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The origin story – keep it limited:
So far, we are led to assume that this movie will incorporate Superman’s origins. Whilst updating the story for a modern audience is relevant, it is entirely undesirable for more than half of the movie’s narrative to be consumed with the retelling of the origin. An opening montage or flashback method would be ideal to relate Superman’s origin. The benefit of relating the origin in this format is that more screen time is retained for a story that functions on multiple levels. In addition, it allows for a truly threatening villain to be established. How can the filmmakers seriously set up a villain’s introduction, present the threat he poses, have Superman fight it out with said villain and still have an elaborate origin story in the beginning? An over-extended origin would compromise the integrity of the film as well as the opportunity to infuse action into the narrative. In other words – more origin equals less action
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Fighting style:
What do Mohammed Ali and The Man of Steel have in common? A great right hook! The Kryptonian is an expert boxer and as such he should be depicted as so. Hands-up if you want to see Superman lay the smackdown on his opponent. In addition to an overhand right, Superman can utilize a variety of wrestling moves. He would be like a street fight i.e. no holds barred. Imagine the craters a super powered showdown would create. Here are some of examples of wrestling moves that Superman could employ: a double axe handle blow; suplex (or superplex); and body slam or a gut-wrench power bomb. These types of moves would satiate anyone demanding a slug-fest. Below is a video of one my favourites, the gutwrench power bomb. | |
Note to Zack Snyder: I think you inherit tendency for the use of slow
motion can lend itself very easily for a thunderous Rock Bottom
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The iconic costume
The iconic costume is actually a symbol of The Man of Steel himself. It is Superman’s identifiable brand just like the Bat suit is for Batman. Try and imagine Superman’s costume without the red “Speedo”. The red Speedo completes the suit and therefore it is an important and relevant necessity. Without the Speedo, the costume would appear as a seamless body suit. Therefore, the iconic suit is the best option because it works. Exchange the spandex for another body hugging material (such as the type used for Sam Raimi’s Spider-Man), add some textural patterning and viola – the suit becomes more interesting.
The utilization of vibrant primary colours is vital - bright blue, red and yellow. These colours need to be 100% pure to represent the good nature of the Kryptonian. Prominent “S” on his chest and cape. |
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Name-dropping Easter eggs
Not many comic book geeks would deny that name-dropping would be fun. It would make the film more exciting and. So, what names or places are worthy of mention?
- Clark Kent is out of the Daily Planet office covering a story when someone phones to speak to him. One of Clark’s colleagues takes a message. The message is from a detective called John Jones.
- Mention other cities like Gotham or Coast City
- One of Clark’s colleagues is named “Jack Sur”
- Rudy Jones is a janitor
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Other Easter eggs
- A hint of a design or prototype for Lex Luthor’s armoured battled suit
- Earth scientists discovering what appears to be the remnant of some sort of annihilated civilization on Mars (the discovery appears as a front news story in the Daily Planet newspaper and in live media coverage)
- Phantom Zone and a means with which to open a portal to it
- Warworld, Apokolips and Oa depicted on a Kryptonian console or monitor
- Cadmus Labs
- Mention of Weghtor, Mithen and Koron (Krypton’s moons). In the comics an atomic missile obliterated Weghtor and 500 Kryptonians. Perhaps a “mindless monster” was restrained on this moon.
- A Green Lantern of sector 2813
- A hint to the location of a shrunken Kandor
- A bystander wearing a Legion ring
- A tall blonde man in orange and green pulls an innocent bystander out of harms way during a scene involving profuse danger
- Someone wearing a t-shirt with the word “Bastich” printed on it
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Lex Luthor:
“Villainy wears many masks, none of which so dangerous as virtue.”
Ichabod Crane (Johnny Depp) in Sleepy Hollow |
There is utterly no way that Lex Luthor be omitted from this movie. He is Superman’s foil and arch nemesis. Lex needs to be highly intelligent, ruthless, a cunning manipulator, self-righteous, and the “puppet master” of several “puppet” characters (such as Metallo). Herewith are the qualities that should be inferred in Luthor’s character: Lex is a suave billionaire. The media and Metropolis’s citizens perceive him as a humanitarian. This allows him to revel in the limelight. Unbeknownst to the police and media is Lex's affiliations with Bruno Mannheim and Intergang who have associations with the crime syndicates in Gotham. The man possesses extensive scientific and engineering knowhow and is owner of the conglomerate LexCorp. He is the epitome of the Ichabod Crane quote mentioned above.
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Use of the Daily Planet’s headlines as a plot device:
The Daily Planet newspaper is an integral element . Why not make use of a printed newspaper front-page story to add to the movie? It can be used as a tool to drop some Easter eggs, as can a TV news story.
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Plot versus action:
A good movie involves a plot that allows for a complex character driven story. The action must not become more important than the plot. Following this notion, we must realize that a strong character piece must not negate the action either. Therefore, what we need is a sustainable balance of action versus plot. One cannot overcompensate for the other, but rather act as mutual reinforcement.
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A unified DC Universe:
Is it so inconceivable for DC/WB to combine their heroes and villains in one unified DC Universe? Providing cameos would in fact enhance the prospects for multitudes of other DC movies and the culmination of a Justice League movie. Why not follow suit with Marvel and aim for a Justice League movie.
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Clark Kent:
Clark Kent must be relatable. At the Daily Planet, he most not be the most popular guy nor should be the loner who likes to eat lunch by himself. He must simply blend in and appear harmless and mild-mannered. It would be interesting to depict him as a bit of a neat freak (which irritates Lois) and has a liking for orange juice. Dean Cain’s character from Lois and Clark: The Adventures of Superman once said that Clark is who he is and Superman is what he does. Well, this sounds like a good way of combining both personalities. The Clark Kent persona must not be overlooked in favour of the Superman persona. A balance needs to exist between the Clark Kent and Superman personas. |
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Supporting characters:
The film should also focus on what has made Superman so popular and successful in the comics. This statement applies to his supporting characters and villains. Although Superman epitomizes the virtuous traits of humanity, he still has to contend with very human emotions and relationships. This is exactly why his supporting characters are important. What affect does these burdens have on his relationships? A love triangle between Clark, Lois and Superman would be interesting and would be an ideal means to supply some humour. Maybe Miss Lane starts having suspicions that Superman and Clark are never present at the same time.
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Superman’s humanity and villain/s:
The Man of Steel represents the best aspects of humanity. He is righteous, virtuous and altruistic. A true hero knows that he will have to make sacrifices and this notion applies to Superman. A worthy Superman movie needs to depict how he overcomes defeat. Superman’s greatest weakness is, ironically, his humanity. The super villain would serve to exploit that weakness and challenge the man morally and physically. Superman’s rogues gallery contains many antagonists who are Superman’s figurative opposite. Superman is powerful and therefore what is needed is a villain that is equally as powerful. The choice of villain must be more than an excuse to supply action.
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Fancast
You did not think this editorial would end without the inclusion of some casting ideas did you? Below here are some actors that I have chosen for respective roles in this flick: