Cinematical is reporting that Warners has made it known to the Wall Street Journal that the next Superman film will be a reboot of the franchise. I'm guessing that Bryan Singer will not be involved and Brandon Routh could definitely be in jeopardy of losing the Man of Steel job.

What was wrong with Superman Returns? Too much of that "faggy" suit, too much flying, and there was no giant fucking spider (not to mention no polar bears). Thank you Kevin Smith.

Well if this happens I guess we can see Superman going down the shitter. I know a lot of people didn't really like Superman Returns that much but I for one enjoyed it, despite it having some flaws. Hell the originals even had flaws, anyways I think this will be the first nail in the coffin for the Superman franchise if they go with this.

This is a new low for Hollywood: remaking remakes. They did it with the Hulk, and maybe soon Superman.

Actually this isn't a new low is it. It's the same old shit that's been going forever.

Remake, sequel, I honestly couldn't care. With comic book movies it's the same story told over and over again anyway.

I do enjoy them, though, because I enjoy the story that's at the core of comic book stories.

And I agree with the article (and the comments thereafter that relate) in expressing worry about:

Batman that is, Superman that ain't.

It stunk?

well maybe he won't have a fucking kid now and might actually do something other than lift big rocks. I mean really, the big threat was a kryptonite island?? WTF We need Darkseid dammit!

Reasons?

Not surprising people here even hated Superman Returns. I thought the movie was alright. Ya it seemed to drag on a bit towards the end but it wasn't as bad as a lot of people make it out to be. Of course the score kicks ass for it but don't tell John Williams fans that, they will tear the score to shreads. They think cause Williams didn't do the music it sucks.

I'm actually with ya' on this one Raveers. I thought "Superman Returns" was Singer's best film as a director. It was more about the Donner original and getting inside the work than the comic book or mythology and that's what I liked about it. It's the "Once Upon a Time in the West" of superhero flicks. It's not a perfect flick but one that will have its day in the sun down the road.

That said, I'm actually glad WB is "rebooting" the franchise. I think these comic book movies work best as anthologies than continuing storylines. I mean if the success of "The Dark Knight" has proved anything it's that you really can't kill off any of these characters on screen. There's always going to be someone with a new take on and fresh ideas for characters in the pantheon and their longevity is such that people are willing to give it a shot.

Superman Returns was mediocre. It was basically an homage to the first film and boring overall. Singer should have known that introducing a kid would piss everyone off and ruin the mythology. Returns has flashes of 'great movie' but they never fit into the whole. The teaser trailer sent more shivers than anything in the actual movie.

As for a reboot, I don't think anyone really cares for a new Superman franchise at this time. If you're going to follow the Batman model, DC needs to wait another 7-10 years for everyone to forget about Returns and see the potential for a fresh take.

Personally, I think the original Donner film is overrated. It's nearly impossible to watch by today's standards - talk about a film that doesn't stand the test of time, Jesus. Superman II could be one of the most cringe-inducing movies I've ever seen. I remember thinking it was a made for TV movie when I was a kid. The fact that anyone can bring it up as one of the better comic book movies ever made makes me worry for the future of the intellectual development of our species.

I couldn't agree more here. I always hear about how Superman started it all. Bullshit. This film is almost as campy as the Batman TV series from the 60's. If it was so damn great for comic book movies why did it take until Batman 12 years later to have a comic book box office hit? Richard Donner's Superman is stuck in the 70's. And I can't imagine anyone under 20 years old who can relate to it in any way.

But whereas the 60's Batman was funny, the 70's Superman is not.

Plus Superman Returns was more enjoyable and not as campy as the 70's Superman.

To be honest, I thought Singer nailed the tone with Superman Returns. Superman can never be as dark as Batman, ever, because Superman is a boyscout who flies around all day stopping bullets and shooting statistics about flying. He's almost like an airhead who lets his heart get the best of him.

