Superman Returns

Chaz

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cheesebeef said:
just remember how many people flipped out when they heard unknown actor Hugh Jackman was going to play Wolverine.

Anyone who can cast and direct the masterpiece - The Usual Suspects and two of the better comic book movies, X and X2, IMO should be given the benefit of the doubt at this point.

It absolutely should be an unknown and I applaud Singer for going this route - it shouldn't be Nic Cage playing Superman, or Jesus Christ playing Superman or Jude Law playing Superman - we should just be able to look at the screen and SEE SUPERMAN. With Singer on board and with word that it's not going to be a revamping of the origin story AND that he will be using John Williams' original score - I have every confidence that this movie is going to be what all of us want - fantastic.


I agree. I get tired of seeing the same actors recycled over and over. Actors have to get their start somewhere. "Name actors" make the studio execs more comfortable, they are not required to make good movies.
 

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I never wanted Nick Cage to play Supes, but I thought his passion for the character and desire to explore the "what makes him tick" aspect was really interesting. Cage wanted to play superman as an outsider and a very lonely person trying to fit in as "the last son of Krypton." Of course there would have been the prerequisite bad guys (braniac and a couple of more minor villains) and action. Sounds pretty neat to me.


But, yeah, we can't go wrong with Singer on board. I think he not only gets cinematic storytelling, he also gets comic books despite not being a fanboy himself (there are rumors of him penning some upcomming X-Men comics).
 

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cheesebeef said:
just remember how many people flipped out when they heard unknown actor Hugh Jackman was going to play Wolverine.

Anyone who can cast and direct the masterpiece - The Usual Suspects and two of the better comic book movies, X and X2, IMO should be given the benefit of the doubt at this point.

It absolutely should be an unknown and I applaud Singer for going this route - it shouldn't be Nic Cage playing Superman, or Jesus Christ playing Superman or Jude Law playing Superman - we should just be able to look at the screen and SEE SUPERMAN. With Singer on board and with word that it's not going to be a revamping of the origin story AND that he will be using John Williams' original score - I have every confidence that this movie is going to be what all of us want - fantastic.

That's the guy directing? Oh, okay. Well, I guess I'll trust him, as I LOVED those movies (especially The Usual Suspects...wow!). Still, can this kid get pumped enough physically to play the part? Can he pull it off, playing mainly sappy chick stuff? I hope so, and if Singer is casting, then I'll go with him on it.

Btw, I'd hate a big-name actor to play the part.
 

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I might get "flamed" for the following.....

I will forever associate Christopher Reeve's legacy with Superman, so therefore I'm totally against them coming-out with another Superman movie..

True, the Comic Books and TV show obviously existed long before Reeve establish the role, but still......
 
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Brian in Mesa

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Cinescape says the following six actresses are being considered for the role of Lois Lane.

Mischa Barton from The O.C.
Charisma Charpenter from Angel
Mia Kirshner from The Crow: City of Angels
Evangeline Lilly from Lost
Natalie Portman from the Star Wars prequels
Keri Russell from Felicity
 
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Brian in Mesa

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Official Brandon Routh Superman Press Release

Source: Warner Bros. Pictures
October 22, 2004


Warner Bros. Pictures made it official today that Brandon Routh has been cast as Superman.

Warner Bros. Pictures announced today that Brandon Routh, a 25-year-old native of Iowa with television and film acting experience, has been cast as The Man of Steel in the Studio's upcoming Superman epic, to be directed by Bryan Singer. The announcement was made today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production for Warner Bros. Pictures.

The untitled Superman movie is expected to begin principal photography in Australia early next year for release in summer, 2006. It is produced by Jon Peters, Bryan Singer and Gilbert Adler from a screenplay by Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris. No other casting has been announced.

Stated Alan Horn, President and Chief Operating Officer of Warner Bros., "We are so pleased to have put this extraordinary team of filmmakers and talent together and to be moving forward with a project we've all anticipated so much. I think we're going to make a Superman movie that all of us can be very proud to bring to our audience around the world."

Routh was chosen for the role of Superman following an exhaustive search that spanned the United States, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Thousands of candidates were interviewed before the final selection was made.

