SUPERMAN(2012) Inspired By Secret Origin?

[Jetfire]

Superman Inspired by Geoff Johns' Superman: Secret Origin

David S. Goyer is currently working on a draft of the new Superman screenplay that Zack Snyder will be directing for Warner Bros. Pictures next year. In the latest graphic novel edition of Superman: Secret Origin, Goyer has penned a forward that hints at the story he is set to tell, and the direction this upcoming reboot will take, sighting popular comic book writer Geoff Johns as a source of inspiration.

You can read this forward below (courtesy of comicbookmovie): There is a heart breaking moment halfway through the first chapter in which young Clark is told the truth about his heritage. He races out into the night, sobbing, stumbling through the cornfields. Eventually, his foster father, Jonathan, finds him.

'I don't want to be someone else,' says Clark. 'I don't want to be different. I want to be Clark Kent.'

[And here's the kicker...]

'I want to be your son'

Right there in that moment, Geoff Johns contextualized Superman in a way that I'm not sure has ever really been done before. I had an 'aha' experience when I read that. For the first time I was able to grasp how lonely Clark must have been when he was growing up. And what a sacrifice Clark must continually make by being Superman.

As I write this, I am midway through my first draft of a new Superman screenplay. It's a task that has stymied many talented filmmakers in the years since Richard Donner's film. And for all I know, it will end up stymieing me as well.

But I've got one advantage that the screenwriters who came before me didn't have-- and that's access to all the wonderful Superman stories written by Geoff Johns-- first and foremost being the Secret Origin issues reprinted in the very volume you are now holding.


Because of what Goyer has stated here, there is some speculation that Geoff Johns's Superman: Secret Origin will serve as a base outline for Zack Snyder's Superman. Here is the synopsis for the graphic novel:

Chronicling Clark Kent's journey from the cornfields of Smallville to the skyscrapers of Metropolis, you'll witness a whole new look at the beginnings of Lex Luthor, the Legion of Super-Heroes, Lois Lane, Metallo, Jimmy Olsen, the Parasite and more of your favorite characters from the Superman family! It's a look at the mythic past of the Man of Steel with an eye toward the future!"

http://www.movieweb.com/news/NEfqueUHadC0ii#

Interesting...if true.

 

[Christopher]

Well, it's about time we got a cinematic interpretation of Superman that was influenced by something post-Crisis.

 

[Admiral_Young]

If this is true then I'm all for it. It also means that Geoff Johns will be responsible for the source material for both of DC's upcoming motion pictures which is fine by me as well. I find this interesting that Goyer wrote the forward for "Superman:Secret Origin" praising Geoff because in the recently re-released "Green Lantern:Secret Origin" Ryan Reynolds wrote the forward there and talked about how that book served as the 'bible' for him for all things Hal Jordan. So maybe this is a hint of the plot.

 

[C_Miller]

Well, it's about time we got a cinematic interpretation of Superman that was influenced by something post-Crisis.

The one problem is that Geoff John's work is heavily influenced by Pre-Crisis. In fact, it can be argued that a lot of his work is designed to create a resurgence of the Silver Age.

 

[Admiral_Young]

^ This is true to a degree. Johns work is inspired by the Silver Age (a good example is that he brought back the Silver Age version of the Legion of Superheroes and updated them) but I don't think that Goyer would write a silver age movie script. It's interesting to note that Goyer didn't realize how lonely Clark was growing up. Clark really had no friends except for Pete and Lana. It wasn't until the day three heroes from the future appeared in front of a tree that he no longer felt alone. As a Legion fan I'm happy that Geoff restored them and their ties to Superman.

 

[Obiwanshinobi]

Wait, so isn't this just Smallville, sans the teeny bopper stuff and with all the destiny stuff told to him really early on? I haven't read Secret Origins.

 

[Admiral_Young]

Secret Origins focuses on Clark Kent's youth. There's no really soap operaish/angst y story line through it. Just follows several highlights until his first appearance in Metropolis as Superman. It gets criticized by fans for being boring (which I agree with to a degree) but find it much better overall than the second half of "Birthright" which just falls apart.

 

[Dark Gilligan]

Agreed. The bulk of Secret Origins focuses on Clark as an adult. Only the first two chapters show him as a young teen.

