[Update: There's word that the Superman Reboot is on the way!]
A lot of you may still be buzzing from the news that Chris Nolan will be “mentoring” the Superman franchise for Warner Bros., in order to get it back on track. Unfortunately, a huge dent was put in that news recently, when DC Entertainment President Diane Nelson stated that the Nolan/Superman connection is just a rumor.
Chris Nolan may end up being involved with the Superman reboot in some capacity – then again he may not. Only time will tell. However, this latest turn of the rumor mill has done us the the wonderful favor of rekindling the debate about what we, as fans, want to see in the next Superman movie and the inevitable franchise that follows.
We’ve had this debate again and again, but it doesn’t seem to get old. Last time, I asked you what should Warner Bros. do about the Superman reboot – it was a question. But that was then, and nothing has been done since (that we can confirm), so now I’m done asking – now I’m pitching some theories. Keep on reading and see if you agree.
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FOCUS ON THE CHARACTER
You know what made a movie like Batman Begins so enjoyable? The fact that two-thirds of the film were dedicated to exploring the central character and answering the two basic questions that should be at the heart of every superhero franchise: Who is this guy/gal and what is he/she about?
You know what tripped me up about Bryan Singer’s vision for Superman Returns? The cheesy, hokey, thinly-veiled metaphoric question of the central narrative: What does Superman mean to the faux world of the film, and by extension, what does Superman mean to us in the real world? YAWN.
As a former fanboy, I know what Superman means to me – I didn’t go to the theater to take a friggin survey on it. A Superman film should demonstrate to the audience that the filmmakers understand what the character means and that they are able to communicate that understanding in a way that resonates with the audience.
You know why Richard Donner’s cut of Superman II is such genius? Because that film invests so heavily in exploring who Superman/Clark Kent is, both as a hero and as a man. And, so as not to weigh things down too heavily, three badass super-powered Kryptonian villains were thrown in there to provide the necessary blockbuster action, while still managing to expand the story of Superman’s identity crisis in a logical and meaningful way.
My point: If you want to reboot Superman successfully, keep the story focused on the man in the red, yellow and blue suit! How hard is it to mimic a formula that Donner clearly mastered way back when? Don’t just retell an origin story – explore what that origin means to the character. How does Superman/Clark feel as the orphan of another world? How did his Smallville upbringing and human adoptive parents make him more “human” than most people?
Exploring old topics from new angles opens interesting doors…
DON’T BE AFRAID OF THE “DARK”
As contemporary movie goers, we need to be reacquainted with Superman. And I’m not talking the Superman of some nostalgic past (as Mr. Singer tried to resurrect) – I’m talking about a version of the character who exists in our day and age, when so much of the world seems to be advancing, and yet, simultaneously heading in the wrong direction.
Superman represents hope. That is the symbol he has always been, and, in my opinion, should always be. He’s the being who can do anything, withstand anything, rise above any challenge – and yet, he chooses to be a man (keyword) who stands for compassion, hope and all those other benevolent emotions. Just as incorruptible as Batman – but in a completely different way.
It doesn’t matter how much darkness Superman is surrounded by, because he doesn’t allow it to drag him down or corrupt that noble heart of his (a quality which makes some cynics roll their eyes). It’s why Supes is so famous and enduring: he’s an indestructible (read: indelible) symbol of good always triumphing in the end.
So don’t be afraid to drag him through the mud!
Continue on for story and villain ideas for a Superman reboot…
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oh and I like the John henry thing, he needs a new movie after the Shaq one ruined him
mchops, believe me, I'm aware of some of the issues some folks are having and I've been addressing them directly with Disqus. There was a bug in that last Cap article that finally got fixed, but what specifically was the issue here? You can email me with details if you like, you have my email address.
Thanks,
Vic
You can't have a middle aged guy play Superman. Tom Welling doesn't look that young anymore and actually has the perfect look right now for the role. Superman is a young looking guy, he is not human, therefore he won't age like normal people would. Superman always looked young in the comics, its only when Alex Ross paints him, he makes him look old (which is the only problem I have with his painting style). Unless the story will be about an older, middle aged Superman there is no need for an older man playing The Man of Steel.