Singer commented on his choice of a star, saying "Contrary to speculation, it was always my absolute intention to hire an unknown for this role. Brandon is an extremely fine actor who possesses the physical qualifications of Clark Kent/Superman. But he also embodies the legacy and history of this character in a way that makes me certain he's the right choice."

"We respect and appreciate the intense interest that our fans around the world have in Superman, and we went everywhere in search of a talented actor who would represent his look, character and presence," said Robinov. "We think Brandon is a gifted young performer who can re-energize this iconic character and excite new audiences about the legend of Superman."

Routh's television credits include One Life to Live, Gilmore Girls, Will & Grace and Cold Case. He recently wrapped his first feature role in the upcoming film Deadly, starring opposite Laura Prepon.
 
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Brian in Mesa

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The Latest Superman Rumors
Source: Ain't-It-Cool-News, Superman-V
October 26, 2004


Ain't-It-Cool-News reports that Iceman himself, Shawn Ashmore, may have been cast in Bryan Singer's Superman as Jimmy Olsen. The actor previously worked with Singer on X2: X-Men United.

Also, Superman-V has learned that Brandon Routh has signed a three picture deal with Warner Bros. The site says this will involve at least two Superman films with a Batman/Superman film possibly being the third.
 
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Brian in Mesa

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'Superman' finally is ready to fly again

By César G. Soriano, USA TODAY

Is Superman finally taking off?


After years of delays, false starts, mounting production costs and a revolving door of players, Warner Bros. has given the green light to the first Superman film in nearly 20 years.

The Man of Steel has not appeared on the big screen since 1987's Superman IV: The Quest for Peace, starring the late Christopher Reeve. Now, all the key pieces seem to be in place.

• Superman and his Clark Kent alter ego will be played by Brandon Routh, 25, a former soap opera star. Producers wanted an unknown, as Reeve was before he became a household name with 1978's Superman.

• Bryan Singer, who parlayed the X-Men comic-book series into a successful film franchise, will direct. The new Superman story was written by Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris, who also wrote Singer's last film, X2.

• The untitled film will begin shooting in Australia next year for release in summer 2006.

Warner Bros. is revealing little about the plot, but Singer has hinted that the film will pick up where 1980's Superman II left off. In that movie, our hero traded his superpowers for mortality, fell in love with Lois Lane, regained his powers to defeat his enemies but then lost the girl.

"How do you bring Superman back? That has obviously been a challenge for us," says Jeff Robinov, president of production for Warner Bros.

"It took a while to get the right combination of people and to find a story that was fresh and true to the mythology."

The studio's Superman saga began in 1993, when Warner Bros. bought the film rights from Superman producer Alexander Salkind.

Countless screenwriters and several directors have been attached to the project, including McG, Brett Ratner and Tim Burton. All have had vastly different story ideas and visions. Burton wanted Nicolas Cage to play Superman.

At times, it seemed as if every hot young actor in Hollywood was considered or rumored for the role, including Jake Gyllenhaal, Ashton Kutcher, Brendan Fraser, Josh Hartnett, Jude Law and James Caviezel.

During the turmoil, Warner Bros. subsidiary DC Comics, which created the film genre with its Superman and Batman series, was overtaken by rival Marvel Comics, the creators of the successful X-Men and Spider-Man.

"Superman is the crown jewel in the Time Warner crown," says filmmaker Kevin Smith, who wrote an early Superman script. "You're looking at a studio that has been pretty cautious."

By Smith's estimate, the studio already has spent $50 million without a single frame of film to show for it. Robinov won't talk money, but he says the project is now moving faster than a speeding bullet.

Fans such as Harry Knowles, editor of AintItCoolNews.com, say they are "cautiously optimistic. My feeling is that until they finish shooting and it's in thea-ters, I'm not going to believe a Superman movie exists."
 
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Brian in Mesa

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New guy in the cape finds he's a snug fit

By César G. Soriano, USA TODAY

Brandon Routh could not have chosen a more perfect Halloween costume last year.

