Superman & «Realism» in Superhero Movies

Superman & «Realism» in Superhero Movies

I would like to get to the most obvious thing about Clark Kent/Superman that always had people scratching their head at one point: his GLASSES.

Editorial Opinion
By AgentZero - Jun 16, 2012 06:06 PM EST
Filed Under: Fan Fic

For the past years, a lot of comic books have been made into movies. But some liberties –for the better or the worse- that deviate from the original material were taken during the adaptation process. Nowadays, «realism» seems to be the concept that filmmakers try to incorporate in every aspect of their movies.

One of the obvious examples when it comes to «realism» in a superhero movie is Nolan’s Batman: real world villains that aren’t trying to be funny, a hero with a purpose (not just standing around and popping up miraculously when something happens).

But we got other examples. Tony Stark was publicly known to be Iron Man because it wouldn’t make much sense that a simple bodyguard could actually have full access to this kind of technology. In The Incredible Hulk, Banner’s transformation was triggered by a high blood pressure instead of only his anger. In the upcoming «The Amazing Spiderman», Spider-Man got suckers on his shoes so he can stick to walls. Even in Thor, they had a bunch of experts in physics that were to analyse the logical aspect behind the rainbow bridge.
So with that being said, I would like to get to the most obvious thing about Clark Kent/Superman that always had people scratching their head at one point: his GLASSES. Zack Snyder stated that he was going for a more realistic feel for his Superman. So I think it would be good to get to the story with Clark Kent as we know it but when he becomes Superman – unless on his first rescues he’s not exposed publicly- people will be fully aware of who he is so we won’t have to see him live a double life and wonder why people can’t recognise him.

Have an opinion? Feel free to share it with the world.

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BubbaDude
BubbaDude - 6/16/2012, 6:46 PM
Awww..c'mon. everybody knows that Clark wears a hypnotic necktie. All who gaze upon it believe him to be just a mild mannered reporter for a great metropolitian newspaper.
superotherside
superotherside - 6/16/2012, 6:48 PM
IDK. Depends on how it would work. The DC characters almost sort of need the "secret identity" thing. The only one I can actually think that doesn't need the secret identity thing is Hal Jordan or pretty much all of the GLs. But that's just my opinion. IDK I would have to hear more of a story with Superman not having a secret identity to know if it would work.
superotherside
superotherside - 6/16/2012, 6:48 PM
BubbaDude LOL That's too funny!
BarnaclePete
BarnaclePete - 6/16/2012, 7:13 PM
That would be a horrible idea. His life as Clark Kent is just as important to the character as Superman. As far as having people not recognize him as being Superman, Grant Morrison did it best in All Star Superman. Have him wear over sized clothes, slouch, etc. creates a misdirection.
MoonDoggyX
MoonDoggyX - 6/16/2012, 7:34 PM
You pose a great question! Especially with the success of the mcu and the avengers and everyoune foaming at the mouth for wb/dc to follow suit.

One thain that no one has really pointed out is that marvel has really done away with classic comic book/ superhero cliche's. No one in the mcu has a secret identity... Hell, none of them even fight crime. I know iron man took on terrorist, but no bank robbers or muggers a la batman or spiderman.

It will be interesting to see how dc handles ths considering that almost all of the jk fights crime and has a secret identity. That would be really repetitive if they go the rout of lead up films...
95
95 - 6/16/2012, 10:52 PM
Clark Kent needs a moustache.
Tainted87
Tainted87 - 6/16/2012, 10:53 PM

Derp

Can't take away Clark Kent. It would be like taking the Martian Manhunter's ability to shapeshift away from him. The glasses are as important as the "S".
6of13
6of13 - 6/17/2012, 3:27 AM
6of13
6of13 - 6/17/2012, 3:37 AM
The thing Superman needs his dual identity. He can't save everybody all the time. Clark is his way of feeling more human/normal.
Name
Name - 6/17/2012, 4:29 AM
The glasses are silly but apart from the people at the daily planet that are idiots by the way no one else would really know clark kents face to compare to supermans. Frget the baggy clothes and slouch as well because theres no way to justify that being the real clark. Dont have him be a bumbling moron, the stas clark will do.
soundwave129
soundwave129 - 6/17/2012, 10:50 AM
I always liked the idea that as Clark Kent, Superman adopted a different voice, posture, hair style, and even different mannerisms. It actually does make sense, especially when combined with the idea of his classes dimming his eye color.
Advocate
Advocate - 6/17/2012, 12:38 PM
@Brainiac3000 and @soundwave129

These points are taken in highest praise mainly because they are the kind of realism that should be striven for when adapting a very believable Clark Kent to the big screen.

While it shouldn't be the focus, it would be worth explaining if the Meisner technique were incorporated into Superman's list of differences.
wedontdie
wedontdie - 6/17/2012, 3:57 PM
I always felt like superman was torn between his duel lives. He wants to live like a human but in superman birthright he wanted to be more like his ancestors. I like both earth one and birthright. I want to write and direct a superman trilogy were it has realism like earth one but still stays true to superman. kinda like the idea that he knows he has powers but doesn't really know what to do until the people he loves are in danger.

plus what was great about birthright was that it had the idea that Clark Kent was supposed to be an act around other people.
heliosmyvu2
heliosmyvu2 - 6/29/2012, 11:42 AM
SMALLVILLE
(THE SERIES)

THE LAST SON OF KRYPTON
(THE MOVIE)

LOIS & CLARK: THE NEW ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN
(THE SERIES - PRE-FLIGHT)


SUPERMAN - THE ULTIMATE COLLECTORS EDITION


VOLUME 1 - Five Feature-Length Films

SUPERMAN: FIRST FLIGHT
SUPERMAN II: THE MAN OF STEEL
SUPERMAN III: BLASTS FROM THE PAST SUPERMAN IV: THE RISE OF ZOD
SUPERMAN V: UNDER THE RED SUN



VOLUME 2 - Five Feature-Length Films

SUPERMAN VI: CRISIS ON TWO EARTHS
SUPERMAN VII: THE QUEST FOR PEACE
SUPERMAN VIII: THE SLEEPING GIANT
SUPERMAN IX: THE DOOMSDAY SANCTION
SUPERMAN X: THE DEATH OF SUPERMAN


VOLUME 3 - Five Feature-Length Films

SUPERMAN XI: GHOST IN THE MACHINE SUPERMAN XII: THE PHOENIX RISING
SUPERMAN XIII: TWILIGHT OF THE GODS
SUPERMAN XIV: THE SYMBOL FOR HOPE
SUPERMAN XXV: A BRAVE NEW WORLD
LEGION : COUNTDOWN TO FINAL CRISIS
ZERO HOUR: APOKΩLIPS…NOW!
PARTS I – III
(TOTAL RUNTIME: 9 HRS 42 MINS)
View Recorder