Over A Decade After Man Of Steel, Laurence Fishburne Reflects On His ‘Nontraditional Casting’

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Over A Decade After Man Of Steel, Laurence Fishburne Reflects On His 'Nontraditional Casting'

As a gamer who grew up watching Superheroes come to life on the big screen, I vividly remember the release of Man of Steel back in 2013. The film was a game-changer for me, not just because it introduced a fresh take on Superman, but also because of the groundbreaking casting choices made by Zack Snyder.

Approximately 11 years ago, Zack Snyder’s Man of Steel debuted in cinemas, launching the DC Extended Universe. The audience reaction to Snyder’s 2013 interpretation of Superman was mixed, but the film has since gained a dedicated fanbase. Among the talented cast were Henry Cavill (previously Superman), Amy Adams, and Michael Shannon. Laurence Fishburne was also part of that team, portraying Daily Planet editor Perry White. Now, with the passage of time, Fishburne is reminiscing about his part in the superhero film.

What Did Laurence Fishburne Say About His Work On Man Of Steel?

It’s not surprising that the star of “School Daze” is among cinema’s busiest actors. Yet, it might not have been the first actor you thought of for the role of Perry White due to the character traditionally being portrayed as Caucasian. However, Zack Snyder chose an African American actor to play the grumpy yet endearing newsman. In interviews about his 2024 film “Slingshot,” Laurence Fishburne shared his warm feelings for playing Perry with THR, hinting at his enjoyment of that experience.

1. “That was stunning.”

The actor’s portrayal of Perry White was generally appreciated by fans, and he reprised the character in 2016’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” Critics were supportive of this portrayal. However, his tenure as White ended in 2018 when he announced that he wouldn’t be continuing with the DC Extended Universe, stating that he didn’t feel he was still needed. Following this, the veteran actor joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe, appearing as Dr. Bill Foster in “Ant-Man and the Wasp” and reprising his role in the animated series “What If…?”.

Although Laurence Fishburne’s time as Perry came to a somewhat abrupt close, his impact remains undeniable. It’s heartening to observe that at 63, he continues to embrace his pioneering role in diversifying superhero media casting. Of course, his portrayal of Mr. White paved the way for numerous other innovative casting decisions.

Other Notable Stars Have Since Played Altered Versions Of Famous Comic Book Characters

Samuel L. Jackson, Halle Berry, and others took on characters previously portrayed by white actors years before the introduction of a Black Perry White in “Man of Steel”. Some might say that Laurence Fishburne’s casting marked a turning point, as it signaled a shift in Hollywood towards more diverse casting choices for roles traditionally filled by actors of Caucasian descent.

In 2014, Candice Patton was introduced as Iris West, the love interest of the title character in The CW’s The Flash. Zack Snyder followed suit by casting Kiersey Clemons as Iris in Justice League, a role she reprised in 2023’s The Flash. Snyder also chose Jason Momoa, who is of Pacific Islander descent, to play Aquaman. More recently, the animated series Batman: Caped Crusader features an Asian Harley Quinn, with Jamie Chung in the role.

In 2015’s Fantastic Four produced by Marvel, Michael B. Jordan was chosen to portray Johnny Storm/The Human Torch, while in Deadpool 2 from 20th Century Fox, Zazie Beetz took on the role of Domino. However, the most significant development occurred when Zendaya was signed to play Michelle Jones or “MJ” in the Spider-Man trilogy co-produced by Marvel Studios and Sony. Although she didn’t play Mary Jane as traditionally known, her portrayal of a variant of this iconic character was still highly significant.

In summary, James Gunn’s version of Superman will include a Black character portraying Perry White, which has been played by Wendell Pierce. The majority of reactions to his casting have been favorable. Considering all these developments, Lawrence Fishburne can rightfully feel proud for helping to establish this trend in the acting world. Here’s wishing that this accomplished actor maintains his success not only overall but also within the realm of superhero roles.

You can stream “Man of Steel” with a Max subscription, and by keeping that membership active, you’ll also have access to streaming the DC movies in sequence. Additionally, remember that “Superman” is scheduled for release in theaters on July 11, 2025.

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2024-09-02 23:40