10 Actors and Actresses We Can’t Stop Trying to Cast as Superheroes

Fantasy superhero casting has its peaks and valleys, and we’re due for an inevitable rise in speculation as a result of the huge Marvel/Netflix announcement. I like dream casting as much as the next fanboy, but many times it seems like an exercise in futility. Admit it: We don’t have a great success rate.

Many of the actors who ultimately turned in the most popular and widely loved comic book character performances on film and television have largely been the ones whose casting we initially questioned. Michael Keaton and Heath Ledger come to mind as actors whose casting was second guessed until their performances helped prove their detractors wrong.

For as many unforeseen home runs, there have been just as many (if not more) “can’t miss” casting choices that seemed like excellent character/actor matches at the time, but  failed to live up to expectations. Ryan Reynolds and Kevin Spacey were both generally perceived as solid choices to portray Hal Jordan and Lex Luthor respectively, but neither owned the role as expected.

The point is, rarely do the internet’s snap casting reactions match up with the ultimate performance. Regardless, we’ll keep wish-casting our favorite actors and actresses as comic book superheroes and villains, but it seems like the same names come up repeatedly. Remember when everyone on Earth was sold on the idea of Nicolas Cage as Superman or Adam Brody as The Flash?

Here are 10 actors and actresses that we just can’t quit fantasy casting as comic book superheroes and villains:

10. Bradley Cooper

Bradley Cooper has been rumored to star as The Flash, Green Lantern, and even Batman in recent years. When he was finally cast as a comic book character, it was far from what many had forcasted as his first Marvel or DC film role. That said, the fact that Cooper is voicing Rocket Raccoon in Guardians of the Galaxy probably won’t stop everyone from casting his as other, less woodland creature-y superheroes.

9. Gina Carano

Wonder Woman may be the most speculated-upon comic book character when it comes to potential film portrayal. MMA fighter Gina Carano has definitely got the physical presence to pull off a superheroine, and after her performance in Haywire, she became every nerd’s go-to casting choice for female comic book characters. She’s certainly charming in talk show and radio appearances, but let’s pump the brakes on handing her every tough girl role in Hollywood. Besides, my vote still belongs to Jaimie Alexander.

8. Matt Bomer

Matt Bomer, star of USA’s White Collar, was basically handed the role of Superman by many fanboys and girls. I’ll admit- he’s got the look, and his appearance in Magic Mike proved that he can get in superhero shape, but word is he screen tested for the role of Superman twice and couldn’t lock up the part. Rumors abound as to the real reason he was never cast as the Man of Steel, but regardless, we should let professional casting directors do their job and stop wishing him into the role of a comic book superhero.

7. Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling captured women’s hearts as the male lead in The Notebook, and then won over a large contingent of male fans as a mysterious unnamed stuntman in Drive. His name has been tossed around for the roles of Batman, Green Lantern, Ant-Man and most recently he’s been attached to Star Wars Episode VII.

6. Megan Fox

Before actually being cast in Michael Bay’s upcoming Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles film, Megan Fox’s name was attached to Wonder Woman, Fathom‘s Aspen Matthews, and countless other female comic book characters.

Next page: Everybody Wants to Riddle the World, and the actor we’ve cast as every superhero ever –> 

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