With the news last month that Warner Brothers planned on rebooting the Superman film franchise, I thought it would be a good time to give an overall status report on everyone’s favorite big blue boy-scout. And let you folks know what’s going on…as of now, at least.
First things first, no director or screenwriter(s) have been hired nor are any in negotiations at this time. Warner Brothers is simply looking at a few candidates as potential “feelers.” Nothing more, nothing less.
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If there’s anything the studio learned from Superman Returns, it’s that they’re not going to hand over another blank-check to a “big name” director. So more likely than not, the eventual director will be someone who works well with the material, sees eye-to-eye with the approach they’re taking and (most importantly) can be easily controlled by the studio.
An example of this would be when Peter Jackson was first hired for The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Bryan Singer for X-Men, Sam Raimi for Spider-Man, etc. You get the idea.
Regarding the big question of casting before anyone asks, the answer is no: Tom Welling will not be Superman. For some of you, take a moment, and let whatever feelings you have about that out of your system.
The studio isn’t going to spend $150-$200 million (if not more) to produce Smallville: The Movie. Like it or lump it, that’s exactly what it’d be if they went with Welling. Additionally, the failure of X-Files: I Want to Believe this past summer further proved that cult following doesn’t equal mainstream audience. So one can’t argue that Welling would bring in “a big audience” during the opening weekend.
I don’t care if you love or hate the idea of him as Superman on the silver screen. He’s not in the running. Sorry, but it ain’t gonna happen. Get over it.
Whoever becomes the next Superman/Clark Kent will be an unknown for obvious reasons. For the studio, it’s easy to nab one down to a multi-picture deal (i.e. cheap) and for the filmmakers there won’t be any “baggage” coming into the project with said actor.
Now what about Wanted and Kick-Ass creator Mark Millar who’ll tell anyone with a set of ears (and more importantly, a camera) that he wants the writing gig? Well, his claims about “being a Marvel guy” as the reason Warner Bros. rejected his pitch last year are 100% Grade-A B.S. Plain and simple, they hated it.
But what of his recent claims of writing an epic Superman trilogy that’s a second away from being greenlit with his phantom “American action director” at the helm? Uh, that would be: no.
I don’t doubt his love for Kal-El, and maybe he’s met with a director in the past. But if he was really in the running, he wouldn’t be talking out loud to the press before being heard (again) by the studio.
Furthermore, he’s had a well-documented history of flat-out fabricating news-items just to get himself press (i.e. his claim of “knowing” Jim Caviezel would play Superman in Returns and Eminem “begging” to star in Wanted – both turned out to be bogus rumors that he started!) Therefore… you can’t honestly take him at his word on the matter – especially since there’s been no one to come out and back-up his claims.
And Millar wasn’t the only comic-book writer the studio heard pitches from. The likes of Grant Morrison, Mark Waid and Geoff Johns also came in with takes on how to properly revive the franchise. And like Millar, they were shot down. So it’s safe to say they’ll begin hearing from screenwriters again.
Quite frankly, I doubt we see Krypton’s last son return to the silver screen for… awhile. They’re currently projecting a 2011 release. The thing is though, Warner Brothers appears to be damn-near booked with arguably the three biggest blockbuster tent-poles for that year: Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows – Part II, Batman III and The Hobbit.
They just plain don’t “need” Superman right now. Although it’s definitely a priority to get the Man of Steel back on track. But they can honestly afford to take their sweet time (which they are!).
That, and after the reception of Superman Returns, they want to make damned sure this revival film will be something that everyone (i.e. WB, DC, Legendary Pictures, etc.) is 100% behind.
But rest assured, Superman will return to the silver screen…eventually!
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64 Comments
That’s what we do. We see developments, write about them, and inject our insight, experience or apply information we’ve got from sources.
This is TV and MOVIE News Without The Sugar Coating!! Jamie definitely scraped the sugar off the toast this time!
Time, as in all matters, will be the telling factor gang!
What they need too do is have Tom Welling as Clark Kent and Brandon Routh as Superman and they meet in the event of some, well crisis.
Jamie,
thanks for the post.
