I wasn’t a massive Superman fan before seeing the film. I’d seen the previous films, enjoyed watching them, even studying them. But I understood the cultural significance of the character. And when the first ‘3D’ title shot across the screen at the beginning of ‘Returns’, it tapped into a unconscious nostalgia I didn’t even know I possessed and I was hooked.

The film was hugely respectful to Richard Donner’s beloved first film, whilst ignoring (rightfully) the third and fourth films. It pushed the boundaries of visual effects, namely in advancing human-like CG. The score by John Ottman, was excellently nostalgic, giving the film the same engaging warmth the original John Williams score did.

But really, the most annoying thing about all the Superman Returns hate-mongering, is the notion that this franchise needs ‘Rebooting’, whatever the hell THAT means! There is no need to re-introduce a character like Superman, EVERYBODY KNOWS WHO HE IS! Regardless of language barriers or even the most basic understanding of film. My younger brother, who was only 5 years old at the time of the films release, had an intimate knowledge of who the character was even before seeing the movie. In-fact you could go to any remote corner of the globe, with a picture of Superman, grab a local, point to the photo and ask “Who’s this?” and the local would stare at you with the look of “What, don’t you know?”, on their face.

Anyway, sorry for rambling, I just feel that the whole Superman franchise is in danger of collapsing under it’s own weight if things don’t calm down.

Keep Tom Welling far, far away from this, cast Henry Cavill from the Tudors and get on with it!
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They need to be fearless in reinventing this character; Donner took liberties with it back in the ’70s and the new guy needs to tear down Supes to build him up again. Screw fanboys, do whatever it takes to make the best movie – “dark” isn’t necessarily a bad thing, so long as there’s light/hope when the movie ends.

Still would’ve loved to have seen George Miller’s gonzo JLA movie, though.

Also, something I’ve been thinking about. Mark Millar said that he had that script and a director he’s been talking too. And Mathew Vaughn is currently working with Mark Millar on Kick-Ass. So perhaps there’s a relationship there?

So how about a Mark Millar/Mathew Vaughn Superman Movie?

I don’t like this idea of them being darker like Nolanverse. Batman needs to be that way. The others do not.

I once read a J.J. Abrams script for Superman. Fucking awful.

It’s readily available on the web.

I enjoy a lot of Abrams work but he was so off target on that one.

Personally, I would love to see WB take their time, get as many pitches in as they can find and go from there.

It worked with Batman. If they had gone with Joss Whedon’s or Darren Aronofsky’s earlier pitches, they wouldn’t be in the situation they are in right now.