So, this is my first authentically “nerdy” post and boy am I geeked about it. Why? Because it has to do with my favorite superhero of all time and Zac Snyder’s second attempt to bring him to live action film…that’s right boys and girls. This post is about the new Superman v. Batman: Dawn of Justice movie coming out in 2016. Where to begin…well over the next few weeks I am going to be going over all of the little details of this movie; from plot, to production, to casting, to design, and so on (not that you asked…but you’re getting it anyway). So today, we are going to go over part one of the main cast or the cast of major characters, who’s playing who, and why they may or may not be a good fit. Today we cover Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, and Ben Affleck. This list is using imdb’s casting list so if I miss someone or state the wrong actor…please forgive me.

Henry Cavill (Superman/Clark Kent)

      Well duh, who else would we start with? Mr. Cavill was fantastic in the first film with perhaps (and I WILL catch flack for this) the most emotional and human depiction of Superman that has EVER been put to the silver screen (that’s right Donnerites that means better than Reeves). But to be honest to compare the two is to be unfair…while I will hold to my previous statement and defend it…I also understand that Reeves IS Superman for an entire generation and that his Superman is quite different from the one depicted in Snyder’s epic retelling. Having said that…Cavill is still better…the man was born to play the Man of Steel. Gone are the actors that look like swimmers with their lankiness…no folks here we have the real deal. Cavill looks, and sounds like Superman should…in all of his grandeur. Upon seeing him in the suit for the first time, he physically took my breath away. That is the first and last time that a man will ever astound me like that (well…other than Jesus)…because Cavill quite literally looked how I had always imagined Superman would look in real life. Then he talked and sounded just as Superman should sound…could this be? Were we actually going to get Superman in all of his epic wonder? Well in my mind that comes with a resounding yes (read my review on the film at http://thechristianmanifesto.com/archives/movie-review/man-of-steel). Nevertheless, I am not talking about the last movie…I am delving into this current flick being worked upon.
Perhaps one of the biggest complaints about Cavill in the last film was regarding how much dialogue he had…which was admittedly sparse. This film will be different. The back story is now history…so the events will be occurring in the present…making for a more here and now story than the one that we got last June. This should help flush the characters out more while at the same time fixing the complaint of tempo that was a concern for many (including yours truly). Fret not my fellow Superman fans…Cavill has got this.

Amy Adams (Lois Lane)

      Ok…so I will admit last movie Lois was almost an afterthought, and for many it almost ruined the film. Some felt that the chemistry between Cavill and Adams was wooden (not Bosworth/Routh wooden…but normal wooden). While it would have been nice to see a little more of Lois’s backstory and more character development I don’t believe that anyone’s complaint of Amy Adams has anything to do with Amy Adams. In fact I think you can squarely place the blame on Snyder and the writing team seeing as most of the arguments being made against Adam’s rendition of the character have to do with how she was written…not with how Adams performed it. Understanding what is to be expected now…I think Lois will be done properly and I know that if the writers come through that Amy will as well.
Adams has a track record of being fantastic in everything she does…and I don’t see any reason for that to change. This is a woman with the acting versatility to play a princess in Enchanted, be in a Muppet movie and still pull off serious roles in movies like Doubt, The Fighter, American Hustle, and Julia and Julia (which is perhaps her most underrated role). If it sounds like I’m high on Amy Adams…it’s because I am. She is perhaps one of the most talented people Hollywood has ever seen and I have loved her in everything she has ever done (even Talladega Nights…which is garbage). In my mind, we as Superman fans are beyond lucky to have her in the line-up.

Ben Affleck (Batman/Bruce Wayne)

      Can you say firestorm?!? This is a casting call that many fan boys did not like. In fact, many were ready to pull a Pontius Pilot on this film the second that he came on remembering the disaster that was Daredevil. Now to be fair…Daredevil was the victim of some horrific writing and a director who could direct himself out of a paper bag…that being said it’s been 11 years. It’s time we stop dragging that up as some kind of blot against Affleck’s record, because in the last five years alone he was the director and actor in flicks such as “The Town,” and “Argo.” Both of which were critically acclaimed and widely considered the best films of 2010 and 2012 respectively. Not only this but before Daredevil (and Gigli…yeah 2003 was a bad year) he was a writer for the 1997 drama “Good Will Hunting,” which is arguably one of the best films of the 90’s and one of my all-time favorites. And if those films aren’t proof enough…than watch “Hollywoodland” from 2006 in which Affleck plays George Reeves (if you don’t know who this is…than google it…and be ashamed of yourself).
All of this being said…Affleck is a far better actor than people give him credit for and will pull this off. In fact, most people don’t know this…but Ben is the biggest Batman ever standing at 6’2” and weighing in above 200 pounds. Christian Bale was 6’ and 190 pounds when in “Batman shape” so it is likely Ben could be upwards around 220 pounds by the time Snyder’s team is done with him. That’s a big Batman…the biggest in film history, so Ben certainly has the build to play the Dark Knight…and he certainly has the acting chops…so why the consternation? Ben is a “Bill Clinton” type actor…meaning you either love the guy or you hate his very existence. Either way…he is the next Batman and from this nerd’s perspective, he is going to be a good one.

Conclusion

      Ok so that’s it for part one. Next time I’ll cover Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman/Diana Prince, Jesse Eisenberg as Lex Luthor, and Jeremy Irons as Alfred Pennyworth in part two and I’m not planning on a part three…but that really depends on whether there are any more casting choices made before the end of production. What do you think about Cavill reprising his role, my defense of Amy Adams, and my excitement for Affleck as Batman? Do you agree, disagree…let me know below and thanks for reading.

Announcement

      Also to note…this is a weekly column I am going to start posting on called “The Weekly Nerdout.” It likely won’t always be quite this long…but we’ll see. Also, all of these pics are properties of WB and DC and are not trademarks of thenerdythologian.com.

Published by Justin Eimers

Justin began his faith walk earnestly at the age of 14 after attending a youth conference. From that day forward, Justin’s life changed dramatically. Every previously conceived plan or idea about what he wanted to do with his life was jettisoned, and he began to seriously study the Bible. Ever since he came to faith, he has been obsessed with knowing the truth of God’s word and learning how it applies to real everyday people. He also enjoys the occasional moments where he gets to preach and teach and also serves in his local church’s worship band. Justin is married to his wife of 12 years, Lisa, and is the proud father of two boys Elias and Adaiah. He enjoys sharing his passions with his boys, reading comic books, playing video games, and occasionally nerding out with friends (there is a reason this website is called The Nerdy Theologian). Justin is also working towards a Ph.D. in Bible Exposition, having already attained an MA in Theological Studies and BS in Biblical Studies. View all posts by Justin Eimers