What is needed to Bring Superman into the 21st Century

[The Guard]

Superman isn't so much naive, in the comics, as he's hopeful. The comics and the writers of the comics have recognized this for years.

[RachelDawes]

Originally Posted by Kurosawa

Lois needs to be driven and ambitious but they should keep away from some of they Lois Lane cliches. And she doesn't need to call Clark "Smallville" EVER. Clark is NOT a dumb farmboy. I despise that whole angle. Her romance with Superman should grow as much out her agreement for what he is fighting for as his personal charm and confidence and of course his amazing powers. The audience needs to understand 100%: if Superman lost his powers somehow, it would only slow him down, but it wouldn't stop him. What Kal took from the Kents wasn't silly farmboy naivete; instead it was a STRONG moral sense of right and wrong and a real determination to change things in any way possible, and outside of the legal system if need be.

I would like it if Lois were to start out calling Clark Smallville, whether because she's mocking his small town origins or she's just too busy to remember the name of the quiet new guy. She'll stop calling him that after he breaks his first big story. Lois and the audience need to see Clark develop some cred as a reporter.

[Timstuff]

Here's the #1 way to bring Superman into the 21st century:

DUMP THE DONNERVERSE!

[Learnedcitizen]

Oops, Double POst

[Learnedcitizen]

At a different board, I wrote a rather lengthy re-imagining of the Superman Mythos that lends itself to greater relevancy and characterization IMO:

The Superman reboot has to be a character-driven story arc with mature undertones for adult audiences. It should be a personal story filmed on an epic scale. Which means that the first part of the film should explain his motivation for becoming "The Man of Steel" and how his early life leads him to build a code of justice and humanitarian service.

Part I

The first part of the film should emphasize Clark Kent at his most apathetic; squarely in adolescence, at an age where he remains bitter, insecure, and unsure of his place in Smallville.

At a young age, he is taken in and adopted by a Midwestern couple, Martha and Jonathan Kent, who raise Clark with their "All-American" son. His adoptive family work tirelessly to provide a wholesome and "normal" childhood, but he continues to feel something of an outsider - living up to, but unable to fully understand the values of his "home." He is a nervous, bumbling, seemingly dimwitted boy who makes several attempt to blend in - only to fail. Well aware of Clark's physical gifts and talents -- and yet concerned for his safety -- Jonathan angrily prohibits his adopted son from using them. While encouraging him to remain indoors whenever possible, Martha, the more affectionate mother, stokes Clark's love of reading and writing. Suddenly, an incident occurs between the two boys, where Clark's brother dies, and Clark cannot to save him -- unwilling to use his powers at a crucial moment when they are needed. His relationship with his parents quickly deteriorates, and Clark blames himself for the death of his brother. Burdened with guilt, and convinced that he will never be able to accept him for who he truly is, he enters a pilgrimage, traveling the world seeking to find himself -- only to run into constant injustice aimed towards the powerless. Disappointed and disillusioned by what he witnesses, he arrives in Alaska - at one of the most northernmost, and desolate points of the country. Here, in this self-imposed exile, Clark meets a blind man who's condition is an exact opposite of Clark's -- blind and physically weakened by years of unrewarded service, but whose wisdom and boundless optimism greatly inspires a young and cynical Clark. Clark assists the man in his day-to-day life, while the man assumes the role of a sage (who conveniently is unable to witness Clark's superhuman powers at their most unrestrained). During the prolonged darkness of artic winters, the lack of sunlight deprives Clark of his powers and drastically weakens him to the point of near-death. The blind man, whose sight is always nothing but darkness, takes care of him during these crucial times, teaching Clark the values of self-reliance, humility, patriotism, cheerfulness, and courage. Soon, he is able to muster the strength and will to preserver at his most weakest. This experience helps forge Clark's identity as he finally learns to forgive himself and overcome his self-doubt, all while sensing his potential to do good against injustice. By happenstance, he comes across a patch of ice that seem engrained with an unusual "S' symbol...