I at least want to hear more of what Millar’s take is, and my fingers are still crossed for him and that “big director” (feels funny typing that) to come thru this December. (Millar’s work on the Superman Adventures book back in the nineties got me into Superman as a kid, I loved his work on that book and would be thrilled to see that version of Superman on the big screen)
Are you sure tho, that WB will get another unknown cast as Supes in the new film? It seemed as tho Wb went thru a rather exhaustive search for Brandon Routh when casting Superman Returns, and with their dissapointment with the film, I wouldn’t be surprised if they cast a big name as Supes. I’d be pretty ticked tho, cuz, quite frankly, from where I sit, there isn’t a big name actor out there that I can think of that’s right for the part. And, looking at Superman’s film and TV history, a “BIG name” actor has NEVER played Superman, there have been good choices and bad choices for the role but no famous ones. I don’t think they need a big name for it to be good and/or successful, and Superman’s movie and TV past is a testament to that.
That said, who do you think could play Superman in the reboot? (I’ll be back with my list later
)
Also, I strongly think that the new film should be an origin. I’ll post my reasons why some other time.
TTYL and thanks again for the post.
Oh, and NO Welling for Supes!
It’d be cool to see him as Supes, but he isn’t interested in the character and WB should start fresh.
Well, I believe you, Jamie, when you say this came from a reliable source. I don’t care if Welling is in it or not, I just want a good Superman film. For me, the best way to do this is to have Supes fight someone as string as him, like Lobo or Doomsday. You could even have it where he is forced to kill for the first time; that would probably lead to some boring self-examinations though.
I saw no problem with Brandon Routh. The last film, IMHO, suffered because there wasn’t enough action. I felt the super-kid angle just didn’t work and Lois just wasn’t as journalistic as the Lois from previous movies. And no more Lex Luther, at least not as the main villian.
Okay, I heard a rumor about Spielberg directing a Superman reboot over at cinematical, and just ran away with it. Now that I’ve heard the idea, I can’t get it out of my head. Its wonderful. Here’s my case for why he’d be so perfect. All things aside, he invented the blockbuster. He’s made big movies big before anybody really flocked to see big movies. You want the same success the Dark Knight had, DC? Let Millar do his trilogy(someone who writes comics actually writing a comic movie? Finally!) and then have the man himself direct it. Here’s the argument why:
Hells yeah! Let him do it! A man that basically made what we know as blockbusters, directing one of the biggest icons of film? I’d pay double the ticket price to see it once! I mean, come on! The only reason I didn’t like Indy 4 was because Spielberg did what he does with every franchise; bring it back to aliens. HIs fascination with the extra-terrestrial(anyone see ET?) dominates his curiosties. I mean, if he did a sequel to Schindler’s list, he’d probably reveal that the Nazi leaders were all replaced by evil aliens. The only problem is, this is all out of place. Aliens don’t belong in WWII dramas, or in Indiana Jones movies. But Superman is an alien! Its perfect! He was born to make this movie! I say give the man that made Hollywood what it is today(love him or hate him) a chance!
Tom Welling is this generations Superman! Brandon Routh stinks!
If the WB knows what they are doing they will waste no time, and hire good writers, and cast Tom Welling & Erica Durance as Lois & Clark, and give this generation their SUPERMAN.
If not the next guy will fail much like how Brandon “BJ” Routh failed.
I read this and I actually read it again. Everyone who wants Tom Welling for Superman in the future movie, it could happen but at this current time it won’t because of the busy movies WB is already working on and are only focused on the scripts.
A new face for Superman makes sense, it would get millions to see it just to see if the new actor is good so that is very valid. But again WB is going to be very careful with who they choose and their future Director.
One final note, it seems that everyone wonders why not choose Brandon Routh of Tom Welling, the thing is that we are all, not just Warner Bros., we are all looking for a new Christopher Reeve, the best Superman of them all, and as much as I would love to see it, it will never happen.
God rest Christopher Reeve, may he be walking once again in Heaven.
Cast Tom Welling, or just don’t make a new superman movie…Since I don’t belive their is anyother than Tom to play superman
Sooo they’ve completely eliminated Routh from being in the sequel? Wouldn’t that make the most sense?
In any case, having Tom Welling be superman would not be “Smallville: The Movie” because…I highly doubt they would cast EVERY Smallville actor…obviously. Therefore, it would be looked at as two completely seperate things.
On the other hand, as much as I would love seeing Tom play out Clark Kent’s destiny as Superman…it would be odd not having Erica Durance as Lois and Michael Rosenbaum as Lex…etc.
