The movie coming out will suck, just a simple way for a studio to make 50+ million dollars in profit.

I really wish they would wait 5-10 years, THEN do it. Batman Begins I am not as upset about, because the series was torn to shreds, and I want to see it re-done properly, and from what I have seen this has potential, so I will see it. Superman on the otherhand just looks like garbage from all i Have heard.

1. Where are all those successful, grittier, darker comic book movies you're talking about?

2. Clark Kent has his own share of real life problems.

3. As is known to me they are not doing a remake but a kind of continuation to the story told by the old movies.

Few quick notes on the Superman movie:

1)Unlike Begins, Superman is titled 'Returns'. The movie is not a restart but a continuation of the series from movie number 2 onwards, meaning 3rd and 4th and now debunked.

2) Superman has had about 2 to 3 scripts taken and torn to shreds cause they were horrible.

3) Brandon Routh, much like Christopher Reeve was, is a new comer. I'm glad that he atleast looks like a Clarke Kent.

4) Bryan Singer is leading the movie.

5) There is very very little spoiler information on Superman right now.

It is difficult to make a judgement on this movie. It seems like some amount of sense has been talked into WB recently, where the camp element is being let go off and the people who may actually get somethign to work are being given more and more creative power. The movie itself is tooo far away right now and a lot is actually riding on Begins right now. It could be a turd or it could be good. Can't say for the moment. I however do disagree that this movie should be made later. This is the perfect time for the 2 World's Finest to make their entrance. I'm not saying this means they'll be successful but i'm saying that release their movies anytime before and or anytime after will almost guarantee a bomb. Either do it now or wait for this whole generation of comic book fad to die before bringing them back.

I agree with everything Baba said.

BKB, you need to do a little more research before creating these threads.

I really hate that they went with a much younger cast instead of going for people in their late 20s/early 30s. How is it that the cast got younger when the movie supposedly takes place 6 years after the Fall of the kryptonians in Superman 2? Is it because Clark Kent and Lois Lane went to see a plastic surgeon to make themselves younger? I really lost interest in the movie as soon as I heard the cast especially having a Jimmy Olsen who is 5 years older the cast.

However I dont think the movie will bomb simply because Bryan Singer knows his way around comic book movies and that the Superman name really reaches to every generation out there. It will have people from 12-60 years old watching the movie especially since there hasnt been a Superman movie in 17 years. I think it can make X-2 numbers despite the bombardment of comic book movies lately

No....IM very much looking forward to this...if elektra, daredevil, and AVP which were all horrible, can get a movie superman should get a movie as well

I think Supes will do 300 Mill easy.

And the idea to have this film be a continuation of Superman I/II is the smartest idea I've ever heard.

Well I dont know about 300 million although the inflated numbers for the first Superman was 330 million. I dont think it will reach the hype of the first Superman when back it was rumored that Redford and Warren Beaty were considered for the role.
I guess I will have to wait for Batman Begins number to get a better track record of revived Superhero movie genres

Is it being released on Christmas (like the first movie) or in the summer (like the second movie)?

It's being released in the summer of 2006.

Brandon Routh is 26 years old I believe and from my understanding actually, hes meant to look much older in the movie.

The age thing concerns me too but honestly, the day i saw this dude, i knew he was destined for superman. The guy just looks it. The guy looks like supes. actually, not supes but Clarke Kent. Hes got the geeky good natured boyscout innocent look about him.

Reeve was only 24 when he did Superman.

I don't think there will ever be a time when the world doesn't want a Superman movie. He's one of the most iconic images in the collected consciousness of the entire world. Sure, Reeve left an impression on the role that will never be forgotten, but the successes of things like Smallville and Lois and Clark show that there will always be an audience, and since the special FX were nowhere near the level that they are now when Reeve wore the tights, we'll be in for a Superman movie that will be superior in that regard. I'm looking forward to it more than I am Batman, even though I like Batman better as a character.

As cemented in the role of James Bond that Sean Connery was, Roger Moore was still able to carry it on to great success, because James Bond meant more to people in the end than Sean Connery as James Bond. I say this as somebody who loves Connery as Bond. It's what made him my favorite actor to this day, but the realities speak for themselves. It'll be no different where Superman is concerned, as long as all involved do a good job. People weren't ready for a reimagining of the Superman mythos, and never will be, and I'm very glad WB scrapped that nonsense in favor of doing a REAL Superman movie. I expect great things, and much success. It won't do 300 million, unless it's exceptional like Spider-Man was =D> , but it's pretty much a lock for 200, unless it really sucks bad. I don't think Singer has it in him to make a movie that sucks.

OK STOP!!! =; NO, I don't need to do more Goddamn research on this subject cause I'm telling you and telling everyone here that a very large majority of the moviegoing audience that doesn't surf nerd websites and forums like this are NOT ready for someone to step in and take Christopher Reeve's shoes, the audience 30 and older who grew up back when this movie came out and I'm sorry but it's true... As a matter of fact, I'm not so certain they'll be ready for this character and someone else to take Reeve's place for a long time to come, at least 10 years I'd say.. It is wayyyy too soon for this and I'm telling you, it's a BOMB in the making.....

