80’s Man of Steel Trilogy
What if in the 1980’s after the release of Superman III, Warners had Retained the film rights to Superman and they had decided that it would be in their best interest to reboot? Well this is a fan cast envisioning a Superman Reboot as if it was done in the 1980’s after the release of Superman III to continue the grand adventures of the Man of Steel. In this all 3 films would have been based on the John Byrne Man of Steel Comics, starting with the Man of Steel’s Origin and First Battle with the dangerous Bizarro, to Superman’s grueling first battle against the mad god Darkseid.
MOVIE 1 – MAN OF STEEL – Rocketed to earth from the dying planet Krypton, Clark Kent lives a life of secrecy. Living day to day, hiding fantastic abilities from the ordinary public until a calling sends him to explore the world, leading him to Metropolis where he finds his calling as both Mild Mannered Reporter and Amazing Super Hero SUPERMAN. But what costs does being Superman face? Battling villains who seek to destroy Superman. With Villains like Lex Luthor and his greatest Creations Bizarro and Metallo who battle the Man of Steel in order to stamp their own mark on the world and stomp out the Man of Steel. Release Date: July 1987
MOVIE 2 – MAN OF STEEL: THE DESOLATION OF BRAINIAC – From the bowels of Kryptons greatest war, there exists an enemy known by many as the vilest villain to exist, and its name is BRAINIAC. Warned by the cryptic message from Jor-El in Superman’s fortress of Solitude, he must find and battle a being of ultimate intelligence, who exists to desolate each world in order to create the perfect deadspace for which Brainiac plans to rebuild his fallen Nation of Colu as the dominate and only force in the Universe. Release Date: August 1988
MOVIE 3 – MAN OF STEEL: DARK TOMORROW – Superman has time and again fought the most powerful and evil beings from all corners of space, except one… Where an being so evil exists on a world so dark that it’s only fitting name is Apokolipse and that being calls itself DARKSEID. Now gunning for earth in order to gain access to Superman’s Fortress of Solitude in hopes of gaining an all-powerful enchantment known as “The Anti-Life Equation”. Can Superman possible stop this Titan of Evil? Or are Superman’s days of heroics and the safety of Earth Numbered? Release Date: June 1989
Composer – A film score (also sometimes called background music or incidental music) is original music written specifically to accompany a film. The score forms part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects, and comprises a number of orchestral, instrumental or choral pieces called cues which are timed to begin and end at specific points during the film in order to enhance the dramatic narrative and the emotional impact of the scene in question. Scores are written by one or more composers, under the guidance of the film's director and/or producer, and are then usually performed by an ensemble of musicians – most often comprising an orchestra or band, instrumental soloists, and choir or vocalists – and recorded by a sound engineer.
Bill Conti (Notable Works: Rocky, Masters of the Universe): Believe it or not the reason why I chose him was more his work on Rocky and less Masters of the Universe. I wanted a composer who was very dramatic at heart. A great example is his composition for the first Apollo/Rocky Fight. It had a very dramatic buzz to it. But being that he could also do something bright, happy, and very much like a space epic was a very important part, being that he did an amazing job on Masters of the Universe, he went dark when the scene was dark, he went heroic when its heroic. He adapts his score and makes it fit the scene perfectly. With him matching his heroic space hero styled theme with his underdog everyman hero score, the combination would just create a very unique and timeless score for Superman, not to mention a very intense and emotional score.
Director – Directors are responsible for overseeing creative aspects of a film under the overall control of the film producer. They often develop the vision for a film and carry out the vision, deciding how the film should look, in other words they make their vision come to life. They are responsible for turning the script into a sequence of shots. They also direct what tone it should have and what an audience should gain from the cinematic experience. Film directors are responsible for deciding camera angles, lens effects and lighting with the help of the cinematographer and set design with the production designer. They will often take part in hiring the cast and key crew members. They coordinate the actors' moves, or blocking and also may be involved in the writing, financing and editing of a film.