Superman Doomsday stunk. Not shaky cam like Cloverfield. Just the news report and thats it. Yea as you said animated. Not live action
This is why fanboys are largely ignored. This is horrible. The dialogue isn't what Superman would say. It's long winded. Try reading it out loud. Blah!
Your opening images are weak. The use of going back in time to explain the story is unnecessar in this case. It's used more like Astro Boy, not Iron Man.
My suggestion to you is to study films. Not just watch them. Learn the cinematic language.
Your ideas sound terrible. I'm just glad you have no say in this.
While you are entitled to your opinion, i hardly think four lines of dialogue can be considered long winded. And in the comics Superman often has monologues similar to the one I wrote. it was something I came up with in 5 minutes.
Just for the record, I am a published author, and write for television.
And whats that old saying? If you havent got anything nice to say? Don't say it at all!
I totally agree right there. Part of the problem with singer's Supes is that he looked like a sophomore in college. I mean come on. All the picks (comic books, posters, and paintings) I have seen of SuperMAN are that of a man, who looks to be about in his late, late 30s or 40yr old, like the picks above.
I disagree. Supes doesn't always “look young” in all of his comics. Tom Welling, in my opinion, has a good superman face when it comes to Television, but for the big screen, i say no. Welling still looks like a kid in college. I don't understand why people want actors who look like highschoolers to play these types of roles. This is not SuperBoy we are talking about here. He is known as SuperMan. Therefore, let the actor portraying SuperMan be an actual man who actually looks like a man.
I'm not so much worried about what he looks like (although it is a minor concern). I'd be worried more about his acting chops. I'm not saying I think he's a bad actor, but could he handle playing Clark Kent/Superman on the big screen? I don't know.
They are doing pretty much the same thing with the Green Lantern movie. The origin/Sinestro thing from Green Lantern: First Flight.
All good, im not complaining. just wanted to let you guys know of different errors that are out there. think the same thing is happening with the Flash article right now. not just this site though, its also other sites that use disqus as well. not u guys
Sorry Sam, I didn't like that intro either.
Also, unless it's for Chuck writing for television is no recommendation.
To even start writing a beginning for Superman VI we'd have to have an idea of what the movie will be about, who the villain will be, that sort of thing.
Bizarro is one possibility, Brainiac another. We could go in alphabetical order and have Supes have to fight all his comic book enemies from A to Z… Doomsday might be regarded as a climax though. Spread it over ten movies and the franchise is set.
Remember that while monologues work in comics, that's generally because people have the option of skipping them if they already know the story. I seldom bother reading the X-Men's introduction of mutants fighting for a world that hates and fears them because I know that bit already.
Movies are a visual medium, and if we were going to go with that kind of beginning I'd look to only use the visual medium.
Zooming in on the planet (starting out by Uranus) then down onto America, then Metropolis, then a tall building, then Superman, then a fist to the face… see Superman take a rapid trip to outoftownsville, see the shock on his face as he looks up into the face of Bizzaro, fade to black, big title Superman VI.
there's no need for an orign story, smallville was good enough origin story, infact they can incorprate some smallville scenes into the movie if they want.
Batman begins was like smallville
infact the dark knight was more like an first batman movie, thats why they used the joker in the 2nd movie, infact there werelot of people who didnt see batman begins when the dark knight came out, but loved the dark knight, after watching dark knight they started to watch batman begins to see batman origins
and they could do the same with smallville
they should introduce tom as superman from the start and that would be fine.
there's no need for an orign story, smallville was good enough origin story, infact they can incorprate some smallville scenes into the movie if they want.
Batman begins was like smallville
infact the dark knight was more like an first batman movie, thats why they used the joker in the 2nd movie, infact there werelot of people who didnt see batman begins when the dark knight came out, but loved the dark knight, after watching dark knight they started to watch batman begins to see batman origins
and they could do the same with smallville
they should introduce tom as superman from the start and that would be fine.
Yeah I own it……I meant the story that follows comic book series, not the animated DVD. The 4 Supermen…..
I was waiting for him to bust out with a 'Kazaam' during the movie…..
