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"Warner Bros. Confirms Superman Reboot
Source: Steelsheen
August 22, 2008


Just a few days after this article was posted, Warner Bros. Pictures Group President Jeff Robinov has told The Wall Street Journal that the studio is going to be reintroducing Superman. We assume this will be similar to how Louis Leterrier's The Incredible Hulk was a reboot of Ang Lee's Hulk. Here is what the article says:

Warner Bros. also put on hold plans for another movie starring multiple superheroes -- known as "Batman vs. Superman" -- after the $215 million "Superman Returns," which had disappointing box-office returns, didn't please executives. "'Superman' didn't quite work as a film in the way that we wanted it to," says Mr. Robinov. "It didn't position the character the way he needed to be positioned." "Had 'Superman' worked in 2006, we would have had a movie for Christmas of this year or 2009," he adds. "But now the plan is just to reintroduce Superman without regard to a Batman and Superman movie at all."

The article also talks about Warner Bros. adapting other DC properties over the new few years. "By 2011, Mr. Robinov plans for DC Comics to supply the material for up to two of the six to eight tent-pole films he hopes Warner Bros. will have in the pipeline by then," it says. Those projects will likely be about single characters at first, and will be darker much like The Dark Knight:

With "Batman vs. Superman" and "Justice League" stalled, Warner Bros. has quietly adopted Marvel's model of releasing a single film for each character, and then using those movies and their sequels to build up to a multicharacter film. "Along those lines, we have been developing every DC character that we own," Mr. Robinov says.

Like the recent Batman sequel -- which has become the highest-grossing film of the year thus far -- Mr. Robinov wants his next pack of superhero movies to be bathed in the same brooding tone as "The Dark Knight." Creatively, he sees exploring the evil side to characters as the key to unlocking some of Warner Bros.' DC properties. "We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it," he says. That goes for the company's Superman franchise as well.

The studio is set to announce its plans for future DC movies in the next month. For now, though, it is focused on releasing four comic-book films in the next three years, including a third Batman film, a new film reintroducing Superman, and two movies focusing on other DC Comics characters. Movies featuring Green Lantern, Flash, Green Arrow, and Wonder Woman are all in active development."

The above is all from Superherohype.

What do you all think? Surprised?

I loved the cartoon version of Superman & Batman. I do not believe in the same idea with real acters. I am looking forward to seeing the other DC heroes though. Personally I did not like "Superman Returns" very much.

Originally posted by Quincy
"Warner Bros. Confirms Superman Reboot
Source: Steelsheen
August 22, 2008


Just a few days after this article was posted, Warner Bros. Pictures Group President Jeff Robinov has told The Wall Street Journal that the studio is going to be reintroducing Superman. We assume this will be similar to how Louis Leterrier's The Incredible Hulk was a reboot of Ang Lee's Hulk. Here is what the article says:

Warner Bros. also put on hold plans for another movie starring multiple superheroes -- known as "Batman vs. Superman" -- after the $215 million "Superman Returns," which had disappointing box-office returns, didn't please executives. "'Superman' didn't quite work as a film in the way that we wanted it to," says Mr. Robinov. "It didn't position the character the way he needed to be positioned." "Had 'Superman' worked in 2006, we would have had a movie for Christmas of this year or 2009," he adds. "But now the plan is just to reintroduce Superman without regard to a Batman and Superman movie at all."

The article also talks about Warner Bros. adapting other DC properties over the new few years. "By 2011, Mr. Robinov plans for DC Comics to supply the material for up to two of the six to eight tent-pole films he hopes Warner Bros. will have in the pipeline by then," it says. Those projects will likely be about single characters at first, and will be darker much like The Dark Knight:

With "Batman vs. Superman" and "Justice League" stalled, Warner Bros. has quietly adopted Marvel's model of releasing a single film for each character, and then using those movies and their sequels to build up to a multicharacter film. "Along those lines, we have been developing every DC character that we own," Mr. Robinov says.

Like the recent Batman sequel -- which has become the highest-grossing film of the year thus far -- Mr. Robinov wants his next pack of superhero movies to be bathed in the same brooding tone as "The Dark Knight." Creatively, he sees exploring the evil side to characters as the key to unlocking some of Warner Bros.' DC properties. "We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it," he says. That goes for the company's Superman franchise as well.

The studio is set to announce its plans for future DC movies in the next month. For now, though, it is focused on releasing four comic-book films in the next three years, including a third Batman film, a new film reintroducing Superman, and two movies focusing on other DC Comics characters. Movies featuring Green Lantern, Flash, Green Arrow, and Wonder Woman are all in active development."

The above is all from Superherohype.

What do you all think? Surprised?

bout f*cking time.

Sounds good. Just hoping that they don't mix up dark and mature with stupid and evil. I always thought you probably could do some good with Superman, there are a few very select comics that are pretty nice, so I'm hoping.