Singer knew this and if you notice, he borrows a lot from Donner but he fixes things that are wrong. If this is rebooted, especially using Returns as the starting off point, Singer's perfect TONE and FEEL of Superman will be lost, and we'll have Superman in a dark metallic suit struggling with his demons and not the pretty boy Eagle scout that he is!

G4tv.com is reporting that Mark Millar REALLY wants the Superman job for a once a year trilogy.

Millar's a predictable, formulaic writer who currently has some heat because of the success of WANTED -- but anyone who's read the original comic knows that it was almost completely stripped of everything but its most basic ideas. In fact WANTED the movie has far more in common with THE MATRIX than WANTED the comic.

Not that being predictable or formulaic has ever stopped anyone from succeeding in Hollywood. But I'm willing to lay money that any Superman movie that starts with a Mark Millar pitch ends up with a credit for Story by Mark Millar And Someone Else and Screenplay by Someone Else.

you knew it was going to happen. AICN is reporting the Wachowski brothers are now going to direct the Superman trilogy.

[spoil]
[align=LEFT]
Anyways, here in Berlin i had the good fortune of watching a year in review on RTL1. The show was about upcoming movies in 2009. There was a segment on Ninja Assassin a film being directed by James McTeigue and being produced by Hollywood heavy weight Joel Silver. McTeigue spoke about filming in Germany and the many highlights of shooting in a huge city like Berlin. The interviewer spoke about future plans and James spilled the following tidbets!

- Ninja Assassin is locked and complete. Awaiting a suitable marketing strategy and release from WB. Looking likely to be a late summer release.

- Action scenes are absolutely brutal, unbelievable vision from the Wachowski's in blocking the fights with the Hong Kong stunt team.

- Spoke about the benefits of tax breaks received from the German and British Governments in making the film.

BRACE YOURSELVES FOR THIS....

- McTeigue confirmed that Plastic Man was the next project in the pipeline for the Wachowski's and he had been signed on to provide Second Unit support. Says the movie has been delayed indefinitely due to a major shake up of projects at WB.

- Bryan Singer has refused to undertake a re-boot of the Superman franchise and has left the Executives at WB with no choice but to take a fresh creative direction.

This is it....

- He stated the Wachowski Brothers had been approached to re-boot the franchise as a trilogy and they are currently reviewing their options as its like being asked to take the final play in a superbowl final. Says if they do agree, he will likely either succumb to providing second unit support on the movie or will champion the directorship of Plastic Man - He started to giggle as he stated its like a young child for the Brothers and they wont give that up easily.

- Says, the very thought of the brothers making a superman movie is unbelievable as they have grown up in the world of comic books and they would be ideal for the project.

- Stated that Bryan Singer is looking to move on to Logan's Run a movie to be produced by Joel Silver.[/align]
[/spoil]

Hmm, if the Wachowski brothers are at the helm, then maybe they might actually be good films. I know a lot of people give The Matrix Reloaded and Revolutions flack but I absolutely love all three films for The Matrix Trilogy.

Well they have ambition I'll give them that. And they can do pretty good action. That's about all I can say.

deadlinehollywood.com

NOLAN TO HELP DEVELOP THE NEW SUPERMAN

EXCLUSIVE: Warner Bros is trying to ready its DC Comics stalwart Superman to soar again on the Big Screen, and the studio has turned to Chris Nolan to mentor development of the movie.

Our insiders say that the brains behind rebooted Batman has been asked to play a "godfather" role and ensure The Man Of Steel gets off the ground after a 3 1/2-year hiatus. Nolan's leadership of the project can set it in the right direction with the critics and the fans, not to mention at the box office.
[hr]


While not into DC properties, I must be one of the few that enjoyed Superman 2006 along with it's score.

I enjoyed both the movie and score as well.

The score, especially in complete form is top notch. John Ottman did a fantastic job with it, despite what a lot of John Williams fans say about it. I don't think Williams could have really come up with anything better. In all honesty I find myself listening to Superman Returns' score more than I do Williams original Superman: The Movie.

