There was a report in the Hamilton College student newspaper about a recent visit paid to the school by Thomas Tull (a Hamilton alumnus), chairman and CEO of Legendary Pictures, the successful production company responsible for respectable hits like Batman Begins, deplorable indulgences like 10,000 BC, and middle-of-the-road successes like Superman Returns. The article surveys numerous issues from Tull's visit, most of which pertain to his professional history. Near the end, however, it's noted that Tull "hopes to invoke more of the image of 'an angry god'" with the next Superman film. Subtitled Man of Steel, it's a sequel that's been in the works for quite some time. Wonders Slashfilm: "Maybe Man of Steel will have a Superman who begins to make irrational emotion-based decisions, throwing cars around out of anger, which will paint him as an Angry God in The Daily Planet?" Maybe, but that's a big deduction for what appears to be a throwaway statement. Whether or not Tull even has specific details about the content of the next Superman film isn't clear, but his emphasis on the character's strength, rather than his pathos, sounds like a response to criticisms of the last movie. Many audiences found it light on action and heavy on a lot of needless other things. Superman Returns was hardly a flop, grossing over $200 million in the U.S. alone, but it could have done much bigger business if it sacrificed some of the contemplative drama for a little more speed.
Anyone familiar with Superman's plights in either the comics or the earlier films knows that he can kick some major ass, and constantly struggles against the impulse to abuse his abilities (such as when he hesitantly turned back time to save Lois Lane in the first Superman). It's too early to say what direction the new movie will take, but there's little doubt that it'll come together at some point. However, unlike the Hulk franchise, the next Superman movie won't be a do-over--but it just might be a do-better.
In related Superman news, Collider spoke with Brandon Routh recently about all things Superman and Justice League. Routh said he hopes to be shooting Superman: The Man of Steel early next year, and that he would turn down a role to play the superhero in a JLA movie if ever approached.
1. Egads. Like "Smallville" didn't give us enough of a petulant, self-centered, spoiled rotten, abusing-his-powers-at-every-opportunity Superman with a god complex who's better at causing suffering than stopping it. Does no one believe in actual heroes anymore?
Posted at 12:15PM on Apr 23rd 2008 by Gina