So now all the following movies will copy the Dark Knight and be dark ones ? First I heard Iron Man 2 will focus on Tony's drinking problems and such, and now this ?

Meh ..

Originally posted by Philosophía
So now all the following movies will copy the Dark Knight and be dark ones ? First I heard Iron Man 2 will focus on Tony's drinking problems and such, and now this ?

Meh ..

i think they mean darker than superman returns, which is fine, as even the comics can do that with ease and still be good...

Originally posted by Philosophía
So now all the following movies will copy the Dark Knight and be dark ones ? First I heard Iron Man 2 will focus on Tony's drinking problems and such, and now this ?

Meh ..

Sounds good, really, I think the Batman and Robin approach had it's chance, lets try that one now.

Originally posted by Raoul
i think they mean darker than superman returns, which is fine, as even the comics can do that with ease and still be good...

I just dissaprove with the ideea of copying the Dark Knight's approach just because it was succesfull.

I'm not saying that a dark Superman movie wouldn't work. With the villains that Superman has, a dark approach could be interesting and refreshing and upon reading the news, I already have a few scenarios in my head that I would enjoy very much.

I just feel that the next superheroe movies will take The Dark Knight approach, and all heroes will be dark, eventough they aren't meant to be.

Originally posted by Philosophía
I just dissaprove with the ideea of copying the Dark Knight's approach just because it was succesfull.

I'm not saying that a dark Superman movie wouldn't work. With the villains that Superman has, a dark approach could be interesting and refreshing and upon reading the news, I already have a few scenarios in my head that I would enjoy very much.

I just feel that the next superheroe movies will take The Dark Knight approach, and all heroes will be dark, eventough they aren't meant to be.

yeah, i know what you mean, and that could be easily become a trend when it really shouldnt...

Yeah I was weirded out by the "dark tone" thing too. i dont think of Superman when I hear "dark superheroes"

I just hope they CAST an actual MAN. instead of the pre-pubescent boy.

By dark I think they mean a Superman like in Superman/Doomsday tone. It seems that they want to shift Superman into the more cosmic area...Darkseid, Mongul, Braniac...etc...the big boys...the real physical challenge for Supes....it' not a bad move.

So don't expect Superman to be wearing the black suit.

I'm glad Supes is going to be re done. Hopefully WB can get it right.

A darker tone of Supes can help and with good acting, visuals, a good story and definitely a good villain can only help bring success back to Supes.

Brainiac should be the first villain or Mongol. Doomsday in the possible sequel..

Sounds good. Doomsday would be the perfect choice in regards to making the next Superman film more dark.

Not hard to be darker than Superman foiling a real estate scheme.

Originally posted by Bardock42
Sounds good. Just hoping that they don't mix up dark and mature with stupid and evil. I always thought you probably could do some good with Superman, there are a few very select comics that are pretty nice, so I'm hoping.

agreed. superman 3 anybody?

i just hope the reboot won't be an origin movie. i think everybody knows where superman came from. superman returns was a movie bryan singer made for HIMSELF. that selfish motherf*cker. as if he's the only one who's gonna watch the damn movie. we get it... you're a fan. but an homage movie with lex luthor trying to get more land to sell is not gonna pack movie theaters.

i dunno how well a dark tone will work for big blue, but if done right, it will be more than welcome...

This is kind of a double edged sword for me, Super Returns(atleast after it sunk) in wasnt a very good movie, but I did enjoy Brandon Routhe. I really doubt he will be back, which disappoints me.

sad that I'm the only one that doesn't want doomsday in the first movie of the reboot...

If his role is to kill Superman, then I think he should be in the second movie of the new franchise. Have the first movie to establish the new actors and make a connection with the viewer, then have the tragedy in the second movie.

Reboot Superman if you wish, but kept Luthor far the hell away from the first and second movie.

i think that darkseid would make a great villian for the reboot. have supes and the earth barely win and then have supes realize that he needs help defending earth.....leading into a justice league movie, with supes maybe making cameos in the movies for green lantern, wonder woman, etc asking them about forming a team.

Eh, no, it's too soon. I want to see villains like Darkseid & Doomsday established before anything close to a Justice League movie begins to take shape.

I always thought what was great about the Batman/Superman relationship was that they are both at total opposite ends of the same spectrum. Superman wants to be a ray of hope, and give people security, while Batman wants to instill fear in the hearts of that superstitious and cowardly lot we call criminals. Superman tries to reason with the bad-guy while Batman just ties them up and leaves them for the cops. Superman should definitely not go dark. He can't. That's just not Superman. For crying out loud, find someone who can write this guy and let him do it right!

And I'm not necessarily talking about Jeph Loeb. But "Superman For All Seasons" the movie would be kind of nice - as long as he wasn't fat. He looked fat, people. It's all I'm saying.