Clark returns to a Smallville he no longer recognizes: rural America in the Post-Industrial World. Lexicorop is monopolizing agriculture and putting families out of work, homes are being foreclosed, a meth epidemic has torn the community apart, and ethnic tensions are running rampant over immigration. The residents of Smalltown are no longer able to recognize Clark Kent, and are amazed when they hear of his escapades and his sudden interest in becoming a journalist for the public good! His parents, amazed by the radical change and his personal growth, finally decide to reveal the secrets of his arrival on Earth. He is handed a Medallion bearing the unusual "S" symbol. Clark is unsettled, until he realizes that the device is key to literally "unlocking his past." He returns to Alaska to find that the Old Man has vanished -- his home and the surrounding communities have been uprooted by Lexcorp oil drillers. Clark uses the device to discover his "Fortress of Solitude" and message stored by his parents.Inside, a hologram of Clark's father appears; Jor-El explains his origins, Krypton, his parents, about how his planet was destroyed and how he’s supposedly the last of his kind. He also tells Clark about his powers and responsibilities to protect Earth and humankind from the same fate. Also, Clark learns that the "S" symbol is his family's crest, symbolizing hope for a the future. Inspired, Clark finally is able to come to terms with his past and his alienating powers -- realizing that he was brought to this world destined to do good. His acceptance of his past and who he is, empowers him to become Superman.

Part II

In this part, Clark evolves into the Vintage-Superman of 1930s -- the "Defender of Truth and Justice" echoing the liberal idealism of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal and fighting for social justice against tyranny. Clark enters Metropolis, just before a Katrina-Style Hurricane is due to engulf the city. The city's establishment, enamored in wealth and prosperity, is caught woefully unprepared and its neglected citizen's left utterly defenseless. Till now, Clark -- an up-and-coming journalist for the Daily Planet -- has stood by and watched the city's poorest suffer. Finally, he summons up the courage to bring relief to the victims of the hurricane - donning the emblem of his homeland as a coat-of-arms and tribute. He emerges from the natural disaster as a public hero known as "Superman", who crowds hails as someone who can bring the city back on its feet. As Metropolis struggles to rebuild itself amid rampant crime, political corruption, corporate greed, bureaucratic incompetence, and ethnic distrust, Superman seems to be the only one willing to step in as a social activist. Throughout the film, he fights crooked businessmen and politicians and demolishes run-down tenements (a la vintage superman).

Against this backdrop, he antagonizes Lex Luthor -- a charismatic businessman, famed inventor, revered philanthropist, and so-called favorite son", who thinks of himself as the ultimate hero and humanitarian... until Superman arrives to steal his glory. I like Chiptooth's description of Howard Hughes and Gordon Gekko as possible influences for his eccentric mannerisms (Hughes) and vain, unemphatic personality (Gekko). But my preference would be to portray Luthor as a cunning, sardonic, morally-ambivalent manipulator who has used his influence and money to shape Metropolis' political climate with impunity. As Metropolis' "favorite son", he promises to rebuild the city with advanced technology and new industries for economic growth. And yet his disregard for ethics undermines any hope for a just and honorable recovery...until Superman arrives. Unable to bribe Superman or place him in his "pocket," he is determined to uncover the truth behind him and mounts a campaign to have his "vigilante tactics" outlawed. Luthor soon becomes a vocal critic against Superman, cautioning the public against such a powerful man, and using his political and underworld connections to turn the city against him. His obsession stems from his misguided reactionary attitudes towards Superman (e.g. he firmly believes that an extra-terrestial presence is a danger to humanity) and his love of power and the status-quo.

Also, in a reboot, I'd like to see the traditional dynamic between Superman/Clark and Loius Lane as a hardened "tough-as-nails" journalist attracted to Superman, but displeased with her new journalistic competition in the form of Kent. In my vision for a reboot, Louis is investigative journalist and whistleblower of Lex Luthor's questionable business practices and corrupt influence on Metropolis. She is a successful journalist who has received numerous awards and offers from more prestigious papers, and even proposals to appear on television with her own show. Still, Louis decides to stay with The Daily Planet, cause she sees it as the "last honest act in town" and the only remaining bulwark against the city's crime and corruption. However, like much of the journalism industry, the Daily Planet suffering from financial woes, and Lex Luthor (who controls the local media) is threatening to take-over the publication and use it to further glorifying his positive public image. While still being portrayed with the traditional straits of her character (strong, opinionated, yet sensitive) I don't want her to be the damsel-in-distress, but moreso an assertive and passionate woman who finds herself inspired by Superman's arrival, and perhaps motivated to persist in her own cause to save the Daily Planet against Luthor, who increasingly resorts to using his criminal connections to intimidate her and the paper's editors.