Batman Begins was like Smallville? lol
I just watched Superman Doomsday. It wasn't canon, but it did offer a reasonably interesting view of the Superman/Clone Superman thing.
Ummmm… By my count the post is structured as such:
• Describe the core values of the character.
• Discuss how to creatively explore those core values.
• Propose Villains/plots that would best expose those core values.
A lot of pre-editing goes into these posts. So I'm not sure what your complaint is. We're also discussing a reboot, the point of which is to restate the core values (the basics) of a character/story.
If you disagree with the fact that I'm harping on one idea throughout the essay, that's fine. But it is how good essays are structured: constantly referring back to their core point.
I don't appreciate your frivolous assertion that this is somehow a sloppy or unedited piece of writing – it isn't. I also don't appreciate your unnecessarily aggressive tone about my freedom to respond to your claims.
If you throw your opinion around, be ready to defend it. I'm not one of these guys who thinks that “everybody should get a say.” I look for intelligent comments, backed by evidence.
Thanks for reading!
Kevin Spacey is also set to star in the next Superman sequel. Maybe his villain role as Lex Luther looks similar to Gene Hackman. If the John Byrne's SUPERMAN version makes a decision to see who will play the new Lex Luther instead of Kevin Spacey. It will be Terry O'Quinn. Now Terry O'Quinn has played the villain in the Stepfather movies. He will be a great choice to play Superman's arch-nemesis enemy Criminal Mastermind Lex Luther of LexCorps. Remember this Lex Luther is also a Scientist and a Billionaire.
Danny
what are you talking about? Spacey is not in the next Superman movie and it's not a sequel. Did you even read the article?
A lot of people say that Superman is a lame character because he is invulnerable to anything except Kryptonite. WRONG! Superman tries to be human and its often his human side/emotions that cause him to make accidents and also enable him to be the greatest superhero ever. Check out Superman 2 (when he helps the humans instead of just hammering the Kryptonian baddies) or even Smallville when he continually lets his human emotions rule his decisions. For a really good story to base the next film on, look at The Death of Superman storyline (The main reason they got involved in trying to stop Doomsday was to help a family at risk) or even The Death of Clark Kent storyline. To make Superman a really great character the film needs to explore his human emotions AND his feeling of loneliness from being an alien on another planet!
I would agree on Tom Welling's acting chops. He can get the job done on TV but he is extremely stretched… We've seen the upper limits of his ability on Smallville, and while he looks the part in many ways, he does not have what it takes to command the big screen – sorry fanboys, but that's just the way it is… Bigger actor needed (I thought Routh did a fine job by the way…)
what Superman REALLY needs is JJ Abrams and Co.!!!
okay, I know that Joe Jonas is almost 21 and is 5'10'', but I'D like to see him take to the skies as this generation's Man of Steel, he is physically and mentally fit for the part and looks very much Clark Kent like Peter Parker, no matter what anyone else says. He may be too young for the part, but I say if you want it gofor it Joe. We're with you all the way and 100%!!!!!!!!
I agree with what you are saying that the focus should be about hope. Brings to mind the conversation between him, Bats and WW in the last pages of Kingdom Come trade paperback.
As far as looks are concerned – Alex Ross' version is the one I think about when I picture Superman. It just clicks.
I agree with what you are saying that the focus should be about hope. Brings to mind the conversation between him, Bats and WW in the last pages of Kingdom Come trade paperback.
As far as looks are concerned – Alex Ross' version is the one I think about when I picture Superman. It just clicks.
In the Nolan-universe of the 'grounded-in-reality' superhero, Superman could exist in only one way… grounded in reality. How would a real world react to the existence of a powerful alien? The remake of “the day the earth stood still” (I know, i was just an ok movie) is a good example of what I mean. Just substitute Keanu Reeves with 'Clark Kent' and his robot with Brainiac. Add some spectacular action and riveting drama and you got a great Superman reboot.
there is no comparison between the day the earth stood (either version)and superman otherwise that both involved aliens.
also i find any comparison to the alien in the stood remake to superman an insult to superman.
i mean other that both involve aliens.