Now that
Superman Returns writers Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris have decided not to participate in the Warner Bros. sequel,
Superman: Man of Steel, the door is open to new writers with a fresh take on the character. One person vying for the job is acclaimed comic book writer Mark Millar, whose
Elseworlds tale for DC Comics,
Superman: Red Son, was well received by fans and critics alike, earning a 2004 Eisner Award nomination for best limited series.
Millar recently posted this statement on his blog:
It's 8.58am right now, my guys at CAA get into the office in about seven hours and my call will be waiting for them to talk about this. I want to revamp Superman like Hillary wants thin ankles. Revamping this franchise is what I as given fingers for and so, invited or not, I'm putting my plan together now. I've been asked to work on half a dozen screenplays lately, but this is the only one I have ever truly wanted.
As most here know, I have literally hundreds of pages of notes and sketches just waiting for this opportunity. This would be my dream gig and, as a fan, I know exactly what this project needs to work. This has to be Superman for the 21st Century, keeping everything we adore, but starting from scratch and making the kids love it as much as the 30-somethings. I would honestly write this thing for free.
Anyway, my treatment is being polished as we type. Wish me luck. I want to do that Superman movie we all want to see.
It is not clear whether Bryan Singer, who worked with Dougherty and Harris on both
X2: X-Men United and
Superman Returns, will remain on board as director.
This would not be Millar’s first foray into major motion pictures. Millar’s creator-owned comic book,
Wanted, published by Top Cow, has been adapted for film and is currently in production at Universal Pictures. The film is being shot in Chicago and Prague and stars Angelina Jolie and Morgan Freeman.
Superman: Man of Steel is tentatively slated for a June 2009 release.