Clint Eastwood Passed On 1978's 'Superman,' Wanted To Play Namor - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 09-07-2010, 06:48 PM

Link

We've presented a fair share of "What If?" casting stories over the years here on Splash Page, with many of them involving actors who, at one point or another, came close to playing Superman on the big screen. There was Christian Bale, Brendan Fraser, David Hasselhoff, and... Clint Eastwood?

Yes, according to an interview with Hero Complex, the "Dirty Harry" star was considered for the title role in 1978's "Superman" — a role that eventually went to Christopher Reeve.

"I can remember – and this was many years ago – when [Warner Bros. President] Frank Wells came to me about doing Superman," said Eastwood. "So it could have happened. This was when they first started to think about making it. I was like, 'Superman? Nah, nah, that’s not for me.' Not that there’s anything wrong with it. It’s for somebody, but not me."

Richard Donner's big-screen take on the Man of Steel eventually took flight with another actor, but Eastwood said he wasn't interested in the role then or later, drawn instead toward roles he felt were more "grounded."

“I always liked characters that were more grounded in reality," he said. "Maybe they do super things or more-than-human things — like Dirty Harry, he has a knack for doing crazy things, or the western guys — but, still, they’re not caped crusaders."

Superhero typecasting was also a concern, according to the veteran actor and filmmaker.

"That was part of the consideration, a big part,” he said. “Look at Reeve, he was excellent. That was a big factor. You get a role like that, and it locks you in a bit. True, I had the western genre and the ‘Dirty Harry’ role, but everybody made westerns and did cop movies; they didn’t seem as bad [for typecasting the actors]."

And in a bit of a surprise turn, Eastwood name-dropped the one superhero he was a big fan of: Marvel's sea-dwelling Sub Mariner, Namor.

"The Sub-Mariner, that’s the one I always liked," he said. "I had all of those comics when I was a kid."

Would Clint Eastwood have made a good Superman? What about Namor? Let us know what you think in the comment section or on Twitter! You can also follow me, Splash Page editor Rick Marshall, on Twitter!

Marvo301 · 09-07-2010, 06:51 PM

I can just see Clint as Superman telling Lex Luthor to "go ahead make my day"!

Zoneboy · 09-07-2010, 06:57 PM

I love Clint but I can't see anyone but Christopher Reeve in that role.

Mr. Television · 09-07-2010, 07:01 PM

When I saw the title of the thread say Clint Eastwood passed on, I was expecting the worse.

Yea I don't know if he would have made a good Superman. Besides in 1978 he was staring in a movie with an ape.

Zoneboy · 09-07-2010, 07:10 PM

catlover79 · 09-07-2010, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I can just see Clint as Superman telling Lex Luthor to "go ahead make my day"!

Now THAT I would love to see.

catlover79 · 09-07-2010, 11:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

I love Clint but I can't see anyone but Christopher Reeve in that role.

Same here!!

Retro4Life · 09-08-2010, 01:21 AM

Speaking as someone who'd probably watch Clint Eastwood play Kermit the Frog, I do think Clint was too old at 48 to play Supes.

However, though he was also too old to play Namor the Sub Mariner, that character isn't as strongly ingrained in the public's conscienousness and he might have been able to pull it off. He DID look a lot like Namor!

PlayOn · 09-08-2010, 03:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

using that as an avatar in the near future. lol.

catlover79 · 09-08-2010, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

That's awesome.

Torgo · 09-09-2010, 01:49 PM

I'm trying to picture Clint playing a nerdy/clutzy Clark Kent

catlover79 · 09-09-2010, 07:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Torgo

I'm trying to picture Clint playing a nerdy/clutzy Clark Kent

I know - I can't picture it, either!!

09-07-2010, 06:48 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,409	Clint Eastwood Passed On 1978's 'Superman,' Wanted To Play Namor Link We've presented a fair share of "What If?" casting stories over the years here on Splash Page, with many of them involving actors who, at one point or another, came close to playing Superman on the big screen. There was Christian Bale, Brendan Fraser, David Hasselhoff, and... Clint Eastwood? Yes, according to an interview with Hero Complex, the "Dirty Harry" star was considered for the title role in 1978's "Superman" — a role that eventually went to Christopher Reeve. "I can remember – and this was many years ago – when [Warner Bros. President] Frank Wells came to me about doing Superman," said Eastwood. "So it could have happened. This was when they first started to think about making it. I was like, 'Superman? Nah, nah, that’s not for me.' Not that there’s anything wrong with it. It’s for somebody, but not me." Richard Donner's big-screen take on the Man of Steel eventually took flight with another actor, but Eastwood said he wasn't interested in the role then or later, drawn instead toward roles he felt were more "grounded." “I always liked characters that were more grounded in reality," he said. "Maybe they do super things or more-than-human things — like Dirty Harry, he has a knack for doing crazy things, or the western guys — but, still, they’re not caped crusaders." Superhero typecasting was also a concern, according to the veteran actor and filmmaker. "That was part of the consideration, a big part,” he said. “Look at Reeve, he was excellent. That was a big factor. You get a role like that, and it locks you in a bit. True, I had the western genre and the ‘Dirty Harry’ role, but everybody made westerns and did cop movies; they didn’t seem as bad [for typecasting the actors]." And in a bit of a surprise turn, Eastwood name-dropped the one superhero he was a big fan of: Marvel's sea-dwelling Sub Mariner, Namor. "The Sub-Mariner, that’s the one I always liked," he said. "I had all of those comics when I was a kid." Would Clint Eastwood have made a good Superman? What about Namor? Let us know what you think in the comment section or on Twitter! You can also follow me, Splash Page editor Rick Marshall, on Twitter!
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

09-07-2010, 06:51 PM	#2
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	I can just see Clint as Superman telling Lex Luthor to "go ahead make my day"!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

09-07-2010, 07:01 PM	#4
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,132	When I saw the title of the thread say Clint Eastwood passed on, I was expecting the worse. Yea I don't know if he would have made a good Superman. Besides in 1978 he was staring in a movie with an ape.
	__________________ Sonny

09-08-2010, 01:21 AM	#8
Retro4Life Accept No Substitutes Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 04, 2009 Location: IL Posts: 6,708	Speaking as someone who'd probably watch Clint Eastwood play Kermit the Frog, I do think Clint was too old at 48 to play Supes. However, though he was also too old to play Namor the Sub Mariner, that character isn't as strongly ingrained in the public's conscienousness and he might have been able to pull it off. He DID look a lot like Namor!
	__________________ Alex Reiger :[Trying to convince Louie not to antagonize Bobby] "It's not hard to make people feel bad about their lives. What's hard is making people feel good about their lives."

09-09-2010, 01:49 PM	#11
Torgo Omaha & Fritz Forum Star Join Date: Mar 06, 2004 Location: Oregon Posts: 19,036	I'm trying to picture Clint playing a nerdy/clutzy Clark Kent
	__________________ "I'm going to go do something productive. I'm gonna go watch television." - Ray Peterson, The 'burbs "I am the literary equivalent of a Big Mac and Fries." - Stephen King "There's nothing wrong with G-rated movies, as long as there's lots of sex and violence." - Elvira

09-07-2010, 06:57 PM	#3
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,409	I love Clint but I can't see anyone but Christopher Reeve in that role.

09-07-2010, 07:10 PM	#5
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,409