It's funny to read a lot of Williams fans praising Ken Thorne's job on Superman II, which is just basically a rehash of Williams music, nothing more. Yet they go on and bitch about Superman Returns' score, saying it's unoriginal and that the themes were 'bastardize' in a way. I definitely think they're wrong in that department.

Oh hell no. Williams' music for the first Superman movie, if you have the double disc edition, is sublime. His score is above and beyond any movie composers stuff. I'm referring to things like "The trip to earth", which is one of the most beautiful, lush pieces of music I've ever heard period. "The March of the Villains" that goes into a rich, complex string of music that would likely give any classical music composer the shivers.

There are so many great moments of that entire score, and coupled with the actual visuals of the movie create something that is simply amazing and awe inspiring.

The movie's going to be forgotten and put on the side due to the passage of time, but its greatness, especially on the part of John Williams, should never be understated.

Looks like the Nolan thing didn't pan out after all. Thank God. Talk about the exact wrong guy to direct (or be in any way involved with) a Superman film.

Still, rebooting is the right move after Bryan Singer ass-fucked the franchise with Singerman Stalks. Boy'ish looking Lois, a pleather-clad bartender flying around and stalking women and children, a boring Lex Luthor, shit, the list just goes on. The Ottman score was the one good thing to come out of Singer's abortion of a movie.

Good! Glad the Nolan thing is dead.

I want my fucking version to fly, that being the third Batman movie bringing back Superman in the same movie. So ya I want to make the next Batman movie and include Superman in the process.

(btw that would entail Superman briefly dressing up AS Batman in order to restore Batman's name and honor while taking on impossible odds(for the real Batman)

(c) 2010 Batman Hunted

Where did you read that Nolan is no longer involved with "Superman?" I haven't found anything that states Nolan is off the project.

The only new info I’ve seen is that David Goyer is writing the story for the film. Also, the project has been given the macho title “The Man of Steel.”

Yeah but even the Goyer story has been refuted. I also recall the next Supes flick being tagged with "Man of Steel" way back when Singer was still attached so that's nothing new.

That said, I really hope these items pan out, especially the bit about the reboot taking a Byrne-esque (John, not David) approach to the material.

EDIT: But I think I can do without Luther for the time being. It's not that I don't like the character, I just think we've gone to that well one too many times in the films.

The plot thickens:

Jonah Nolan directing The Man of Steel? / Christopher Nolan directing the next Batman & The Justice League film?

I LOVED Superman Returns ... If you watch the Requiem for Krypton documentary on the DVD you really get a feel for what he was trying to achieve. I am saddened that Bryan and Brandon don't appear to be getting a second chance with the series

Zack Snyder will direct the new Superman movie. Also, General Zod is in the film.

Given 300, this decision may align with my theory about Superman being a macho than prior film incarnations.

Unfortunately, Jon Hamm think he’s too old to be Superman. Since Snyder and Hamm recently worked together on Sucker Punch, maybe he can be convinced otherwise. Or maybe he would make a good General Zod.

UPDATE: A while ago, Goyer stated that he's making Superman like John Byrne's version. Per wikipedia, here's what Byrnes did to Sup:


[hr]
"Byrne significantly reduced Superman’s powers (though he was still one of the most powerful beings on Earth), eliminated the Fortress of Solitude, Krypto, and had his foster parents the Kents still alive while Superman was an adult to enjoy their adopted son’s triumphs as well as to provide him with support, grounding, and advice whenever he needed it.

Byrne also did away with the childhood/teenage career as Superboy; in Byrne’s revamped history, Clark Kent does not put on a costume and become a super-hero until he's an adult.