Mike Hodges (Notable Works: Get Carter, Flash Gordon): Hodges is one of the most noted Directors of all time. He’s got two large cult followings, one through the hit 1971 film Get Carter starring Michael Caine, and one through popular 80’s film Flash Gordon. While he can switch between fun science fiction films and serious action drama, he also knows how to balance a heroic and human character. He’s great at perfectly angling a characters humanity and heroicness on a camera, a rare trait for any director. Not to mention how well he had designed the entire Flash Gordon universe while keeping it both faithful and fresh in design and scope. Maybe he was born to have made Superman into a serious 80’s action adventure film.
Screenwriter – Screenwriters are responsible for researching the story, developing the narrative, writing the screenplay, and delivering it, in the required format, to Development Executives. Screenwriters therefore have great influence over the creative direction and emotional impact of the screenplay and, arguably, of the finished film. They either pitch original ideas to Producers in the hope that they will be optioned or sold, or screenwriters are commissioned by a producer to create a screenplay from a concept, true story, existing screen work or literary work, such as a novel, poem, play, comic book or short story.
Chris Columbus (Notable Works: Gremlins, Reckless, Young Sherlock Holmes): An open comic book fan who’s tried his hand at getting the green light for adapting a comic feature, he’s a talented writer who I’m surprised hasn’t got the chance to. Columbus is a talented writer who was able to conceive features that were both intellectually intriguing and entertaining. His films are something the whole family can enjoy and not just adults or children, having him craft an 80’s Superman film, especially one based on the John Byrne Comic Book series, it could have been the best Superman Film to date.
Superman/Clark Kent (Age: 30’s, Height: 6’3”) – Superman, also known as the Man of Steel, is one of the most powerful superheroes in the DC Universe. His abilities include incredible super-strength, super-speed, invulnerability, freezing breath, flight, and heat-vision. Born as Kal-El on the dying planet Krypton, his parents Jor-El and Lara sent him in a rocket to the planet Earth where he would be the last surviving member of his race. His rocket was discovered by the kindly Jonathan and Martha Kent, who raised him as their son Clark Kent in the town of Smallville, Kansas. His upbringing provided him with strong moral values, and life-long friends Lana Lang and Pete Ross. In his secret identity he works as a reporter at the Daily Planet in the city of Metropolis. This is where he interacts with his love interest Lois Lane, and his co-workers Perry White and Jimmy Olsen. His greatest nemesis is the brilliant super-villain Lex Luthor. To preserve the memory of his home planet and provide him rest from his double-life and adventures, he maintains a Fortress of Solitude at the North Pole. Superman remains proud of his dual heritage, taking seriously the lessons of his birth-parents and his adopted parents. Although he is an alien to this world, he heavily values his humanity, and fights with conviction for truth, justice, and the American way.
Dennis Quaid (Age: 33 {As of 1987} 34 {As of 1988}, 35{As of 1989}, Height: 6’, Notable Works: Tough Enough, Dreamscape, Enemy Mine): An actor who’s no stranger to the science fiction realm having done Dreamscape, Enemy Mine, and Innerspace. Also a notorious theme in his character, especially from the 80’s on, is how decent human being his characters are. He is an actor who can convey a strong, dependable voice. No doubt he has the characteristic as an actor to have succeeded Reeves in the role. Something I feel important to note is how great an actor he is, but also how striking a resemblance he has with the John Byrne Illistratiosn of Clark Kent, when he’s wearing glasses, and how strikingly similar he is to John Byrne’s Superman When he’s not. In all honesty he’s an actor’s actor. He has always turned out great performances, he’s somebody who can play the most trustworthy person in any movie, he can play a tough commanding leader, he can play strong willed and he has a classic handsome look to him that draws in female audiences. Give him a decent suit to wear and Dennis Quaid would look Exactly like Superman. The only little quam is that he might have to dye his hair, but there is absolutely no doubt in my mind that when if they had rebooted Superman in the 1980’s the best person to replace Christopher Reeves would have been Dennis Quaid.
