Does Superman Need A Make-Over?

[TiberiusMaximus]

As long as he doesn't look like the Michelin Man on steroids, I don't really care what his costume looks like. He's super-strong because he's an alien, not because he has Hulk syndrome. Actually, as long as he doesn't look like the Michelin Man or The Blur, I'm fine with it.

 

[A beaker full of death]

Supes doesn't need a makeover. He needs a filmmaker who is willing to make a movie about who he is: a naive and sincere alien immigrant who fights for Truth, Justice and the American Way.

Filmmakers, if this scares you, stay away. No one wants to see a movie about Genericman.

Hell yeah!

Maybe they should just wait to see how Marvel handles Captain America and just copy that. My hunch is that Marvel knows how to stay true to a superhero characters' core.

I have serious misgivings.

http://www.examiner.com/science-fic...eral-hollywood-destroys-another-american-icon

 

[A beaker full of death]

I'm not sure the Daily Planet has to be ditched, so much as updated....

Yet again a reason to bring back the Earth 1 Superman. He was a tv reporter/anchorman.

The costume must remain.

As much as I love Reeve, I think the theatrical shorts of the 1940's represent the best screen version. I would love to see the tougher clark and fast paced action scenes of the shorts in the new film.

Amen! Superman has never been better than the Fleischer cartoons. That should be a starting point for any new project.

I thought he meant the Kirk Alyn version.
Me, I love the G. Reeves version.

 

[Lapis Exilis]

I'm not sure the Daily Planet has to be ditched, so much as updated....

Yet again a reason to bring back the Earth 1 Superman. He was a tv reporter/anchorman.

Ick. The only thing TV "reporters" report these days is their own ill-informed opinons.

Unless they're Jim Lehrer. You want to put Supes on PBS - I have no problem with that.

The costume must remain.

As much as I love Reeve, I think the theatrical shorts of the 1940's represent the best screen version. I would love to see the tougher clark and fast paced action scenes of the shorts in the new film.

Amen! Superman has never been better than the Fleischer cartoons. That should be a starting point for any new project.

I thought he meant the Kirk Alyn version.
Me, I love the G. Reeves version.

Which was heavily based on the Fleischer cartoons...

 

[iguana_tonante]

Maybe they should just wait to see how Marvel handles Captain America and just copy that. My hunch is that Marvel knows how to stay true to a superhero characters' core.

I have serious misgivings.

http://www.examiner.com/science-fic...eral-hollywood-destroys-another-american-icon

Yeah, truly an enlightening article. The author is a buffoon. "Why do liberals hate America?" Really?

 

[Kirkman1987]

I'm not sure the Daily Planet has to be ditched, so much as updated....

Yet again a reason to bring back the Earth 1 Superman. He was a tv reporter/anchorman.

Ick. The only thing TV "reporters" report these days is their own ill-informed opinons.

Unless they're Jim Lehrer. You want to put Supes on PBS - I have no problem with that.

Amen! Superman has never been better than the Fleischer cartoons. That should be a starting point for any new project.

I thought he meant the Kirk Alyn version.
Me, I love the G. Reeves version.

Which was heavily based on the Fleischer cartoons...

I was indeed refering to the Fleischer cartoons, some of the most expensive and sophisicated animation of it's day. I agree they would make a good starting point for those making the new film.

Primarily, the Fleischer cartoons show a fast paced style of action we have yet to see in a live action Superman film, that would be very exciting. Donner's Superman is a slower more mythical figure than the Superman in the shorts, and the tech of the time likely wouldn't have allowed the Fleischer style to translate anyway. (who could do anything through high budget animation). With today's tech, it could be done. The Fleisher action setpieces are fantastic, almost Indiana Jones meets Superman.

Secondly, I would like a return to the golden age clark seen in the shorts. Clark is slightly bumbling, but he is shown to be a adventurer and a crusader for Justice. He is the equal of Lois Lane, and thier intelligent banter and competition would be a welcome change of pace from clumsy Clark's antics.

 

[Kirkman1987]

Maybe they should just wait to see how Marvel handles Captain America and just copy that. My hunch is that Marvel knows how to stay true to a superhero characters' core.

I have serious misgivings.

http://www.examiner.com/science-fic...eral-hollywood-destroys-another-american-icon

Yeah, truly an enlightening article. The author is a buffoon. "Why do liberals hate America?" Really?

Agreed. Calling Joe Johnston Un-American is silly. He made The Rocketeer for heaven's sake, one of the most gee whiz pro-US comic book films ever.

