In the source material, Victor von Doom was supposed to be pretty strikingly good-looking before his face was scarred (first by an exploding machine he was attempting to contact his dead mother's soul with, then by the red-hot faceplate of his armor).

Are you discriminating against pretty people???

Yes. I believe that when pretty people are in movies, they should play parts that display their prettiness to best effect. There may be an exception for artsy movies, but I'm not sure Fantastic Four qualifies.

Victor von Doom was supposed to be pretty strikingly good-looking before his face was scarred

Ah, see, that makes some sense.

Is it wrong if I hope for many flashbacks? Preferably ones involving water. Though he's also pretty when he is evil and broods. And yes,I did watch the Charmed rerun this morning, why do you ask?

("Pretty" is probably not the right word for him, but YKWIM.)

I believe that when pretty people are in movies, they should play parts that display their prettiness to best effect.

Hmmm. I see your point for useless pretty people, but Julian's a good actor with a lovely voice. Even if he spent the movie all encased, I suspect it'd be a good job.

You feel the same way about pretty people voicing animated characters?

Julian's a good actor with a lovely voice. Even if he spent the movie all encased, I suspect it'd be a good job.

Oh, I'm sure he'll be very good, especially given how well he plays evil/sociopathic/generally fucked up. Mostly, I'm being silly, because it was total good news-bad news to find out he had been cast in a Real Movie .... but he's playing a character who wears a mask.

I have no opinion on pretty people playing animated characters.

My pretty qotient for that movie is fulfilled by the fact that Chris Evans is going to be playing a character that probably won't be wearing asbestos clothing the first time he bursts into flame.

then by the red-hot faceplate of his armor).

Which, I may say, is one of the Dumbest Supervillain Backstories Of All Time. "No, Victor, never play with a hot faceplate!"

Is it wrong the previews kind of make me want to watch the new Joan Allen/Kevin Costner rom-com? The one in which he's playing a retired ball player to boot, and she's got four perfect-looking blond daughters? (But I *like* Joan Allen, damnit.)

This NYT article may make you feel more at peace with the wanting. The writer-director made the film all on his own, without studio backing, because all the studios who were interested told him he'd have to cast someone more bankable than Joan Allen and he was having none of it. Make the film with Joan Allen or don't make it at all, and if funding it himself was the only way to get Joan Allen, well, then, that was just what he'd have to do.

Well, I also think that the promo for that movie looks good. I really like the scene in the promo where Joan, her daughters and the dog are lying in the yard looking up at the stars.

Well, at least, that's what I think they're doing.

Though I imagine the vocal requirements for 50 Odd Foot of Grunts, or whatever the band's name is, is significantly less than those for the role of Sweeney Todd.

Pretty much. Most Sondheim is tough vocally, and Sweeney Todd takes the cake, especially his stuff. (I'd imagine, at least. All I've ever sung is the Joanna stuff (Green Finch and Linnet Bird is a biatch), and one Toby song, which is probably actually easier if you're a girl.

I think Russell Crowe could really be fantastic in the part, but I'd hate to hear songs as fabulous as 'Epiphany' growled through. Oddly enough, I saw the man who plays Adam Chandler on All My Children play Sweeney years ago, and he was fantastic. (Note: In no way am I endorsing Adam Chandler as Sweeney Todd onscreen. But he was unexpectedly good.)

Thankfully there is a long tradition of substitute singers in Hollywood musicals.