SNYDER'S MAN OF STEEL: JOHN WILLIAMS SUPERMAN THEME - YAY or NAY?

SNYDER'S MAN OF STEEL: JOHN WILLIAMS SUPERMAN THEME - YAY or NAY?

Should Zack Snyder's new Man of Steel movie use the iconic Superman Theme Music scored by John Williams?

What are your thoughts?

Editorial Opinion
By SuperSomething616 - Dec 14, 2010 12:12 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman



Hello people,

You'll have to bare with me as this is my first article on CBM.com, so please excuse the roughness. I just sat down to watch Superman: The Movie and I got to thinking, should Zack Snyder's Man of Steel use the John Williams scored Superman Theme Music or not?

I believe there are reasons why they should use the theme and reasons they should not. Here are my thoughts:

Firstly reasons that I believe they should use it are:

The John Williams Superman Theme Music is just as iconic today as the character himself. Everytime I read a Superman Comic or watch Superman in his many different forms of media I always have this particular score of music running through my head (whether it is Lois & Clark: The new Adventures of Superman or the 90's animation). Whenever I think of Superman I think of this theme.

I am sure I am not alone on this and this is probably just as valid today thanks still to the someone dissapointing Bryan Singer Superman Returns.

Just as everyone on the planet knows who Superman is when this music is played everyone knows it is Supermans theme.

Also could anyone seriously come up with a theme that could top this for Man of Steel? I highly doubt it..

Secondly reasons that I believe they won't use the theme are:

Snyder's Man of Steel is a new telling of the Superman Legend (I refrain from using the term 'reboot' as this film will have no ties to the originals and I believe 'reboot' is not the appropriate word) Therefore it should be original to its core and have no links to the original Donner/Singer films.

Also as this is a new modern telling of the Superman Legend for a new generation we should really have a new theme to go along with what will hopefully be the Superman film we have waited for since the original Donner films in the 80's.

Anyway this is something that I have been pondering as of late and would appreciate your thoughts on the matter?

Thank you for taking the time to read my article.
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StrangerX
StrangerX - 12/14/2010, 1:11 PM
I would love to hear it at some point in the movie, but a new score is probably a must.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 12/14/2010, 1:25 PM
THE ORIGINAL SCORE IS A MUST!!!



Zack ain't stupid, like I've said many a times!

Nothing has ever touched it since... nothing will!

Mighty fine 1st article dude, thumbs up!
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 12/14/2010, 1:26 PM
ICONIC as STAR WARS!!!
Angelus
Angelus - 12/14/2010, 2:38 PM
I think the Williams theme is mindblowing. But it is a theme from a different time. It all depends on the Supes character they are portraying. I would love it if they kept some motifs. But the main theme wont work, I think. But the problem is that the theme is too tightly connected to Superman that the audience would be kinda, sad(?) I guess if it wasnt featured. But I still think the motif is a good choice.

BMP!
tazmaniak
tazmaniak - 12/14/2010, 3:09 PM
Any fans of the Superman:TAS version?
Tenaciousbt
Tenaciousbt - 12/14/2010, 4:54 PM
Oh yeah, the original theme is absolutly essential. We shouldn't let Bryan Singer ruin that for us. Synder should reclaim it.

pensamos
pensamos - 12/14/2010, 7:02 PM
Superman: TSA version is great too. But I think we need to update John Williams's version. The music will define the movie and John william's theme is too reminiscent of
the 80s Superman, nothing wrong with the 80s movies, just we need an updated version of Superman that is going to stand alone.
LP4
LP4 - 12/14/2010, 8:12 PM
No more Williams. We had that theme in 5 Superman films already. This is a reboot people so time to move on and stop clinging to the past so tightly. We need a refreshing and NEW theme song. I watched and enjoyed the donner films as a kid but seriously donner has run his course and I just want a NEW direction for Superman for once. Other heroes got fresh (dare I say)- REBOOTS. It is Superman's turn now. I say Williams belongs in the PAST with donner. I don't want either of those guys to even TOUCH this new film. This is our chance to finally have a legit REBOOT for Superman. I say- people should learn to let go of donner, reeve and williams.
LP4
LP4 - 12/14/2010, 8:16 PM
@tazmaniac and superguy- that IS the best Superman theme EVER- gotta love STAS!!! And yes "Tazmaniac" I was a HUGE fan of STAS much more than the donner films
Flop123
Flop123 - 12/14/2010, 8:27 PM
@LP4-I agree if this film is finally going to be this generations Superman then we need to do a TOTAL reboot. We're already heading in the right direction with Synder at the helm, so IMO we need a new score too (or at least a modified one). Now all we need to know is WHO is gonna dawn the cape! (even though I personally didn't mind Routh that much. He at least looked the part to me)
LP4
LP4 - 12/14/2010, 8:27 PM
@tenaciousbt- No, Snyder shouldn't "reclaim" the Williams theme. He should instead claim HIS OWN theme, unique to HIM and the Superman REBOOT.

