Through Superman's 5 Theatrical Features and Dozen attempted Reboots and sequels Only the original Four films have really had the right design for a Movie suit. We've had some great, and some godawful designs within the past 15-20 years of trying to make another Superman Film. Some designs focused on the Alien Aspect, others focused on not only rebooting the character but his design and others tried to innocently update the Man of Steel's iconic attire. The image above took me a few minutes to put together as it chronicles only some of the ideas used for Superman's Suit in attempted Reboots and Sequels while harboring back to the original Christopher Reeve design taken straight from the comics.
Each of the suits, aside from Reeve's of course, Had Probelms
Tim Burton(The all Black and sparkling one): NO just NO! Hell NO god No NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NONONONONONONONONONONONO NO "Darth Vader Voice: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!"
Brett Ratner's Designs: While i've said Superman shouldn't look like He's Mr.Olympia, he doesn't need anything looking like armor, Especially when even though it's a decent attempt at an update, it looks more like the Batman Begins suit then anything close to Superman.
McG: This was a decent looking Suit, while not really a Superman suit, i liked it, and the script it was based on(would've been killer original sci-fi series) but neither are Superman, The script is just too different and the McG designs give Superman too much of an imperial look, which is not Superman, He's a Boy Scout not a Military looking bmf. The suit has it's ups and downs, Downs are connecting cape to the S and getting rid of the red trunks, but it get's an A for effort.
Superman Returns Bryan Singer: Too Dark of Red, Too Light of Blue, the Symbol wasn't on the back of the cape, The Symbol on the chest was too small, the Red tights weren't as they should've been presented, Symbol on the belt(i personally was OK with the belt logo, but rather have it on cape.)
The point really of this editorial is me speaking my mind on the suit, in film, and how i might like to see Mr. Snyder present the suit, and theories on how he might present it. I want to state in advance this is all speculation, and i am still excited for the Superman Reboot as they are taking wonderful care of it.
Speculation begin:
We all know Zack Snyder is a heavy Comic Book fan, siting this with 300 and Watchmen under his belt as well as many promotional interviews where he stated such, I'm not sure on whether or not he'll attempt to update the design, but i do believe he might just think of the design in different lights. Part of me does fear that he will buckle down and do a CGI suit to give it the Alien texture, part of me also worries he'll do what he has done with Watchmen and give a decently designed suit, but made out of Rubber or Neoprene.
There are problems with all these ideas as well as advantages.
New Design: Might please new people giving them the idea Superman is cool, Could almost certainly piss of every single natural Superman fan who likes the suit as is.
Rubber or Neoprene: While giving Superman a bulkier look without forcing the actor to work out 20hrs a day, either material would also give superman a fresh looking suit
CGI: While the idea is intriguing and would allow for a neat design, it's just not right, Superman does have to express the alien in him but his suit is a fabrication of his mind, it's a tangible cloth, CGI works for Green Lantern because it's a construct, but Superman wears cloth and his uniform should stay that way.
Part of me really believes the design will be the same design we all love, part of me thinks he'll try to make it his own. I don't necessarily have a problem with the idea, just no one has really done a decent execution of it. Superman Returns came close to an acceptable update but had a number of Problems as mentioned above.
For me The Perfect Superman Suit must have:
- Medium sized S Shield, not as big as Alex Ross's but not as small as Bryan Singers.
- Yellow S on the back of the cape.
- Red trunks for his junk.
- Decently colored blue to match the suit.
- Red boots Yellow belt.
Really the way I'd like the Suit to be Presented is one of two ways(not counting just doing the original look, but with a longer cape, like the Jim Lee look.) Which is from two different comic book artist, but since i like to do things in ABC order, I'll start with the first of the two artist:
LEE BERMEJO (Artist of LEX LUTHOR: MAN OF STEEL)
(Sorry i couldn't find one in color presenting the look intended)
I really love Lee Bermejo's look, it's the classic design fitted to a leather like material, that in my opinion might be up Snyder's ally, It's like an updated design without being an updated design. I love it, I've loved it since i seen the look in "LL:MOS" Personally it's one of a few times where I've seen Superman's attire looking Film-able, it seems like it is perfectly established for a film where they update Superman's surroundings, it has everything too, Red Trunks, Classic suit design, and even had the Yellow S shield on the cape, i could really dig this design if it did make it to film. I'm not sure many others would like it but i would definitely dig it.
SHANE DAVIS(SUPERMAN: EARTH ONE):
For the idea of using spandex this would be close to perfect for an updated superman look without looking like you're trying to make it updated. Particularly i love the yellow around the symbol which i believe is a tribute to Fleischer which is really good. It carries the Superman feeling, and it looks pretty sleek, the only real change i would make is carry on the hemlines from under his chest to all the way down his arms, with the Dark blue on the inside and a lighter shade of blue on the outside, personally this looks like the best option for an updated Suit, it has everything, red trunks, yellow s on back of cape, superman design, it really is close to perfect.
Personally put the right unknown in either of those suits and I'm solidly sold that it will be the best Superman film Since Superman II Richard Donner Cut. And quite possible the most action packed Superman movie of all time. I hope this Film does well, I pray this Film is amazing, and I wish it was 2012 already so we could get a damn look at the film. Any way this is just a small bit of my mind going at the idea of what Superman's suit should look like.
Comment below on what you guys think the Superman Unifrom should look like, Agree? Disagree? All opinions are welcome as long as they're well argued, and are not offensive to any person of any religion or race or sexuality(gender or preference)
Thank you.