Someone somewhere once said heroes aren’t made but born. That could also be said for those that play them on the big screen.
Although super-hero movies have become the en vogue thing to do these past few years at Hollywood, there remain several notable film stars that have yet to make their super-hero debut. These are the people who’ve been rumored and wished as part of numerous super-hero casting calls but haven’t yet made the cut. Let’s list them off and give Hollywood a few pointers.
Angelina Jolie: She’s Hollywood’s highest paid actress — superheroes have become the highest grossing box office successes. Get the picture? Yes, she was in Wanted — but the movie version dispensed of the superheroes in favor of super-assassins. She did play a spot-on female version of Nick Fury in Sky Captain & The World of Tomorrow — complete with an eyepatch and helicarrier, but that wasn’t it. She’s long been rumored to star in a Sin City sequel, but for straight-up super-heroics she might be an ideal actress to play Viper of H.Y.D.R.A. in a second Captain America (or Avengers) movie, or even as Valentina Allegra de Fontaine in Samuel L. Jackson ever gets his S.H.I.E.L.D. movie.
Jon Hamm: He skyrocketed to fame with his starring role in the TV series Mad Men, and since then he’s starred in another thing — super-hero casting wish lists. Hamm was bandied about for months as a potential Superman, and he even talked about it at several points last year, saying he was too old for the role. With The Man of Steel out of reach, maybe Hamm could find his super-hero stardom with another character: he’d be an ideal Christian Walker in the upcoming Powers TV show but he’s already got a pretty good TV gig. He’d be an interesting choice to play Marvel’s Punisher, but maybe his super-hero destiny lies on the side of evil playing a villain — imagine him as General Zod. After all, he’s already worked with Zack Snyder on Sucker Punch.
Bradley Cooper: This actor is being put through the paces right now, as the current movie Limitless is his first with him receiving top billing. Cooper was reportedly in final list of actors Warner Bros. had in mind for The Green Lantern before Ryan Reynolds was cast. Although this might have been bad luck at the time for Cooper, it leaves him open for a future casting and a future fitting for a cape or costume. Potential roles for the Hangover star could be as the Flash, Green Arrow, or even as Deadpool should Ryan Reynolds drop out of that movie.
Kristen Bell: If Nathan Fillon was chosen as Entertainment Weekly‘s choice for Geek God, then we nominate Kristen Bell as Geek Goddess. Although she has yet to down a cape or cowl, she’s starred in a string of geek-centric projects from Veronics Mars to Heroes and even Fanboys. The closest comic connection for her is voicing a character in the recent Astro Boy animated movie, but for us that isn’t enough. She might be too old to pull of playing Supergirl, but there’s bound to be a role for her somewhere in the superhero genre.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson: Johnson stands out as one of the leading actors in the modern generation of action stars, but has yet to make the leap into the world of super-heroes. The People’s Champion was quoted on the record himself saying he’s like a part in a DC Captain Marvel movie, but with this charisma and super-human body type he’d be ideal for a host of roles from the comic books.
There’s loads of people we’re missing — so you tell us, who should call their agent to find them a super-hero movie?
Find us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Subscribe to our RSS Feed
Some rights reserved.
Nathan Fillon?…..
I nominate Bradley Cooper for the Flash. I don’t think Hamm is to old for Superman, though I get the argument.
It’s a crime that the Rock hasn’t been in a comic book movie. He has the acting chops and charisma in spades.
I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I’d love to see “The Rock” play Superman. He’s got the physique, the all american good looks, and a winning smile.
That is what the All-American man looks like now.
Aaah… blasphemy. Everyone knows that Felicia Day is the Geek Goddess.
it only took 1 post for Nathan Fillon [sic] to appear.
record?
I dont understand why people want John Hamm as Superman so badly, when I look at him I dont see Clark Kent, I see BRUCE WAYNE. Now that would be awesome.
And if a new Daredevil does take off, I think Bradley Cooper would be a great Matt Murdock.
would love to see John Hamm play Superman….set in the 40s. Alien invasion, flying saucers.. SOLD.
James Marsters as Victor Von Doom?
McLovin or Everybody Hates Chris as Peter Parker
Id love to see Bradley Cooper do either Green Arrow or the Flash..I thought Ryan Reynolds would have made a much better Flash than Green Lantern but of course that was me thinking more of the Wally-Flash than the Barry-Flash.
How about Kristen Bell as Power Girl, if we can get past the idea of Power Girl being a DD or greater?
I’m fine with the guy they chose. but, Jon Hamm was my pick for superman(and still is). He’s just absolutely perfect for the role. But, I’d love to see him as Zod or Luther. he’d be a great villain.
This list needed a little more Chris Pine. I still think Pine would make an awesome Daredevil for the reboot.
Dwayne Johnson is one of my favorite currently working action stars. The Rundown is a particular favorite of mine.
Excellent idea for an question/article
@DarkKnightDetective THANK YOU for the Bruce Wayne/ Jon Hamm argument. Im glad someone said it. If they wanna do JLA, Nolan Batman wont work, but a Hamm Wayne could!
Dwayne Johnson would be an excellent Black Adam. Give him a chance to play the bad guy too. Cooper would be an awesome Flash, I could see him being either Wally or Barry, actually. I think he has the range to do either.
@Skyfire124 – Yeah, I was pretty sold on Reynolds as Wally at one point. Not so much as Hal, but we’ll see. And what’s wrong with Kristen Bell with DD’s? Sounds great to me!
I’ve love to see Neil Patrick Harris as Barry Allen. I think he could pull it off
I think Matt Damon would make a great superhero, but I’m can’t come up with a perfect fit. Daredevil? Nick Fury?
