Updated: Some casting news on both sides of the comic book war

Posted Monday, July 13, 2009 at 4:56 PM Central

by John Couture

By now, my comic book ignorance is legendary. In fact, I don't think I'm even remotely qualified to report this news, especially after I had to ask Tim for clarification as whether DC or Marvel used real locations.

But my passion for Natalie Portman is unmatched and so it came as no surprise that I would jump at the opportunity to confirm a story we ran in March about her casting in Thor. Today, Marvel.com went one step further and revealed that Nat would be playing Jane Foster, a nurse who falls in love with Donald Blake, Thor's alter ego.

Yep, Natalie Portman as a nurse. My day is complete.

Or, it would have been had Marvel's chief rival DC not also make some pretty big casting news of their own. Sorry Nathan Fillion fans, the role of Green Lantern has been cast and it's none other than Ryan Reynolds picking up the lantern and the fancy ring. While Reynolds has been linked to almost ever superhero under the sun, this will actually only be his second such role after playing Deadpool in the recent Wolverine movie.

Methinks this comic book war just got more intense. Deadpool is a Marvel property which makes Ryan Reynolds the first person to play characters from both sides of the fight. Well, at least by my shoddy research. I'm sure that you will all correct me if I wrong.

This does set up an interesting showdown as there has been no mention from the Marvel camp if this means that Reynolds is out as Deadpool. Both that movie and Green Lantern are due out in 2011.

What do you think of these casting announcements?

UPDATE: As I knew would surely happen, our wonderful and faithful fan base jumped at the opportunity to point out my comic book shortcomings. With the help of Brent, Zachary, Jonathan and Aaron I can say that Halle Berry also (and probably firstly) made the leap from Marvel to DC and back again when she played Storm in X-Men and then Catwoman and back again.

Special credit to Charles, who pointed out that Green Lantern will be Ryan Reynolds' third comic book character. He played Marvel character Hannibal King in Blade: Trinity.

UPDATE #2: Thanks also to Aaron and "The Don" for correctly pointing out that James Marsden appears in the X-Men movies (Marvel) and Superman Returns (DC). If you all can think of any other actors who've crossed over the comic divide, please let us know.

UPDATE #3: Brian wrote in to inform us of another: Samuel L. Jackson. He had the post-credits cameo in Iron Man and will be playing a bigger role in future Marvel films. He also played the villain in The Spirit. [Personally, I don't consider The Spirit a true DC property since Will Eisner started it as a newspaper strip. Nevertheless, a good find. --TB] Keep 'em coming!

UPDATE #4: A-ha! Ben wrote in to point out that the aforementioned casting of Natalie Portman in Marvel's Thor is also a jump to the other side since she was in V for Vendetta, a DC/Vertigo property.

UPDATE #5: Tank got you all beat. He (I assume 'Tank' is a guy) sent in four crossovers:

Actors & Actresses who've played roles in movies from both Marvel AND DC also include:

William Hurt was in "History of Violence" (DC) as Richie Cusak and we was also in "The Incredible Hulk" as Gen. Ross

Parker Posey played Danica Talos in "Blade Trinity" as well as Kitty Koslowski in "Superman Returns".

Eva Mendes was Sand Saref in "The Spirit" as well as Roxanne Simpson in "Ghost Rider"

Michael Massee was Armando in "Catwoman" and does the voice of Bruce Banner in the "Ultimate Avengers" movies

They may not be huge parts in both movies, but there IS overlap...

UPDATE #6: Tank returns with more overlaps between the Marvel/DC universes. Awesome work, Tank!