Christopher Nolan Prepping Superman Reboot
By Krystal Clark
Christopher Nolan has become the go to guy to restore comic book franchises. Over at Deadline Hollywood, they’re reporting that the director has been tapped to mentor the upcoming Superman reboot. The last film in the series was Superman Returns, which was released in 2006 and helmed by Bryan Singer. Warner Bros have enlisted Nolan to work his magic and bring Supe back to his former glory.
According to Nikki Finke’s sources, Nolan has been asked to play “godfather” to the Superman reboot for Warner Bros to ensure it gets off the ground after a 3 1/2 year hiatus. The director has become a trusted collaborator at the studio and they think he can set it on the right path. The details regarding the new Superman are heavily guarded, but we do know it’s in early development. The latest film will be an entirely new franchise unlike Singer’s Returns, which was supposed to take place between the second and the third films from the eighties.
Even though Singer and Superman star Brandon Routh were received with lukewarm enthusiasm from fans, don’t count them out just yet.
“Bryan or Brandon are not completely out of it yet. But Warner Bros doesn’t have a handle yet on it, either. [Producer] Jon Peters is trying to make something happen since he stands to benefit financially. But they [the studio] need to hear a great story that makes sense.”
The big question here is whether or not they’ll force the “darker” Superman down our throats. Batman’s origins are naturally that way so there’s a reason Nolan’s vision worked on him, but Supe is a different case. After the success of The Dark Knight Warner Bros mogul Jeff Robinov stated “we have to look at how to make these movies edgier,” but one of Finke’s insiders stress that he meant “more sophisticated.” We hope that’s what he meant.
What do you think of Nolan taking on the Superman franchise? Is it a good move by the studio?
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 6:20PM
The possibility for something great has arrived with Nolan overseeing the new Superman film. If he can work out a way for both heroes to exist in the same universe, as they do in the books, they can set up for the big screen telling of Frank Miller's The Dark Knght Returns. The Batan franchuse seems to be headed down that path anyway, and bringing Superman into the mix is the icing on the cake. Let's hope this happens, as DKR is something every fanboy has been dying to see in the theaters.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:23PM
Why they wont do a 2 or 3 movie arc involving Braniac, Metallo or the Death of Superman is beyond me.
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 11:24PM
It's good to hear that Superman is not out of the pictures… however… luke warm was not the reception that I felt that the "new" face received. Down right cold was more like it. I think that if one could get the Smallville franchise together with the big Superman powers that be… there would be a great crowd pleaser…
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 12:07AM
just show that damn movie
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 1:15AM
I concur. You don't want to re-hash, but we do need to see this multi-movie arc – AND we need to see Supes actually fight something/someone. I enjoyed "Superman Returns" to a point – didn't love it – but he didn't even throw a punch. I am one of the biggest Smallville fans out there and I love seeing Supes on the screen in any capacity, but "Returns" was nowhere near epic. Nolan did amazing things with Batman, so I pray even a little rubs off on this franchise. I understand this story faces difficulties in telling it without repeating or going too dark, but we have all been waiting too long for this. Do us proud, please
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 1:27AM
Superman Returns had three major problems. Kevin Spacey (when I heard he was playing Luthor, it sounded like an SNL skit), it just wasn't an interesting or well executed story, and it featured the worst casting decision I have ever seen in any movie with Kate Bosworth as Lois. She was not only unlikable, she looked like she was 17! And Superman was supposed to have been gone five years and she was supposed to have had his baby? Did this happen when she was 12?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 1:48AM
Upon 1st hearing the news…. overwhelmed with excitement. Now hearing that they're considering keeping singer and routh in the loop… well, my balloon just popped. Why keep these hacks involved when they're responsible for the aberration known as Superman Returns? If either Singer or the talentless, no acting, hack Brandon Routh or anywhere near this project, I swear I'll just stay home and watch Smallville DVD's and save my box office dollar!!! Why release news like this just to build up my hope to have it come instantly crashing down with the news these worthless bums may still be involved. Damn you WB/DC!!!!!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 2:03AM
one other thing…. why in the world is Jon Peters associated with Superman? Peters/Singer/Routh is a formula for complete failure. How does Peters continue to be named the producer for a Superman movie is beyond me. The man simply has no understanding of who or what Superman truly is. Can someone explain to me how and why Peters is executive producer and why he has any say so in this matter at all?????
