Avi Arad Talks Hulk, Surfer and Captain America Casting
Marvel Comics Productions has made some interesting casting announcements last week, from Edward Norton as the new Incredible Hulk and Laurence Fishburne as the voice of the Silver Surfer. Considering producer Avi Arad has described the former sequel as "Diet Hulk," it seems unusual to cast perhaps the most intense actor working today.
“Well, he’s also charming and lovable and he has a great sense of humor,” explained Arad. “He’s exciting, so to me he’s more exciting than intense. I think he’s one of the great actors of our time and it elevates the movie, elevates the character.”
As for the Silver Surfer, surely actor Doug Jones could have done a compelling voice himself. “We think it will be cooler to have Mr. Fishburne doing it,” Arad said.
Arad has stood by his sequels from the beginning, despite critics who called their predecessors failures, like Ang Lee’s "Hulk." “I don’t call it a bomb. I think creatively, it was a really interesting movie. And look at the weekends out there, the movie did $132 million domestic. I don’t know if you call it a bomb. Call the studios and make a deal with them. I always wanted to bring it back. I always said I’m going to bring it back and bring it back in a different way, and I think the movie is going to be spectacular. Not good, spectacular. Different.”
He’s even planning a "Punisher 2," despite a lackluster box office for the original. “Punisher, the DVD did $60 million domestic for a movie that cost very little.”
Now the only major character Arad still struggles to bring to the screen is Captain America. “It’s coming. It’s all coming.” Who would make the perfect Captain? “Too early.”
“Well, he’s also charming and lovable and he has a great sense of humor,” explained Arad. “He’s exciting, so to me he’s more exciting than intense. I think he’s one of the great actors of our time and it elevates the movie, elevates the character.”
As for the Silver Surfer, surely actor Doug Jones could have done a compelling voice himself. “We think it will be cooler to have Mr. Fishburne doing it,” Arad said.
Arad has stood by his sequels from the beginning, despite critics who called their predecessors failures, like Ang Lee’s "Hulk." “I don’t call it a bomb. I think creatively, it was a really interesting movie. And look at the weekends out there, the movie did $132 million domestic. I don’t know if you call it a bomb. Call the studios and make a deal with them. I always wanted to bring it back. I always said I’m going to bring it back and bring it back in a different way, and I think the movie is going to be spectacular. Not good, spectacular. Different.”
He’s even planning a "Punisher 2," despite a lackluster box office for the original. “Punisher, the DVD did $60 million domestic for a movie that cost very little.”
Now the only major character Arad still struggles to bring to the screen is Captain America. “It’s coming. It’s all coming.” Who would make the perfect Captain? “Too early.”
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| The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer |
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cgcbooks writes: on Apr 23 2007 09:12 AM I say George W. Bush would make the perfect Captain America. Bring it on. (Reply to this) |
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arendr writes: on Apr 23 2007 09:36 AM In reply to this comment (#862444) no way. Captain America should be Arnold. (Reply to this) |
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dylan21484nj writes: on Apr 23 2007 11:00 AM In reply to this comment (#862445) ha, "Ah'm Cahpteen Ahmericah!" nothing sounds more American than a thick Austrian accent. maybe we should get someone who can pronounce the name "Captain America" without hurting himself. (Reply to this) |
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arendr writes: on Apr 23 2007 11:04 AM In reply to this comment (#862446) ironically, arnold's pronunciation of "California" is closer to the correct way than most of us Californians can muster. (Reply to this) |
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Matanuki writes: on Apr 23 2007 11:14 AM In reply to this comment (#862447) Arnold vs George for the part of Captain America. Now that's what I call layered humor. You got the fact that they're two physically disproportionate old guys on the one hand, and the fact that they're two republicans on the other. Fine satire guys. But on the real, that is a good question: who would be ideal for Captain America?... I'm not sure. Gonna chew on it for a while... But folks, let's all agree to hunt down and beat up the first user who suggests John Cena. (Reply to this) |