Haha, the art in "Superman for All Seasons" was more on the fat side, I agree. I still kinda liked it...was a pretty good series.

Superman could work with a more darker tones. As long as you use a villain like Darkseid, Mongul, or Doomsday.

Superman Returns was kinda crappy IMO, this sounds good.

I never actually saw Superman Returns

But I love the "WRONG!!!!!" scene

Whoever is casted, I hope can act and is good shape. Also hopefully the script will be good

The Animated Series was a textbook example of how to do proper Superman stories. The plots were both mature and yet appropriate for Superman at the same time. So it is not too hard to make the Superman reboot a mature film with a dark plot but lets just hope the writer remembers that Superman is not a brooder like Batman, he is an optimistic hero who seeks to inspire the people.

Originally posted by Da Joker
Reboot Superman if you wish, but kept Luthor far the hell away from the first and second movie.

and that kid...please keep the kid out of the damn movie. superman does not have a child!

I didn't mind him having a child, but it's best to keep it out of the reboot.

no no. They're right. Superman's super-swimmers need to just stop impregnating women.

No superboy. No.

And no Brandon Routh. I'm sorry for all of you who may have liked him, but no. No, I say. No.

And not Nicholas Cage either. I don't care if he did name his kid Kal-El, don't even give him a cameo.

You know... that dude who plays Sylar on Heroes? Yeah, don't pick him either. Not that I've heard his name tossed around or anything. Just thought I'd say no to that while I'm at it.

Man, are they dumb. The issue with "Superman Returns" wasn't its light tone. It was the fact that the film was as boring as all get-out. Making Superman dark is idiotic.

Originally posted by Da Joker
I didn't mind him having a child

I did.

Originally posted by BruceSkywalker
Whoever is casted, I hope can act and is good shape. Also hopefully the script will be good

Brandon was a pretty good Superman, but he could've been bigger. Twenty lbs of muscle isn't enough.

Originally posted by Da Joker
Brandon was a pretty good Superman, but he could've been bigger. Twenty lbs of muscle isn't enough.


I'm not sure if he will return, but if he does, then yes he should gain at least 30, maybe 40 lbs of muscle.

Superman reboot...good idea.

And he should be not just bigger, but older, so he looks, truly, like a Superman.

Originally posted by Toku King
Man, are they dumb. The issue with "Superman Returns" wasn't its light tone. It was the fact that the film was as boring as all get-out. Making Superman dark is idiotic.

Yes. One problem the Superman films don't have is tone - the tone is just right, even in the lesser films. Other problems like unsatisfying villains, slow pacing, unwise plot twists...that's been the trouble.
Batman certainly had a tone problem by the time of Batman Forever & Batman and Robin; stupidly camp, really. Just because Batman became a phenomenon again by going darker than ever, doesn't mean that's what needed for Superman. Execs need to remember not all characters are alike.
I still admire the original film from 30 years ago. But, I reluctantly understand some kids may just view it as ancient history, and want Jor-El, Krypton and the Kent family all over; fresh.
I'd still like to see Brandon Routh in the role, though.

Doomsday should be in the movie

Originally posted by Endless Mike
Doomsday should be in the movie

Doomsday is too big a challenge for a first film reboot. He should be held back, like the Joker was held back for The Dark Knight.

Originally posted by roughrider
Doomsday is too big a challenge for a first film reboot. He should be held back, like the Joker was held back for The Dark Knight.


In agree. Someone like Brainiac should be in the first film

Originally posted by Endless Mike
Doomsday should be in the movie

The problem with Doomsday is that he is a mindless threat. A big threat but he's just physical. I'd rather a cerebral villain who is also physical, which is why I feel Braniac would be a good choice.

I feel like people would draw too many parallels to Luthor with a Brainiac storyline, unless Brainiac wasn't the real physical threat. Darkseid would probably be best, IMO.

And these people have lost it. Singer's movie wasn't bad - it fit quite well with the old Reeve movies, which was exactly what he was going for. It just wasn't what people wanted. He realizes that, and although there's no feasible way for him to really get rid of the kid, Singer was ready to make a real movie for the audience. Routh could buff up a bit, they'd go "wrath of Khan" on it, as Singer put it, and then they'd be set. Instead Warner tries to turn this into The Dark Knight with blue tights, a red cape and the biggest boy scout in comics? The Batman movies worked so well because of Nolan, and his vision and execution of that vision. Superman should not be handled the way Batman was, because he's a completely different character. They're polar opposites, in fact, linked by a single ideal. It's absurd, and I'm disappointed. The people at the top are clearly idiots.

I like the idea of a Superman reboot. Returns just didn't cut it for me. And wtf was up with Supes having a son already in the 1st film?! That was just wrong...