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 2:29AM
I didn't think B. Routh was that terrible, but agree that Kate Bosworth was just awful, and Kevin Spacey was an awful Lex Luthor, but then again I did not like Gene Hackman either. Smallville fans have been spoiled by Michael Rosenbaum's protrayal of Lex, far and a way the best.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 2:42AM
You are absolutely right with that assessment. Michael Rosenbaum has been untouchable as Lex. I did not buy Hackman, nor Spacey (both of whom I respect infinitely) as Lex. I am a tried and true Tom Welling fan – and Smallville has been my favorite show on TV since the pilot, but Michael was the absolute best thing about that show. His Lex did spoil us. I still adore the show, but it's not the same without him.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 3:00AM
If you look at some of the directors commentary of the making of SR, Bryan Singer states that he was never really a fan of Superman as he was growing up. Why give this guy another chance to ruin the Superman saga? I mean c'mon, superkid. Superman's son is so stupid, and to to top it off, they portray Superman as a loner,a loser, and a peeping tom. Superman movies don't have to get any worse than what this director has already made them out to be. Just look at all the crappy versions of X-Men that this moron has directed. They"ve all gone to shit!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:01AM
I'm surprised Singer's name is still mentioned as not being out of the loop. He's going back to X-Men so I don't see how that could work. Routh is a bit of a surprise too but not as much. He could come back to the role but I highly doubt it. It's just nice to see there could be some actual movement on another Superman movie and it seems to be resonating throughout the entire internet community. Superman is one of the top searces on yahoo right now. Amazing what attaching Chris Nolan's name to something will do for it's publicity.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:35AM
You're right on the money. Michael Rosenbaum was the absolute best thing about SV. It's still a good show due to a good, tight cast (namely, Tom Welling and Allison Mack), but life without Lex is unfulfilling. I hope they throw lots of money at MR or something so he will return to the show before it ends!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:53AM
I thought Routh was right on. And I was certainly prepared not to think that….
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 5:02AM
i think the director from smallville have a better crew and director and can make a better storyline since they already have a fan base. Also they have the experience in with the character and what the fans are looking for.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 6:04AM
And, if there are references to the original films just do it right. When the editor of the Daily Planet asked if Superman still believed in truth, justice and then he paused…come on, we know he said the American way. Just because Hollywood hates their country doesn't mean that you have to take something out of the film that we know should be there.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 6:55AM
I'm 90% positive about this. I mean, Christopher Nolan changed the game when it came to superhero movies. His Batman felt much more "real" than anything before in superhero films and if people stop looking at "dark" and "light" then I think we just might be looking at a Superman that transcends the "superhero" umbrella to become legitimate sci-fi or even just a more intense action/adventure pic.
That's how I would feel if I knew exactly what he was doing. What do they mean he's gonna serve as a "mentor" or "godfather?" I mean, what director wants to submit to such a "mentor"ship? If he's producing it, why not just announce him as a producer?
