Superman Reboot Now Confirmed By Warner Bros. Pres

[darthalexander]

If they bring in Lex again, I hope they make him like Lex in Smallville who is actually the best version of Lex. I really hope they lose the stupid sidekick and ditzy girlfriend characters they always dump on him. Make him the nasty version of Lex, not the buffoon version.

Metallo would be interesting, Brainiac would be awesome. But I think we'll get Lex again.

[hollywood]

I still think this is short-sighted on WB's part. Singer said he planned to "go all Wrath of Kahn" on the franchise with the next film, which almost falls right in line with what the executives seem to want with a reboot.

The Dark Knight exceeded way past Batman Begins. It's entirely possible The Man of Steel would've done the same, if not something similar.

I just get the image of these executive meetings where some old guy says "Okay, going really dark with Batman worked well, so let's do that with Superman!" Which is followed by a chorus of positives harumphs. I just wish there was one sane person in the group who'd raise his hand and say, "Um, excuse me, sir? But, um, you do realize that what works for Batman may not work for Superman?"

[hollywood]

Industry Reactions to Superman Reboot News

In light of the recent announcement from Warner Bros. that the Superman film franchise would be "reintroduced", the Superman Homepage contacted various Superman related identities to get their reaction to the news.

Greg Rucka (writer at DC Comics) said, "Hmm...well, yeah, I think a reboot is a good idea at this point. While there are elements of Returns that I thought worked quite well, the film utterly failed, in my opinion, to demonstrate why Superman is, frankly, the best of the best. And there's the tiny little problem I have with making any kind of Superman movie that you can't bring an 8 year old to see, let alone a 10 year old. Batman? Sure, PG-13 all the way. But Superman, especially as a film, needs to be something that both kids and adults can enjoy -- in many ways, it goes to the core of the character, his universality. So I don't think a reboot is a bad idea -- as long as we don't end up with a take on the material that has Kal getting his power from a special suit, or that turns Doomsday into his long-lost brother."

As for whether Rucka could see himself writing the script for the next Superman movie, "Oh hell yeah! Will it happen? I can't imagine it. But damn, I'd be there in a micro-second, no question."

Jack O'Halloran, who starred as Non in "Superman: The Movie" and "Superman II", says the decision to reboot comes down to money. "Warner's weren't happy with the returns on Superman Returns." As for who he'd like to replace Bryan Singer if the director decides not to continue on with the Man of Steel, O'Halloran says, "I hope if they are rebooting Superman they hand the reins to Richard Donner. It would be the salvation of the series. Dick has such a passion for the series, the fan base would finally get what they have been waiting for someone with the passion to light up the screen."

Comic book writer Mark Waid told SaveSuperman.com that he thought the reboot was necessary but that he has reservations. "I think it's a good idea - though the idea of making Superman "darker" chills me to the bone. Still, what Batman Begins did for Batman gives me confidence. I have enormous respect for Singer, for Routh, and for all the people involved with RETURNS, I really do - and I'm sorry the sound bites picked up for the MTV piece didn't really reflect that - but as much as I loved RETURNS, and I really did, I grudgingly accept that the general audience thought of it as a misstep and that a reboot is probably necessary."

--taken from SupermanHomepage.com

[Brother Coyote]

Aug 25, 2008 14:13:18 GMT -5 Spankymac is sick of the swiss said:

They can do whatever they want, as long as they don't add a giant spider to the franchise.(I wonder how many people will actually get that)

I've watched JUST that part like... 40 times its so freaking ridiculous.

By the by, I think superman movies wont work nowadays because without the campy hilarity people realize just how much superman sucks. Worst Hero Ever.

[hollywood]

Aug 26, 2008 9:32:04 GMT -5 Brother Coyote said:

Aug 25, 2008 14:13:18 GMT -5 Spankymac is sick of the swiss said:

They can do whatever they want, as long as they don't add a giant spider to the franchise.(I wonder how many people will actually get that)

I've watched JUST that part like... 40 times its so freaking ridiculous.

By the by, I think superman movies wont work nowadays because without the campy hilarity people realize just how much superman sucks. Worst Hero Ever.

Except that he's managed to remain one of the most recognizable characters in American fiction for the past 70 years and pretty much served as the inspiration for every superhero to follow...

[teamjd]

Aug 26, 2008 9:32:04 GMT -5 Brother Coyote said:

I've watched JUST that part like... 40 times its so freaking ridiculous.

By the by, I think superman movies wont work nowadays because without the campy hilarity people realize just how much superman sucks. Worst Hero Ever.