He showed up at a costume contest at Hollywood's hip Lucky Strike bowling alley wearing a black suit, a tie and a pair of geeky thick-rimmed glasses. His starched white shirt was unbuttoned just so, revealing a blue undershirt emblazoned with the Superman logo. His hair was perfect, right down to the curl on his forehead. He was so convincing, he won first place.

Flash-forward a year. That Clark Kent-Superman getup is no longer just a Halloween costume.

The relatively unknown actor, 25, was thrust into the spotlight Oct. 21 when Warner Bros. announced that Routh would star in its long-awaited Superman movie.

"He's always had a desire to play Superman," says his agent, Mara Santino, who notes that the Halloween costume contest occurred months before the movie role was even a possibility.

Routh (pronounced Rowth) was chosen from thousands of candidates interviewed at casting calls in the USA, Britain, Canada and Australia.

"Casting has always been a challenge," says Jeff Robinov, president of production for Warner Bros. Pictures.

"As you look to more recognizable people, it's hard to separate who they are and what they've done from the role of Superman. So we decided to look at unknowns.

"It takes a while to find that odd mix of strength, vulnerability, warmth, likeability. At the same time, you want them to have the size and physicality of what you'd think of as Superman."

Like longtime Man of Steel Christopher Reeve, who died Oct. 10, Routh has square-jawed, chiseled good looks and loves sports.

Routh was unavailable for interviews, but his agent said the actor likes shooting hoops with friends and also swam and played soccer in high school. Routh is 6 feet 2½ inches tall; Reeve was 6-4.

"All his life people have told him he was very Clark Kent-Superman-like," Santino says.

Until now, Routh's most notable credit was a stint in 2001-02 as Seth Anderson on the ABC soap One Life to Live.

Other TV work has included bit parts on Gilmore Girls, Odd Man Out, Will & Grace and Cold Case. He recently finished shooting a small role in his first film, Deadly, opposite That '70s Show star Laura Prepon.

Brandon James Routh — his friends call him B.J. — was born Oct. 9, 1979, in Des Moines and raised in nearby Norwalk. That's not far from Woolstock, hometown of TV's original Superman, George Reeves. Routh attended the University of Iowa for a year.

Nearly every actor who has ever played the Man of Steel was unknown before donning cape and tights. Reeve had just one film role before he landed 1978's Superman and three sequels.
 

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I wish we could see a clip of him on one of the shows he was on? Is there anyway to find that? I never did like Louis Lane in the older superman movies.. I never found her attractive at all...looking forward to seeing a hottie in that role.
 

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SunCardfan said:
I wish we could see a clip of him on one of the shows he was on? Is there anyway to find that? I never did like Louis Lane in the older superman movies.. I never found her attractive at all...looking forward to seeing a hottie in that role.
Yeah, Louis Lane always seemed a bit man-ish to me.
 
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Brian in Mesa

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'Superman' Director Backs Routh, Rejects Welling

Thu, Nov 11, 2004, 02:11 PM PT

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) -
Director Bryan Singer says that an unknown actor was "essential" to play the lead in the upcoming "Superman" film.

The "X-Men" filmmaker reveals that he was inspired by George Reeves and Christopher Reeve -- who previously played the Man of Steel -- to introduce an actor whose acting history wouldn't interfere with creating an indelible Superman image.

Unfortunately, Singer found it difficult to find an appropriate actor in his 20s "who hasn't already emerged as his own star," he told Los Angeles radio show "Kevin and Bean" on Thursday, Nov. 11. In October, however, he finally confirmed the casting of relatively unknown soap star Brandon Routh.

Singer did consider Tom Welling, who already embodies Superman on the WB drama "Smallville," but says the budget and the direction of the film wasn't right to make what would seem like a "Smallville" feature.

While appreciating Welling's portrayal of the superhero, Singer adds that "even though he's existing and carrying the torch through a certain point of the character's life," the new Superman will be a "separate entity."

The upcoming Warner Bros. film will center more on a Superman "several years after he's arrived and done many heroic deeds" with only a vague history sketched out in flashbacks. Production is scheduled to begin in February, with a summer 2006 release planned.

