Having topped this year’s box office with Iron Man 3, director Shane Black is now set to swap Marvel Comics for the pulps, turning his attention to the iconic 1930s adventurer Doc Savage for a big screen adaptation courtesy of Sony Pictures. During an interview with IGN, Black has spoken about his plans for the film, as well as hinting that he’d be open to casting an Avenger – no, not Robert Downey Jr. – in the lead role as the Man of Bronze.
“In the books, there’s an element of goodie-goodie that we like. Doc Savage was the basis essentially for Superman because his name is Clark and he has a Fortress of Solitude, and oh, Superman has the same thing…that’s odd! But that kind of perfect hero who never makes mistakes is great to a point, and the type of adventure and pulp it represents is so imitated; Raiders of the Lost Ark is essentially a child of Doc Savage… We’ve kept it in the 30s. We’ve beefed up the rationale behind what it would take to be the perfect person and to be trained as such from childhood and how that would scar someone and what it would take to be a parent who is capable of inflicting that on a kid. But beyond that, we’re also trying to be true to the series. Give him the helper, while also reinvigorating it and introducing a whole new brand of people to this is a challenge because it’s been around for 75 years.”
And as for casting, Black then went on to describe the perfect Doc Savage: “Here’s the problem. They kind of gotta be tall. He’s the perfect physical specimen and when people look at him, they’re overawed by the sort of symmetry and perfection he exudes. I don’t know that you could use like a James McAvoy as Doc Savage. You couldn’t do it. He’s a fine actor, but we need someone big. Back in the day Schwarzenegger was talked about to play Doc Savage. I don’t know yet; who do you think? [Interviewer: Chris Hemsworth?] That’s not a bad idea! You need someone magnetic and someone a little but off because that’s the fun of the character. He’s been secluded from people and kept from any social niceties for so long that he’s become a savant.”
What do you think of Hemsworth as Doc Savage? Is he a good choice, or would you prefer to see someone else? Let us know your thoughts…
Originally published September 18, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