Lois Lane (Age: 30’s, Height: 5’7”) – Lois Lane is an investigative reporter at the Daily Planet in Metropolis, and Superman's main love interest. Her closest co-workers are Clark Kent, Jimmy Olsen and Perry White. She is a strong and assertive woman more than capable of handling herself in dangerous situations. Her family includes her father, the military leader General Sam Lane, and her sister Lucy Lane. Lois was in love with both Superman and Clark Kent for a very long time, unaware that they were in reality the same person.
Karen Allen (Age: 36 {As of 1987}, 37 {As of 1988}, 38 {As of 1989} Height: 5’7”, Notable Works: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Starman): {Just a side note, does anyone else think she looks a bit like Margot Kidder?} When you cast or recast Lois Lane, the thing you need most is an actress who can convey the sense of an independent woman who gets herself in danger. Well since she’s done a lot of that in Raiders of the Lost Ark, and that she is a beautiful actress really helps her tangibility in the role for Lois Lane. No doubt she could steal hearts and capture attention as Lois.
Jonathan Kent (Age: 50’s, Height: 5’8”) – Jonathan Kent is the husband of Martha Kent and the adoptive father of Superman, also known as Clark Kent. Since they were unable to conceive a child of their own, when the Kents found him as a baby inside of a strange rocket crashed to Earth they raised him as their son. Much later they learned he was the last surviving member of an alien race; when the planet Krypton was exploding, the boy's parents Jor-El and Lara chose to save him at the cost of their lives by sending him into space. Ma and Pa Kent raised Clark on their farm in Smallville, Kansas. They were caring parents who instilled him with a deep sense of morality.
John Saxon (Age: 51 {As of 1987}, 52 {As of 1988} 53 {As of 1989}, Height: 5’10”, Notable Works: A Nightmare on Elm Street, Joe Kidd): Casting a new Jonathan Kent was no easy feat, John Kent is a staple of the Superman Mythos, He is the man who taught Clark the values he lives by. Casting I want a noticeably older man, and someone who can convey the strength and earnest value that we find in Superman. Saxon is a fantastic actor who’s got the look of an earnest man and a Midwesterner. He’s got a strong voice that can really show a strong dependable character.
Martha Kent (Age: 50’s, Height: 5’4”) – Martha Kent is the wife of Jonathan Kent and adoptive mother of Superman, also known as Clark Kent. Since they were unable to conceive a child of their own, when they found him as a baby inside of a strange rocket crashed to Earth they raised him as their son. Much later they learned he was the last surviving member of an alien race; when the planet Krypton was exploding, the boy's parents Jor-El and Lara chose to save him at the cost of their lives by sending him into space. Ma and Pa Kent raised Clark on their farm in Smallville, Kansas. They were caring parents who instilled him with a deep sense of morality and American values.
Mia Farrow (Age: 41 {As of 1987}, 42 {As of 1988}, 43 {As of 1989} Height: 5’4½”, Notable Works: Rosemary’s Baby, The Purple Rose of Cairo): It goes without saying that if casting Jonathan Kent is a challenge you can bet that casting Martha is no less tasking, you need an actress who’s got a motherly feel and a tone of sincerity in her voice. Farrow is an actress who really captures that, not to mention having a great dose of geek cred having been in Rosemary’s Baby. Farrow is one of the foremost talented actresses of any generation she’s really captured the sensual responsibility of playing a mother in many Dramas.
Jor-El (Age: 40’s, Height: 6’2”) – Jor-El of the House of El was a Kryptonian scientist who prophecized the destruction of the planet Krypton and was not able to convince their high council. He only had time to build one Rocket large enough for his child Kal-El to escape and be sent to Earth.
Peter Weller (Age: 40 {As of 1987}, 41 {As of 1988} Height: 6’, Notable Works: The Adventures Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension, Robocop): Casting Jor-El I needed an actor who had a very brass demeanor, someone who could give a great thousand yard stare and a voice of integrity and high intelligence, many use him as Brainiac, which is a good choice, but I think he’s better fit as Jor-El.