Whatever. This is good news. Hopefully, it means no deadbeat dad Supes. My one hope is that it won't be what some fans obviously want, which is just a big middle-finger to the old Superman films. Superman: the Movie was, itself, a "reboot" from the standpoint of retelling his origin and not continuing on from, say, the old serials or TV show (which had a pilot that was theatrically relased) so it's not a disservice to them the way it might be for Star Wars or Indy; but I just don't want them to be vilified like some people seem intent on.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 6:57AM
Maybe they will. In the animated series from the '90s, Brainiac was responsible for the destruction of Krypton, and the death & return sagas could easily lend themselves to a really epic film.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 7:01AM
The only explanations are that his movies tend to make money or that he could have threatened someone. Many fans chose to believe that he was only a figurehead during the course of Superman Returns (and it at-least proves that he was willing to change his mind on certain bad ideas if not all) but I really think Warners should do something about him. He started working on a Superman film in what? 1994? It came out in 2006. WB needs to do the math.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 7:43AM
Who ever decided on the script for Superman returns should have lost their job with WB. I think the visuals in the next film need to be more realistic like they are in The Dark Knight. The reason The Dark Knight was so good was the fact that everything looks real, and the plot was thought out. Superman needs to be real. Routh can still be Superman but the graphics and special effects can not be cheesy. Is it wrong to want Clark Kent to have some balls?
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:34PM
Kate was awful as Lois; I fully agree with these sentiments here. Erika D from Smallville makes a good one and if on the big-screen, she alone would assuredly "attract" a lot of us males to go see the flick. Tying the whole picture deal into Smallville somehow, would no doubt have an instant fan-base – on top of those who were only fans of the movies. On the other hand, if they're going to go the route of trying to emulate the original movies with Routh being a Reeve doppleganger, then they need to take a look at the Robin Tunney in the Mentalist – she's a dead-ringer for Kidder-esque Lois! Perfect fit IMO. I would be worried about Nolan wanting to "go dark" w/ Supe. That is NOT what makes superman so special; the fact that he is unflinching in his paladin-like honor and heroism is what sets him apart from Batman, and virtually all of the Marvel heroes.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:34PM
Those asking for a three movie arc will probably not get it – at least from THIS reboot; all things related to Superman have to be well into production by 2011 as per the legal dispute – wherein the heirs of the original creators of superman gain full ownership of copyrights as of 2013. What they do with it, is anyone's guess, but unless they specifically offer any rights to WB and/or DC, those companies will have no part in any franchieses. Disney – having just obtain a large portion of Marvel – MAY try to approach said heirs and bring Superman into the world of Disney…..just a thought.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 4:35PM
One of the sacred cows of the Superman (movie) franchises that I refuse to compromise on is the music score by John Williams. That by all means needs to stay in tact for the opening/closing credits, along with the signature credits flying through space leaving the jet-trailers behind them. I feel that is too important to long-time fans to ignore or elimate. The original musical score is as important to setting the stage and feel of the epic movie as Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and Star Trek franchises.
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 6:47PM
Agreed. Aren't you someone from the IMDb "Man of Steel" boards? Just curious..
Wednesday, February 10, 2010 3:34PM
The deadline.com article’s Singer/Routh comments were from last year. It was listed in the middle of all the other attempts at a Superman movie that didn’t happen. The article was just filling us in on some background while telling us that the new plan is for a Nolan-guided reboot that has nothing to do with Singer/Routh/Returns. That’s why the out of context quote on this page is confusing so many of the above readers.
Friday, February 26, 2010 4:54PM
[...] movies? How about the Justice League of America?Ever since Christopher Nolan accepted the gig as Superman’s mentor he’s had a hand in everything DC. I guess that’s what happens when you direct the [...]
Wednesday, July 7, 2010 6:18AM
I have to agree with most people on this board. Singer should've been hunged after he made the man of steel, Earth's mightest superhero, fight land. It didn't help by casting Spacey and Boseworth to play Luthor andLane.
Spacey was goofy, Boseworth was just awful. The last time I saw a good Lois Lane was Teri Hatcher in The Lois and Clark adventures.
My biggest problem with Return was that it wouldn't let go of the '70s Superman movies. As much as people love those movies, Superman existed long before Christopher Reeves wore the cape and tights and Superman can survive if we move away from the Christopher Reeves role. The only reason Brandon Routh got the role of Superman was his slight resemblance to Reeves.
If I were the casting director of the reboot I would have Welling playing Supes and Rosenbaum playing Luthor. Rosenbaum is the best Luthor we've ever seen. Welling has been this generation Clark for ten years.