Justice League Live Action Film bumps next Superman

[johnmiic]

Antonio sent me this and it seems if the Justice League live action film is a go it will affect the release of the next Superman:

Currently in Germany directing the Nazi drama "Valkyrie" starring Tom Cruise, director Bryan Singer may have been surprised to find out he doesn't have another "Superman" movie to come home to. Previously announced for 2009, "Superman: Man of Steel" was set to pick up where "Superman Returns" left off and begin production next summer. Now, "Justice League of America" has muddled the situation.

Both Variety and The Hollywood Reporter confirmed the long-rumored selection of George Miller ("Happy Feet") to direct the action ensemble "League" for Warner Bros. The ultimate superhero team featuring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash and Green Lantern, the picture is expected to begin shooting in Australia this spring before the dreaded screenwriters "strike date" of July 1. The studio is making it a tentpole release the following summer. Intriguingly for Superman fans, Variety said "Man of Steel" has "taken a backseat," but the Reporter said "Steel" is still "in development." And although screenwriter Mike Dougherty is currently working on a "Steel" screenplay, a lot can happen in two years. With "Steel" getting pushed back to an expected 2010 release, will Singer wait around that long?

The popular filmmaker is certainly in an odd spot. Somewhere before or after "Steel" he is supposed to helm "The Mayor of Castro Street," which tells the tale of slain, gay icon Harvey Milk, but that picture is battling a start date over a similar project from Gus Van Sant (nobody wants "Capote" vs. "Infamous" again). Considering how quickly "Valkyrie" came about this year and Singer's previous history of jumping ship off the third "X-Men" movie, it wouldn't be surprising to see the director move on to something completely different by the time Warner Bros. decides to make another Superman movie.

The studio currently has a more pressing concern to lower fan expectations that either Brandon Routh or Christian Bale will reprise their respective roles as Superman and Batman in "League." Bale is close to finishing almost six months of shooting "The Dark Knight" and dismissed any thought of "League" during the press day for "3:10 to Yuma." Routh's noninvolvement is more of a surprise. The actor hasn't appeared in a studio movie since "Returns" (that's a long 18 months since that flick wrapped), but he recently joined the cast of the independently financed "The Informers" opposite Billy Bob Thornton and Kim Basinger. Oddly, Routh's noninvolvement in "League" could mean there will be three different Supermen in Hollywood: Routh, the new "League" actor and Tom Welling (a fan favorite from "Smallville"). There's always a chance the studio could change its mind, but at this point, Miller and Warner Bros. are expected to choose talented but less famous actors for the project, similar to what Zack Snyder has done with another Warner Bros. movie, "Watchmen."

With Variety saying those involved with "League" are "holding their breath" that the whole project doesn't fall apart and with "Steel" up in the air, fans can sleep easy knowing "The Dark Knight" will definitely hit theaters next summer.

[johnmiic]

This is a real tug-o-war. Singer is right to do Superman films, he's shown he can do X-Men, but he may not stick around if he has to wait. If they get another director not as good as him we’ll have a so-so film like X3. Routh is good as Superman but many people would prefer Tom Welling of Smallville. However Tom Welling doesn’t want to do Superman films. I've heard him say over and over eh doesn't want to wear the costume-unless he changed his mind after seeing the money Returns pulled in. Routh would probably do both JL and more Superman films. Bale seems not to want to do Justice League but signed on for a total of 3 Bat films. What if they say Justice League is the 3rd Bat film. Then we lose a 3rd Bat film for a JL film. Previous press releases have said if they make a JL film it would be without Supe and Bats. Now they’re not saying that.

[Earth 2 Chris]

I say get Routh to play Supes, and either have no Batman, or only have a cameo of Bale as Batman or Bruce Wayne. If he's not in it, I don't want Batman in it.

Chris

[megoscott]

I'd welcome a chance to see someone else do Superman. Routh didn't do it for me.

[jemboy2004]

That really stinks. I love the new Superman and really would like to see that continue. The JL sounds cool but to me that is harder to do and could be really bad if not done by the right person.

If superman is in the new movie I hope they use Routh. He's an awesome superman.

[thunderbolt]

I can do without another Singer/Routh Supes, Returns was a snooze fest.

[Titan4ever]

I can do without another Singer/Routh Supes, Returns was a snooze fest.

I was sadly underwhelmed by it, in much the same way I was by the later Reeve films. Routh was OK. It just wasn't worth the hype for me. But since he hasn't done much else, it's still a toss up for me if it was the actor or the material that came up short.

As for Bale, I liked him before he played Batman, and I was surprised how much I liked him in the role. But, it wouldn't bother me to see another batch of actors play these characters as long as they play them well.

[Hulk]

From the various articles I read, my feeling is that the next Superman was definitely in danger of not being ready for 2009, so the opportunity to get a major Superhero pic in the lineup was the deciding factor. I don't think this movie would do anything more than give Singer the time he probably is already demanding to make the film the way he wants.

[huedell]

I thought Superman Returns was one of the best superhero flix ever made
and at the very least a good setup for a sequel that would carry that description
as Returns had a lot of "catch up" involved in it---so I can see why many were let down
by repetition, deja vu and whatnot

I thought Routh's performance was top notch as well

Kevin Spacey? Blew me away.

Its a shame there's all these delays, as I was really rallying behind the idea that a real
young guy had the role, and thus the opportunity for many sequels---the delays
kinda mess with that "plus"

Now, if Routh (or Spacey!) was IN that JL movie---I'd be stoked about that---but it looks
like its not to be

[The Toyroom]

I thought Superman Returns was one of the best superhero flix ever made

I'd say "remade"...much was a rehash of the original film under the guise of an homage to the source material. I think Batman Begins was the better springboard of the two for a new series of films.

[jemboy2004]

toyroom, It's funny that I see many here really liked the batman begins and not the superman returns.

I liked batman begins but not even enough to buy the dvd. Superman returns, I got the dvd and and have seen it many times. I agree with huedell here, it's one of the best superhero films done, ever.

[huedell]

I'd say "remade"...much was a rehash of the original film under the guise of an homage to the source material.

I agree with you 1000% Anthony and I'm unusually at peace with that---that's what
seperates me from the majority of hardcore comic fans who were not plussed by the flick

I think Batman Begins was the better springboard of the two for a new series of films.

I have a few qualms with Batman Begins (unlike most hardcore fans who see the flick as
flawless) ----but---with that being said---I can't disagree with you

Batman Begins was a solid and unique film that had a life of its own-----no way
I could say that about Superman Returns

I'm DYING to see TDK and especially excited to see their incarnation of THE JOKER

[huedell]

I liked batman begins but not even enough to buy the dvd. Superman returns, I got the dvd and and have seen it many times. I agree with huedell here, it's one of the best superhero films done, ever.

Not to belittle either one of us jemboy, but it really does take a "special" leap of faith to
relish the positive aspects of Superman Returns----but I can tell you, like me,
"get it"

The fact that many others 'round here don't really love the flick (or hate it) makes a lot
of sense to me for aforementioned reasons----I just don't "feel" the same way as the
majority is all

Cheers and lets cross our fingers that Routh returns relatively soon!

[Comic Book Geek]

This gives me hope that Returns will be forgotten. Mayhap when they get around to making Man of Steel they'll simply pretend that Returns never happened.

[huedell]

This gives me hope that Returns will be forgotten. Mayhap when they get around to making Man of Steel they'll simply pretend that Returns never happened.

The "returns" on Returns say "no" to Returns being "forgotten"----it made a
loada bucks ---about the same as Begins-----they're gonna do everything
in their power to keep "both balls" in the air