In an amusing bit of recasting for superhero buffs, Howard Stark has replaced Clark Kent in the European action-thriller Stratton. You read that right – six weeks after Henry Cavill abruptly dropped out of the project, leaving it in limbo, Dominic Cooper has come aboard in the lead role.
Cooper, who has played Iron Man’s father in Captain America: The First Avenger and ABC’s Marvel’s Agent Carter, will take on the role of a highly skilled Special Boats Service operative who works to prevent a terrorist cell from carrying out its dastardly plans across Central Asia, mainland Europe and London.
Simon West (The Expendables 2) is behind the camera for the high-profile actioner, which was adapted from the first of Duncan Falconer’s eight Stratton novels.
“Dominic Cooper’s talent, versatility and his originality as an actor provide the perfect fit for what will be an entirely fresh and memorable action hero,” said West.
Cooper’s recruitment must come as a significant relief to distributors who were implored to stand by the project even after Cavill jumped ship at the last moment, citing “creative differences” with the script. GFM Films’ Guy Collins admitted that “it has been exceptionally hectic over the last 5-6 weeks” to restructure the film in the wake of the actor’s sudden departure, but he stopped short of admitting anger at the star to Variety. Still, the last-minute nature of the star abandoning the pic can’t have led to many pleasant conversations. Looks like Superman can’t always be the good guy.
Gemma Chan, Austin Stowell, Tyler Hoechlin and Tom Felton all have supporting roles in Stratton, which will begin production in Italy next week then move to Rome and London. GFM Films and distributors are still hoping, even minus the star power that Batman V Superman lead Cavill would have brought to the project, that the film will launch a franchise.
