Some people will see a movie based on the franchise, others based on the reviews, but many will go because a particular actor is involved. Now in straight up dramas and even comedies, the actor can make all the difference. You can be pretty sure, for example, that De Niro or Streep are going to give good movie or that Stiller or Ferrell will bring some laughs (though comedy being much more subjective, they’re a little hit or miss). But does the actor matter much when it comes to comic book / superhero / geek movies, especially in the initial casting?

Consider this: Chris Evans as Tony Stark, Jeremy Renner as Captain America, Robert Downey Jr. as Hawkeye. Those just don’t sound right at all, do they? But really, they probably could have played those roles just as well as the ones they ended up in. But over the past decade or so, we’ve come to recognize the look of Evans as Captain America and Renner as Hawkeye. And at this point, RDJ really is Tony Stark.

But in most comic book movies, especially the beginning of franchises, the majority of the actors aren’t very well-known. Sure, you may have seen them in a supporting role or two in a movie or maybe they starred in a television show. But for the most part, there aren’t big names that are going to draw a crowd. Yes, there have been some stars brought in at the beginning, like Patrick Stewart as Professor Xavier, but mainly it’s been a matter of finding the right actor for the role without too much concern about drawing power.

I like it that way. When you have movies based on another visual medium like comics, it really helps to use actors who look the part. Admittedly there is always makeup and special effects that can change things as necessary. But it’s good to have the correct base to begin with. I’m not a huge fan of Wolverine, but there’s no denying that once they have the wig and sideburns in place, Hugh Jackman is unmistakable as the character. And Michael Cera has both the look and the awkward dorkiness that makes him perfect as Scott Pilgrim.

Of course, there are times when casting can ruin a film too. Do I need to mention the Hoff as Nick Fury (yes, that happened… look it up!) or Affleck as Daredevil or Kilmer as Batman (or Affleck as Batman, for that matter). And don’t even get me started on Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman… a 5’9” tall waif playing an Amazon… sure, that’s going to work out well. But if a movie is good enough, the plot is tight and the action is engrossing, you can sometimes get past bad casting (though not a personal favorite, a lot of people apparently liked the Ed Norton Hulk movie even though that was seriously bad casting). And even great casting can’t make a good movie out a bomb (everyone really though Halle Berry would make a perfect Catwoman!).

Geeks pay attention to casting in movies, especially since we’re so vested in our fandoms. And we’re even willing to give movie companies the benefit of the doubt sometimes, based on track record (Paul Rudd didn’t seem a very wise choice for a hero, but we trusted in the almighty Marvel). Some upcoming movies really have it covered, while others a pretty dicey. But I’ll admit, it’s likely I’ll still get to the theater for most of these flicks, out of curiosity if nothing else. Plus, I need to actually see a movie if I’m going to properly complain about it! 😉