LOS ANGELES — Laurence Fishburne is going to
Metropolis. The Oscar-nominated actor will join the cast of “Man of
Steel” in the role of Perry White, the abrasive, ever-ethical old-school
newsman who lords over the newsroom of the Daily Planet.
Fishburne is the first African American to take on
the role in any of the many film, television and cartoon versions of
Superman’s adventures. Last year was the 70th anniversary of the
newsroom character, who first appeared on “The Adventures of Superman”
radio serial and then a few months later made his on-the-page box in the
seventh issue of “Superman.”
Fishburne, whose credits include “The Matrix,”
“Apocalypse Now” and “Mystic River,” has just left the cast of “CSI:
Crime Scene Investigation” after 2 1/2 seasons as Dr. Raymond Langston.
He celebrated his 50th birthday last week and will soon be on his way to
the Venice Film festival for “Contagion,” the Steven Soderbergh
pandemic thriller that also stars Matt Damon, Marion Cotillard, Kate
Winslet and Jude Law.
“Man of Steel,” now scheduled for 2013, will be
directed by Zack Snyder and the producing team includes Christopher
Nolan and Emma Thomas from the Gotham City films that many observers
rank as the pinnacle of superhero cinema. Henry Cavill will play
Superman and Amy Adams will star as Lois Lane. The other stars include
Kevin Costner as Jonathan Kent and Diane Lane as Martha Kent.
Jackie Cooper portrayed White in Richard Donner’s
“Superman” in 1978 and also in three of its sequels. Frank Langella took
on the role in “Superman Returns” in 2006. In the 1950s, John Hamilton
memorably played the crusty White on television and radio — and his
exasperated shouts of “Great Caesar’s ghost!” and “Don’t call me
‘chief’!” became trademark lines that would find their way into the
comic book portrayals of White as well.
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