At the risk of generating controversy, I think it would be cool to have Lex Luthor be responsible for the collapse of the levees (them having been built by Lexcop, and him knowing that they were inadequate) as an attempt to destroy the city and re-build it with lexcorp being the #1 in the town, and Lex being hailed a hero for helping rebuilt it. Lois would be the investigator who uncovers this, and Lex would attempt to have her killed before she write her damming story.

Also, I want to portray Lana Lang as a Senator or public figure of sorts (...I'm thinking the Mayor of Metropolis!). While still a political animal, she could be a figurative extension of Smallville, who, like her small hometown, finds her integrity under siege and compromised by Lex Luthor's influence, until she summons up the will to stand up against Lex Luthor at the risk of losing her career. You could tinker with these factors to make for an interesting plot (perhaps stoking up Lana's and Clark's romantic tension - and inserting Louis in the mix) but in the in the end of the arc, Superman should be deputized as a legitimate agent of law enforcement, and Lex Luthor's public image as an honest and respectable businessman and pillar of community is shattered (although he manages to avoid imprisonment while he plans for his revenge on Superman - paving the way for a sequel!).

Part III

I haven't been able to write up a premise for the climatic part of this arc, but Superman needs a opponent that not only challenges his physical strengths, but also his core beliefs towards humanity. Brainiac would be perfect (armed with Kryptonite of course!) but he cannot be some plot device that brings forth action and special effects. His mission should be to destroy Earth, but he recognizes Superman as both an obstacle and potential ally. In return for his aid, Brainiac not only offers Superman the chance to become closer with his homeland (supplying him with his pocket-dimension virtual-reality of Krypton) but reveals that he may not be the last of his kind after all. He offers him assistance in reuniting with those who escaped his planet's destruction, and will spare the Earthlings of his choosing (provided that Braniac could keep them as part of his collection). Brainiac ought to be a reminder of the world Clark has lost, and perhaps he could be seen as a foil -- Superman as his polar opposite would be -- one that is the embodiment of Nietzsche's "Superman" -- a cold, calculating alien who has transcended the limitations of society, religion, and conventional morality to become a force capable of destroying entire planets. Clark, on the other hand, discovers himself as an alien, gifted with incredible powers, but who chooses to honor and ultimately defend human moral codes in the name of good.

Brainiac should be capable of messing with Superman's psychologically, by poising a moral dillemma regarding his ideals, past and origins. Perhaps Brainiac tries to conjure up pictures of Jer-El, trying to convince superman that Earth is not worth saving, because men like Lex Luthor will always remain in power and inflict injustice, and that whatever Superman does for humans, they will never accept him as one of their own. Of course, he resists, and fights an epic battle. In the end, Superman transmits a message to all surviving Kryptonites in space, telling them that they have a new home on Earth.

[Frodo]

Originally Posted by The Guard

Superman isn't so much naive, in the comics, as he's hopeful. The comics and the writers of the comics have recognized this for years.

I think this is what he needs to be in the new film. If anything he's an idealist . He's someone who see's humanity's problems and believes he can fix them to make a better world. I don't wanna see the naive farmboy of SV. I wanna see someone who's intellegent,thoughtful and hopeful.

[DavidTyler]

IMO - They need to give the franchise a new start with a great science fiction beginning on Krypton. An epic tale about a well fleshed out Krypton.

From there, we need a Smallville story that shows how that childhood shaped his perspectives. I actually like that Martha/masher scene from someones fanscript. I think it explained Clark's fear of his own abilities.

Then... Metropolis ... which needs to be as believable as Law and Order:SVU. It needs to be able to mesh with Nolan's Gotham. The supporting cast has to mesh with who they are in the comix and who they can be in live action. I think the Timm/Dini series is an excellent jumping-off point for that.

The characterization of Superman needs to be 'Clark is who I am, Superman is what I do'. And there has to be AN END to NERDY Clark and NAIVE Superman. Clark has seen too much of the world to be out of touch with it's all too human foibles ... even in the best of people.