Originally posted by RevoWution™©®
I like the idea of a Superman reboot. Returns just didn't cut it for me. And wtf was up with Supes having a son already in the 1st film?! That was just wrong...


Singer just wanted to make HIS movie. He did not read any comic books nor did he barely watch the first Superman. Why he gave Supes a son made no sense at all

Originally posted by roughrider
Doomsday is too big a challenge for a first film reboot. He should be held back, like the Joker was held back for The Dark Knight.

Yeah but they should foreshadow him in the movie like they did with the Joker

Originally posted by BruceSkywalker
Singer just wanted to make HIS movie. He did not read any comic books nor did he barely watch the first Superman. Why he gave Supes a son made no sense at all

Whatever you can criticize Singer for, not being faithful to the first movie(s) isn't one of them. The film is full of references & visual quotes echoing the first film especially - right down to resurrecting Marlon Brando to play Jor-El once again. It shares a loose continuity with Superman I & II (and ignores the events of III & IV), as Superman depowered himself in II and had one night of sex with Lois. That's how she got pregnant with Jason. Plus, it's the events of fighting Zod & his henchmen that makes him go search out Krypton, to see if anyone could still be there.

I sat thru Superman Returns and it felt like I was sitting on a chair made of ice in a freezer. and I had on no panties. It was just painful.

For a reboot, they should start off with Lex Luthor being a wealthy businessman who stumbles on Kryptonian technology. He becomes obsessed, and constantly tries to tract down this 'Superman' character. In hopes of capturing the hero, Luthor turns to the stolen technology, only to accidentally resurrect Brainiac, Krypton's computer system until it became self aware and waged war on the galaxy.

The sequel should totally have Darkseid as the main villain, introducing Orion and the other New Gods, beginning a fight on earth that Superman may not be able to win. The film ends with Darkseid leaving the planet, but not without killing millions of people. It goes a route similar to "Apocalypse... Now!", though with a lot of changes. Other Apocalypse inhabitants appear as well, including Kalibak and Granny Goodness.

The third and final act should be Darkseid creating a mutant Kryptonian with Superman's DNA, which is then dubbed 'Doomsday'. Doomsday escapes Apocalypse and heads towards earth, where Superman must fight his most powerful nemesis of all time to the death. But here's the thing: SUPERMAN DIES AT THE END! NO SEQUELS!
We also get to see how all of these events have effected Lex Luthor, especialy as his relationship with Superman goes deeper and deeper every movie.

Originally posted by fangirl101
I sat thru Superman Returns and it felt like I was sitting on a chair made of ice in a freezer. and I had on no panties. It was just painful.


Yes it was painful..

Hopefully the reboot will put a good taste in peoples mouths

So does this mean that we will possibly get another 3 Superman movies, with a new Superman? I would like to see Darkseid, Braniac and Doomsday(unlikely).

Are they forgetting Superman isnt a dark character?! He isnt Batman or the Punisher. JUst let the man destroy some buildings in downtown Metropolis and fight some ACTUAL villains.

Originally posted by marwash22
Are they forgetting Superman isnt a dark character?! He isnt Batman or the Punisher. JUst let the man destroy some buildings in downtown Metropolis and fight some ACTUAL villains.

Amen.

Mark Millar has plans for a seven hour Superman story: http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/688752/Mark_Millar_Working_On_Superman_Trilogy.html

Originally posted by WrathfulDwarf
By dark I think they mean a Superman like in Superman/Doomsday tone. It seems that they want to shift Superman into the more cosmic area...Darkseid, Mongul, Braniac...etc...the big boys...the real physical challenge for Supes....it' not a bad move.

So don't expect Superman to be wearing the black suit.

I agree. I think we'll see some serious villianous villan.

Like Lex Luthor being a bad bad man, and not a comediec one.

I want to see superman throw down with either lobo or bizarro. superman needs to save the world, from a formidable opponent. I'm tired of seeing lex luthor as the main villain, he brings nothing new to the film. furthermore, they should keep routh.. i taught his portrayal on Clark was pretty cool, however they need to change Louis, because she is a strong, independent and sexy woman.. who ever played her, was dull, boring and uninteresting... hopefully they dont screw it up, like they did in superman returns... i was dissapointed that clark had a son, it would have scred the sequel..

They should have Lex and another villain, if they can pull of multiple villains in the Batman movies they can do it here.

Luthor and Brainiac would be good, or maybe Luthor and Zod

Lex Luthor pretty much has to be in it. He's not really a villian anymore per se, but ever since the Byrne revamp he's more as part of the supporting cast of Superman in a way

If the new redone Superman movies has Lex Luthor, how about making him "darker" and more menacing than the one in Superman Returns. Like someone else said, "darker" does not necessarily mean a dark Superman but just a darker storyline that would feature Mongul, Darkseid ect. Superman must always be Superman even in a dark movie.