A Darker Superman?
After Superman: Returns' disappointing run in the theaters in 2006 and Batman's impressive run so far, Warner Brothers is looking at rebooting Superman again, this time, potentially making him a darker character.
..."'Superman' didn't quite work as a film in the way that we wanted it to," says Mr. Robinov. "It didn't position the character the way he needed to be positioned. Had 'Superman' worked in 2006, we would have had a movie for Christmas of this year or 2009," he adds. "But now the plan is just to reintroduce Superman without regard to a Batman and Superman movie at all."...With "Batman vs. Superman" and "Justice League" stalled, Warner Bros. has quietly adopted Marvel's model of releasing a single film for each character, and then using those movies and their sequels to build up to a multicharacter film. "Along those lines, we have been developing every DC character that we own," Mr. Robinov says.
Like the recent Batman sequel -- which has become the highest-grossing film of the year thus far -- Mr. Robinov wants his next pack of superhero movies to be bathed in the same brooding tone as "The Dark Knight." Creatively, he sees exploring the evil side to characters as the key to unlocking some of Warner Bros.' DC properties. "We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it," he says. That goes for the company's Superman franchise as well.
WB has been kind of...noncommittal to the movies they say are coming out. Wonder Woman, Justice League and Green Arrow have all been mentioned as movies, then halted, re-started, and halted again. Looks like WB will announce further plans next month, though who knows if they'll stick to it.
The studio is set to announce its plans for future DC movies in the next month. For now, though, it is focused on releasing four comic-book films in the next three years, including a third Batman film, a new film reintroducing Superman, and two movies focusing on other DC Comics characters. Movies featuring Green Lantern, Flash, Green Arrow, and Wonder Woman are all in active development.
[via: SuperHeroHype]
Elf Girl
Posted to on 24 August 2008
· Comments (9)
Other stuff like this: Batman, DC movies, Superman
Just because the tone of the Batman movie was "darker" and it was commercially successful, the movie studios are sure to have another hit using a dark tone with another super hero. Genius. The plan is flawless. I've never felt like using the eyeroll emote, but reading that sure makes me want to.
This is exactly the wrong message to take away from the success of "The Dark Knight."
Instead of "ZOMG it was dark and people liked it therefore we'll make everything dark and people will love it!" they should be thinking "We made a smart, good, well-crafted comic book movie that was true to the source material and people liked it. Let's make more of those."
I totally agree; though to be fair they did say "We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it". That makes it sound like they don't plan to make it as dark as Dark Knight.
Still, it would be better that they do what you said, CJG; but then, DC doesn't quite get that yet, even with the success of the two recent Batman movies.
The reason I love Superman so much is that it *isn't* Batman. If I wanted dark, I'd watch Dark Knight. I love that Superman is actually an optimistic character (in general).
Oh well, it's probably not good to get all up in arms quite yet. As long as Nicholas Cage isn't involved. Eugh.
I thought the main problem with Supes Returns was that it was BORING. The main villain was Lex Luther? All the CG was used on a boat? WTF? If they wanna make money, just have Superman fight Bizarro or something.
I think the problem with Superman is that he's really pretty irrelevant in todays world. Someone like Batman, with all his problems and nurosis, is just far more belivable, and easier to relate to, than some Alien goody-two-shoes in primary colours who seems to have very little motavation for what he does, not to mention one of comics dullest personal lives. I think he'll remain a less popular franchise unless they give him a major makeover.
"some Alien goody-two-shoes in primary colours who seems to have very little motavation for what he does"
In the hands of a good writer that would be a great starting point. Batman was a success because they stopped to examen what Batman is all about. They need to so the same with Superman. The angle they could take, if it wasn't already going to be taken with Dr. Manhattan, is that of a benevolent, almost naive, super-power that is so much more powerful than anyone else that he's lost all touch with the people he is protecting.
I liked Superman Returns a lot. It was mostly due to Brandon Routh (he fills those tights so well) so I'm pretty bummed about this news since it means he won't be back. It's sorta funny how a movie that made something like $200 mil in the US is regarded as a failure. Maybe they need to bet smaller next time.
Well, when they paid $209 million to make it, yeah $200 mil is a failure. ;)