1. If they screw this up, will there be a re-re-reboot of Superman?

Posted at 1:16PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Sam

2. If they screw this up, will there be a re-re-reboot of Superman?

Posted at 1:16PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Sam

3. NO NO NO! Look Returns was light on action that's the one major complaint. They reestablished the world. Why reboot? do a sequel to Returns just bring the action. This is so silly. Honestly there was nothing wrong with the characters in returns just recast Lois and let superman get into a fish fight its not hard to fix what is really not that broken.

Posted at 1:23PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Eric

4. NO NO NO! Look Returns was light on action that's the one major complaint. They reestablished the world. Why reboot? do a sequel to Returns just bring the action. This is so silly. Honestly there was nothing wrong with the characters in returns just recast Lois and let superman get into a fish fight its not hard to fix what is really not that broken.

Posted at 1:23PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Eric

5. Fish fights are for Aquaman.

Posted at 3:18PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Batzarro

6. I loved the previous Superman films, but I am glad that they've decided to reboot the series.

But dark? No. Superman's not a dark character. He's the balance to Batman. I think this idea is going to be cast away pretty quickly once they start the script process.

But this is great news because now the modern forms of the characters — especially Lex Luthor — can be brought into play.

I don't think you need an elaborate retelling of Superman's origin though. Keep it concise and get to the story quickly.

A passing mention of Batman or any of the other characters would be cool, but not necessary.

(Bah, and don't worry about the typos. I'm used to working on a deadline and when news breaks, mistakes can happen. That's why there's editing tools.)

Posted at 1:24PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Thomas Corhern

7. I too am concerned about a darker Superman. Hopefully they will realize that he has his own personae and build on that.

As for grammar, I think it is important to take a minute and review your report before it goes out, as mistakes detract from the story.

Posted at 1:24PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Cliff Kline

8. The only way to replicate the Batman success is to fully trust a capable director. Give the project to someone that knows what he's doing and you got yourself a hit.

Posted at 1:29PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by JimeneX

9. Exactly what I said I was afraid of in the last Supes post here.

Superman dark is rarely good. It CAN work, but only if he redeems himself by the end and becomes the boy scout again. The character being angry and grief-stricken in the first movie worked (the turning the world backwards to go back in time... not so much). The times in the comics where he's lost it have been temporary, and I think he's generally avoided actually DOING anything too dark.

Someone should sit WB down with Look, Up in the Sky so they can maybe understand the character.

Not that it matters, we'll end up with Nicholas Cage in a black and silver supersuit that has alien powers.

Posted at 1:41PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Astin

10. Superman is my favorite character. Loved him as a child and have enjoyed each of the films to a certain degree. I think "Superman Returns" established the character again in a world that lends itself well to continuing stories.

I fear this reboot announcement is coming far too soon on the heels of "The Dark Knight" and it's mega-success. Batman is a naturally dark character. Superman is the exact opposite. There needs to be a balance, if anything, between the light and dark tones when crafting a Superman movie. If something is too heavy, it will throw the entire film off.

Like i said in another post, if this is a full on reboot, use the "Superman: Birthright" graphic novel as a stepping stone for this film. It is a great story with both light and dark tones that balance each other quite well.

If it is not a full reboot, they should seriously consider keeping Brandon Routh. He was a bright spot and would love to see him grow with the role. Anne Hathaway continues to be my vote for a new Lois Lane as well.

Please Warner Bros., don't mess this up.

Posted at 1:45PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Tash

11. Elisabeth, take more time with important posts. Robinov said...

"exploring the evil side to characters" is the way to approach all the DC characters. "We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it." Including Superman.

'To the extent that the characters allow it.' means just that. To say that Superman/Clark is all sugar and spice and the big blue friendly super hero is incorrect. He does have internal conflicts that come from his responsibility as the most powerful being on Earth - and the weight of being the sole survivor of his race and plant. The conflict from feeling like he doesn't really 'belong' anywhere. The turmoil over knowing he could enforce his will over the planet to correct a world of problems - but that he has to let people run their own lives.