The antagonist's plot needs to be something believable (and no more Luthor land-grabs). Luthor needs to be in the franchise but as the Corporate Luthor that the vast majority of us on the Hype LOVE. Luthor the scientific genious who learned long ago how to turn that genious into legitmate dollars and whose quest for power makes him a master manipulator. A Luthor who hates Superman because he's usurping his place in Metropolis as it's favourite son.

[Fresh Prince]

Originally Posted by DavidTyler

IMO - They need to give the franchise a new start with a great science fiction beginning on Krypton. An epic tale about a well fleshed out Krypton.

From there, we need a Smallville story that shows how that childhood shaped his perspectives. I actually like that Martha/masher scene from someones fanscript. I think it explained Clark's fear of his own abilities.

Then... Metropolis ... which needs to be as believable as Law and Order:SVU. It needs to be able to mesh with Nolan's Gotham.

The characterization of Superman needs to be 'Clark is who I am, Superman is what I do'. And there has to be AN END to NERDY Clark and NAIVE Superman. Clark has seen too much of the world to be out of touch with it's all too human foibles ... even in the best of people.

The antagonist's plot needs to be something believable (and no more Luthor land-grabs). Luthor needs to be in the franchise but as the Corporate Luthor that the vast majority of us on the Hype LOVE. Luthor the scientific genious who learned long ago how to turn that genious into legitmate dollars and who's quest for power makes him a master manipulator. A Luthor who hates Superman because he's usurping his place in Metropolis as it's favourite son.

No no the Law & Order SVU part is just fine we do not need all that Nolan Gotham part. Metropolis a light city not dark.

[Fresh Prince]

Originally Posted by Frodo

I think this is what he needs to be in the new film. If anything he's an idealist . He's someone who see's humanity's problems and believes he can fix them to make a better world. I don't wanna see the naive farmboy of SV. I wanna see someone who's intellegent,thoughtful and hopeful.

Yeah SV Superman a *****.

[DavidTyler]

Originally Posted by Fresh Prince

No no the Law & Order SVU part is just fine we do not need all that Nolan Gotham part. Metropolis a light city not dark.

You misunderstand.

What I meant was that it needs to feel like a real city ... not some fantasy or cartoon idea of what a city would look and feel like.

Also, Nolan's Gotham had daylight. It wasn't ALL dark. It also has it's uptown and it's lower quarters. Nolan's Gotham has 'the Narrows' while Metropolis has things like 'Suicide Slum'. In order for Metropolis to be a fully realized backdrop, it needs to have diversity.

[Fresh Prince]

Originally Posted by DavidTyler

You misunderstand.

What I meant was that it needs to feel like a real city ... not some fantasy or cartoon idea of what a city would look and feel like.

Also, Nolan's Gotham had daylight. It wasn't ALL dark. It also has it's uptown and it's lower quarters. Nolan's Gotham has 'the Narrows' while Metropolis has things like 'Suicide Slum'. In order for Metropolis to be a fully realized backdrop, it needs to have diversity.

Oh okay I get you so you want a New York City/Gotham City look and feel? Also why they called it the Suicide Slums. See I never knew Metropolis had its dark parts of the cities I thought it was all light.

[StorminNorman]

No city is spotless - Metropolis shouldn't be either.

Honestly I would rather have Metropolis start out darker than it normally is portrayed and have Superman make it the golden city we know.

[Fresh Prince]

Originally Posted by StorminNorman

No city is spotless - Metropolis shouldn't be either.

Honestly I would rather have Metropolis start out darker than it normally is portrayed and have Superman make it the golden city we know.

You want it to be Gotham City dark or Sin City dark? Or both.

[Superman Prime]

I like the idea of Metropolis being closer to Gotham City when Superman is gone. Superman doesn't become one with the dark like Batman, he expels it. So if we go the gritty Metropolis route, they need to make it a point for Superman to change that around.

[Fresh Prince]

Originally Posted by Superman Prime

I like the idea of Metropolis being closer to Gotham City when Superman is gone. Superman doesn't become one with the dark like Batman, he expels it. So if we go the gritty Metropolis route, they need to make it a point for Superman to change that around.