Routh, 25, is probably most recognizable from his time on ABC's "One Life to Live" and MTV's "Undressed." He's also made guest appearances on "Gilmore Girls," "Will & Grace," "Cold Case" and "Oliver Beene."

Singer, 39, has helmed "The Usual Suspects," "Apt Pupil" and the first two "X-Men" films. His medical drama "House" will premiere on FOX on Tuesday, Nov. 16.
 

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Brian in Mesa said:
'Superman' Director Backs Routh, Rejects Welling

Thu, Nov 11, 2004, 02:11 PM PT

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) -
Director Bryan Singer says that an unknown actor was "essential" to play the lead in the upcoming "Superman" film.

The "X-Men" filmmaker reveals that he was inspired by George Reeves and Christopher Reeve -- who previously played the Man of Steel -- to introduce an actor whose acting history wouldn't interfere with creating an indelible Superman image.

Unfortunately, Singer found it difficult to find an appropriate actor in his 20s "who hasn't already emerged as his own star," he told Los Angeles radio show "Kevin and Bean" on Thursday, Nov. 11. In October, however, he finally confirmed the casting of relatively unknown soap star Brandon Routh.

Singer did consider Tom Welling, who already embodies Superman on the WB drama "Smallville," but says the budget and the direction of the film wasn't right to make what would seem like a "Smallville" feature.

While appreciating Welling's portrayal of the superhero, Singer adds that "even though he's existing and carrying the torch through a certain point of the character's life," the new Superman will be a "separate entity."

The upcoming Warner Bros. film will center more on a Superman "several years after he's arrived and done many heroic deeds" with only a vague history sketched out in flashbacks. Production is scheduled to begin in February, with a summer 2006 release planned.

Routh, 25, is probably most recognizable from his time on ABC's "One Life to Live" and MTV's "Undressed." He's also made guest appearances on "Gilmore Girls," "Will & Grace," "Cold Case" and "Oliver Beene."


Singer, 39, has helmed "The Usual Suspects," "Apt Pupil" and the first two "X-Men" films. His medical drama "House" will premiere on FOX on Tuesday, Nov. 16.


I still would have prefered Welling.. and don't give me this bull that Welling couldn't play an older Superman seperate from Smallville.. Actors do it all the time... Routh is also younger than Welling!
 

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Brian in Mesa said:
'Superman' Director Backs Routh, Rejects Welling

Thu, Nov 11, 2004, 02:11 PM PT

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) -
Director Bryan Singer says that an unknown actor was "essential" to play the lead in the upcoming "Superman" film.

The "X-Men" filmmaker reveals that he was inspired by George Reeves and Christopher Reeve -- who previously played the Man of Steel -- to introduce an actor whose acting history wouldn't interfere with creating an indelible Superman image.

Unfortunately, Singer found it difficult to find an appropriate actor in his 20s "who hasn't already emerged as his own star," he told Los Angeles radio show "Kevin and Bean" on Thursday, Nov. 11. In October, however, he finally confirmed the casting of relatively unknown soap star Brandon Routh.

Singer did consider Tom Welling, who already embodies Superman on the WB drama "Smallville," but says the budget and the direction of the film wasn't right to make what would seem like a "Smallville" feature.

While appreciating Welling's portrayal of the superhero, Singer adds that "even though he's existing and carrying the torch through a certain point of the character's life," the new Superman will be a "separate entity."

The upcoming Warner Bros. film will center more on a Superman "several years after he's arrived and done many heroic deeds" with only a vague history sketched out in flashbacks. Production is scheduled to begin in February, with a summer 2006 release planned.

Routh, 25, is probably most recognizable from his time on ABC's "One Life to Live" and MTV's "Undressed." He's also made guest appearances on "Gilmore Girls," "Will & Grace," "Cold Case" and "Oliver Beene."

Singer, 39, has helmed "The Usual Suspects," "Apt Pupil" and the first two "X-Men" films. His medical drama "House" will premiere on FOX on Tuesday, Nov. 16.

what a lot of Bull, Welling has done a great job portraying a younger Superman. At least Welling has strong fan base to start off already.
 