 

[A beaker full of death]

^That's true. But some of his statements (in the original article) are troubling.

 

[arch101]

Nah. Superman Returns showed that the Richard Donner universe still holds up well with only minor updating. I DO think that making the costume resemble the 40s cartoon version was a brilliant idea. Get Mr. Routh back and let's get this show moving!

 

[Jetfire]

HERE you can go through a complete comparison of the costume.

My only real complaint with the Superman Returns costume was no \S/ on the cape. I do understand the technical reason why it wasn't included though.

Chris Reeve's cape.

 

[Kirkman1987]

^That's true. But some of his statements (in the original article) are troubling.

Agree to disagree I suppose.

I think that article made more out of Johnston's statements than was there. I'm not sure what's wrong with celebrating other nations in this film along with America (I assume the allies.) or with the USO idea. He will still wear a combat version of the costume later on, and the reluctance of him to perform in the show is more"I'm up here performing in a flag get-up whille these real Americans are fighting and dying" than any unpatriotic sentiment. I liken his USO feelings to a guy like John Wayne, who was always guilt ridden about never having served.

the article was an excuse to blast liberal hollywood and espouse some politics. From the author's rage, you would think Oliver Stone was making this movie.

 

[RandyS]

Supes doesn't need a makeover. He needs a filmmaker who is willing to make a movie about who he is: a naive and sincere alien immigrant who fights for Truth, Justice and the American Way.

I agree, but would argue that it's already been done. For me, Dick Donner's 1978 film was the definitive film Superman. Although, truth be told, I enjoyed both versions of Superman II also.

 

[FordSVT]

Nah. Superman Returns showed that the Richard Donner universe still holds up well with only minor updating. I DO think that making the costume resemble the 40s cartoon version was a brilliant idea. Get Mr. Routh back and let's get this show moving!

Superman doesn't need to be reinvented, at least not in the way Hollywood has a habit of reinventing things, ie changing them into something inferior and hardly recognizable. That last pic of Smallvilleman looks like Neo, it's ridiculous. Fine for TV, but I don't want to see "Superman" flying around in a black and silver leather suit with no cape.

I've got no problem with Routh as Superman, but I personally hope they go in a completely different, non-Donnerverse interpretation next time around. No kid, new Lois. I also like the idea of reinterpreting the Daily Planet as a media conglomerate with a heavy web-presence.

Let's pull some REAL villains out of the closet. I don't want an origin story, I want to see Superman use god-like powers to save the entire Earth from destruction at the hands of an enemy like Darkseid or Brainiac. He's Superman, he's one of the most powerful mortals in the DC universe, it's time to treat him like one.

And no more Lex Luthor! At least not for now.... place him in prison at the beginning of the film with a throwaway line and be done with him.

 

[A beaker full of death]

HERE you can go through a complete comparison of the costume.

My only real complaint with the Superman Returns costume was no \S/ on the cape. I do understand the technical reason why it wasn't included though.

Not to mention the speedo, the texture, the muddy colors, the lame belt buckle, and the silly boots.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Action Comics #775 is about all about the relevance of Superman and why he is still important in our time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What's_So_Funny_About_Truth,_Justice_&_the_American_Way?

I agree completely with what Temis the Vorta said.

 

[Jetfire]

Chris Reeve will always be Superman to me and I would have loved it if Tom wore the \S/uit for an entire season on SMALLVILLE...but it doesn't look like it will happen.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

My only real complaint with the Superman Returns costume was no \S/ on the cape. I do understand the technical reason why it wasn't included though.

Which is?

 

[Jetfire]

My only real complaint with the Superman Returns costume was no \S/ on the cape. I do understand the technical reason why it wasn't included though.

Which is?

The CGI sequences of Superman...at least that is what I have heard. I also heard since there were S's all over the costume Brian Singer thought one on the cape would be overkill...I am not sure if any of this is actually true though.

 

[Admiral_Young]

There are instances where Superman doesn't have the S on the back of the cape in the comics. Kingdom Come is one that comes off the top of my head. I really don't see it as a big deal. I didn't like the S Shield at first on the Returns suit and thought it should have been made bigger. Did you guys know that the Returns suit actually had little tiny S shield's weaved into the suit all through it? On the making of documentary they actually show this. I thought that was a pretty neat touch.

 

[Jetfire]

I feel a \S/hield on the front and one on the cape is good...one in the belt is a bit much and in the bottom of the boots.

Traditional more or less. I also like the Superman X suit.