Agreed. Plus it be more effective if Superman clears a dark city and make it light then clear an already light city. Metropolis should be a mixture of Gotham City and Sin City. Mobsters, gangters, corrupt politicians, corrupt law enforcement, corrupt buisnessman, crazy people, rapists, serial killers., drug dealers, wife beaters, KKK. Superman should clear all of them out. A mixture of godlen age and silver age Superman.

[Superman Prime]

Agreed. Plus it be more effective if Superman clears a dark city and make it light then clear an already light city. Metropolis should be a mixture of Gotham City and Sin City. Mobsters, gangters, corrupt politicians, corrupt law enforcement, corrupt buisnessman, crazy people, rapists, serial killers., drug dealers, wife beaters, KKK. Superman should clear all of them out. A mixture of godlen age and silver age Superman.

Precisely.

[Christmas]

Originally Posted by Fresh Prince

Agreed. Plus it be more effective if Superman clears a dark city and make it light then clear an already light city. Metropolis should be a mixture of Gotham City and Sin City. Mobsters, gangters, corrupt politicians, corrupt law enforcement, corrupt buisnessman, crazy people, rapists, serial killers., drug dealers, wife beaters, KKK. Superman should clear all of them out. A mixture of godlen age and silver age Superman.

That sounds kind of fascist to me personally. Superman takes care of the big problems: earthquakes, alien invasions, mass crises, etc not things honest people should take care of within the bounds of the law, imo.

[Superman Prime]

If Superman sees a woman being violated in the alleys or someone being robbed, he isn't going to shrug and say "Oh well. I'll leave it to the authorities." If the authorities were insufficient like they were in Gotham before Batman arrived, you can be sure Superman would take care of natural disasters as well as the common, petty criminals.

[Ursa]

Superman cannot change;

Clark Kent doesn't have to be a dumb, just a kind of "invisible person", but a very smart reporter;

Lois Lane must be the ultimate strong and independent woman, and an experient and clever reporter, and also very feminine;

Lex Luthor must be a powerfull and corrupt businness man, ambitious, he does everything when he wants something, his business are almost like a mafia (maybe it really is);

The movie cannot be dark, Superman is much more similar to Spiderman than Batman.

[Christmas]

well of course he would, in SR he stopped that guy holding up the deli on the security camera. He should be depicted going out on patrol and helping people out everyday across the planet. No question. I agree with you. The presence of Superman to the citizens of Metropolis in a film should be a huge shot in the arm and fill them with hope and inspire them to do better for themselves.

He can't be everywhere at once though. there would be no end to that task. He has his own life too ya know.

But imho, he shouldn't involve himself in political conflicts unless innocent bystanders are in harm's way. He shouldn't 'clear out' corrupt pols, he should help bring them to justice in concert with authorities where he can, and also do it in his journalistic capacities as well.

[Fresh Prince]

Originally Posted by Christmas

That sounds kind of fascist to me personally. Superman takes care of the big problems: earthquakes, alien invasions, mass crises, etc not things honest people should take care of within the bounds of the law, imo.

Yeah but he needs to fight them guys too. They come first before the aliens do. Besides I understand he cannot be everywere at once but cops are pussies. They afraid to do their job. They see a women getting raped 90% of the time they say lets wait and call back up. WTF?!?! They afraid to take action. Thats why no one likes the cops no more and loo kup to them as heores plus they corrupt.

Superman gonna have to take action. And plus he needs to take out the corrupt before he faces the aliens. Before Superman's presence Metropolis has to have one of the worst crime rates in the country. But after his arrival and afterawhile they have one of the lowest. Thats how Metropolis will have to be taken care of. Start out Gotham/Sin City like then go into a nice clean un corrupt city. Sure their still bad guys out their but still not alot as their was before Superman came their.

[RachelDawes]

Originally Posted by Christmas

That sounds kind of fascist to me personally. Superman takes care of the big problems: earthquakes, alien invasions, mass crises, etc not things honest people should take care of within the bounds of the law, imo.

It's not fascist to bring criminals to justice. Superman isn't arbitrarily making the rules on his own; he's enforcing democratically legislated laws.

[Crook]

By that reasoning, Supes should hand himself in.

[RachelDawes]

^What laws have Superman broken?

[B]

Flying without a license?

Breaking the speed limit?