 

[Obiwanshinobi]

So similar to the first Superman, where they flashbacked to his youth in Smallville? What is the overall difference if I may ask? Not with just Smallville, but any other Superman mythos? What is the main theme? Just him being a little reluctant to be fulfill his destiny?

 

[Admiral_Young]

Yep. The first issue sets things up (and is the first issue to hint at Chloe's introduction into the DCU when she signs Pete Ross's cast) the second issue Clark meets the Legion for the first time.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superman:_Secret_Origin

 

[Obiwanshinobi]

Sounds pretty good. Although the last thing I want is 2 1/2 to 3 hours of Clark saying "awwww man I gotta do this! Awwww man I gotta do that! I guess I can save the day."

You know, just a very lethargic Clark Kent deciding if he wants to put his powers to good use. I doubt it will be like that, but you catch my drift.

 

[Christopher]

Well, it's about time we got a cinematic interpretation of Superman that was influenced by something post-Crisis.

The one problem is that Geoff John's work is heavily influenced by Pre-Crisis. In fact, it can be argued that a lot of his work is designed to create a resurgence of the Silver Age.

Maybe, but I'm referring to the specific idea of Clark defining himself as Clark Kent first and Superman second, rather than being Superman or Kal-El first with Clark as just a cover identity. That's pretty much the quintessential thing that distinguishes the post-Crisis version of the character from the pre-Crisis one.

 

[Samurai8472]

Sounds pretty good. Although the last thing I want is 2 1/2 to 3 hours of Clark saying "awwww man I gotta do this! Awwww man I gotta do that! I guess I can save the day."

You know, just a very lethargic Clark Kent deciding if he wants to put his powers to good use. I doubt it will be like that, but you catch my drift.

20 years from now someone will adapt j michael straczynski's Superman story. That had wall to wall action

 

[Hound of UIster]

Well, it's about time we got a cinematic interpretation of Superman that was influenced by something post-Crisis.

The one problem is that Geoff John's work is heavily influenced by Pre-Crisis. In fact, it can be argued that a lot of his work is designed to create a resurgence of the Silver Age.

No pre-crisis Bronze Age not Silver Age.

 

[N-121973]

Well, it's about time we got a cinematic interpretation of Superman that was influenced by something post-Crisis.

The one problem is that Geoff John's work is heavily influenced by Pre-Crisis. In fact, it can be argued that a lot of his work is designed to create a resurgence of the Silver Age.

Maybe, but I'm referring to the specific idea of Clark defining himself as Clark Kent first and Superman second, rather than being Superman or Kal-El first with Clark as just a cover identity. That's pretty much the quintessential thing that distinguishes the post-Crisis version of the character from the pre-Crisis one.

Not really this is more the Post Post-Crisis Superman where it follows the Bryan Singer approach of not a dual identity but a triple identity. There's Clark from Smallville and then there's his two disguises, bumbling Clark Kent mild-mannered reporter for a great metropolitan newspaper, and of course Superman champion of truth and justice. If you want Post-Crisis I'd suggest David Goyer take his cue from either Man of Steel or Birthright.
And on a side note, Mayan Callendar jokes notwithstanding, am I the only one who thinks Warners are missing a trick by releasing the film in December 2012 instead of 6 months later in June 2013, the 75th anniversary of the character (and yes if you want to be pedantic about it I know Action Comics No. 1 was released months before June 1938)?

 

[Admiral_Young]

No there's a reason why they're releasing in 2012...they have to...due to the lawsuit and the rights expiring in 2013. This is also why we're getting the movie as soon as we are.

 

[N-121973]

Good point, I forgot about the lawsuit. Do do you think they would have released it in June 2013 otherwise?

 

[Admiral_Young]

I'm not sure if they could. I'm pretty sure the deadline was for 2012.

 

[FPAlpha]

I don't really care about the technicalities of filmmaking.. you pour enough money into it and you are bound to get good visuals.

I'm far more interested in good stories and the current creative team fills me with hope.. Superman Returns was ok, it was not the second coming of Christ as some had expected just because Singer was at the helm and he tried something.

We will get something different that's for sure and i hope they make it good enough for a sequel so all the risks may pay off later.

I'll be definitely seeing this.

 

[od0_ital]

Thank god, we're finally gettin' a Superman origin story!