Why do fans of comicbook movies think casting some name-brand star is so important?

Question

I hate seeing Angelina Jolie and Josh Hartnett's being considered by fans for roles in my comicbook movies! I would rather the production company spent the millions other films spend on stars, and use it for special effects.

remember, I asked why the fans of COMICBOOK movies, not fans of movies.

Answer 1

I don't think that the fans actually want name-brand stars attached to them. I think that most people would rather have actors/actresses who can pull off the role...big named stars are ideal for producers who want people who AREN'T comic book fans to go.

Look at Fantastic Four, none of them are exceptionally huge named stars. The new Superman was essentially a no one. Christian Bale from Batman Begins is hardly a huge actor. I wouldn't consider Tobey Maguire to be a name-brand star until Spiderman. Same with Hugh Jackman.

Personally, I would rather they cast no ones and spend the money on writing decent scripts...because a lot of them suck.

One person who understands this, is Joss Whedon, who is directing Wonder Woman. He wants a no namer to play her. At least that's what I heard. Possibly just a rumor, though.

Answer 2

Adding a star adds to the drawing power of the film.

Remember that the majority of people who attend comic book movies are NOT serious comic book fans. If the movie makers played ONLY to the comic fans, the movies would have to have a smaller budget because fewer people would attend.

So, in a non-intuitive way, adding an expensive star actually may mean MORE budget for special effects, because the producers can talk the studio into spending more money, because the movie has a bankable star attached, and therefore, a wider audience and greater potential for profitability.

Do I want to see Tom Cruise play Iron Man? Not especially... but I want to see an Iron Man movie that makes me go WOW. And if having Tom Cruise attached is the only way to get that sort of movie, I'm ok with it.

Answer 3

Bottom line is the bigger the star the better the chance the movie will be a hit. However, some of the choices for the starring roles are terrible...Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, what a joke! Catch the new Iron Man DVD that is coming out on the 23 of January and you'll see what I mean.

Answer 4

This will probably be an upopular answer...

I'd guess that it's due to the idea that most of these fanatics live in a fantasy world and possibly project themselves into the roles of some of the characters... casting the 'name-brand' stars is a way of helping to exacerbate the fantasy.

Also, non comic book fans are more likely to go see it because it has the 'name-brand' stars in it.

Remember, it is cookie cutter Hollywood.

Answer 5

Yeah, I agree. Unfortunately everything is driven by money, and movie producers know that a broader audience will go see a movie if it has some big name that everyone loves.

It's sad sometimes when Hollywood won't focus on making a great movie, and focus instead on what brings in the most cash.