Lara Lor-Van (Age: 40’s, Height: 5’9”) – Lara Lor-Van was the wife of Kryptonian scientist Jor-El, the man who prophesied the destruction of Krypton. They had only enough time to together to create one Rocket large enough for their son Kal-El, who they sent to earth.
Jamie Lee Curtis (Age: 29 {As of 1987}, 30 {As of 1988}, Height: 5’6½”, Notable Works: Halloween, Trading Places, Perfect): Curtis comes from a legendary acting family. Getting her start in the same genre that made her mother Famous Curtis has had a great lasting power through Hollywood. She is to her own credit a great actress, having done a very broad amount of work but nothing very sci-fi, or at least nothing even close to the realm of Superman. Casting her as Lara is pretty decent move, she has a very beautiful, intellectual face that can do a range of expressions not to mention she is a perfect match for a Peter Weller Jor-El.
Lana Lang (Age: 30’s, Height: 5’7”) – Lana Lang has traditionally been Superman's romantic interest when they were teenagers in Smallville. She was Clark Kent's childhood friend and confidant and one of the first persons that knew about Clark's powers. Lana is the Editor of the Business Section at the Daily Planet and lives in the penthouse of Hammersmith Tower in Metropolis with her niece.
Kim Cattrall (Age: 31 {As of 1987}, Height: 5’7”, Notable Works: Porky’s, Big Trouble in Little China): Kim was actually in the running for Lois, but outside of noticing her performance in Big Trouble, Karren was clear for Lois and Kim, well she just seemed to be a better fit for Lana Lang. Kim is very kind actress and is always a great addition to any cast who really can get into her character.
Perry White (Age: 40’s-60’s, Height: 5’10”) – Perry White is the editor-in-chief at the Daily Planet and a close friend and ally of Superman. He works alongside Clark Kent, Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen. White has lived in Metropolis his entire life, growing up in the rough neighborhood Suicide Slum. His strength and integrity have led him to be one of the world's greatest journalists, and underneath his leadership the Planet hasn't missed a single issue through crisis after crisis. Despite his tough-mindedness and grouchy personality, he has always been a kind and fair boss. Perry is married to Alice White, and he has had two children Jerry White and Keith White.
Darren McGavin (Age: 65 {As of 1987}, 66 {As of 1988}, 67 {As of 1989}, Height: 5’10”, Notable Works: Kolchak The Night Stalker, A Christmas Story): This one is very hard to explain. In all honesty Darren is a legend in Hollywood, he’s best known as The Old Man in the cultural Classic “A Christmas Story” which shows a very good argument for why he’s a perfect choice for Perry White, but my Argument is how great his performance was in The Night Stalker, He played Kolchack, a tough as nails tell all reporter who does what’s necessary. McGavin has the voice, the gruff, the look, and the style to play the perfect Perry White.
Jimmy Olsen (Age: 20’s, Height: 5’7”) – James Bartholomew "Jimmy" Olsen is most well recognized as Superman's pal. He is an investigative reporter and photo-journalist, formerly a copy-boy, working at the Daily Planet since his teenage years. His closest friends and co-workers are Clark Kent, Lois Lane and Perry White. Olsen has no consistent superpowers of his own, but he is frequently put into situations where he develops bizarre transformations or mutations allowing him to develop weird special abilities. Superman has given him a Signal Watch to call on in case he is ever in danger and needs help.
Eric Stoltz (Age: 26 {As of 1987}, 27 {As of 1988}. 28 {As of 1989} Height: 6’, Notable Works: The New Kids, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Mask): I like Eric as an actor, he’s done some very noteworthy and memorable films and he’s shown some decent talent. He’s a nice fit to break from the mold of dandy jimmy and play the serious do what he can 80’s jimmy.
Lex Luthor (Age: 40’s, Height: 6’2”) – Lex Luthor is one of the most dangerously intelligent men on the planet- a super-villain, a brilliant scientist, a billionaire industrialist, and Superman's greatest enemy. This combination makes him an extremely powerful and formidable opponent; he is ruthless, efficient, and creative. In addition to his personal vendetta against the man who thwarts his every scheme, he despises the alien Man of Steel from an ideological standpoint for contradicting his human achievements. Luthor has always been a controversial figure in the public eye due to LexCorp's corrupt business dealings, but he has also maintained political popularity.
