So... I've been using Henry Cavill as my faceclaim for Kaidan Alenko since 2013...
Basically, ever since I saw "Man of Steel" in theatres, and noticed not only the physical resemblance, but thought the way he portrayed Clark Kent gave off a very "Kaidanesque" vibe...
The right mix of strength and sensitivity, self-confidence and self-consciousness, protectiveness and vulnerability… The desire to be the best person you can be, and do good with the abilities that you’ve been given.
That sense of “otherness”, of being “a freak” - making you hesitate yet long to trust in others and - connect with them. The hope of being accepted for who you are.
What Raphael Sbarge wonderfully managed to convey about Kaidan Alenko through voice acting, I could see easily Henry Cavill bring to life in a live action setting.
There’s also a line in ME1 where Kaidan says (re: the abusive, violent training he was subjected to at Jump Zero): “You either came out a Superman or a wreck. A lot of kids snapped. A few died,” that had me smile at the time.
Part of me is extremely excited at the thought of Cavill potentially becoming an official part of the Mass Effect universe...
And part of me is, well... Not 100% sure how the roleplay community might start integrating game characters with live-action characters...
Because, after having been roleplaying that character for 8 years using Cavill as a model, including in "Pacific Rim", "Dragon Age", and "Star Wars" AU versions of the character, it might be a little hard for me to imagine Kaidan as anyone else...
And if a live version movie / series would have him as Commander Shepard, well...