FlynetRight off the top, we want to say that it's impossible to judge the quality of a film based on unofficial set photos. They don't tell you much of anything, and especially with big-budget effects movies there's so much that's added in post-production that what happens during the shoot isn't necessarily what you'll see in the theater. Which is our roundabout way of saying that the first paparazzi shots of Russell Crowe from the Superman reboot "Man of Steel" aren't incredibly promising ... but maybe they shouldn't be.
The paparazzi photos depict Crowe in costume as Jor-El, Superman's Kryptonian father who sends his baby son to Earth before his home planet is destroyed. Crowe has signed up for a small but iconic role that was played by Marlon Brando in the original movies (and brought back posthumously for "Superman Returns"), so there's a certain amount of anxiety about what his take on the character might be. But from these snapshots you can't tell anything about what Crowe's performance will be like in "Man of Steel." Mostly you just notice that his costume looks a little like a dress.
FlynetBut that's hardly a fatal concern. Crowe's getup definitely resembles Henry Cavill's Superman duds with the same dark red cape and "S" breastplate. Apparently, however, if you live on Krypton, you have to wear armor, which makes the Jor-El costume resemble Batman's wardrobe from the "Dark Knight" films. That shouldn't be that surprising, though: "Dark Knight" trilogy director Christopher Nolan is producing "Man of Steel," and the movie definitely seems to have his fingerprints all over it.
But while others think Crowe looks "paunchy," we actually think he just looks big. Or maybe we've just been spending too much time on Crowe's Twitter, where he likes to keep us apprised of his workout regimen. (This is one of the problems of having to wear a muumuu as your costume; it's so hard to know what's underneath.) Besides, geez, look at what Brando had to wear in the original "Superman": By comparison, Crowe looks downright studly. As these photos show, though, that doesn't mean Crowe can't enjoy the occasional cigarette. He may be Superman's dad, but, c'mon, the guy's still human.
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Paunchy Russell Crowe suits up to play Superman's dad (but he can't keep away from his own kryptonite... nicotine) [Daily Mail]
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