CAST THIS: Hawkeye

Alrighty, Cast This is back after a very, very long hiatus during the holidays, and it’s time start filling in roles for 2010 and beyond. This week, we’re doing a character that’s a little more obscure, but someone that’s integral to the upcoming AVENGERS movie.

Last week, Jeremy Renner stated that the rumors of him playing Hawkeye in either THOR or the AVENGERS were greatly exaggerated, and he has no such plans as of yet. Is it possible? Sure. But is it certain? Far from it, and today we’re trying to find out if Renner is in fact the best choice to play HAWKEYE.

If you’re not well versed in comic lore, it is pretty easy to mix up the Marvel sharpshooter with two other similar characters over at DC, Hawkman and Green Arrow. But while Hawkman is part of the anti-Avengers, The Justice League, and Green Arrow is busy planning to break out of a supermax prison (someday), Hawkeye stands alone as the one remaining piece of the Avengers puzzle. Well, after they cast Captain America of course, but we already did that for them.

What are we looking for? I’m not sure really, I think Hawkeye could be filled by a variety of different actors, and I would try to cast someone looking for a breakout role, or someone who could use some screentime in a huge-ass movie. I wouldn’t be half surprised if Marvel tried to give Hawkeye his OWN movie before AVENGERS, so he has to be able to carry his weight dramatically as well. I don’t think Renner going from HURT LOCKER to here is really the right fit, but if you disagree, feel free to write him in as your first choice. Everyone’s in the running here.

Last Week Year: BATTLE ANGEL

The last Cast This column we ran might be faded from your memories, but it was released during the height of AVATAR fever, which is why I decided to cast the titular role in what I thought Cameron’s next project will be, BATTLE ANGEL, the story of a teenage cyborg angel who is an unexpectedly vicious killing machine. Here are the results:

1. AnnaSophia Robb – 25% 2. Ellen Page – 17% 3. Camilla Belle – 13%

Now, many of you were quick to point out that the angel Alita will likely be all CGI, and my casting column was pointless. I knew this when I wrote it however, but as you’ve now seen via AVATAR, with Cameron’s tech, you can still see an actor or actress’ performance through the CGI, which is why I think casting is still important here.

I really do love the otherworldly look of young AnnaSophia Robb, and I think she looks pitch perfect for the part. My only concern is that I haven’t really seen her do anything extraordinary dramatically yet, so I don’t know if she’d be able to carry an entire James Cameron movie.

Contrastingly, I think Ellen Page is destined to become a great actress, and really, she already is one, a fact that has been recognized most recently by Chris Nolan when he cast her in INCEPTION. Whether she looks the part is another story, but a little CGI can fix that right up. As for Camilla Belle, she’s certainly cute, but she’s older than me, and I think she looks it.

Alright, now let me hear those Hawkeye suggestions!