It would make no sense for him to bring back an outdated theme song from the 80's that originated with a completely different director. Williams is synonymous with Donner. I feel Snyder should bring in a new composer and give us something NEW. Something he can be known for brining to the table. By bringing back Williams, Snyder would be shorting himself. He is a talented man and deserves to choose a composer of his choice. To continually beg for Williams is an insult to Snyder and his great talent. He will choose a great NEW composer to replace Williams just like how he will choose a great, NEW actor for Superman to replace Christopher Reeve (Routh was no Superman to me and many others) so like I said- No williams, no donner and no reeve= SUCCESS as we will finally have a TRUE Superman film- set apart from all the rest and standing on its own two feet.
Knightstalker
Knightstalker - 12/14/2010, 8:29 PM
No! Please let go of this obsession with the Donner-verse. Let's all chug on over to re-hash land and do absolutely NOTHING original. Did we learn nothing at all from Bryan Singer?
LP4
LP4 - 12/14/2010, 8:31 PM
@Flop123- Yeah thanks for agreeing about the composer at least ;)

I didn't like routh. He lacks charisma in most of his roles. Plus this is a reboot, bringing back Routh, the general audience will be thinking "man this is a sequel to that boring film back in 2006"

We need a new cast, new composer and new direction. We got the new direction in Snyder. Now all we need is a new actor and a new composer.

I want NOTHING to be reminiscent of Donner or Reeve in this new film.
Flop123
Flop123 - 12/14/2010, 8:35 PM
Also IMO Superman-TAS and Justice League were some of the best Superman media that I've seen to date, and I think it would be cool if Synder would use some of those story elements in the new movie.
Flop123
Flop123 - 12/14/2010, 8:41 PM
I really just hope they make a good, solid Superman movie for once. Enough with the old crap of the 80's, it's almost 2011 for crying out loud! This might be our last chance to see the Man Of Steel on the big screen for a long time if this movie fails.
CaptainPresley
CaptainPresley - 12/15/2010, 3:38 AM
As much as I love the Williams theme, I think it should be totally new music. It made sense for Singer to use it, because it was a sequel to the Donner films. Look back to 1978 when Williams scored the first film. It was a reboot for Superman. The prior George Reeves film/ TV series was hugely popular for it's time with a well known theme and narration, yet Williams used none of it in his score. Time for a new score to help define a new era of Superman. Besides no one asked for Burton or Nolan to include the 1966 Batman theme in their films, and it's probably as well known as Williams' Superman theme.
SuperSomething616
SuperSomething616 - 12/15/2010, 4:25 AM
Thanks for the kind words LEEE777 8)

I was thinking of a poll Banekill77 but couldnt quite figure out the setup lol think i'll try a poll next time ;)

I think youre right the John Williams Superman theme is just as iconic as Star Wars...I'm torn between wanting it in the new film and wanting something fresh!!

Maybe compromise would be to have it while the end credits roll...Thanks everyone for posting your comments thus far...thats put a big smile on my face 8)
ChrisW
ChrisW - 12/15/2010, 5:52 AM
The music is a classic, no doubt, and that's where it should stay, in 1978-1986. There is a lot of good stuff in there to be salvaged but when you hear it in it's original form it kind of dorks off..... by "dorks off" I mean, the music is extremely dorky. Only an absolute dork would like that song. Kids aren't thrilled to hear that old classic song anymore. It does little to inspire kids to jump out their 3 story windows. There are far better songs in today's comic book movies then the old style written by a now 86 year old man. They need to make a Superman that isn't queer. I'm sick of seeing Superman be played as a whack-zombie. Can we just avoid the go around. Give the guy some depth and not be so dumb. I mean, the peeping tom routine was ridiculous. The music is old, they can rip it off and update it for today's audience. Or they can just THROW IT OUT all together. I'm 99.9% against having that song ever be played ever again in a superman movie. It's almost as dumb as the Homer Simpson singing Spiderpig.
LP4
LP4 - 12/15/2010, 6:57 AM
So far "Superguy1591" has been spot-on with everything he has said. "Flop123" "TheMan2099" and "CaptainPresley" I totally agree with as well. We are overdue for a good/solid Superman film. 5 films and none were even that great. The first 2 were only good cuz at the time they were released, there weren't many/close to no CBM's released and of course they were the first Superman films. But compared to today's standards they DON'T hold up at all.
naterator
naterator - 12/15/2010, 11:55 AM
As much as I appreciate everyone's opinions here and how they dont want to link this film to any previous films ...i only have this to say. I loved SR. Sure it had some surprises and felt a little choppy BUT if theres one thing that made me LOVE it and not just like it...or even if i HATED IT....the ONE thing that had me watch it over and over was the SCORE. JOHN WILLIAMS should NOT be touched. All who loved the original 1978 Superman Soundtrack should defintley buy this! John Ottman delivered a powerful moving emotional score for Superman Returns. i LOVED what Ottman did upon adding to the original score. Its an iconic theme that shouldnt be redone. Add to it like Ottman did but dont scrap it! Batman was able to be redone because he never really did have an iconic score....Superman is the most iconic heroe out there and to mess with the score would by far disappoint the long time fan of the character. IMO. Im certain others will agree with me. You can change the actors but the music should remain the same.
MintBerryCrunch
MintBerryCrunch - 12/15/2010, 4:53 PM
New continuity = new musical score. End of story.
LP4
LP4 - 12/15/2010, 6:52 PM
Funny that many of the people here who wanted routh to come back are the same people who want the Williams score to come back and some even mentioned on past articles that they wanted donner to produce the film. So do you people even WANT a reboot????! Just really curious.
LP4
LP4 - 12/15/2010, 6:56 PM
@KnightStalker- I totally agree with you buddy :) people obsess with donner too much
cbostont102
cbostont102 - 12/16/2010, 9:03 AM
@TheMan2009 -- I don't think it "dorks out" at all. It's a classic piece of work by arguably one of the most brilliant composers of the past 100 years. P.S. - Spider-pig was one of the funnier moments in The Simpsons for me so we'll have to agree to disagree.