Need I go on? Putting Superman in a gritty, real world is going to be a much better movie than the campy Donner world we got in the 70's and then again with the Singer homage.

You can be a good writer if you just slow down, proofread and then think about what you are writing before you hit 'publish'.

Now as to the announcement, I am all for it.
And I think Jon Hamm of Mad Men is perfect for the part of Superman/Clark Kent. He has the right look, is old enough and can play a character who is leading a dual identity life etc.

Posted at 1:56PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Jonathan

12. Jonathan- that is YOUR TAKE on what would work for a Superman movie. Elisabeth's take is different than yours, as mine is. I don't think that "going dark" is going to work for every character, and Supes is the perfect example. You need only go see Iron Man for an example of a film that was substantive and cool, yet lighter in tone.

Just because your vision of a good Supes movie doesn't jive with the writer's, that doesn't mean that the writer hasn't thought through the post. So cut the condescending crap and just state your point.

You can avoid coming off as an ass if you just slow down, proofread and then think about what you are writing before you hit 'Add Comment'.

Posted at 6:35PM on Aug 25th 2008 by Moo

13. Call me crazy, but I've never been a huge fan of Supes because I prefer the darker Batman types ... so I'd be curious to see a darker Superman. No idea if you could actually pull it off, though.

Of course, Superman himself doesn't necessarily have to be darker. The movie could be dark in tone, perhaps helped by a very dark villian (a la Joker).

As for your director comment, JimeneX, I would normally agree with you but I think that's what they thought they were doing with Bryan Singer and it didn't turn out the way they hoped.

By the way, wasn't Superman returns a reboot? As much as the last Hulk, anyway.

Posted at 2:03PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Adam

14. I agree with you on a superman movie being dark, and keeping superman the same. As for superman returnes, it was more of a sequel from the first two films. I dont think it was a reboot.

Posted at 2:34AM on Sep 6th 2008 by Jesse Gonzalez

15. What made batmman and the Dark Knight work wasn't that they were dark films. it was that they were films with real characters set in a realistic place. if u ditch the costumes u still have an awesome film. Thats what superman needs to be...Thats what made the first donner film so good...it was in New york (metropolis) the characters all felt like real people in extra ordinary circumstances. Just make a good Film and it will get a good response. Hopefully Warner figures this out before we see Superman in a Black Costume Fighting a Giant Spider and wrestling Polar Bears

Posted at 2:21PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Salero

16. i LOVED superman returns and instead of a reboot, they should just improve on what ever needs to be improved with it -- keep brandon routh -- he was great!

Posted at 2:33PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by jake

17. Salero, your post reminded me of one key element that needs to be removed from any and all further Superman/Batman/motion pictures in general from here on out....

John Peters.

Posted at 2:40PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Tash

18. If you want to do a Superman movie right, you have to include a Thagarian Snarebeast.

Posted at 2:41PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Adam

19. Perhaps the people get the Superman they deserve. Consider the major complaints over the Bryan Singer film. "Not enough action"? Oh you mean, like in the Richard Donner original. "Lex Luthor's scheme was ridiculous"? Again, like his plan to nuke the coastlines for ocean front property in the original? Lex Luthor's abilities and logic are doomed to be dwarfed by his inherent hubris. That is the Achilles heel of the character! And this is when one of those fools who refuses to acknowledge that Superman helps the entire world will whine he no longer relegates the extent of his efforts to exclusively maintaining "The American Way". This is refreshing, as Superman would probably not be down with torturing enemy combatants stripped of their rights in off-shore facilities. Bryan Singer and Richard Donner wanted to make you believe a man could fly, not just engage in minor fisticuffs.

Posted at 2:47PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Mike De Luca

20. You don't have to make Supes dark to be good movie. Yes, de-power him, make more human in his emotions, and make him have to choice which person would have to die (though there would be nothing wrong with him choosing and still saving all). Keep Brandon, Anne Hathaway could be a good Lois, glaze over the origin story (maybe hint at TV Smallville), and give Supes a hard villain to battle (fist and all). You can still have the angst and the kid hero too.

Posted at 2:52PM on Aug 22nd 2008 by Mystok