Words are sometimes not enough…. not enough to convey the sheer magnitude, of someone’s legacy, their influence, the pure power of individuality they leave behind. Hollywood has always been a fickle, callous world. So many have graced us with magic on celluloid…. yet only a handful have truly defined the genre, in of itself. Gene Hackman was that artist. He was that star. To call him simply an actor would be a vast understatement, a disservice, to the legacy he has left behind, for not only his fellow contemporaries, but the millions of movie going fans, who witnessed his unmatched magnetism on film, throughout his vast career.
For us here at Caped Wonder, he will always, indelibly be our immortal, our quintessential Lex Luthor. Gene was often credited with bringing his inimitable comedic timing to the role…. yet, for me, he also brought true dread & fear, a true physical & physiological adversary to Chris. They were the ying to each others yang, in the Superman movies. I believed him as the greatest criminal mastermind of our time. I have immersed myself in his performances over the years, from watching him steal an entire movie, with one single scene, as the blind man, in Young Frankenstein, to his gripping, & indeed breakout portrayal of the dark side of the law, in The French Connection. His performance, alongside Clint Eastwood, in The Unforgiven, is quite frankly one of the most terrifying on screen villainous performances I’ve bore witness to on film. To myself, as well as countless millions around the world this morning, we will be shocked by this sudden & indeed tragic passing of our screen hero. However, we mustn’t dwell on the whys & the wherefores. Today, as a community, in this very moment, as Genes light shines so brightly, it is our job to come together…. & celebrate, not just a wonderfully kind, compassionate & incomparably talented human being…. we must celebrate the single greatest actor of our time. Gene Hackman. Your genius will live forever. Rest In Dear Peace Eternally Good Sir. —David Harvey, CapedWonder Correspondent #genehackman