What an interesting conversation. I think Alex and J Lo will have good chemistry. I think a lot of it is personality. Both Michael Vartan and Ralph Fiennes disappear into the background and after seeing La Lopez in the recent YT clip on Regis (or whatever it's called), I'd say she needs a co star who can match her personality. Alex can hold his own against anyone (stop it. I didn't mean THAT

) and I bet they'll have oodles of spark between them. And I love that she's a 'real' woman , although admittedly a gorgeous real woman. I'm feeling better every day about this movie with them together.
On the typecasting issue; I'm sure that won't happen to Alex. He won't let it happen. It seems to me that Matthew McConaughey is so laidback he prefers to play on a beach with a frisbee rather than concentrate on his career. He seems to act merely to make a living and probably doesn't have the drive to succeed like Alex does. I bet Alex is just getting himself noticed in mainstream TV and film, and then he'll be able to pick and choose his roles based on personal preference. Of course, that's JMO and I may be off base, but I just can't see him settling for an easy rom com career. I think he'll be more like Hugh Jackman who can do it all; rom com, action, drama, blockbuster and arthouse cinema. Obviously, I mean if he gets to be successful he gets the choice. Unfortunately many actors end up just taking what they can get. Hopefully that won't be where Alex ends up.
Oh, and on the issue of Australian men and personal hygiene. Take it from me, we are like Americans and the norm is to shower daily and use deodorant/anti-perspirant. If a man is 'smelly' trust me it gets noticed by men and women alike.