Christopher Meloni is Shining An Army Helmet for The Man of Steel, Not Lex Luthor's Chrome Dome
By Rob Payne | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (14)
News broke about former “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” star Christopher Meloni joining the cast of Zack Snyder’s Superman: The Man of Steel this weekend, and the digital grapevine was drunk on the possibility of the receding-hair-lined actor playing Lex Luthor in the reborquel. That’s understandable, after all, both Meloni and Luthor share less than full heads of hair (because that’s what really counts). Besides that, however, the ex-Stabler would seem an inspired choice to play Superman’s archenemy. His ability to create distinct personae between drama and comedy would definitely make him a credible option if range matters at all, and the obvious intensity he brings from his most famous TV role is intriguing in its own right.
Alas, like so many other missed opportunities, Vulture is reporting that Meloni will be playing a U.S. Army General in the upcoming DC Comics/Warner Bros. franchise reboot. It seems that Michael Bay’s obsession with the military in the forthcoming Transformers: The Dark of the Moon, as well as those Transformers past, isn’t enough for the film going masses, and will also play a role in Zack Snyder and Christopher Nolan’s The Man of Steel — not to mention the army-heavy scenes in the recently released X-Men: First Class and the no-duh connections in Captain America: The First Avenger. This military abundance almost makes it seem that comic book movies are representing the Tea Party’s fears of total government takeover. Still, no matter what role Meloni is playing (repeat: he’s set as a General in the U.S Army), like Russell Crowe before him, he will most likely perform admirably. Of course, this isn’t necessarily good or bad news for that Wet Hot American Summer sequel. Because that is probably never going to happen, anyway.
I have no idea if Lex Luthor will even be in this movie, but it seems rather pointless not to include him at this point. And apparently the sky’s the limit on who could play him, so it would seem a fool’s errand to be playing casting call, as the role (should it exist) could literally go to anybody. I wouldn’t even presume the actor must be male, as it seems any presumption surrounding any movie with Christopher Nolan’s name is bound to be just that, presumptuous. So, again, if you’re out there Messrs. Snyder and Nolan, take another look at Cate Blanchett. She’s not too shabby.
Even if there aren’t any low hanging fruit, the casting game is just distracting enough on a Monday, so feel free to make your suggestions below in the comments. Jimmy Olsen and Perry White have also yet to be cast, maybe, so you may as well have a go at them, too. And, no, you can’t use anybody from “Smallville.” That’s like voting for Ron Paul in a national election.
Rob Payne writes the indie comic The Unstoppable Force, co-hosts the internet radio show/podcast We’re Not Fanboys, and is on Twitter @RobOfWar. He realizes that in all fairness, Michael Rosenbaum’s “Smallville” Lex Luthor (pre-death/resurrection/clone B.S.) would not be out of place in Snyder’s cast.
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Comments
Posted by: Jay at June 27, 2011 10:47 AM
Luthor? I'll say Jason Isaacs.