Kurtwood Smith (Age: 44 {As of 1987}, 45 {As of 1988}, 46 {As of 1989}, Height: 6’1”, Notable Works: Robocop, Flashpoint,): His performance as Clarence Boddicker is more or less the indication of Potential. To be honest he could play the Quintessential 80's/John Byrne Styled Lex Luthor. He is my only choice, and I had considered many others but in the end decided that he was perfect for the role. He has the intelligence and the poise for the role. He stands tall with a strong demeanor with the look of a person who’s had a hard life lined in his stare. He would have been Iconic in the role of Lex Luthor.
Metallo/John Corben (Age: 30’s, Height: 6‘5”) – Metallo is a radioactive cyborg intelligence who depends on Green Kryptonite as his energy source, making him an enemy of Superman. This deadly radiation can kill the man of steel through exposure alone, although his cybernetic enhancements make him very physically powerful. He is a former soldier who was used in experimentation by the United States Army, eventually giving him the ability to project his consciousness into any technological device. His powers also include the ability to morph the machinery in his body accordingly.
Paul McCrane (Age: 26 {As of 1987}, Height: 5’7”, Notable Works: Robocop, Purple Hearts): I just really love his performance as Emil Antwonoski in Robocop. Just give that guy a robot body with a kryptonite heart he would be an amazing Metallo especially considering the way he plays that type of criminal.
Bizarro (Age: Unkown {Subject looks to be physically in his 30’s}, Height: 6’3”) – Bizarro is the perfect imperfect duplicate of Superman, acting as his antagonist or ally depending on the situation. Originally created to be Superman's clone by his nemesis Lex Luthor, his poorly constructed genetics caused him to become the opposite. There have since been many Bizarro based on other characters, and they all live on the alternate Bizarro World.
Ron Perlman (Age: 37 {As of 1987}, Height: 6’1” Notable Works: Quest for Fire, The Ice Pirates, Beauty and the Beast): Often when people cast Bizarro they either go lazy or cast whoever is playing Superman or they cast a stuntman or horror movie actor. Personally I’d like to see an actor play Bizarro, but not the same Actor playing Superman. He’s an Imperfect clone, not a perfect one, so Bizarro looking and sounding like Superman is just out of the question. Getting an actor with a sense of intimidation and a character face that transforms well under makeup is a must and who better then Ron Perlman. He’s built a career under make-up and playing tough as nails bmfs. For Bizarro it’s easy to see Perlman, at the time an up and coming star, as a solid choice.
Vril Dox/Brainiac (Age: Unkown, Height: 6’6”) – Brainiac is a super-intelligent alien being from the planet Colu who has fought Superman many times. Extremely advanced mental abilities that have allowed him to work through numerous robotic and even human proxies make him a dangerously formidable opponent. It is difficult to tell whether you're dealing with the original Brainiac, or one of his drones. His obsession with knowledge has led him to shrink down many cities to bottle size for transportation on his Skull Ship, including Kandor on Krypton.
Lance Henrikson (Age: 48 {As of 1988}, Height: 5’10”, Notable Works: The Terminator, Aliens): For Brainiac I wanted an actor who has a cold demeanor and a very robotic voice. Someone who has that cold look in his eyes, Because of his wonderful performance in Alien I chose Lance Henrikson, who beat out Brent Spiner. Henrikson, a cult actor who’s never done anything shy of memorable or damn decent. He’s a very physical actor who can really insist his intimidation on characters, an attractive trait for someone playing the ultimate evil genius.
Granny Goodness (Age: Unknown {Subject looks to be in her 50’s-60’s}, Height: 5’10”) – Granny Goodness was an inhabitant of Apokolips and the commander of the Female Furies. Though she had the mannerisms of a kindly old lady, she was in fact a cruel tormentor and one of Darkseid's most loyal lieutenants.