I respect your argument. It's difficult accepting someone else do something when you already loved how they did it. Chris Reeves was pretty unknown when he did it and hence became completely typecasted. Actually, i dont know of anyone else whos more typecasted than Reeves is. So yes, what you're saying has merit.

But i think the thing is that i'm willing to give Routh a chance and i think the audience to an extent is as well. I'll give you many reasons. While i'm not saying i'm 100% correct, i think my reasons are only to show that the possibliity of acceptance may be higher than you think, though not guaranteed.

a) I don't know about you but looking at Routh's pic, the guy has an odd similarily to Reeves. I think thats why i SEE him as Superman.
b) I mentioned above that i can't think of any other person whos more typecasted. But i don't think it works both ways. While looking at Reeves, one says Superman, i dont think the correlation is that strong when someone sees an image of Superman itself. I think thats because Superman has been reincarnated sooo many different times. And not just live action, i mean cartoons as well. The fact that people actually DO accept Tom Wellings himself is actually a pretty big deal.
c) Other than big movie fans and older audiences, i have a tingling feeling inside me that not everyone has seen superman 1 and 2. hell it came out over 20 years ago. I still think the original is one of the best ever but still, i think the younger crowd would still be more receptive to accept soemone new. (again, case in point: Tom Welling)
d) Other iconic characters who were identified with certain actors have been replaced before and if the replacement was good, were accepted for them.

Again, i think your concern itself is valid but maybe not AS huuuge an issue as one would think.

I'd say at least 10 years before trying this movie again since Reeve's only passed away what?? Last year?? That memory is still imbedded in folks heads and perhaps through the course of time, they'll be ready to move on, but I think it's too soon..

Sorry for the nitpick, Mr. DC comics, but it's Christopher Reeve. George Reeves playes Supes in the old TV show. It's a common mistake, but you're representing more than just your average fan here. :razz: \:D/

In normal circumstances, I would say yes.
But because of the market right now, I would say no. I really think its do or die for DC right now and I blame it all on Marvel. Whether begins and returns fail i cannot determine. but if they wait any longer with these 2 franchises, the crowd by that time will just get sick and tired of the endless barrage of B and C list Marvel (and other) characters (sick because it seems obvious some of them are working on limited budgets and are bound to fail). I'm just hoping DC has a bit of seense and to hold off all their other projects i've been hearing about till Supes hits the screen.

Hehe. I only like Superman because of his unique relationship with batman. otherwise, hes one of my least favorite characters (i do like him, just the least). I even prefer some marvel dudes to him

Yeah but see?? Here's the thing: The movies you've listed were Dark and Gritty like the norm for comic book adaptations coming out these days and granted, I don't think you can lump AVP in with DAREDEVIL and ELEKTRA since like AVP or not, it was a Moderate Success that made enough $$$(80 Milliom and much more on DVD) and proved there's a fanbase and enough so for an AVP II(God Bless FOX [-o< )

While the themes to these movies along with Hellboy and now, Constatine coming out, the Dark, Gritty themes are what teens, todays moviegoers enjoy.. Where will a Goody Goody Superhero like SUPERMAN fall into this in being able to appeal to folks who's tastes have changed and prefer the Darker, Moodier Tone type of Movies including the New BATMAN coming out???

True. Superman is more comparible in ways to Spidey and even Spidey aint no Superman. Superman is just tooo goody two shoe.

I have a feeling that Returns like Superman 2 will focus on Superman's internal challenges to give that personal feel that Spiderman had. But at the end, according to me, the biggest determining factor for Superman's success will be how well Batman does.

Well, I guess will find out in 2006, but this Guy Routh is gonna have HUGE shoes to fill that right now is already a strike against it...

The unfortunate thing for BATMAN is gonna be the last 2 films factor that alot of people won't forget regardless of a new director and cast... I also believe that there is more awareness of the new BATMAN movie amongst the internet world more than the general moviegoer who doesn't even know one's coming out..

Daredevil made over 100 million, and was successful on DVD twice. Once with the theatrical movie, and once with the director's cut. =D>

I've been doing a lot of thinking on this. I'll skip the first point because its my concern too. All I can say is that the marketing team is doing everything now to completely disassociate itself from the old franchise. Its effects we'll see later.

The 2nd point though. To be honest, i wrote in my article too that the normal audience was a concern of mine but i have a feeling i may be wrong about this. I think the normal marketing has been fine but the reason why it seems its so little is because its presence on the internet has just completely dwarfed any other type of marketing.

Lets see what WB has done.
They've hit shows like ET already. But lets leave TV out of this for the moment.
Countless magazines have now either featured Batman or an actor from batman talking about the movie indepth.
The posters are all over the multiplexes now.
My issue has been with the trailers. They should have attached that 1st trailer to more than just limited copies of Village and that second trailer to more than just Ocean's 12.
On all major movie events where actors and director's are invited, they've not only promoted the movie but also been asked about it.

With 4 months to go, I do not expect the TV marketing to begin. I think that will happen in about 2 to 3 months time. Their biggest marketing stunt will prolly come during superbowl where news has it that they've confirmed a 30 second spot for the movie.

So really, what else CAN they do right now?? They've done everything other movies do. I just think that there internet hype is so high, that the normal marketing just seems really low.