In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and his return to the big screen is long overdue.Very little is know about the upcoming reboot of the most iconic hero in comic-book history, we've not even had the official title for the film rumored, Superman: The Man of Steel, but I believe that this might be the Superman movie franchise we've waited for our whole lives. I know, I know, I'm talking out my rear-end. I have no proof, I have not read a script, but here are some of the reasons why I believe that we are in for the greatest Superman movie, NO! One of the greatest superhero movies of all time.
Number 10: New Krypton...
For the first time in the history of the Superman movie franchise, Superman's biological home world will look like a world of scientific advancements and innovation. Gone will be the world of crystals and in it's place a metropolis the likes of which will rival the beauty of Coruscant, the fictional city in Star Wars.
I, for one, love that we will finally have a modernized Krypton. Part of what makes Superman so super is his alien ancestry. While this isn't an editorial to attack the Donner-verse, I just feel like making Superman's home planet a visually stunning location would add to the movie experience. When I originally saw Superman (1978) I couldn't wait to leave Krypton, it was so dull and depressing. It added nothing to the movie. Making the audience fall in love with Krypton will make it's destruction hit home a little more. Let's not forget that having a modernized Krypton means having a modernized Fortress of Solitude, hopefully a fortress similar to the animated series and comics that serves as Superman's home away from Krypton.
Number 9: Oh, God! It's Zod!
I know, everyone seems to be down on the General returning to the silver-screen. Groans of "Zod again? He's been done to death" have echoed all over the boards by fan-boys. Well, to those fan-boys, I say, STFU. We've seen Zod once in a movie with a brief cameo appearance in another. He has not been done to death by anyone other than Smallville who, for the most part, no one watched. Complaining about Zod in a Superman movie is like complaining about Joker in a Batman movie. We've only seen them in two movies with a cameo in another (Batman, TDK and cameo in Batman Begins) and the Joker has been done to death by every Batman animated series, video game and comic. Zod is a great villain to start out this franchise because, although I loved Terrance Stamp's portrayal of the character, Zod was not a formidable opponent for the boy scout in Superman 2.
He was a weak, defenseless old man. Give Zod a proper portrayal similar to comic War of the Supermen to go with a proper portrayal of the boy scout. After all, the last time we saw Superman he was peeping into someone's house which is a big no-no.
Number 8: A Luthor for a new Millennium.
Like Superman and Zod, Luthor has yet to be portrayed to potential. What we've been given is an evil real-estate agent. Where is the billionaire CEO genius that uses his superior intellect to challenge the Man of Steel? Luthor has been nothing more than a monkey who dances around in the movie to get a cheap laugh. He's never been a threat to Superman in a movie, not even in Superman Returns with his Kryptonite island and Kumar henchman.
It's no wonder Superman is turning into a laughing stock. Lex has been the villain he's faced off against the most in movies and Lex has never been worth Superman's time.
Number 7: The Braun of the movie.
Say what you want about Zack Snyder, but he's one of the best visual directors in the business. 300, Watchmen and Legends of the Guardians were all visually stunning films. I did not see Sucker Punch so I can not speak on it, but from the tv-spots, it looked beautiful as well. Giving this man 175 million dollars to create a world to his liking is a great thing. Personally, I would've preferred Aronofsky or Duncan Jones, but Snyder is who we got. With Snyder, we know that even if we get a badly directed movie, it would still be a fun watch. When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Even if the lemonade is bitter, someone will drink it.
Number 6: The Brains of the movie.
What? You don't want bitter lemonade? Fine, lets add some sugar. By sugar, I mean the brilliant minds who brought us Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Like Snyder, David Goyer is an artist with tremendous potential, but left without someone to keep him in check, we get Blade Trinity and the Unborn. Luckly for us, both Zack Snyder and David Goyer have WB's best cinematic mind to reign them in. The sugar in our lemonade is none other than Christopher Nolan. He loved Goyer's idea, he had his younger brother, whom he's collaborated with on many movies help finish the third act (rumored) and I assume he read over Goyer's script before he handed it over to WB. Yes, my friends, this movie screams a Nolan production, even if it's not. Think I'm wrong? What's the movie about? Exactly! With Emma Thomas on set as Nolan's eyes, this movie will stay grounded.