Really? Have you never actually read a comic, because if so you should be able to name about 50 characters off the top of your head worse then Superman, who's a completely fleshed out and developed character. Seriously, worst EVER? I just don't understand, given that THOUSANDS of comics come out each year, both from big companies and independents to small self publishing, that superman is the worst EVER. Hell, I've personally written and published comics with a worse hero then him. Superman has spent some 40 years not being campy, and in those 4 decades he's done pretty well for himself.

[Brother Coyote]

Aug 26, 2008 9:48:15 GMT -5 @teamjd said:

Really? Have you never actually read a comic, because if so you should be able to name about 50 characters off the top of your head worse then Superman, who's a completely fleshed out and developed character. Seriously, worst EVER? I just don't understand, given that THOUSANDS of comics come out each year, both from big companies and independents to small self publishing, that superman is the worst EVER. Hell, I've personally written and published comics with a worse hero then him. Superman has spent some 40 years not being campy, and in those 4 decades he's done pretty well for himself.

I Just hate superman is all.

I would go as far as to say Speedball > Superman. but GODAMN I love Speedball. He beat Dr. Doom once you know.

Just never liked superman, I hate his premise, I hate his I can do everything you can do better kind of superpowers. I think with the Dark Knight being SO amazing trying in ANY way to EVER connect Superman and Batman at this point (without going all out and making a JLA movie with tons of superheros in it) will only showcase how INCREDIBLY lame superman is compared to batman.

I mean, granted I haven't read a superman comic in about.. EVER. But I do read comics in general and that's more than the general audience that goes to movies. Now, that's also a general audience who APPARENTLY loved the Dark Knight, and I think at this point showing people that Batman and Superman live in the same world is a bad idea.

As an aside, couple this with an a large part of the audience knowing superman only from Smallville and it murks up the water even further.

[darthalexander]

Superman can be quite a good character if you give him a chance. If your exposure to him was only Smallville or the movies so far than you've missed out on a lot. It's kind of like basing your knowledge of Batman on the 60s television show.

Give the dude a chance. Then hate him.

[Brother Coyote]

Aug 26, 2008 10:15:17 GMT -5 darthalexander said:

Superman can be quite a good character if you give him a chance. If your exposure to him was only Smallville or the movies so far than you've missed out on a lot. It's kind of like basing your knowledge of Batman on the 60s television show.

Give the dude a chance. Then hate him.

I don't like his origin or his wide array of powers. THAT being said, I did like Lois and Clark if only for Howie Mandell as Mr. Mxzypitlik.

[Baixo Astral]

Aug 26, 2008 9:48:15 GMT -5 @teamjd said:

Aug 26, 2008 9:32:04 GMT -5 Brother Coyote said:

I've watched JUST that part like... 40 times its so freaking ridiculous.

By the by, I think superman movies wont work nowadays because without the campy hilarity people realize just how much superman sucks. Worst Hero Ever.

Really? Have you never actually read a comic, because if so you should be able to name about 50 characters off the top of your head worse then Superman, who's a completely fleshed out and developed character. Seriously, worst EVER? I just don't understand, given that THOUSANDS of comics come out each year, both from big companies and independents to small self publishing, that superman is the worst EVER. Hell, I've personally written and published comics with a worse hero then him. Superman has spent some 40 years not being campy, and in those 4 decades he's done pretty well for himself.

Anthro
Mind Grabber Kid
Mento
The Musketeer
Fastball
Boss Moxie
The Green Gang
Amos Fortune
Calorie Queen
Cheeks, the Toy Wonder
Batzarro
Beppo
Ace, the Bat Hound
Abattoir
Goody Rickles
Tyr
Esper Lass
Jericho
Danny Chase
20 - Aquagirl
The Golden Glider
The Top
The Turtle
The Faceless Hunter
Jet
Ram
Gloss
Extrano
Madame Fatale
Harbinger
30 - Betty Clawman
The Haemogoblin
Thomas "Pieface" Kalmaku
Mr Terrible
Sir Solomon Grundy
Blackrock
Cat Grant
Snapper Carr
Captain Midnight (the lame chick version)
La Garra
40 - Jack Kirby's Sandman
Moon Boy
Kid Psycho
THE RED BEE!!
Dr. 13
The Jester
Radiation Roy
Alias, The Spider
Extant
Kamandi

Spot the hidden bonuses of this DC (wink, wink) list of characters lamer than Big Blue!

[hollywood]

Honestly, I'm a big enough Superman fanboy that I'll go see whatever they put out on opening night. Hell, I'd probably show up for a midnight showing even if I had to work the next day.

My only real disappointment is that this means I have to wait longer to see it.

Sorry to all the Watchmen fans out there, but a Superman movie interests me far more than Rorschach, Nightowl, or Dr. Manhattan ever will.