So they might as well just pick someone completely differen.
I agree with whoever said that Tom Welling is this generation’s Clark Kent.
true story.
…and we all love him! =)
Well,,, I’ve always thought of Smallville as a Teen Angst version of Young Superman…
Tom Welling doesn’t come accross as Superman to me.
Brandon Routh is better (IMO).
The show Lois and Clark was just total crap…
“Therefore, it would be looked at as two completely seperate things.”
No, not by everyone it wouldn’t. Maybe by the studio, maybe by some of the movie going audience, but there are those would wouldn’t separate them. I happen to be among them.
“and we all love him!”
I guess I’m not part of this generation, then because I feel pretty much the opposite of that.
yes said,
October 23rd, 2008
“I agree with whoever said that Tom Welling is this generation’s Clark Kent.
true story.
…and we all love him! =)”
WHAT? NO, Welling is NO Superman to me and MANY people, at all; he is ok as young Clark Kent in Smallville, but that’s it, imo.
Brandon Routh IS Superman. He is the ONLY one I want to see in the tights and cape. He Is The Man for the job. Keep him, WB! Otherwise, I and many fans won’t support the next S movie.
Tom Welling simply is the face of SUPERMAN right now!
Brandon Routh is the face of emo… He is not SUPERMAN, and never will be!
His suit looked like a cheap Halloween/Hooker outfit! And he looks like a total Fruit caKe!
Tom Welling looks like SUPERMAN! Like if he had just stepped out of the pages of DC.
All you need to keep from the show is Clark, Lex, Lois, and Jimmy!
That’s it! Maybe Chloe if you want to bring her along to… But the rest of the cast can be changed for the main characters are the only one’s needed.
The mother is off becoming a state senator, and the dad is dead.
So who else matters?
@TW4Superman2010,,,
He’s great for the Angst ridden tv version of Supes, but not for the movies…
+ I think he’s stated that he has no intention of playing Superman for the rest of his life…
Attention Fans: I have read all the comments about Superman that all of you have injected. I believe and honor the comments that ‘Son of Sam’ (10/11/’08) & ‘Amiro’ (10/21/’08) have injected; Tom Welling is the man to the Next Superman Hero to save the planet on the ‘Big Screen’ and ‘BRANDON ROUTH’ We all can relate to Tom Welling as the next ‘SUPERMAN’ like ‘Son of Sam’ mentioned ‘Brandon Routh’ Stinks. He is a very poor actor and does not relate with the Superman story. What we need to do is, seek writer with creativity and vision and that can relate to the story of superman with Lois at his side. At all cost the Superman series should continue after the Big Movie In The Screen is shown………Rosado – 11/11/’08.
SR had very few good points like the whole Superman Dying part was great I loved laughing at the docs shocking him and breaking needles. But the whole idea of SR being Superman 3 in a sense picking up after 2 was just stupid the story didn’t fit and the script just UMM sucked Kevin Spacey is a great Actor and he did a great job with what he had. Say what you will about Smallville I love the show because it has it dark moments and I miss Lex in the show this year everyone who loves the show knows that Lex from smallville is the best he is swave, cool, smart,funny, Charming and EVIL it just works. I agree with my friends I would liek to see the Death of Superman and the Reign of Superman to start to develop. The character Changes extremly and it would be a new change. AND STOP MAKING CLARK KENT ACT LIKE A COMPLETE DORK, What worked in the 70s will not work now. SMALLVILLE IS NOW DEALING WITH DOOMSDAY SO I GUESS YOU MIGHT WANT TO LEAVE DOOMSDAY OUT OF THE STORY FOR THE MOVIE.What made smallville work was showing the human side of clark kent and the super villians he would face. Brandon Roth I can see has superman for awhile but maybe enhance the dang suit even more it looked but it doesn’t have to look like tights but why the hell did it look like it had body armor Superman don’t need body Armor. Damn SR could been so what better if they writing did a little more focus on the relationship with Lois cause I mean I didn’t feel no chemistry with them and also how we should no that was supermans kid if clark took away her memories at the End of Superman 2? It just goes with Superman 3 and Superman 4
The sheer force of reaction that is received when something negative is stated about Welling not being a big screen Superman is part of the reason he is a poor choice! He’s polarizing. You have the smallville fanbase (lets be generous and say 4M, slightly lower than their higest ratings in the last year), and everyone else.