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arendr writes: on Apr 23 2007 11:20 AM In reply to this comment (#862448) thank you for the fine compliment. and i will join your anti-john cena posse. my money is they will choose marky mark, although i'm not crazy about the idea. oh well, better than donnie don. (Reply to this) |
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dracus writes: on Apr 23 2007 11:32 AM Good God, not another super hero role for Nicholas Cage to go after. (Reply to this) |
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needles writes: on Apr 23 2007 11:34 AM Pee Wee Herman! (Reply to this) |
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arcadefire325 writes: on Apr 23 2007 11:36 AM CHUCK NORRIS ALL THE WAY!!!!!!! (Reply to this) |
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cgcbooks writes: on Apr 23 2007 11:38 AM They will no doubt go with an unknown Blond dude with large biceps who can speak fairly coherent English. (Reply to this) |
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Matanuki writes: on Apr 23 2007 11:39 AM In reply to this comment (#862449) I'm thinking they gotta go the clean cut route with this one, a la Superman. An unknown's not necessary, but a badboy type like Wahlberg would be weird. He's gotta be tall and strong. He's gotta look convincing as a genetically enhanced super soldier.... Too bad it isn't coming out sooner. That way we could go see this instead of Iron Man and diss that tin punk for being on the wrong side of the civil war conflict. I mean, come on? I know this is off topic. But what self-respecting superhero sides with the government?? (Reply to this) |
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Shatter24 writes: on Apr 23 2007 11:43 AM [b]I would have said[/b] Viggo Mortensen (Aragorn from LOTR) all cleaned up of facial hair would work as captain america, but he's a little too old now. Still, that's the kind of look we're going for. There does seem to a problem in Hollywood having a good choice from blond, decently built actors. I now see why John Grisham elevated Matthew McConaghauy from nowhere status to star in A Time to Kill. It may have to be a nobody. (Reply to this) |
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cgcbooks writes: on Apr 23 2007 11:53 AM By the way, who will play Cap's sidekick, Bucky? I vote for Gary Coleman. Even though he's 39 years old, he doesn't look it. (Reply to this) |
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arendr writes: on Apr 23 2007 11:57 AM a better choice would be Aaron Eckhart. honestly, i'm not too excited about Captain America. i always found him bland, like Superman. but that's just me. (Reply to this) |
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Kmpiano1 writes: on Apr 23 2007 12:15 PM I don't really know anything about Captain America, but Aaron Eckhart comes to my mind....what do you guys think? (Reply to this) |
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Elixor writes: on Apr 23 2007 12:19 PM I honestly can't think of who would make a good Cap. Maybe try one of the dudes from 300. Has to be someone with a commanding pressence. Eckhart isn't a bad idea if he bulked up a little bit. (Reply to this) |
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synergyred writes: on Apr 23 2007 12:47 PM Marc Blucas for Captain America! He's not a well know guy but he's PERFECT for the part. (Reply to this) |
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Zen Bullet writes: on Apr 23 2007 12:55 PM What about a cleaned-up Josh Holloway for Cap? He's got that combo of Viggo-plus-All-American look happening And he doesn't feel like "just another B-Actor". There's some intelligence there, a buried wisdom. Anyway, I'll be curious to see Marvel break out of the current paradigm of superhero films and approach their material in a way more consistent with the comics. I'm not saying the films will be better-or-worse than what we've seen so far . . . but the flicks could be fun. (Reply to this) |
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digitalsoul68 writes: on Apr 23 2007 12:57 PM In reply to this comment (#862461) [b]I SECOND THAT![/b] Blucas just has the Cap look to him! I've always thought that role would be great for him. (Reply to this) |
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Bigbrother writes: on Apr 23 2007 01:11 PM In reply to this comment (#862463) Keeping on the Joss Whedon thing how about Nathan Fillion. He's probably too quirky, but he has the look. Thinking outside the box what about the guy who plays Dr. Sloane on Grey's Anatomy. Square jawed, decent build...Too bad they already used Thomas Jane in the Punisher. Check him out as Mickey Mantle in 61*. If Capt America had a drinking problem that was him to a tee. (Reply to this) |
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