Brandon Routh says Superman Returns was done in by "Story Flaws"

Brandon Routh says Superman Returns was done in by "Story Flaws"

Routh looks back on Superman Returns...

Interview
By MalcomReynolds - Oct 29, 2011 09:10 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman Returns

Brandon Routh starred in the 2006 film, Superman Returns, as the man of steel. Before the film was released, there was a lot of hope and enthusiasm bringing back Superman to the big screen. However once the film was released, it was not received well by its loyal following, nor by critics. We spoke to Brandon Routh and Sam Huntington, who both starred in Superman Returns, and reunited for the horror/comedy Dylan Dog: Dead of Night, which opens in theatres April 29th.

Routh told us that while he liked Superman Returns, he admits there were flaws in the film. Routh also adds if given to chance to star in the reboot of Superman film, Superman: Man Of Steel, he feels he could have brought a little growth to the character, considering he is six years older and more mature than when the last film was released.

There is an audio clip but i cannot embed it for some reason.

Here is a transcript:

"I love the movie, I'll standby the movie, did it do everything that everyone and every fanboy wanted, no, I think their should have been fighting in it ,yes it would have been great, I would’ve like to of seen more of brnadon as superman flying as opposied to CGI superman flying yes, I think it pulled me out of the film a little bit, but they did an amazing job with it but some shots where not as good as others"

"Im 6 years older now then I was then, I'm more mature and I feel as tho I could’ve bought more reverence and maturity to the character then when I was 25.

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Canon108
Canon108 - 10/29/2011, 10:13 PM
I don't care what anyone says, I thought this was a decent film...yeah, it had it's flaws but it was still extremely watchable. Routh was a decent Superman and it would've been nice to see him do more then one film (Lazenby was a similar case with the Bond franchise)...I think the problem was Lex Luthor, so I think Routh has the right idea with the story flaws...

The character had been the villain in 4 out of the 5 films and has been beaten and used to death, I say don't use the character for a good 3 or 4 films since Superman has more then 1 villain in his rogue gallery...you don't see the Joker being used in every single Batman film because they would be sh!t if they did that...

This was the same problem that plagued the X-Men franchise...Magneto was the villain in the first three films and they could've moved on to Apocalypse, Mr. Sinister or Legion (my personal favorite)...hell they could've introduced the sentinels and Trask to go along with them and it still would've been more interesting then using the same villain in three films. Batman and Spider-Man change the villains up and that's why they're the most successful franchises to date...there's my constructive criticism for the day...
Shredder
Shredder - 10/29/2011, 10:53 PM

The film was 'done in' by a number of problems.

Donnerverse STILL being in play. Routh's wooden performance. The dreary look the film incorporated for whatever reason. Bosworth. Lex remaining a land swindler and apparently screwing old rich women as opposed to being a credible criminal mastermind. Hilarious story ideas, and yes ... a lack of action scenes.

The lack of action scenes was one of the things that was seen as a negative with Ang Lee's HULK. Superman Returns just repeated it three years later.
BlairCo
BlairCo - 10/29/2011, 11:46 PM
I'm part of the minority who enjoyed the movie. I thought Routh was a very convincing Superman, Kevin Spacey's Lex was brilliant, and they included Marlon Brando's voice for Jor-El. It did feel like Bryan Singer was trying make it it feel Donner-esque which it shouldn't have, and it did have its flaws, but I enjoyed it for what it was.
niknik
niknik - 10/30/2011, 12:56 AM
He's absolutely right about it. The biggest problems with that film were "story flaws" and lack of fighting/action just as he stated. It could still have been done with the Donner films as canon, but it didn't need to be 6 years later with Lois married and having a child. It should have been just one year after the last Reeves film and status quo for Lois. That and a super strong physical opponent such as Doomsday for him to duke it out with would have made it far better. Doomsday was supposed to be a product of Kryptonian engineering and supes did make a trip to what was left of Krypton and they DID have him nearly die at one point of the film. Tie all those together with a great battle and you have a good film without all those story flaws.