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Don't want to get too carried away. The Usual Suspects was more Christopher McQuarrie's movie than it was Bryan Singer's. But Singer is at least a respectable director with some skill. I have a sneaking suspicion that Superman won't even come close to matching the quality of Suspects--heck, it probably won't come close to matching the quality of X2, which, along with the original Superman and Spidey 2, is on the short list of really good superhero movies.

As for the casting, I can't really form an opinion on the guy playing Superman, but I do kinda like the idea of giving the role to an unknown, like Christopher Reeve was back then. As for Welling, I can understand their reasons, because no matter how smart we all thing we are, there are going to be legions of WB-watching, Smallville-loving teenage girls that are going to automatically assume that it's just a Smallville feature film. Smallville (even though I've never seen an ep) has it's own mythology now--it's own world. I wouldn't even know if there is even a possibility for any kind of feature film from that show. I know many people have called for a Buffy or Angel movie, but for some reason, it doesn't seem right... :shrug:

But I am extremely glad that Nic Cage, Brett Ratner and McG are all far away from this project--it would have been doomed had they been involved (at least, it would have been doomed if Ratner or McG were involved).
 

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I think what you do is not even bring up Smallville and pretend it hasn't even existed and cast him.. I don't see why that would be problem...
 

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SunCardfan said:
I think what you do is not even bring up Smallville and pretend it hasn't even existed and cast him.. I don't see why that would be problem...

But you can't do that. It wouldn't work for 2 major reasons:

1) The fans of the show will automatically equate him, and hence the movie, with the tv show. There is no doubt about that.

2) If Welling were cast, there is NO WAY that Warner Bros. would even consider ignoring the fact that he's been a television fixture for several years now. It would be a marketing disaster --even with a property as well-known as Superman-- for the studio to ignore that.
 

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Chaplin said:
But you can't do that. It wouldn't work for 2 major reasons:

1) The fans of the show will automatically equate him, and hence the movie, with the tv show. There is no doubt about that.

2) If Welling were cast, there is NO WAY that Warner Bros. would even consider ignoring the fact that he's been a television fixture for several years now. It would be a marketing disaster --even with a property as well-known as Superman-- for the studio to ignore that.

So you think they would lose fans of the WB show if they didn't recognize him in the movie as the Smallville series? I doubt that...
 

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SunCardfan said:
So you think they would lose fans of the WB show if they didn't recognize him in the movie as the Smallville series? I doubt that...

Uh, that's not what we're talking about, is it? We're talking about the reasons why Singer didn't want Welling. He said it himself--he didn't want him because it would appear too much like a Smallville movie. And that's not what he wanted. And like it or not, if Welling had been cast, the movie would definitely be equated with Smallville.
 

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Chaplin said:
Uh, that's not what we're talking about, is it? We're talking about the reasons why Singer didn't want Welling. He said it himself--he didn't want him because it would appear too much like a Smallville movie. And that's not what he wanted. And like it or not, if Welling had been cast, the movie would definitely be equated with Smallville.

Well that would be some fans problem and I don't think it would hurt the Movie.. anyways it's supposed to be several years later so it wouldn't matter.. I wouldn't mind Lex being the same guy either :) They could actually play their ages for once! You could change all of the other characters I don't think it would matter...look at Batman... There's nothing that has been done in Smallville that would hurt this movie...
 

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Well, I think we disagree, but that may be because you are a fan of the tv show and I'm not. :D
 

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Chaplin said:
Well, I think we disagree, but that may be because you are a fan of the tv show and I'm not. :D

Yes I guess I am to a certain extent.. although I don't like all the teenie bopper stuff. I think he could make a good super man and I think what's his name who plays Lex is even better....
 

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Michael Rosenbaum's interpretation of Lex Luthor is awesome, in my opinion!

Has Lois been cast in the movie yet?
 
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Brian in Mesa

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WaywardFan said:
Michael Rosenbaum's interpretation of Lex Luthor is awesome, in my opinion!

I agree. Michael does an outstanding job.

WaywardFan said:
Has Lois been cast in the movie yet?

No news yet, but there were some names posted a little earlier in this thread regarding the casting of Lois. Maybe she'll be an unknown as well. :shrug:
 
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