)
Whatever next. A white bearded man to play Jesus of Nazareth? And Sean Penn is a straight actor pretending to be gay, dont be silly. And that bloke in 127 hours didnt actually cut his arm off. No, i know, Its true. UGhhh And a moving drawing given the voice of a human in UP? Outrageous. I paid money to watch the movie about drugs and it turns out the actor isnt really an addict. And kermit isnt a real frog so.. and wtf Jesse eisenberg isnt actually Mark Zuckerberg. Ive been robbed. AND AS IF a British bloke could EVER be a jedi Knight. Gimme a break. Oh and DONT get me started on Americas got talent.
It's an outrage and insult to US actors that Warner Bros. could find a single one of them to fill the role of the Man of Steel, the most iconic American superhero of all.
Bullsh*t. I thought that was Captain America,yes?
Who gives a shit about nationalities as long as they can act. Brits rule.
*** Dances around the LA times Hero Complex website wearing nothing but the British Flag***
For those who watched Smallville, the voice of Jor El (his Kryptonian dad) is voiced by none other than Terrence Stamp, a well-respected Brit actor. Stamp also played Zod in the films, where Marlon Brando played Jor-El (still with a Brit accent).
Now, if I also follow the Dr. Who logic (as well as Hollywood), pretty much every place on earth has a Brit accent – except in America – even outside of time, space, and alien species. It is a universal truth.
ill be honest tho i really don't care too much who plays superman. as a female, i just want him to look hot. altho, i do agree with the one person who said swimmers bodies suck. but, this dude…he's been on the tudors. im all down with it. its buff.
I don't care if Superman is played by a non American as long is he's played AS an American.
Kal-El may be of Kryptonian heritage,but he was raised by Americans, as an American,in the American heartland. Superman is the ultimate symbol that America has always been more an idea vs an ethnic group.
Speaking as a Brit, this is our revenge for Dick Van Dyke's cockney accent in Mary Poppins.
I prefer to look at this as being American rocks so hard Brits are falling over themselves to BE us in the movies.
It is a very sad state of affairs in this country that even Superman is outsourced to the British.
Wow. There are plenty of people on here, American and British enjoying playful teasing banter without resorting to hate over the casting of Superman!
Both of us rule. W make good films together!
You know, i think Henry Cavill will make a sexy American, just as Johnny Depp has been a sexy Brit playing Captain Jack Sparrow. Peace and love x
And what if it's a South American actor? Superman is one of the most loved character in the world, the most important cinema industry is North American and It wouldn´t be a surprise have a full multicultural team.
I doubt there will ever be an American actor who plays James Bond….
You're right. We Americans are open-minded whereas the Brits et al are not. We're people who love to give others the chance to shine, Brits traditionally don't
Go back to watching Fox News and kissing the feet of Israel, ignorant retard.
There has been an Australian James Bond, so who knows.
I'm all for the best people in the roles, and Brits have outstanding actors, along with Australians, Canadians and New Zealanders (South Africa, too). As the story points out, Superman came from outer space, the ultimate resident alien. The point about Robert Downey Jr. was on target.
Yes-it is a bit annoying when there are so many good American actors who could do the Superman role-but. Bale was the best Batman. Connery was the best Bond, and Russell Crowe has played Americans a lot. The film that really put him on the map-LA Confidential, he was an LAPD detective, and played opposite Guy Pearce-a great actor, and an Aussie I believe. This stuff goes on all the time- Isla Fisher ( mostly Aussie) was hilarious in Wedding Crashers. Everything is global now, and Aussies are more like Americans than Brits anyhow, and I know a bunch. The key is, can you do the accent-and do it flawlessly. The previous generation of non Americans could not. This generation can.
I bet They remove, and the American way, from Superman
cavill does not fit the role of superman, leave it alone and cast tom willington for the part
All men are created equal who cares as long as they can act period.
Frankly, it's a lot about the dollars. The actors have the drive to make more money 'abroad' and international/US studios can and will pay less or the same for that motivation. Never put studio's on the grounds of decisions based on national bond – they cater more to international balances.
I'd say the only big issue in movie making would stem from anything documentary and true portraits of the people of the land. As for fiction, anything about it can be fiction – even the actors accents. On the acting side, there is the consideration that local actors may not get said parts due to increased pool of talent. That's where they'll have to get creative and seek American roles in foreign lands, . . . they could land long term international standing . . .
It's a smaller world after all.
Here is the big picture. SUPERMAN ISN'T AMERICAN!!! He's from another planet all together. Then they mention Wonder Woman, she's an Amazon, also not American. By the way does everybody remember where the white people of America originally come from? Europe!!!
Except Superman was raised in Kansas and even considers himself American. Saying he isn’t American is pretty idiotic.
There is no such thing as american idiots. If he is native american he is asian, if he is white american he is European. Seriously do you think that all americans grew up in a tree or came with a spaceship???
Seriously political correctness turned you into an adopted child or what?
native americans are not asians, they are Indians who are native to this country, you big dumbo
I'm a Brit, so I don't mind the jobs being outsourced to folks back home. However, The Superman and all are manifestations of the American Culture and character. This country was given birth thru war with England and its three kingdoms, so its ironic that these rolls are being played by British actors.
Same amazement I have with Bruce Willis being all American when he is German, or a number of Black actors in prominent America films playing all Americans characters but are ether British or Germans and passing off as African Americans.