I still say that even with all those flaws it wasn't as terrible as some make it out to be. It was barely ok. Could have been great.
pepe
pepe - 10/30/2011, 3:17 AM
Singer destroys all CBM´s!!!!
megabatfan
megabatfan - 10/30/2011, 4:43 AM
I agree. Superman Returns is not as bad as most people make it out to be. I still enjoy watching it to this day. Sure there were things that were necessary (superman vs ANYONE PLEASE!!!).. Kate Bosworth was a horibble Lois imo. However, it was made as nod to the Donner films so I kinda see it as a re-make of Superman: The Movie
ROMACK
ROMACK - 10/30/2011, 4:50 AM
It had a very slow, character driven story, and very little superhero action. While having Spacey play Lex seemed genius at first...I mean what he creates a freakin Kryptonian Island?! WTF! A Kryptonite shank? Gimme a break!

Routh is right in alot of ways.
BATMANx
BATMANx - 10/30/2011, 5:42 AM
I agree too... Superman Returns was a Good movie not A Badazz Action movie.. but it was more Base on Superman starting over again to find his place in the world after being gone for Seven years.. And Brandon Routh was a Great Superman.. the lois lane and lex luther were bad..
Fantine
Fantine - 10/30/2011, 6:07 AM
He was a respectful Superman. I enjoyed the movie as a taster for the sequels that never happened. But i think its worthy of being considered a good Superman movie.

And Routh was excellent, he was let down by the script. Singer was too concerned with making a tribute to the Reeve movies.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 10/30/2011, 6:09 AM
It was a billions time better that SHITSVILLE!

End of! : P

Anyways ROUTH for JLA Superman as Cavill wont be involved... bring em both on! ; D

Yo Peeps! ; P
MrReese
MrReese - 10/30/2011, 6:49 AM
[frick] U MR.ROUTH!!!
JDUKE25
JDUKE25 - 10/30/2011, 8:00 AM
@LEEE long time no see buddy. SOrry but i'm gonna have to disagree with you on this one lol. At least Smallville portrayed Lex as this corporate man who did experiments and got more evil as seasons went on, Lois was actually good, and there's was SOME fighting. Grant it, it was only about 2 minutes, but still ;). Wasn't perfect by any means, and was absolute crap sometimes. But still...lol
Ha1frican
Ha1frican - 10/30/2011, 8:45 AM
it was good if you take it as a part of the old films which it was meant to be but as a reboot which many thought it was not as action packed as people hoped, plus a few problems (a little kryptonite almost kills him but he can lift a continent of it?)
marvel72
marvel72 - 10/30/2011, 9:00 AM
five things that made the film shit......

1.being able to lift a kryptonite island.

2.having to heal himself in a hospital bed when he could use the sun.

3.superman having a son with lois lane.

4.kate bosworth as lois lane.

5.superman still not punching anything.

the only good scene lasts for about four minutes.
marvel72
marvel72 - 10/30/2011, 9:07 AM
@ leee777

how have you been mate? its weird without you & your comments on the site.
6of13
6of13 - 10/30/2011, 9:30 AM
Biggest mistake was not totally rebooting the film back then - i.e. continuing the franchise. At least Man of Steel looks promising and more action.
ManofSteel23
ManofSteel23 - 10/30/2011, 10:09 AM
LOL this site is so contradictory because ALL this article is copied from someone elses,I read this off the original article that man of steel facebook posted,are you suppost to put it into your own words...
Oxion
Oxion - 10/30/2011, 2:18 PM
Routh is a fantastic Superman and would love to see him come back. Welling did a great job for being on just the TV screen, he has 10 years to prove it whether some of you like it or not cuz apparently somebody had to of been watching it. Give credit where credit is due people, actors act, they do as they are told to the best of their ability but its the directors and producers who are to blame for less than perfect movies like Superman Returns, which is still watchable. Routh, if I make it in the film inndustry, you WILL be cast as Superman. Till then, we have Snyder and his warped Superman Begins movie with the evil alien Superman outfit. Only good thing seen so far is that we have a superhero with muscle, thank God. Xmen, Daredevil, Batman, ect. no where near as buff as their comic counterparts.
blackcelebration
blackcelebration - 10/30/2011, 4:11 PM
The biggest problem with the film wasn't that it was based in the Donnerverse but that it offered nothing new.

The Lex/island idea was basically a poor mans California from Superman I. If they'd mixed Lex with another big Superman villain (Brainiac would have been awesome) then maybe Superman Returns would have been a great film.