Louise Fletcher (Age: 55 {As of 1989}, Height: 5' 9½", Notable Works: One Who Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest, Flowers in the Attic): Really it was her performance as Nurse Ratchet that is the perfect reason why she works as Granny Goodness, shes’ wonderful at manipulating the situation and playing the odds to her advantage.
Glorious Godfrey (Age: 30’s-40’s, Height: 5’10”) – If Darkseid ever had a head of Propaganda it’d be Godfrey. He is a spy from Apokolips who feeds information of the Earth’s Mightiest heroes to Darkseid. His role in the Apokolptic Government is similar to that of Dr. Joseph Goebbels to the Nazi Party. He is a smerky politician with no backbone and enjoys the rule of Darkseid. {In the first film he would be a Political reporter giving his thoughts on the Justice League
Jeff Goldblum (Age: 37 {As of 1989}, Height: 6’4½”, Notable Works: Silverado, The Fly): Really he could play most of the male roles in this, I was tempted to put him as Brainiac, but I honestly felt that putting him in as a political antagonist would serve the cast, the film, and the choice better. He’s got a very listenable voice and he’s a guy you can buy as a straight edge politician but he’s also someone you can believe is a slanderous d-bag, or a man of influence, Goldblum has so many talents that make him available for many roles.
Desaad (Age: 30’s-40’s Height: 5’11”) – Desaad is a New God of Apokolips. Having been a loyal servant to Darkseid for many years, he acts as chief scientist and torturer. His sadistic nature makes him take great pleasure in the pain he causes. This makes him dangerous and deadly, although he maintains a sniveling and subservient attitude towards his master. He is a member of Darkseid's Elite.
Tim Curry (Age: 43 {As of 1989} Height: 5’9”, Notable Works: The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Oliver Twist): Honestly he was on the list for Darkseid but at one point I had a different choice for Darkseid and I needed a great actor who I could trust to be Desaad, and to have a very fun time with the role. Curry is one of the most amazing actors a person can think of, he’s very professional and does amazing in all his performances.
Kalibak (Age: Unknown, Height: 7’5”) – Kalibak is the first-born son of Darkseid and Suli. His mother Suli is killed by Desaad, acting under orders from Kalibak's grandmother Queen Heggra. Kalibak becomes a legendary warrior, and often serves as Darkseid's second-in-command. After Darkseid breaks the pact of peace with New Genesis, the rival planet of Kalibak's home Apokolips, he aids his father in the resulting battles.
Adam Baldwin (Age: 27 {As of 1989}, Height: 6’4”, Notable Works: Full Metal Jacket, Reckless): Adam is great at playing very roughneck and niave villains. Which to some extent Kalibak is very Niave in thinking that his father could or would love him, he holds out that hope, and Adam just does a great job really giving the hopeful vibe off, but also does great at switching into a barbaric monster.
Darkseid (Age: Unkown, Height: 8’9”) – Darkseid is the ruler of Apokolips and Darkseid's Elite and was a major player in the cosmic war that was the Final Crisis. Unto the hell that is Apokolips came Darkseid, malice personified a merciless tyrant who demanded unwavering devotion and abject fear from all his subjects. A being of unparalleled strength, Darkseid nevertheless preferred not to sully his gloves with combat unless provoked to action. His eyes emitted the formidable Omega Sanction, ray beams that could disintegrate, teleport, or resurrect depending on the dread lord's wishes. His sole mission in life was to find and gain control over the Anti-Life Equation which would give him the means to usurp all free will in the sentient universe.
Clancy Brown (Age: 30 {As of 1989} Height: 6’3½”, Notable Works: Highlander, The Adventures of Buckaroo Banzai Across the 8th Dimension): This was probably the hardest choice to think off, but to be honest his performance in Highlander is nothing short of the reason he works so well, he’s tall, well built, intimidating. The guy is just born scary and he really gives off the ‘in-control’ vibe of Darkseid, He’s got that commander’s wise voice that many of the other choices lacked, and with some lifts and make-up he would be a perfect choice for the New God.
This concludes my Cast, I hope you have enjoyed exploring the possibility as much as I have.