In the Superman mythos, Byrne wrote Clark Kent as having a more aggressive and extroverted personality than previously depicted, even making him a top high-school football player. Byrne also did his part to come up with explanations for how Superman’s disguise works, such as the public simply does not realize that he has a secret identity since he is unmasked, that Superman would vibrate his face via his super speed in order to blur his image to photographers, and having Kent keep a weight training set around to explain how the human and presumably weaker Kent could have a frame as massive as Superman’s. Byrne’s Superman felt that his deepest roots were on Earth, and that his home planet of "Krypton is anathema to him".

SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL


Director:
Zack Snyder, director of 300 and Watchmen

Cast:
BRITISH ACTOR Henry Cavill as Superman. known for The Tudors (tv) Stardust and The Count of Monte Cristo

At first, i was kind of like what?! But based on a few artistic renditions and the above picture, I am somewhat excited for this casting. I don want rto see what the costume they are going to put him in looks like.

Jessica "dat ass" Biel or Rachel McAdams (Mean Girls, The Notebook, Sherlock Holmes) are now the frontrunners for Lois. The question that is most important is who is the bad guy going to be??? But with the casting choices they are making, this is the sexed up cool and happening Superman that we all wanted.

It's been entertaining watching SM sheep across the web crying about the fact that he's British.

yeah! those fucking Superman fans! It's not like he had a motto for 60 years that said "he fights the never ending battle for truth, justice, and the AMERICAN way!" where's the irony in that?

lol

Yeah, ^that's exactly what all the hoopla is about, heh. The major comeback to that argument seems to be that no one raised a stink when an American, Robert Downey Jr, played beloved British character Sherlock Holmes recently. Does nationality really matter? I mean, I'd much rather see this dude don the cape and feign an American accent then, say, a US southern accented Nicholas Cage Superman.

...or when Batman was British.

Isn't Andrew Garfield a brit too??

Top 3 superheroes all played by Brits....whodathunkit

I'm mostly curious about the soundtrack. I would think that the point of this reboot is to heavily distance itself from Singer's version. So I don't see them going with the old John Williams theme song. Which would make this the first Superman movie in close to 35 years without those musical elements. I wonder what direction they'll go in.

I have a hard time picturing Superman without Williams' theme.

Geez,what a bunch of pansies.

Bale is from the UK and does an accent for Wayne/Bats.

I don't get why people are crying over the fact that they've chosen a British actor to play Superman / Kal'el / Clark Kent. There's been a lot of British actors who've gotten rolls in American movies (and TV shows) and have hid their accents very well. Just like 501st pointed out with Christian Bale and even another great example is the Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis TV series. David Hewlett who played Rodney McKay was born in the UK but you could never tell he was British when watching him on Stargate SG-1 and Atlantis.

If this guy they chose for the Superman role hides his British accent well just like many others do then I will have no problems with it.

The Hollywood Reporter says that Snyder is considering Viggo Mortensen for the lead villain role of General Zod.

I don't really see Mortensen filling those shoes very well, if the character is anything like he was in Superman 2.

That's probably a good thing considering Superman 2 is probably one of the worst comic book movies ever made.

Superman sex in the fortress of solitude on a heavenly bed with the most annoying female lead in the history of cinema? I welcome a reboot.

So the one thing I don't understand about this project is this:

If this is designed to be a reboot of Superman that is not based on Superman Returns[which is based in turn on Donner's Superman], then why in hells name would they use Zod again? It just doesn't make sense to me. Not that I have a problem with Zod, it just seems against the logic for the reboot.

Zod's apperance in the funny books predates his on screen debut by about 17 years (thank you Wikipedia) so there's precedence for his character in the Superman cannon.

That said, the fact that Snyder and co. are using him in the reboot does send mixed signals about the new film's intentions. I'm not that entrenched in DC lore so it could be that there are only so many humanoid villains deemed strong enough to up against Superman.

casting news: AICN

Kevin Costner - Pa Kent



Diane Lane - Ma Kent - total fucking MILF

Kevin Costner, really? Seems like actor overkill for what seems to be a really small role.

Who says it's a small role.