I’ve come to the conclusion that Mark Millar’s Superman: Red Son is the greatest Man of Steel comic book story ever written. Yes, even better than Alan Moore’s!

I can’t quite put my finger on why, but I think I love it so much because Millar totally reinvisons the character - by crashing his space ship into Soviet Russia instead of the American heartland - yet still manages to keep him inherently Superman in spite of the Commie surroundings.
Millar is pretty active on his message forum, where he often regails readers with tales of punching foxes and meeting Jessica Alba. With news breaking that the Bryan Singer helmed Superman sequel is looking for new writers, Millar has posted on his forum about getting in touch with his big shot American agents to try and get his pitch in the door at Warner Bros.
“It’s 8.58am right now, my guys at CAA get into the office in about seven hours and my call will be waiting for them to talk about this. I want to revamp Superman like Hillary wants thin ankles. Revamping this franchise is what I as given fingers for and so, invited or not, I’m putting my plan together now. I’ve been asked to work on half a dozen screenplays lately, but this is the only one I have ever truly wanted.
As most here know, I have literally hundreds of pages of notes and sketches just waiting for this opportunity. This would be my dream gig and, as a fan, I know exactly what this project needs to work. This has to be Superman for the 21st Century, keeping everything we adore, but starting from scratch and making the kids love it as much as the 30-somethings. I would honestly write this thing for free.
Anyway, my treatment is being polished as we type. Wish me luck. I want to do that Superman movie we all want to see.”
The original Variety article that broke the story is slightly vague. It states that Warners have been considering rebooting the franchise ala The Incredible Hulk yet also claims Bryan Singer is still onboard and it will be a direct sequel starring Brandon Routh.
Personally I think the writing is on the wall for Singer, it looks as if the studio are maneuvering to get him out of the door with as a little fuss as possible and the fact that it is them - not Singer - that are taking pitches from writers is telling.
The writer’s strike is all set to go ahead within the next few days so the studio will have to make a deal with a writer quickly and then hope the guild issues are resolved soon so they can get to work on a new Superman film.
Mark Millar would be an excellent choice for a revamped Man of Steel but I would like to see him paired off with a top screenwriter or writer/director so they could develop together - I’m thinking of a Goyer/Nolan type of relationship here.
source - millarworld
Categories: Movie News, Superman: The Man of Steel
Never heard of the guy and it’s been a LOOONNG time since I even looked at a comic book, but like everyonre else Singer’s pooch screw of Superman was three-strikes in my book.
Time to put it in the hands of someone else.
Hope Millar’s script doesn’t have Supes crash land in Moscow as a baby though.
Comment by JaySmack | October 22, 2007
The story of Superman: Red Son is a more intriguing and exciting prospect than the tried-and-tested ‘all-American’ hero route. Superman needs supverting and darkening up a bit for a future film. I’d give the gig to Millar and hope to see his Soviet vision of the Man of Steel slated for production.
Comment by James Clayton | October 23, 2007
I’ve tried to watch “Superman Returns” twice since it has come out. Once in the theater, where I found myself leaving out of boredom, and second on DVD when I fell asleep do to boredom. I hate sounding so negative, but the film failed to grab my attention or excite me. I was more excited to go back and watch “Superman” again.
No, as much as I thank Singer for helping get the TV show “House” off the ground, it’s time for him to move off of “Superman.” There’s so much that could be done, and so little that was.
I was hoping to be enthralled and pushed back into really enjoying “Superman” but that was not the case, and it would seem the studio is starting to see a different light. And I don’t blame them. Singer is an OK director, my opinion. They need some one in there with vigor and energy who can show us a film that pushes us to the edge of our seat. That’s the Superman I want to see. So if they are looking for someone else, I will be sure to try it one more time.
Wriker
Comment by Wriker | October 23, 2007
[...] Millar badly wanted to write the next Superman movie but he won’t be able to because he’s a Marvel writer. So the studio not only [...]
Pingback by Obsessed With Film » A Multiple Nerd Bait Update! | October 25, 2007