Zack Snyder Reportedly Looking for a Middle-Aged Superman

Posted by on October 21st, 2010   Filed under: Action, Books/Comics, Rumours
Source: Vulture

It’s been a couple of weeks since it was first announced that Zack Snyder would be directing the new Christopher Nolan-produced Superman movie for Warner Brothers, and although there hasn’t been much information to go on thus far, it continues to be a hot topic of discussion among fanboys and movie geeks. The only thing that Zack Snyder has revealed up until now is the fact that it will focus on the early days of Superman and it will not be based on any one comic in particular. However, this week we have an interesting rumour that seems to conflict with that statement a little bit… according to a source, they might be looking for a middle-aged Superman instead.

The source in question is actor Armie Hammer (who played The Winklevi in The Social Network). He was once a fan favourite to play Superman, and in a recent interview with Vulture, he says that he heard through the grapevine that they’re now looking to cast Superman a little older… 35 to 40, to be exact. If that’s the case, it looks like the doors just opened back up for another Superman casting fan favourite: 39-year-old Mad Men star Jon Hamm.

While I’m not quite sure why everyone is so crazy about Jon Hamm as Superman, I definitely like the idea of going with a slightly older actor for the role. Not only is Hollywood way too focused on casting young for all of the major tentpole films as of late, but we’ve already had plenty of teeny bopper superheroes thanks to Smallville. For once it would be nice to see a world weary Man of Steel on screen. Also, I think I’m probably not alone in saying that I’m not that interested in seeing a Superman origin story all over again. So while this is all nothing more than hearsay at the moment, it’s still an intriguing possibility. Do you like the idea of Zack Snyder working with a middle-aged Superman?



  • I think Jon Hamm would make a fine Superman. Check out this quick mockup here:

    http://www.sesums.com/2010/10/jon-hamm-as-superman/

  • Phil

    YES, this would work excellently. Superman needs to be just that, a man.

    By casting too young they’re trying to make him Spider-Man…we need a father figure as Superman.

    Alex Ross’ drawings should be the model they try to follow.

  • kyri

    NICE SWEET AWESOME…

    Zack Reads FilmJunk Forum?

  • Big Hungry

    The max fleischer superman should be the direction.

  • Jim

    Not a big fan of Jon Hamm as Superman. Michael Fassbender’s my pick.

  • Captain N

    Jon Hamm isn’t a bad actor, but Im not sure I’d care to see him as Superman. Armie Hammer as Superman is actually an interesting choice. He was originally cast as Batman in George Millers Justice League, but would be very appropriate for Superman. Hopefully they reconsider Hammer.

  • have you people seen Jon Hamm outside of Mad Men? he is very limited. He is laughable in things he shouldn’t be – The Town. And isn’t laughable in the things he should be – 30 Rock!

  • Jonny Ashley

    Jon Hamm looks a little on the skinny side. I want to see some large and in charge muscles.

  • Brendan

    Saying an actor aged 35-40 would be playing a “middle-aged” Superman seems a bit odd. Just look some other major super heroes that have recently been played by actors around that age range:
    Wolverine – Hugh Jackman, 42
    Batman – Christian Bale, 36
    Green Lantern/Deadpool – Ryan Reynolds, 34
    I don’t know if anyone really considers any of those characters to be “middle aged” per se. They certainly aren’t meant to be teen-aged or even college aged, but the term “middle-aged” implies a certain quality of advancing age and maturity that I wouldn’t really apply to those actors and their respective characters.
    It makes me think they’re casting older because of the criticism of Brandon Routh being “too young” to play Superman, despite the fact that he was actually older than Christopher Reeve was when he originally portrayed the role.

  • Fatbologna

    Rus,

    Riiiiight, because Supes is SO layered…?

    Also, Hamm was pretty damn funny on SNL. 30 Rock just ain’t that good anymore.

    Johnny Ashley,

    Hamm’s actually a little on the flabby side but could just hit the gym and pull a Christian Bale if he had the time.

    Case in point:

    http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/01/31/sergio-the-sax-man-video_n_443516.html

    Although, he’d probably have to shave his chest/gut if they ever wanted to show him topless. Other than that he’s pretty much the spittin’ image of the Fleischer Superman. I can’t really think of a better candidate off the top of my head.

  • rjdelight

    So much for Brandon Routh getting another shot.

  • Derek

    Avatar’s Stephen Lang…All the way. He would make a perfect man of steel.

  • Derek

    Or better yet, Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

  • Darth_Siskel

    As much as I like the idea of an older Superman, you can’t forget that this is a FRANCHISE theyre tryin to set up here. They mostly go with younger actors so we can have more from them down the line. Goin with an older Supes would have it’s drawbacks

  • This does make it much more interesting. Going into more of a Watchmen direction…? Hopefully it will be interesting. Could this be Snyder’s Batman Begins?

  • xidor

    The governator will be looking for work thanks to term limits in California. Maybe they have German accents at krypton.

  • I say Burt Reynolds as Superman

  • GfC

    Eh, eh, buh, The guy who played The Comedian. He’ll be perfect! He got the batman looks and he can act well too.