Challenge 2012: Grounding Superman with a realistic and modern approach.

Challenge 2012: Grounding Superman with a realistic and modern approach.

Successful CBMs of the past decade (Spiderman, Batman, Ironman) have woven realistic elements into extraordinary characters, is this possible for a character like Superman?

Editorial Opinion
By Trapdinsteel - Apr 18, 2011 10:04 AM EST
Filed Under: Superman

We have heard countless interviews with “Man of Steel” director Zack Snyder saying how Superman must be grounded with a sense of realism in a modern take on the character. Sure, that can easily work for characters like Batman and Ironman who do not have any superhuman abilities but rather rely on technological advantages. But also in a sense, Spiderman and Green Lantern share this human connection as they started off as normal everyday human beings who have extraordinary powers bestowed upon them by a spider-bite and an all powerful ring, respectively. So the question is, how can Superman, an alien, be related to any type of realistic scenario?

I am not sure what Snyder (Direction)/Nolan (Story)/Goyer (Script) have in store for us, but I believe I can provide one possible answer to that question.

From wikipedia:
“Certain authors theorize that intelligent extraterrestrial beings called ancient astronauts or ancient aliens have visited Earth, and this contact is connected with the origins or development of human cultures, technologies, and religions. A common variant of the idea include proposals that deities from most, if not all, religions are actually extraterrestrials, and their technologies were taken as evidence of their divine status.”





The History Channel series “Ancient Aliens” explores Gods, advanced civilizations, un-explained remnants of a past that leaves a trail of eerie and unsettling questions in our present time. Is the answer, that Earth was actually visited by aliens? I am more of a skeptic with these types of things, however the fact that these are actual theories being passed around to “explain” the unexplainable from the history of our planet is an interesting way to ground the character of Superman into some form of realism.



With that said, how better to tie the character of Superman to our present than by relating our unexplained history on Earth to the history of Krypton? What if a group of ancient Kryptonians found a way to come to Earth and act as Gods among mortals (see egyptian God of Sun “Ra” for example or the various Gods based upon the Sun which would power these Kryptonian deities)? This scenario could easily be weaved into a story about how the prideful majority of Krypton frowned against this practice of ruling over a primitive Earth and eventually punished these Kryptonians who pretended to be Gods for sharing tidbits of technology and culture with the likes of earthlings. That could be an explanation to why all of a sudden these “Gods” disappeared from Earth leaving nothing of their presence other than colorful hieroglyphics and amazing temples (example Egyptian and Mayan ruins).

This could also tie into a “Birthright” story line where Clark is travelling the globe, almost like an Indiana Jones of sorts unlocking his Kryptonian past through remnants left behind around the world reporting as a travelling journalist on these wondrous sites. This could also explain why Kal-el’s parents knew to send him to Earth and why Zod eventually shows up, knowing that he could rule as a God following in the footsteps of those earlier Kryptonians before him (which he could be a descendant of perhaps?) What if Clark was content with not being a public figure until Zod shows himself first, claiming to be a returning deity who will rule the world picking up where the ancient Gods left off. At first they are unaware of eachother, but Zod could fill Kal-el in on his heritage as he tries to convince him to rule along side of him. Clark could then realize Zods true intentions to be Earth's dictator. This could be the motivation for Clark to rise up and take up the mantle of Superman.



Let me know of your thoughts on this idea and any others ways that you think Superman could possibly be handled with “realism.”
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invalensname
invalensname - 4/18/2011, 11:07 AM
Great article, and I love how you tie it in with Birthright. Excellent stuff.
LMFA0
LMFA0 - 4/18/2011, 11:38 AM
Why does everything have to be realistic? Superman is a fictional character that has no base in reality... I understand making the movie good but being a good movie and being realistic have nothing to do with eachother.
invalensname
invalensname - 4/18/2011, 11:48 AM
Grounding something in reality instantly makes it more easily identifiable- or more easy to relate to. Even lends it a sense of gravitas to an extent.
Sometimes, when movies are far too focused in fiction, they are hard to take seriously, or to allow oneself to fully engage with the characters. Now, I know this is a film about a man who flies.. but even look at him in comics. For me, Superman is a far more resonant character when his human qualities are made the forefront of the story. I hated Secret Origin- all that time travel nonsense, all those silly strands of whimsy that take away from the central character.
Whereas something like For All Seasons or Birthright are very engaging. Birthright really played with the human side of Clark, and even its sci-fi finale was revealed to be orchestrated by a human in a sort of Watchmen-giant-squid type way. It was the human side that won me over, the realistic side.
Trapdinsteel
Trapdinsteel - 4/18/2011, 12:24 PM
@LMFA0 - I think invalensname hit the nail on the head with making these films somewhat identifiable and having viewer buy-in to a relateable world. Sure Superman is a fictional character and you are correct in that realistic does not always = good in regards to movies. But I think the world that he lives in should be relateable enough to the viewer to keep them engaged.

To another point, I think the bar for CBMs has been raised with the likes of Spiderman, Batman, and Ironman because they were grounded with "realism" (as much as possible for fictional characters). The days of Superman spinning the world in reverse and pulling a saran wrap trap from his "S" are behind us, and I think the fictional character needs to be taken more seriously to keep up with the other heroes I mentioned.