@LP4 -- "Williams is synonymous with Donner". I don't think so...Williams is synonymous with fantasic film scores and composition would be more accurate in my opinion. I know he did great work for Donner but he's done a bit more for let's say, Steven Spielberg.

@Tazmaniac -- Thanks for posting the STAS clip...I never heard it and it's a nice piece of work...I can imagine it being in the film somewhere.

I love the how comments inevitable turned to Routh/Welling!
BobGarlen
BobGarlen - 12/16/2010, 3:17 PM
What i would prefer is keep the Willaims Score for the Opening Credits but give new character themes that way you can cator to both audiences
Knightstalker
Knightstalker - 12/16/2010, 11:20 PM
Thanks LP4, it's nice to see that so many people out there have good taste and good sense. The people who live in the Donner-verse and idolize Christopher Reeve and like the old movie should stay home and watch the old movies on their VCR (or DVD if they even have one) while the rest of us go enjoy the new movie.
Layperson
Layperson - 12/17/2010, 1:59 AM
I think some small integration of Williams' score would be good. I'm all for the reboot, but if we're going to have anything from any of the movies it has to be the score. But it should be small (even though it really is the greatest single score in movie history)
cbostont102
cbostont102 - 12/17/2010, 7:47 AM
@BaneKill77 -- Well said....
cbostont102
cbostont102 - 12/17/2010, 7:57 AM
Williams has just done such an incredible job creating signature pieces of work for so many things. How many people go into the water without the Jaws theme popping into their head at some point.

I don't think of Donner, Reeve, Singer or Routh when I hear William's Superman theme I think one thing...SUPERMAN!

I don't remember when Smallville first used the faint echo of "da dada da da"...but I can tell you that I got goosebumps when I heard it. Why is that? It's because you felt as a viewer that "this is it"...Superman is on his way...(granted we're still waiting! haha)
Knightstalker
Knightstalker - 12/19/2010, 11:27 AM
Thanks for equating me with zealots and terrorists BaneKill77. What a great analogy. Please excuse me if I get a little frustrated with people who can't let go of something that has been run into the ground and clearly is out of date. The Williams music is classic, iconic, and will always be associated with Superman, but that doesn't mean it isn't time for something new and just as iconic. Perhaps Nolan should have used Burton's Batman theme for his CBM or maybe even the music from the old TV show.

I'm curious about something. You said I lied about people who like the Williams theme idolize Reeve. What, specifically was that lie?

As for the snipe on people with VCRs, my apologies to those who were offended. You clearly missed the point of that comment. Personally, I have two of them as well as DVD and Blu-Ray. The point of that comment was targeted at the people who can't let go of the past and have difficulty embracing the future.
Knightstalker
Knightstalker - 12/19/2010, 11:31 AM
Again, my apologies for being such a big, bad, meanie.
Knightstalker
Knightstalker - 12/19/2010, 6:35 PM
Just think about this for a moment. As soon as anyone hears the Williams theme, it immediately evokes an expectation of direction and tone for the new movie that would take away from any chance of rebooting the franchise. Using William's theme in the reboot would be a huge mistake.

I suggest that you go back and watch Superman Returns again and please just realize that Reeve is all over that film. The whole movie was an homage to Christopher Reeve and Richard Donner. I will not take away from what those two gentlemen accomplished. They paved the way for serious comic book movies. They were ahead of their time. However, rehashing the same old movie over and over again just doesn't cut it. I really want the new Superman movie to rise above all the rest and re-establish Superman as the greatest of all superheroes. One more failure will likely sink the franchise into obscurity for a very long time.

As for my great "lie". That was opinion, and just because my opinion differs from yours does not make me a liar. All you are saying there is that your opinion is fact. I did not cite any established canon nor did I quote anything ever written about the Superman mythos.

Having said that, I think perhaps you should get over your bad self, get off your high horse, and stop being so damned sensitive. Seriously, get a tissue, Sally. Oh yes, and get a spelling and grammar check as well.
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