So here we are 3 years after the disaster that Superman Returns was and we are still waiting for a film that will once again make you believe a man can fly. Bryan Singer had his crack at the once successful franchise but failed to impress. With a lackluster script and poor acting Superman Returns was seen by many but loved by few. Here we are in 2009 and we have yet to see a quality Superman film in almost 30 years. Well the folks over at Newsarama.com are reporting that the newest installment of the Superman franchise is being delayed by a lawsuit filed by The Siegel estate.
The Superman movie franchise is split up between DC, Warner Brothers and the The Siegel estate. The Siegel estate is alleging that the current deal between DC and Warner Bros. does not reflect fair market value for the upcoming Man Of Steel film. In laymen's term that means The Superman franchise would make a lot more money if the film were open for all studios to bid on not just Warner Brothers.
The Siegel estate is dead on regarding their argument. If all the studios were able to bid on whom gets to distribute The Man of Steel then that would increase revenue for the The Siegel estate. There is no argument against that. I believe, however, that The Siegel estate is barking up the wrong tree. Instead of worrying about how they will decide who will distribute the film (Warner Bro's has done a fine job with the previous installments) The Siegel estate needs to concern themselves with heavier issues. Starting out with who will be the main villain? Can we finally see a villain that not only puts Superman in his most desperate hour but one that will also show us how well Superman can actually fight and how strong he truly is? We have not seen that since the glory days of Christopher Reeve and Terence Stamp and unfortunately the outcome of that fight was a let down. Braniac, Dark Seid, or Doomsday should have their shot at the big screen. Who will direct? Hopefully The Man of Steel will get a director that WILL NOT impose his own will on the Script. If The Siegel estate and whoever distributes this film worries about these two issues and uses a model that has worked in the past then The Man of Steel will be one to remember and will make more money then even Superman can lift. If not then unfortunately this upcoming movie has a chance of being a bigger let down then Superman Returns.
Jman