Has Henry Cavill replaced Christopher Reeve?

[enyawd72]

I hate to say it, but Cavill is my new favorite Superman. I thought he seemed more genuine in the role, and his Clark Kent was much more palatable than Reeve's over-the top doofus.
Cavill also has an incredibly powerful physical presence. He looked like he could mop the floor with Chris Reeve.

[EMCE Hammer]

I really can't compare them. I saw Reeve through child's eyes, and he was bigger than life to me then. Cavill could easily be my "adult" Superman. The takes are so different, for me it's like trying to choose between Filmation Batman the animated Dark Knight Returns.

[Earth 2 Chris]

SPOILERS


We haven't seen Cavill's "act" as Clark Kent, the reporter. So you really can't compare the two. We didn't see Reeve portray Clark Kent pre-Superman/Daily Planet Clark, so in a way, they were different roles. In the Reeve films, Superman was the real person, where Clark was the act. In this movie, up until the last frame, they are one and the same person.

I think both actors brought real sincerity to their roles. I think Cavill is the best Superman we've seen since Reeve, partially because Routh was asked to portray Reeve's Superman, and wasn't able to forge his own path.

But Chris Reeve is the ONLY actor who makes me believe even his closest friends wouldn't recognize Clark Kent as Superman and vice versa. He made that age-old conceit work.

I don't think he's been replaced. Many folks feel Chris never replaced George Reeves. It's not an absolute. Chris Reeve will always be MY Superman, and it's the same for many fans our age. But I think Cavill did an outstanding job and I look forward to seeing him in the role for years to come.

Chris

[palitoy]

I like both interpretations. Just like I love Kingdom Come Superman and the Super Friends Superman.

However the scene where the trucker is picking on Clark seemed like it was more suited to Reeve, who would pick on Cavill?

[MIB41]

I don't see this new actor as an improvement, so much as a compliment to Christopher Reeves. The original Superman film will always remain an influential piece of cinematic history. It may not fit the tastes of some in later generations. But it's impact and lasting influence remain an indelible part of this genre. That movie did all the leg work for a generation that never believed these types of films could be taken seriously. So if Donner and Reeves had not done their job properly, we wouldn't be talking about any of these films today. One film had to be the first to say, "This can be done seriously with Hollywood's best talent". And Superman did that. Young people today just can't comprehend what a massive hurdle that really was back then. There were no social websites for fans to have a voice. And adults lumped Superman and Batman in with Mickey Mouse and Scooby Doo. The popular opinion stated this was kid stuff, devoid of any real artistic application or intelligence. This was not a subject taken serious. And had that opinion, in any way, existed on that set like it did for the television superheroes of it's day, this industry never would have happened. So while some may no longer view Reeves as the definitive man of steel, I think it's safe to say respect for his role should remain solid. Henry Cavill is a great Superman for today's generation. But he's standing on the shoulders of an actor who gave Superman his dignity and his legacy. Lets not forget that.

[enyawd72]

However the scene where the trucker is picking on Clark seemed like it was more suited to Reeve, who would pick on Cavill?

You'd be surprised. One of the reasons I stopped going to bars years ago was because being a big guy made you a target for little guys trying to prove how tough they are.
Being the big guy, if you don't fight back you're a sissy...if you do, you're a bully. It's really a no-win scenario.

[palitoy]

You'd be surprised. One of the reasons I stopped going to bars years ago was because being a big guy made you a target for little guys trying to prove how tough they are.
Being the big guy, if you don't fight back you're a sissy...if you do, you're a bully. It's really a no-win scenario.

I'm 6' 5", I guess I'm lucky cause I can only think of one occasion where that was going on. I also rarely stray from my corner pub where i'm known.

However, after over a decade of different styles of martial arts, I will say that height/size make you the "practice dummy" with almost every Sensei I've encountered.

[Mikey]

Zoidberg: Don't worry, I know just how to handle bullies. Just pretend like you're pathetic

[B-Lister]

Christopher Reeve was never MY Superman so he never needed replacing. But Cavill is now MY Superman.

And the notion that I owe Reeve recognition for the role is not one i will entertain.

[palitoy]

Zoidberg: Don't worry, I know just how to handle bullies. Just pretend like you're pathetic

I don't have to pretend.

[Random Axe]

Every person who played Superman made an impact and impression, though some more than others.

Chris Reeve - He brought a humanity and genuine goodness to the role. There was a purity to his performance, that while still pretending to be a bumbling fool, you never questioned his motivations or his heart. He truly was the big blue boy scout.

George Reeves - He had the quiet confidence and manliness tha would come with being Superman. He always had that look about him that he was the smartest one around and never had to question his decisions as he knew they were right and just. His presense commanded respect and attention, just like Superman should.

Brandon Routh - While he was obviously directed to channel Reeve, his own nuances came through. His Superman seemed quite emotionally vulnerable and maybe a little devoid of a sense of humor. Just being Superman would be extrememly demanding and stressful keeping up with his self-appointed duties and might wear down on the soul.

Dean Cain - He showed that even being the strongest being in the universe, you still have day to day stress of workplace woes and human problems. THe previous films touched on this briefly, but Cain's Superman had real world issues involving work, paying rent and romantic shortcomings.

Kirk Alyn - He made it his mission to separate Clark Kent from Superman. While G Reeves was basically the same in uniform or not, Alyn concentrated on making Clark and Kal as different as possible to maintain the illusion, even changing his posture and voice inflections.

So when you look at the big picture, each actor left somewhat of a legacy to the role. Every generation is influenced by the previous, even if it isn't obvious. Every modern metal band owes it's career in some way or another to Black Sabbath. In twenty years, when Superman is reborn on film (or holograms in our brain, it will be 2033)people will look back at Cavill's performance and take something from it. I haven't seen it yet so I have no idea what that would be, but no doubt he will be as influential as his predecesors were who donned the cape and S.

[MIB41]

Christopher Reeve was never MY Superman so he never needed replacing. But Cavill is now MY Superman.

And the notion that I owe Reeve recognition for the role is not one i will entertain.

If you can't respect where the material evolves from without being juvenile about it, then you no more understand the current character as he's written, than you do the one developed long before your existence was considered. Enjoy your self-induced coma on the subject.

[starsky]

pretty funny palitoy.i do remember the big guy in my classes always getting called out to be the practice dummy. but i think it's better than always being paired up with a girl for sparring!!

I'm 6' 5", I guess I'm lucky cause I can only think of one occasion where that was going on. I also rarely stray from my corner pub where i'm known.

However, after over a decade of different styles of martial arts, I will say that height/size make you the "practice dummy" with almost every Sensei I've encountered.

[Brazoo]

You'd be surprised. One of the reasons I stopped going to bars years ago was because being a big guy made you a target for little guys trying to prove how tough they are.
Being the big guy, if you don't fight back you're a sissy...if you do, you're a bully. It's really a no-win scenario.

Going off topic a bit, but being smaller doesn't make it easier. I've been "targeted" many many times for inexplicable reasons - even by guys A LOT bigger than me. I have no idea what they think they're going to get out of it. Sometimes no matter what Jerks + Booze = Problems.

[palitoy]

but i think it's better than always being paired up with a girl for sparring!!

I got that as well! Everybody in the class needed a turn with the oaf.