12 likely contenders for the role of Lois Lane in Superman
We now know that Henry Cavill’s officially the next Man of Steel, but who should star alongside him? Here’s Seb’s pick of likely actresses for the role of Lois Lane…
Now that the biggest question in comic book movies, the identity of Zack Snyder’s Superman, has been answered in the shape of Henry Cavill, attention has turned to the assortment of actresses thought to be in contention to play the third spoke of comics’ most famed love triangle, Lois Lane.
Here we look at twelve of the mooted contenders for the part, and why they may or may not have a chance…
Malin Akerman

Why it won’t be her: Age is reputed to be the biggest thing ruling Akerman out of contention at the moment. At 32, she’s a good five years older than Cavill. You suspect this shouldn’t really be an issue if a good actress is right for the part in all other respects. But to be brutally honest, we don’t think Akerman is either of those things.
Rashida Jones

Why it won’t be her: Again, age is a factor, as is her relative obscurity, and even (some have suggested) her race could be considered to make her a contentious choice. In theory, none of these should count against her. She’s certainly a favourite of ours for the role, but chances are at least one of them will.
Natalie Portman

Why it won’t be her: Is she a bit too big for this? She’s arguably one of the few names under consideration whose casting would genuinely cast a shadow over her potential co-star. Having gone for a relative unknown to play Clark, the smart money is on the film’s villain being the only piece of truly A-list casting. Besides which, Portman’s already part of the Marvel film universe, thanks to her role as Jane Foster in the upcoming Thor. Could she really do both?
Kristen Stewart

Why it won’t be her: She’s far too young. Not only is she two years younger than Kate Bosworth was in Returns, she looks it, as well. Bear in mind, she’s still quite convincingly playing a teenager in the Twilight films. Her lack of discernable charisma and range probably count against her, as well.
Ellen Page

Why it won’t be her: Age, again. Inception was arguably the film in which Page ‘grew up’, convincing as a post-teen character for the first time. But she’s still very firmly early, rather than late, twenties. If they were making the film in five years’ time, she’d be damned near perfect. But this is too early.
Rachel McAdams

Why it won’t be her: We’re struggling, actually. Okay, so she’s another in her early thirties, but unlike some of the other contenders, she looks five years younger. Consider this one a very strong bet.
Carey Mulligan

Why it won’t be her: Her turn as Sally Sparrow in Doctor Who aside, genre work hasn’t really been Mulligan’s thing. If Snyder’s Superman were a period piece set in the 30s, 40s or 50s (and we’ve argued in the past what a good idea that would be), it’d begin to look more right for her. As it is, she doesn’t really seem the sort.
Jessica Biel

Why it won’t be her: It’s debatable as to whether she’d really be a standout name, however. This could work in her favour, if the same philosophy were taken as with Cavill, but should the producers be looking for a name to draw people in, she might not fit the bill.
Zooey Deschanel

Why it won’t be her: Is it really her ‘type’, though? It would require a shift away from the normal sort of character she tends to play. Lois needs to have that edge, and Deschanel is perhaps a bit too ‘sweet’, and maybe even a bit too conventionally pretty.
Olivia Wilde

Why it won’t be her: As with Rachel McAdams, we can’t see too many reasons why Wilde wouldn’t work, and she has age on her side, too. She may be wary of taking on another big-budget sci-fi franchise so soon after Tron, but again, we think she’s a very strong contender.
Erica Durance

Why it won’t be her: Well, she’s had the job once already. Taking one already existent, recognisable version of Lois and dropping her into an entirely different cast and setup would just be weird. Can’t see it happening.
Parker Posey

Why it won’t be her: At 42, she’s a decade older than some of the other actresses whose own age is said to be putting them out of contention. It’s not going to happen. Besides, if even Brandon Routh couldn’t get in Snyder’s film, what chance do any of the other Returns cast have? This may have been a personal crusade of this writer’s for years now, but it’s probably time to give it up.
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