Number 5: Zack Snyder is looking for redemption.
Yes, the former larger than life director must have been humbled when his vision was lamented and bemoaned by critics an audiences in the U.S.. Sucker Punch made back what it costs thanks to the international market, but WB could not have been happy with what they got. This is, like Superman's, Snyder's last shot at a major Hollywood blockbuster. WB will no longer pick up the tab on his movies if he doesn't produce for them. Zack Snyder makes one of WB's more lucrative franchises relevant again and he's back in the graces of the suits. A man with his back against the wall can do great things, maybe this is Snyder's moment to shine.
Number 4: A fresh take on the character.
As I've stated before, this editorial is not to attack the Donner-verse, but thank god we're finally moving past it. Yes, Richard Donner's movies were highly successful and are still held, by some, as one of the gold standards in the genre, but enough is enough! After Superman Returns and Smallville, I've had all I can take with it. Clearly, the general population feels the same as both Smallville and Returns were both disappointing. I got into Superman through his animated series. It made Superman relatable, accountable and great. Donner's Superman is boring and frankily poorly written. Both movies have climaxes that revolve around a dues ex machina that makes watching the enitre movie pointless. Superman is fast enough to turn back time, but not fast enough to catch to rockets?!! Superman knew that Luthor knew where the Fortress of solitude was and he even knew that he would lead Zod to him so he reversed the chamber?!! Superman knew that Luthor knew where the Fortress of Solitude was, but instead of installing a security system, he leaves it unguarded and goes away for five years?!!
The whole Donner-verse went to crap as soon as Superman 3 was released. After that, continuing that franchise was, and still is, idiotic!
Number 3: Epic casting!
Henry Cavill, Amy Adams, Diane Lane, Kevin Costner, Michael Shannon and Russell Crowe. Those are just a few of the confirmed and rumored cast members. I have no doubt in my heart that this cast will perform to expectation. Henry Cavill loves Superman, he auditioned for the role twice even after the flop that was Superman Returns. Let's face it, the guy has a jaw for Superman. He looks like Superman, he wants to be Superman (unlike some other losers who will not be named!!!), he'll be great. Shannon is intimidating at sight. Wether you want to admit it or not, he looks like a villain. He looks like someone you wouldn't leave your wife or kids, especially your kids, around. Now, while I love all the castings choices so far. I can't help but be a little depressed that we get Amy Adams as Lois Lane. Don't get me wrong, Adams will do great and probably would've acted circles around the other women who auditioned, but she's too close to forty. Who knows, maybe Hollywood make-up can make her look 20, but maybe not.
That's right, folks! Superman will pound someone to the ground! Finally, the Man of Steel will get his hands dirty! As our friend LP4 will remind us, Superman never even threw a punch in Superman Returns. He just stood there and got the heck beat out of him. He didn't even fight back. Same thing with Smallville, he didn't even flied! Smallville's Superman just pushed a planet away, similar to Returns' Superman pushing the Kryptonite continent into space. Jesus, one of the most powerful beings in fiction and you never display his powers to the fullest?!! Superman better hit the gym, he's facing a trained killer and a military trained Kryptonian. He's going to get lit up! This is where Zack Snyder's talents come in handy. A Kryptonian on Kryptonian battle would be epic, for once, Snyder's speed up/slo-mo filming technique will serve a purpose. If you thought the first act of Thor was epic, wait until you see what Snyder will probably do. I know Superman will duke it out with someone, what I want to see is Superman perform a feat that makes me say WOOAAAHHH!!! I want a Superman Returns plane scene times 10!!! I want Superman to remind audiences why he's the greatest of them all and why he'd cream Batman in a fight.
Number 1 - Superman will stop the apocalypse.
Man of Steel is slated for a December 2012 release, around the time the Mayans predicted the world's end. Don't be alarmed folks! The last son will make sure he stops the last day, we will live to enjoy Man of Steel!
; )
Thank you, Wadepool.