If they rebooted The Fantastic Four I think John Hamm would be the perfect Reed Richards. He’s got the build, is the right age, and looks smart, but not completely nerdy. Seeing his small role as The High Roller in Sucker Punch solidified that for me, too.
Someone who’s not on the list that needs to be in a good comic book movie is Paul Bettany. If someone came in and took over the Bat-franchise from Chris Nolan after “Rises” I still think a dark tragic take on the Mr. Freeze character, one where his futile mission to save his wife becomes his sole obsession, something that Bruce Wayne can relate to, is possible. And Paul Bettany certainly has the look and the acting chops to get it done.
I hadn’t actually thought of Bradley Cooper for The Flash, but that sounds like a good idea. Not Matt Murdock though.
I wanted Kristen Bell as Lois Lane! I’m still not feeling Amy Adams as Lois..
after seeing teh Hangover and being totally ambivalent about the movie, i thought Cooper would have made a great Green Lantern. I would have like to see him bring that same level of asrehole-ishness to Hal Jordan. I really would have like to see a superhero who thinks he is awesome but ultimately does the right thing.
The Rock as Captain Marvel would be perfect. I am surprised that there isn’t more talk of a Captain Marvel movie. With Harry Potter wrapping up this year, an all ages superhero movie is in order and Captain Marvel is what every little kid dreams of. If done right it could be fantastic. We don’t need every comic book movie “grim and gritty.”
Cooper has to be a front runner for Flash. (No pun intended) Geeks are all pulling for NPH but I don’t see it happening.
@superryan Amy Adams is a great choice for Lois Lane in my opinion and is the best news I’ve heard about Superman yet.
I’d much rather see the Rock as Black Adam. That would be too awesome to fathom
The Rock as Black Adam has always been a good casting choice.
i’d actually like to see kristen bell as zatanna. that might be nice.
NPH and cooper would be great for flash and i’m pretty sure they might have great chemistry with reynolds as hal.
and as you said – there is some role for hamm, i just can’t seem to put my finger on it.
I was overseas during the whole “Veronica Mars” craze. A fact, for which, I am eternally grateful. I. hate. kristen. bell.
I’d like to see Bradley cooper as Guy Gardner more than Deadpool or Hal Jordan. The guy is ok, but the best acting I’ve seen him do was in Alias and nothing since then has been …well, good.
From what I read the last few years, the Rock was basically campaigning to be Black Adam. I think he can do it.
Jolie would make a great Baroness in a GI Joe – Cobra movie. And Kristen Bell as Retro Girl 2.0 in a Powers movie!
I would see the rock as black adam, if they ever do a shazam movie, fingers crossed.
I think Matt Damon would make a great Wesley Dodds from Sandman Mystery Theatre. Set the film in the 30’s and give him a gasmask and he’s good to go.
I was going to mention Nathan Fillion, but I see I’m a bit late to that party.
I’m surprised The Rock wasn’t asked to do the Shazam/Superman short because there is a lot of Black Adam in that. Not that Arnold Vosloo (real name) didn’t do a good job, but I wouldn’t have mind seeing The Rock give it a shot.
God help me…I would watch a Bradley Cooper Deadpool movie.
@Kennyg i’ve got no problem with Kristen Bell and DD’s…only that she DOESN”T have them but I think she could make a great Power Girl regardless 😉
Kristin bell is my choice to play Death if that movie ever gets made. death is a spunky, fun loving chick with a serious inner self and big sense of responsibility, who is supposed to be super cute and approachable. Sounds like almost every role Kristin bell has ever played.
Arnie Hammer
I Always have thought that Kristen Bell would make a perfect Harley Quinn.
Well apparently Paul Giamatti wants to be ‘The Rhino’ in a Spider-Man movie. He just mentioned it first thing in a Conan interview.
That’s certainly an interesting choice, but he clearly knows the origin for the character.
@JohnVFerrigno @baggo I’d love to see Kristen in either of those roles as well, Death or Harley Quinn, both! Either of those would be a lot of fun to see.
I don’t believe you can be to old for Superman, you just tailor the story to that arc in his life. If you have a strong enough actor and script, you could get a good Superman movie with him in his 70s.
I would love to see the Rock play Colossus in an X-men movie. He would also make an awesome Punisher. He has that attitude going for him. Anyone who has watched Faster will know what I am talking about.
NPH as Spiderman and Peter Parker would be great.
Kristen Bell would be a great Rogue from X-men.
And what about Mila Kunis as Jubilee?
Black Widow AKA SALT nuff said ,LOL
DC: dwayne johnson = Black Adam , bradley cooper = green arrow, kristen bell = stargirl
Marvel: Angelina Jolie = lady bullseye, John Hamm = nick fury
thats all i got
In that photograph, Angelina Jolie looks strikingly like Julie Newmar or Lee Meriwether.
Kristen Bell = Deena Pilgrim.
I think the Rock would be perfect to play Cable. He may not look the part, but if you watch Doom, or the Rundown, or pretty much and movie hes made where he carries a big gun and kicks loads of ass, Hes got the attitude to pull off the role. Give him a robot arm and getthe hell out of the way! Plus, Id like to see him toss Ryan Reynolds Deadpool around for a few minutes… That would be worth a laugh or 2. 🙂
People need to take a look at Aisha Tyler. She’s geeky, funny, and hot. And while ideally she’d be a good choice for Storm, I could see her as the Black Cat in a future Spidey film.
I can’t stand Deadpool, but I think Joel McHale from Community would be a cool choice.
“The Rock..” Perfect Evil Adam!!!