Have Regular Guy Action Movie Heroes Become Extinct?

While sitting in the theater this past weekend watching a jacked Jake Gyllenhaal leap and climb to and fro in the Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time, I found it refreshing that he wasn’t some costumed superhero aided by freakish powers and/or high-tech gadgetry. Well, he did use the Dagger of Time to remove himself from tight spots, so I guess that would count as a gadget of sorts. Not to mention he was also a Prince, which afforded him certain advantages over the average Persian.

All this got me thinking. Whatever happened to regular guy heroes in film? I came of age in the ’80s with a thrill-seeking archaeologist named Indiana Jones and tough as nails New York City cop John McClane. These were ordinary guys, placed in extraordinary situations, forced to use their strength and wits to survive dire scenarios. They were flesh and blood prone to mistakes and ass-kickings. In other words, they were human.

Nowadays, the likes of Batman, Iron Man, Spider-Man and Harry Potter dominate the box office. None of these heroes would ever be confused with Martin Riggs from the Lethal Weapon franchise. Sure, you can argue that Bruce Wayne and Tony Stark are just men, but let’s be real. Wayne has a limitless fortune backing his efforts as well as years of specialized training. Ditto Tony Stark, who is also a scientific genius capable of creating a suit that renders him nearly unstoppable.

This is not to say I don’t enjoy the Batman and Iron Man movies, because I do. I love how Christopher Nolan has retooled the iconic character by injecting him with edge and pathos. And Robert Downey Jr.’s natural charm and penchant for sarcasm has turned Stark into a charismatic crimefighter. Alas, each has an alter-ego, which will always separate them from the rest of normal society.

Are the days of Dirty Harry and Axel Foley gone for good? Who’s left to bear the torch for the common man? James Bond is still saving the world from powermad villains, so that’s good. What about Jason Bourne? I dig the Bourne movies and Matt Damon is convincing in the role, but can he really be called a regular guy? After all, he underwent experimental behavioral modification treatments that turned him into a single-minded government assassin. John McClane graduated from the Police Academy, but it’s not exactly the same thing.

The lying, cheating and stealing pirate Captain Jack Sparrow fits the bill. He’s a normal bloke with no otherworldly powers to speak of. Unless rum drinking and swashbuckling count as “super.” The fact that Johnny Depp plays Sparrow as a bit if a sap also adds to his distinctly human qualities. Captain Jack sees himself as a hero, but would actually prefer to stand on the sidelines when trouble arises. He lacks the badass nature of a Martin Riggs, but he still manages to sneak in a few moments of glory. Bond and Sparrow equals pretty slim pickings.

Do we need regular guys donning the white hats anymore? Is being vulnerable to cuts and bruising overrated? Has some ordinary Joe with a six-shooter and whip running around the desert become passe? And no, I’m not including that ridiculous geriatric romp Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull in the discussion, even though it grossed $786 million. Any legit Indy fan recognizes it as a steaming pile of dung.

All I’m asking for is some variety. I see no reason why we can’t have a little Larry lunch pail sprinkled in with our Uncanny X-Men. Some jeans and t-shirts to go along with the colorful costumes and high-tech suits of armor. A dash of Incredible Bob to place alongside The Incredible Hulk.

One of these years the superhero well is going to dry up. It might be time for Tinseltown to start conjuring some new John McClanes and Dirty Harrys for when this day arrives. Either that or risk having nowhere to turn except a 65-year-old Bruce Willis and a 90-year-old Clint Eastwood. I love both dudes to death, but the prospects for “Die Hard at the Retirement Home” and “Dirty Harry 2020″ don’t sound very promising.