So there is a bit of quandary involving the Superman films. When will there be another film? Who knows, at the rate WB are going with their assortment of DC films. However, a Superman flick would undoubtedly bring in a large general audience and mega bucks for WB. The ongoing question is: What would you like to see in a Superman film. Many enthusiasts are calling for more action. There is no doubt that a Superman film needs plenty of fight action and so on but simply gorging the movie with action is just not enough to truly give the Superman mantle a good showing. Bring on a viable, multi-dimensional villain. Or perhaps, villains. A Superman film does not necessarily have to include one antagonist. Why not two or even three per movie?
Based on current trends, it seems likely that at the very least we should get a Superman trilogy. Although there is definitely allowance for more than three films. However, with the anticipation of a Justice League movie as well, how many Superman films could we actually expect?
We need to a get a wide and varied fan based opinion as to which villains we would like to see in a Superman trilogy. Which villains would you like to see in a Superman franchise? There is plenty of consensus centring on Brainiac. If I had a choice, I would like to see both Metallo and Brainiac in the first instalment. The involvement of Metallo would allow for plenty of fight action, which is then later followed by the introduction of Brainiac. Lex Luthor can also appear but not as the main antagonist, but rather as the manipulative, behind-the-scenes mastermind pulling all the strings and thereby setting up Superman for a confrontation with both Metallo and Brainiac.
It would be interesting to have Doomsday as the villain in the second instalment. However, there are a number of pros and cons when it comes to Doomsday.
Pros:
Lots of fight action. A plethora of stupendous CGI and destruction. A good lead on to a third instalment - the unfortunate matter with this con is that it would be a two or three year wait for the third film.
Cons:
Doomsday is one-dimensional. How do you draw-out the Doomsday scenario in a two-hour or two-and-a-half hour movie? Is Doomsday enough to make a monumental film? Do you really want the entire feature film to be a punch-up? More is needed than a slugfest. Even the WWE offers a bit more than that! In my opinion, Doomsday is probably only good for about 30 minutes to 45 minutes anyway. I can't really see how a decent Superman film can have the death of Superman last for more than 2 hours. My proposal is that a multitude of villains is required. Superman can deal with these agitators first and thus allow for a more plausible, comprehensive story and film. In addition to Doomsday, who would make a fitting foe for Supes? How about Intergang, Parasite, Live Wire, Bizzaro, Mxyzptlk, Toyman, Mongul, and Ultra-Humanite just to name a few. I am not saying use all of them at once. Neither am I saying use any of them. Heck, maybe even Brainiac can return in a minor way. Who says that Brainiac has to be permanently killed off if he is availed in the first instalment of the Superman films? I feel than an encompassed Superman film can have Superman dealing with a diversified assortment of villains and how it affects him and his life as Superman and Clark Kent. What I mean by this is that these villains are not going to be major players as a whole but rather just secondary villains that are keeping Superman occupied and how he has to deal with them on a daily basis. In other words, as Superman dispenses with one villain, another emerges thus giving plenty of scope for fight incidences and an emotional context as well. What of course is also needed is the love angle between Lois Lane and Clark/Superman. Then perhaps Doomsday makes an appearance for the final, dramatic conclusion.
The third instalment. Which villain is worthy of being Supers nemesis in this third instalment? Well, assuming Doomsday kills Superman in the second instalment, possibly Darkseid. Although a battle between Superman and Darkseid would be epic, we still need to consider the villain for the JLA movie. Perhaps Darkseid is better for the JLA movie instead. If that's the case, then Mongul might be a possible choice for the third Superman film. The inclusion of Mongul then opens a likely tie-in with the JLA movie and Hal Jordan (depending on the direction in which the Green Lantern movie goes). However, I am not so sure if everyone is going to agree with the choice of Mongul. Is he appropriate for a single antagonist? Is he the best choice of villain for a Superman movie? I personally would like to see Darkseid. If indeed Darkseid is the villian, who will the main antagonist be in a JLA movie? Perhaps Despero and another phenomenal villain for JLA movie.
The issue of who will ultimately face-off against Superman is an interesting one. So, let us her what the CBM community has to say. We should have plenty of convincing arguments as to whom the rogues gallery shall feature for hopefully the soon to come refreshed Superman franchise.