One of the best parts of any geek movie is debating the casting. Fan favorites are chosen years before comics or books even get optioned by Hollywood, so we feel strongly about our opinions. While dreams can’t always come true, and rarely do, here are some of the best performances by actors portraying our favorite geek icons.
7. Chris Evans as Human Torch
Amid the bright and perky mediocrity that is the Fantastic Four movie, Chris Evans shines surprisingly bright. Even without being blond, Evans played the arrogant, womanizing, spotlight stealing narcissist as if he lived the role everyday. Every funny like came from this man’s mouth. On top of that, but this guy has a real super-hero’s body, and filmmakers didn’t seem to mind showing off that fake, regulating Evans to nothing but a towel or spandex for the majority of both films.
6. Mickey Rourke as Marv
Innovative film techniques alone didn’t make Sin City one of the greatest comic book movies. Mickey Rourke portrayed Sin City’s most recognizable hero with all the subtly of a fist to the face, just the way he should. Rourke mixed Marv’s self-hatred with a chiseled exterior, eventuated by the awesome visual effects, creating the perfect movie representation of the modern film noir bad ass.
7. Malificent
Lord of the Rings began as a moderate success, garnering mixed reviews but an avid following. The book took on a unique persona as a catch phrase for the hippie movement of the 60s and 70s with "Frodo Lives" appearing on t-shirts, buttons, graffiti, and even an album. The saying is linked to the theory that Frodo lives forever after the end of the Lord of the Rings trilogy, though Tolkien himself said Frodo will die (presumably of natural causes). Another meaning could simply be that Tolkien’s books will be remembered forever. The phrased gained in popularity as the books did, especially after the releases of paperback editions encouraging the cult following and embracing by the stick-it-to-the man counterculture, transcending geeks to becoming a true pop culture moment.
On a tiny bridge with a wooden staff and a terrible case of split-ends, Gandalf the Grey stood his grown against the giant fire demon Balrog. Gandalf had to protect Frodo, the One Ring, and all his companions so we could make it to the sequels. Until now, Gandalf was just an old guy with a bad ass sword and some surprisingly kick ass moves, but for a powerful wizard, he wasn’t much. Until now. With an energy shield protecting himself from Balrog’s whip, Gandalf prevented the demon from pursuing the Fellowship, echoing the magic words "You shall not pass." The constant repeat and emotional climax led the demon’s fall, and ironically Gandalf’s as well, for now. So sad. The book original had Gandalf saying "You cannot pass."
known as Steven Spielberg. This sea classic has chewed its way into geek hearts the way any move can - with a giant mechanical monster bent on destruction.