[Deleted]

Rebooting a franchise after a couple of years? Wow, so this is the new thing in Hollywood.

Okay.

Anyway - as long as they don't bring back Christopher Reeves Jr to play Kent, I'd be fine with it.

And the bad guy should obviously be General Zod.

[King of Fighters]

Aug 26, 2008 10:05:06 GMT -5 Brother Coyote said:

I mean, granted I haven't read a superman comic in about.. EVER.

Then how is you opinion in any way valid if you haven't read any?

[hollywood]

Aug 26, 2008 11:12:38 GMT -5 @personman01 said:

And the bad guy should obviously be General Zod.

Erm...no?

[erisi236]

Toyman should be the villain that gets beat up in the opening and Metallo should be the main one.

Or a Lex Luthor land grab scheme cuz I love those so much.

[hollywood]

Aug 26, 2008 11:27:53 GMT -5 erisi236 said:

Toyman should be the villain that gets beat up in the opening and Metallo should be the main one.

Or a Lex Luthor land grab scheme cuz I love those so much.

I still like the idea of Lex Luthor as the super-wealthy crime boss pulling all the strings in the background like he was in the comics for the past 20 years, with villains like Metallo, Bizarro, Parasite...or MAYBE Toyman...as the ones going head-to-head with the Man of Steel.

[Deleted]

Aug 26, 2008 11:23:04 GMT -5 hollywood said:

Aug 26, 2008 11:12:38 GMT -5 @personman01 said:

And the bad guy should obviously be General Zod.

Erm...no?

How dare you!?! Kneel before ZOD!!!

[Jay Peas 42]

Superman is not a bad character, it's just he's overexposed, and has really stupid villians.

[BoilerRoomBrawler]

Superman comes from a different era* where people wanted their heroes to be strong and larger than life who did not have to take crap from anyone like the Axis Powers or anything like the Great Depression.

The Comics Code struck and limited creativity for nearly a decade until Stan Lee figured out how to write good stories under such strict rules.

He also humanized his characters by presenting flaws; this was not the time of bold heroes like Superman anymore.

The problem is that people often assume that flaws --> better characters when it's actually good writing --> good characters.

Another problem is that Superman didn't initially copy powers from other sources: He had them first in many cases.

So I agree that Superman is a good but overexposed character and may ironically be one of the more underrated characters out there.

Then I found this: www.denofgeek.com/movies/comments/104544/8_reasons_for_a_1930s_superman_movie.html


*Golden Age (~Late 30's to Early 50's)

[hollywood]

Aug 26, 2008 12:34:07 GMT -5 Jay Peas 42 said:

Superman is not a bad character, it's just he's overexposed, and has really stupid villians.

I disagree. He's certainly got his share of bad ones--the Prankster, Livewire, etc--but, let's be honest, even though everyone raves about Batman's rogues gallery, it's not like the Dark Knight doesn't have his share of stupid villains...Firebug, Ventriloquist, Killer Croc, Mr. Freeze (seriously, he sucks).

Superman has a strong list of villains that people tend to either overlook or downplay. First and foremost is Lex Luthor. In every incarnation, Lex Luthor, a normal human being, has been the one person to truly manage to go toe-to-toe with the Man of Steel, moreso than many super-powered types. Hell, he's even gotten the better of Batman a time or two.

Then there's Brainiac. Sure, the name's a bit silly, but he's a pretty intimidating character when you stop and think about it. He's essentially a super-computer (or a man with super-computer implants, depending on which age you're talking about) looking to overrun the universe with his technology. You could almost argue that Star Trek used him as a blueprint for the Borg.

And there's Bizarro, who is much more interesting that people give him credit for. Like King Kong or Godzilla, he's not really evil, just simple and misguided. He's infused with all these superpowers but, unlike Superman, he doesn't have the mental capacity to keep them in check, and he's a perfect candidate to be manipulated by villains like Lex.

Then, there's Metallo. While Metallo could never be the primary villain for a movie, he'd be a strong lackey for someone like Lex to employ to take on Superman. He's a near-invincible robot with a kryptonite heart who feels absolutely nothing.

And let's not forget Parasite, a man/creatue who absorbs the life force of people and the powers of Superman. Much like Metallo, he might not make it as a leading villain, but he'd be perfect for a deadly lackey role.

And of course, there's Doomsday...

The obvious argument is that Superman's villains can't take the lead as his sole nemesis in a movie like Lex can. The only one who really could do that is Brainiac. But let's stop and think for a moment. Other than the Joker, is there really a singular villain in the Batman movies that ever solely opposed the Caped Crusader?