I’m trying my hardest to resist the urge to use the word "neat-o!" (tragic, I know) to express my excitement about the announcement that the co-writer of Batman Begins is working on a script focusing on one of my favorite characters from my favorite sci-fi franchise. Yes, PopWatchers, David Goyer (who’s also responsible for directing The Invisible) will write and direct Magneto, a neat-o an X-Men spinoff that looks at the character’s villainous origins — or more specifically, about how his quest to avenge the Nazis who put his parents in Auschwitz turned him into a seriously disreputable dood.
Now, as fantastic an actor as Ian McKellen is, I’m guessing he’s probably not the right man to portray the twentysomething version of his popular character. If I were casting the film, I’d go with Battlestar Galactica’s Tahmoh Penikett (pictured), a PopWatch favorite who’s got the good looks and charisma of a big-screen leading man, and more importantly, can actually act. (And for those of you who’d disqualify him for being too old, let’s keep in mind that in most Hollywood circles, 31 isn’t past the cutoff point for playing a high-school senior.) Are you on board with Penikett, or is there another young actor you’d cast as Magneto? Send your memo to the film’s casting folks in the comments section below.
Comments (1-30) of 42 Add your comment
Actually Slezak, I think you’re right on target with your choice. What’s more, I’d never have thought of Penikett unless you mentioned him.
Good job!
I would be great with that choice as long as he his shirtless for at least 3/4 of the movie. Surely, you’ve seen that episode of BSG…rawr
I would be great with that choice as long as he is shirtless for at least 3/4 of the movie. Surely, you’ve seen that episode of BSG…rawr
I don’t know– I think I’d go with someone a little less physically imposing. Part of the menace of a character like Magneto is that he doesn’t look like someone who could crush you, until he does. I can’t think of anyone good right now, though.
I’m down with Ryan Gosling…for pretty much anything, really (movie related or not!).
I also think Shai Lebouf (spelling?) is a good choice. But I also think most of the BSG cast should be huge movie stars.
While Helo might not be my favorite character, I do love me some Tahmoh. Great choice!
Dear Slezak and Casting people of Magneto:
I think that you should focus on getting an unknown much like Goyer did with The InvisibleBut instead make Young Xavier more famous–maybe a young WALKING stud like The Tudor’s Jonathan Rhys Meyers. For Magneto get a young up and comer cheap who is good at that villanous thing. Try Netflixing “Unspoken” and use that kid who actually looks like a young Ian MacKellan–Matthew Siegan–he was psycho evil in that!………
Yes I am him, but I frikkin love Magneto!
But that kid from the Invisible is really great! Even though he doesn’t look at all like he would be thrown into a concentration camp, he might have survived it because of how German he looks ala Europa Europa (also on Netflix… and not starring me.)
Dear Slezak and Casting people of Magneto:
I think that you should focus on getting an unknown much like Goyer did with The Invisible, and instead make Young Xavier more famous–maybe a young WALKING stud like The Tudor’s Jonathan Rhys Meyers. For Magneto get a young up and comer cheap who is good at that villanous thing. Try Netflixing “Unspoken” and use that kid who actually looks like a young Ian MacKellan–Matthew Siegan–he was psycho evil in that!………
Yes I am him, but I frikkin love Magneto!
But that kid from the Invisible is really great too! Even though he doesn’t look at all like he would be thrown into a concentration camp, he might have survived it because of how German he looks ala Europa Europa (also on Netflix… and not starring me.)
From your lips to God’s ears, Slezak.
That would be great casting! And I agree that BSG actors should be getting a lot more roles – excellent show!
Nobody should play young Magneto, that character is so dull, who isn’t sick of that villain by now?
I agree with you Nathan. In X3 I was asking myself “What is the point of Magneto again?” If he wasn’t in the last movie I might be looking forward to this.
helo!! i’d see him in anything.
Shia Lebouf would be good at being a creepy young Jew, but I don’t know.
How about Anson Mount?
wentworth miller. he could sympathetic and evil at the same time. or perhaps christian bale. why not have been two iconic superheros?
I really like the mentions of Ryan Gosling and Wentworth Miller. Both could play dark and troubled.
What about Timothy Olyphant?
I would also like to see Wentworth Miller get this role. He has the looks and is a great actor and he need’s work since Prison Break only has one more season.
Slezak, you are a brilliant man. I agree wholeheartedly that Tahmoh would be an AWESOME choice to play Magneto.
Tahmoh’s one of the best “unknowns” out there, and this formula already worked well when they put then relatively unknown Hugh Jackman to play Wolverine. This part will be ruined if they pick a better known actor for the role, unless it’s some strangely charismatic person like Adrian Grenier (who may be too old looking for the part), or some shakesperian actor who ends up in lots of sci fi (like Tom Hardy who was Shinzon in Star Trek 10).
I think the actor who played a grown up Octavious on Rome would be great as Magneto.
PlanetX: “creepy young Jew”
Did someone say Joseph Gordon-Levitt?
Totally agree with EP Sato that the unknown character formula is what worked for Wolverine with Hugh Jackman … that is why I will disagree on Tahmoh, for as much as I like him, and recommend the casting agents spend some time looking for a foreign accented young nobody with talent. I believe successful sci-fi lives by the first rule of finance – risk equals reward.
Also, it would be great if they try to make him a sympathetic villain, which he has been in the movies. Putting aside his criminality and the evil of his plans, who can fault his motivations of defending his mutant kin in an world that is mostly intolerant of them?
Channing Tatum!!!
Not to get all fan-girl geeky here, but if I’m remembering right, Magneto’s family was sent to the concentration camps because they were gypsies, not Jews.
How about James Marsters (Buffy) or Simon Woods (Rome)?
Gordon-Levitt. A very good actor who can put muscle and darkness while being understated when necessary.
I dunno, he looks like he has a Kubert body, which they haven’t done (thank heavens) in the films. Go with skinny and tormented-past-ethics. I like Levitt. How about that guy who was the lead in that “Black Donnellys”? Tucker something.
My prototypical vengeful Jew these days is Liebgott from “Band of Brothers”. But that actor needs good direction and a good script, else he wanders off into rote-ness.
To everyone who don’t know who Tahmoh is please just watch the mini series of Battlestar and you’ll know why he is such a great choice. Or if you still don’t want to watch the battlestar mini series, just go to youtube. Trust me you’ll find scenes that are just of him.
FRAKKING AWESOME suggestion! He is so Frakking hot! and he can act.. Still watching last season’s BG… I would never have thought about him in the role.. I was thinking the lead guy from The Black Donnelly’s.. But I would still pay to see Tahmoh as Magneto..great uh, cheekbones.
Tahmoh Penikett? In a word: perfect.