Another problem it had was that its main protagonist (Superman) was hardly active in the film and spent most of the time being miserable over Lois. Also, the baby idea is one of the worst plots in comic book movie history as it basically destroyed the Superman/Clark and Lois relationship which in the comics and other television/Film media has been one of the franchises strongest aspects.

Also, I can't remember the film being poorly received by critics at the time (Movie goers yes) but the reviews it received were mainly positive.

A reboot I suppose is the way to go, but Superman Returns had a great chance to get right into the action without going into an origin but overall chickened out.
blackcelebration
blackcelebration - 10/30/2011, 4:11 PM
The biggest problem with the film wasn't that it was based in the Donnerverse but that it offered nothing new.

The Lex/island idea was basically a poor mans California from Superman I. If they'd mixed Lex with another big Superman villain (Brainiac would have been awesome) then maybe Supe
0bstreperous
0bstreperous - 10/30/2011, 5:42 PM
Brandon routh had guest appearances on will and grace Wikipedia says Bryan singer is gay and that's why all his lead actors are gay or have kissed men Ala Hugh Jackman James marsden and Ian mckellen

He also looks like nic cage and David swimmer had a baby he [frick]ing sucks
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 10/30/2011, 5:51 PM
YO TEA, MARVEL DUKE!!!

CHEERS TEA ROFL!

I'll save that loooool! ; D

MARVEL @ I'm here bro, coff coff behind the scenes ; p

JDUKE @ Yeah I liked Smallville till it went to Metroplois Lex Luthur left and shit writing, now I hate it lol!

: P
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 10/30/2011, 5:57 PM
Man * Lex Luthor * Damn miss the EDIT button : P
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 10/30/2011, 6:00 PM
Cavill will be cool, pity about their Lois Lane and cough ZOD choice : D
JDUKE25
JDUKE25 - 10/30/2011, 7:10 PM
@LEEE yeah, it went downhill after all of that. Rosey held that show together. Yeah, Cavill will do really well. Adams will do alright...hopefully lol. And Idk, i really like Shannon as Zod. He definitely brings this bada$$ authoritativeness to the role. Take a look at this ;)
rbfn04
rbfn04 - 10/30/2011, 7:17 PM
I used to think ROuth should comeback as Supes. Than I saw him acting in other movies and he never grew. Never improved.

Still, change the burgandy to red and embiggen the shield and this is a better suit than Snyderman's
jaewest215
jaewest215 - 10/30/2011, 7:20 PM
The movie was dumb.
Purple
Purple - 10/30/2011, 8:06 PM
It should have been called "Superman: First Son of the Last Son of Krypton". The kid ruined it for me. I could be wrong but people don't buy Superman books to see a love story...tell me if I'm wrong. I certainly don't. I think Singer made too much of an effort to "ground it in a reality". If ever there was a Hero who needs to "go big", it's Superman. Hey, just as a fantasy, I'd love it if the last scene of Dark Knight Rises is a knock at the door of Wayne Manor. Alfred answers and it's Clark Kent arriving for a scheduled interview. Alfred says something about Mr Wayne unfortunately being busy, but being "well aware of your work, Mr Kent". A few more in jokes before fade to Batcave where Bruce is watching the whole conversation on a monitor, in the shadows. Hokey, but what the hell.....we need Nolan to make an effort to nod in that direction.
marvelsnkcapcom10
marvelsnkcapcom10 - 10/30/2011, 8:41 PM
I really enjoyed this film regardless to say. Brandon Routh is a very talented actor and I believe he did a great portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman. I believe injustice was done to him by having opening credits and music similar to the Christopher Reeves films. It was if they were trying to relive the old days, which is something this new interpretation of Superman did not need.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 10/30/2011, 8:48 PM
Oooooooh cool @ JDUKE!

Yeah fingers crossed they get it right, was behind CAVILL waaaaay b4 he got picked, they picked well there, overall its gotta be a winner!!!

Hope we get lil DC Easter Eggs and not do a single Supes Universe!
JDUKE25
JDUKE25 - 10/30/2011, 9:13 PM
@LEEE yes you were lol. And dude...me too!!! I want a shared universe when they do it. If The Avengers is a big success, I don't see how it won't be, then they'd have to do that. They'd be dumb not to.
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