While an origins story seems odd to me, I do think things need a reboot of sorts and can’t see another way to go about it. And I have no issue with Routh either. I thought he did a fine job in a poor movie.
I am a huge Superman fan. I do agree on some points of Mr. Williams. I dont think another Superman film will hit theatres for awhile. Tom Welling as The Man of Steel on the big screen? I can’t see it. I DO like “Smallville” but IMHO, i don’t feel Welling would fill the red boots. For television?…awesome. To smash box office records?… good luck. Superman can still be done right. I feel that there should be more creativity, originality and enthusiasm put in to the next film. A darker twist to Superman? Thats not his nature, however, Superman can STILL be conflicted and presented with issues which test his morales. As i stated before, if WB can put together a good team with some CREATIVE & ORIGINAL ideas, Superman will do well. The comics and graphic novels speak for themselves.
Let us get this straight once and for all. Superman is THE comic book character. Welling is in no way able to portray the qualities of a mature Superman. Superman does not throw a tractor across Smallville and turn around with a puzzled face. Tom welling is a careless Superman. He is the face of Superman right now only because his facial features compared to Christopher Reeves. Not because of his ability to act, because frankly he still acts like he is in a soap opera. Those who know the constant follow up of Superman through Wizard magazine may remember and issue they clearly had dedicated to the fact that Welling and Reeves had the same features. People who know only know Smallville have no voice of opinion. Smallville is not a realistic portrayal of how Superman was.
Let us get this straight once and for all. Superman is THE comic book character. Welling is in no way able to portray the qualities of a mature Superman. Superman does not throw a tractor across Smallville and turn around with a puzzled face. Tom welling is a careless Superman. He is the face of Superman right now only because his facial features compared to Christopher Reeves. Not because of his ability to act, because frankly he still acts like he is in a soap opera. Those who know the constant follow up of Superman through Wizard magazine may remember an issue they clearly had dedicated to the fact that Welling and Reeves had the same features. People who only know Smallville have no voice of opinion. Smallville is not a realistic portrayal of how Superman was.
Now let’s get past that and have a serious talk about how Superman should be released.Brandon Routh was a very big gamble. They Did a few things right with Superman Returns in it’s failure. They established his God like presence. He accidently played the last Clark Kent almost down to a T with the clumsy feel. The problem was the storyline was one that involved Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. Although he was a perfect face for the character, that is all he was. Second, when the Movie was released Routh did not step up in the media to make us feel like he was something great for the role. Christian Bale does not have to do this seeing he is a arrogant prick in real life. Even with all the things wrong for some odd reason I still see Brandon Routh becoming the perfect actor for the role once he steps up to the plate. I say ditch the chick because she made him look weak in the public eye and act like you have some balls. Routh is perfect he just needs to sell his self.
Now let’s get past that and have a serious talk about how Superman should be released.Brandon Routh was a very big gamble. They Did a few things right with Superman Returns in it’s failure. They established his God like presence. He accidently played the last Clark Kent almost down to a T with the clumsy feel. The problem was the storyline was one that involved Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor. Although he was a perfect face for the character, that is all he was. Second, when the Movie was released Routh did not step up in the media to make us feel like he was something great for the role. Christian Bale does not have to do this seeing he is a arrogant pr*ck in real life. Even with all the things wrong for some odd reason I still see Brandon Routh becoming the perfect actor for the role once he steps up to the plate. I say ditch the chick because she made him look weak in the public eye and act like you have some f***ing balls. Routh is perfect he just needs to sell his self.
yet I guess using Welling is no more idiotic than Superman shooting a hole through his head in a childs cartoon lol.
I’ve deleted a few comments. Behave, boys – BJ, I’m talking to you.
Vic
Superman Doomsday was PG or PG13. Far cry from child’s cartoon.
Mr. Vic Holtreman, I have been respectful of your website for quite some time. People have said worst things on this site and YOU sir get on me for saying “Shut up”? Well if that’s the case consider this the last comment you’ll read from me. I will not return to this website. Good day.
@BJ
Leaving a comment that says nothing more than “Shut up” is rude. And jeez, don’t have such a thin skin.
Vic
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