Also, this article was directed more to the fact that Snyder has talked about "realism" and a "new story" that hasn't been considered. So this article wasn't really me campaigning for realism in a Superman film, I simply thought this might be a direction they could be headed in with what we have heard so far :)
LP4
LP4 - 4/18/2011, 12:51 PM
NICE editorial and theory on the film. I agree, your tie-in with Birthright was VERY clever and unique and your take on the overall direction of the film is really good!
Trapdinsteel
Trapdinsteel - 4/18/2011, 2:52 PM
@TheGODDAMNSUPERGUY - No offense taken. I am a big fan of Birthright as well so I certainly understand where you are coming from. From what we have heard, Zod is confirmed and there are rumors of Birthright tie-ins plus some new idea/approach to the character. This was just my attempt at merging all three of those points with a guess at what the "new approach" could be.

Perhaps you are onto something with the whole not able to "beat" Zod angle. Lets say they have a few knock out drag down brawls ending in draws where Superman realizes all he has done is cause damage and put human life in danger going toe to toe with Zod. And perhaps Superman, in his travels as Clark the reporter has discovered a link to the Phantom Zone through some sort of ancient "Brainiac" technology left behind from the former "gods". Well unknown to him, there could be a very good reason that technology was left behind and when he activates it, it does serve the purpose of locking away Zod, however it has opened up Pandora's box in a sense with bringing the villain Brainiac back to existence...for the sequel.

@LP4 - Thank you, I know you are a very passionate Superman fan from seeing your comments throughout CBM so I appreciate it.
LP4
LP4 - 4/18/2011, 4:11 PM
@Trapdinsteel- You know...hearing that just made my day man. Thanks dude, I can see you're a very passionate Supes-fanboy yourself :D

As is Superguy, haha that guy and I get into all kinds of trouble here on CBM all the time with other people throughout all the Superman articles ;D

But definitely I like where you went, tying it in with all the landmarks throughout human history then trying it in with Ancient Kryptonians. Good stuff dude, I really like it!!
mastarockafella
mastarockafella - 4/19/2011, 11:08 AM
Very interesting and I like the tie up to Birthright.
ShadowlordSavage
ShadowlordSavage - 4/19/2011, 11:14 AM
This was a very good article, you have some good ideas there, however I wouldn't want to see just Clark Kent for most of the movie. I hope they find a good balance between how much we see Superman and Clark, as well as a good balance between realism and fantasy.

You know Dawn of the Dead is Snyder's most grounded film so far, and it is his best film (critically) while 300's his most successful. As I've said before, a potential positive for this film could be Snyder not going over board with his style and making it a bit more realistic. I just hope he doesn't make it overly realistic as well.
Blueeyes
Blueeyes - 4/19/2011, 12:00 PM
@Trapdin steel
Great post.I really like that approach and it would fit with Birthright perfectly.Problem though is that THE tHOR MOVIE AS LREADY DONE THE god-Alien approach and people might feel Superman is ripping off.

@Shadowlord Savage
Im expecting us to see clark as much as we saw bruce in Batman begins
Tenaciousbt
Tenaciousbt - 4/19/2011, 1:17 PM
@ Trapdinsteel

Wow, really great article. I love the Ancient Aliens series, and I love Superman. So you can imagine how I feel about marrying the two ideas. Really though, this is a really smart and clever idea. Although I don't know how I feel about Zod showing himself first, it would explain that comment that Zack Snyder made before they announced "Zod" about the villian being someone that "some might call Superman."

Very cool ideas man. Since they are going with Zod, I hope they are doing something like what you've suggested here. That would rock!
Trapdinsteel
Trapdinsteel - 4/19/2011, 3:40 PM
@LP4 - it is easy to get fired up and get into a little trouble on these boards, feel free to tell me to chill out if I go off on a rant!

@Shadowlord - I think that is going to be the tough part with this film in balancing how to rewrite the beginning and not relying on the Donner origin but getting to Superman before half of the movie is over. Looking forward to seeing what they come up with though.

@Blueeyes - I see what you are saying. I do think it will be and can be handled differently. Thor is an actual God. While Superman has always had religious and Christ-like overtones my spin described above would be showing how the alien race of Kryptonians pretended to be Gods on earth taking advantage of the primitive culture and inadvertently impacting our history. Zod would then try to perpetuate this return of the Gods scenario whereas Superman would be there standing up to him and showing the world that he is merely a part of his adoptive planet and hopes to inspire instead of rule.

@tenaciousbt – Agree with you on both Supes and Ancient Aliens…although some of the “experts” they have on that series are ouuut there lol.

LP4
LP4 - 4/19/2011, 4:42 PM
@Trapdinsteel- I don't wanna tell you to stop, LOL people are going to have to deal with it ;D

But yeah clearly most everyone here agrees your idea is solid movie-material.

Hopefully Snyder comes on this site for some 'inspriation'

;D
rpintor1
rpintor1 - 4/21/2011, 4:10 AM
Movie is going to suck..
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