This why the DC Universe will never see the same expansion in film as Marvel.
SUPERMAN RETURNS was pitch-perfect. Whereas BATMAN BEGINS could never play off of the other Bat-films because of their suckiness, SUPERMAN RETURNS realized how Donner's SUPERMAN could never be overcome.
I don't know what Millar is saying about Supes being 'Brand Toxic', that's just flippin' ignorant.
BATMAN BEGINS made $205 million gross in 2005, and $371 worldwide with a budget of $150 million. In 2006, SUPERMAN RETURNS made $200 million; $391 worldwide with a budget of $270 million.
So where is the $200 million lost? This guy talks out his ass. Was SUPES as successful, no...but not by much. So BATMAN made $100 million more than Superman. Both films made money. So what.
UPDATE! Sadly, Mark's pitch didn't make it. He updated the situation recently with an explanation as to why he actually wasn't allowed to get the job. The issue is that he's associated with Marvel at the moment and Warner Brothers just won't let him work on a DC project.
Where is Superman Headed?
Source: Variety
August 19, 2008
Variety's Anne Thompson reports that Superman: Man of Steel is in a holding pattern at Warner Bros. Pictures as the studio figures out what to do next. Here's a clip:
They too believe that the last movie didn't break the mold and wound up in some kind of middle limbo. Today I was told that it is a priority at the studio to find the right direction and if Bryan Singer is willing to do that, fine, but if he gets in the way, he may not stay on the project. There are no writers working on a Superman script now. The studio wants to figure it out. "It might be better to start from scratch," one exec admitted.
Keep in mind that only half of film grosses return to the studio. The other half is kept by theatre owners & managers. SUPERMAN RETURNS lost out in the short term due to its greatly inflated budget. Only after DVD sales & rentals plus other ancillaries will it get profitable. The head at Warner Bros. was being diplomatic by saying he expected at least $500 million worldwide for the film.
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Supes Returns was a failure in many ways. If Singer had done his own thing instead of riding Donner's nuts, we'd have gotten a much better movie instead of the heavylifting fest that was SR. The Donner movies worked...............AROUND 20 YEARS AGO. Won't cut it w/today's fans. Doing a good Supes movie will be tough 'cuz he's not very cool & it will be hard to challenge him but it's not impossible. Rehashing old shit will not get the job done though. Make something new or make nothing at all. They'd have been better off just waiting a few years and then making a Smallville movie
I guess me not being a fan of comic Supes helps. I was expecting Supes in SR to shave his head, grow a mustache, wear a leopard print one strapped singlet & start doing squat thrusts.
KMC Community Forums
Jul 10th, 2008 12:35 AM
So you'd rather watch weightlifting than Smallville?
