Superman movie franchise gets a reboot. It's official.

[Earth 2 Chris]

Newsarama is carrying this story, as well as other media outlets.
The WB higher-ups want Superman Rebooted. Singer may still be in, but he has to play ball the way they want. Returns underperformed, and they don't want that kind of movie again. I doubt Singer will return, given the tone WB is taking about him "getting in the way". And poor Routh is probably out as well.

I'm one of those who actually LIKE Returns, but they really did paint themselves into a corner. As a stand-alone, Elseworlds/Imaginary comic story, it would have been fantastic. As the beginning for an all-new Superman movie franchise, it was a strange mix of being a love-letter to Donner and Reeve (which was fine by me) and an extrapolation of where the Superman story may go in a "what-if" scenario. The majority of people want Superman distilled down to the essence. Clark Kent. Daily Planet. Lois, co-worker, and potential soul-mate. Big menace. Big challenge. A Super-fight with PUNCHES.

I don't like all the talk about doing everything "DARK". Hopefully, the content will match the character. Superman doesn't need to be dark. In fact, Returns was probably a bit too dark for a Superman movie really. None of the main DC characters should go dark, outside of Batman.

But let's hope they don't redo the Sueprman origin. Between the original movie, and Smallville we've seen it. We all know it. EVERYBODY knows it. Hit the ground running with an amazing adventure of Superman. That's what I'd like to see.

Chris

[jemboy2004]

I seen this on the DC comics message boards as well. It would have been great if they just went to the next movie after Superman Returns as that could have been great.

I agree let's hope they don't re-do the origin story.

[twilitezoner]

It would be great if they went with Brainiac as the villain. Maybe adapt the current story running in Action Comics. I hope they reconsider using Routh.

[BlackKnight]

Not sure what to think about the news.... I am like one of the only people out there that liked Superman Returns. ... I dunno,... I'd still like to see Roth as Superman,.. or a Worlds finest Movie with him & Bale.

[The Toyroom]

I don't think Routh was that bad either....Kate Bosworth as Lois, bleech....the whole super-kid thing, bleech...Kevin Spacey as Luthor, right on....the re-hashed plot from Superman:The movie, bleech. Like Chris said, they put themselves in a corner as far as the storyline went. Where do we go from here? Is anyone ready for the franchise to go from Superman to Superdad? Apparently not...thus the reboot. I 2nd the choice for Brainiac as the villain. Luthor and the Phantom Zone villains have been played to death already. Out of the 5 Superman movies, Luthor was the villain in 4 of them. C'mon...give the Man of Steel a little more of a challenge...Luthor didn't even have his super-suit for pete's sake...lol. Whether you like the portrayals or not, at least Batman has gone through 9 1/2 major villains in his 6 movies.

[toys2cool]

Yeah i too thought it was a good movie

[Collect 'em all!]

I LOVED Superman Returns!

--and, I think WB is making a big mistake if they recast, and don't bring back Routh and Spacey.

As much as I enjoyed it, I have to agree with Chris, that it was a bit dark for a Superman sequel. I couldn't believe they had Luthor stab Superman in the back with a Kryptonite crystal/knife, and push him off a cliff. That was pretty cold blooded, and where would that take the relationship between Lex and Superman after he "murdered" him in that way?

Bring back Routh, and the fun and adventure of the original Superman movies and
leave the violence and darkness to the Batman series!

[megoscott]

I just TIVO'd Superman Returns and tried to watch it tonight. Tried. I was underwhelmed the first time I saw it, now I've grown to hate it. Routh could not hold a film with Bale, that's a laugh, but he's hardly the biggest problem with that movie. No color, no fun, no excitement or exhilaration. Superman has to soar and this thing has feet of clay. Singer got lost in his homage and never found his way out of it.

I say stick it on the shelf with Ang Lee's Hulk and try it again. Unfortunately it sounds like they are going to go even darker...

[Mikey]

IMO, Superman Returns was way worse than even Superman-3 and -4

Besides having a really lousy story, it was just plain boring.

Routh imo was horrible.
He had no character whatsoever.

The whole movie was a Superman fans worst nightmare.

I'm glad they're not going to continue.

[madmarva]

Who do you think should direct the new Superman?

I did not care much for Superman Returns, but I think Singer is a talented director, and I wouldn't mind seeing him back as long as he remembers that at his heart Superman is an action/adventure character.

It'll never happen, but I'd like to see what Speilberg would do with the character.

I've also seen Brad Bird's (Iron Giant, Incredibles) name mentioned and that sounds interesting, too.

[megoscott]

Brad Bird would be brilliant. Oh my, yes. He knows how to tell a story and make it sing.

[ShadowAvenger]

Superman Returns was a mixed bag for me and I'm just glad that there will be another movie. I just hope they stay away from making him a Dark Son of Krypton.

[Captain]

I know many of you...and no doubt many other fans...are saddened by this, but personally, I think a fresh start is the way to go. However,I saw the bit about "going dark" too, and that does concern me.

and you can add me to the pro Brad Bird group. Lets call him and tell him the jobs his, before Warners gives it to Tim Burton or someone even worse!!!

[megoscott]

Warner Bets on Fewer, Bigger Movies - WSJ.com

Like the recent Batman sequel -- which has become the highest-grossing film of the year thus far -- Mr. Robinov wants his next pack of superhero movies to be bathed in the same brooding tone as "The Dark Knight." Creatively, he sees exploring the evil side to characters as the key to unlocking some of Warner Bros.' DC properties. "We're going to try to go dark to the extent that the characters allow it," he says. That goes for the company's Superman franchise as well.

[thunderbolt]

I thought Returns was ok, but not great, and not the way to kick off a franchise. With ther "darker tones" comment. Mybe they are going to play up the god walking among men angle that Kingdom Come touched on with Supes. Or maybe the villains are going to be made darker. Brainiac or Toyman could be major league creeps if used properly.