Russell Crowe

The actor just revealed who he will be playing in ‘Thor 4.’

Casting rumors come in two major flavors. On the one hand, you have concrete news about actors meeting with executives and filmmakers to discuss their participation in upcoming productions. On the other hand, you have the echo chamber of social media, where casting rumors can materialize out of thin air and then be given credibility during an interview or social media exchange with an actor. Not all fan rumors end up at the first stage, but it is true that some social media rumors have actually ended up with the actor being offered the role.

Not going to lie. I was a little worried about Russell Crowe playing Superman's dad Jor-El after seeing him in a decent chunk of The Man With The Iron Fists, but he turned out to do just fine in Man of Steel. I guess acting alongside a CGI alien dragon horse thing brings out the best in a former Gladiator? Hot Toys seems to have dug him too, revealing an upcoming 1/6 scale Jor-El figure bearing a spot-on Crowe likeness and rocking killer Kryptonian garb, alternate hands and a stylized space rifle.