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  • Superman-Chris Reeve
  • Will Smith as Agent J in ‘Men in Black’
  • Jack Nicholson as the Joker in ‘Batman’
  • Hugh Jackman in 20th Century Fox's 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine'

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  • Warner Brothers

    Christopher Reeve as Superman

  • Columbia Pictures

    Will Smith as Agent J in ‘Men in Black’

  • Warner Brothers

    Jack Nicholson as the Joker in ‘Batman’

  • Michael Muller

    Hugh Jackman as 'Wolverine' in 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' (20th Century Fox)

 
 

FIRST PUBLISHED: August 8, 2008 8:04 PM EDT
LAST UPDATED: August 9, 2008 1:04 AM EDT

LOS ANGELES, Calif. --

With “The Dark Knight” seeking to top the box office for a fourth straight week and comic book buzz still on a lingering Comic-Con high, it’s time to count down the top 10 comic book movie males of all time.

1. Christopher Reeve

No actor has ever seemed quite as super as Reeve, who played the Man of Steel in four films.

2. Will Smith

Big Willy’s no stranger to science fiction heroics, but his role as Agent J in the funny, edgy “Men in Black” movies – based on the 1990 Aircel comic book — might be his most memorable fanboy role yet.

3. Jack Nicholson

Always happy to show off his crazier side, Nicholson grinned and cackled his way through his gleeful performance as the Joker in “Batman.”

4. Hugh Jackman

Armed with adamantium claws and overgrown sideburns, Jackman has brought Wolverine – the X-Men’s most popular character – to vicious, villain-stabbing life in three “X-Men” movies and the upcoming solo vehicle “X-Men Origins: Wolverine.”

5. Tobey Maguire

Maguire’s wide-eyed schoolboy charm was a perfect fit for geeky Peter Parker – and his athletic physique helped him fill out the spandex for his webbed alter-ego in the box office-topping “Spider-Man” trilogy.

6. Wesley Snipes

Blade the vampire hunter was a C-list Marvel superhero until Wesley Snipes brought him to the big screen in the action trilogy, launching a trio of box office hits.

7. Robert Downey Jr.

Playing Tony Stark and his titular alter-ego, Iron Man, in the 2008 summer blockbuster, Downey Jr. brought humor and dramatic energy to his role as the armored industrialist. With a cameo in “The Incredible Hulk” and likely roles in slated Marvel films including an “Iron Man” sequel, it looks like he’ll be keeping up with comics for years to come.

8. Patrick Stewart

With the same Shakespearean gravitas he brought to his role as “Star Trek: The Next Generation’s” Captain Picard, Stewart been a perfect fit for the wheelchair-bound telepath Professor Charles Xavier in three “X-Men” films.

9. Gerard Butler

Butler’s big break in “300,” based on Frank Miller’s comic book narrating the story of 300 Spartan warriors who faced off against the entire Persian army, was almost as big as the bulging muscles he bulked up with for the film.

10. Stan Lee

Pay close enough attention and you’ll see the comic book legend in cameos in just about every Marvel movie – from his turn as Hugh Hefner in “Iron Man” to playing himself in “Fantastic Four: The Rise of the Silver Surfer.”

Copyright 2009 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.
This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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