All Things Superman: An Open Discussion - - - - Part 13

[Alexei Belyakov]

We got the first picture of Hardy as Bane May 20th last year and the first picture of Ledger as The Joker May 20th of 2007.

Both films released official reveals of their villains 14 months prior to release.

It is now October, we are 8 months away, and we have no reveals of either Zod or Faora.

What's up, WB?

 

[Zorex]

We got the first picture of Hardy as Bane May 20th last year and the first picture of Ledger as The Joker May 20th of 2007.

Both films released official reveals of their villains 14 months prior to release.

It is now October, we are 8 months away, and we have no reveals of either Zod or Faora.

What's up, WB?

Different films, different strategies. TDK was a sequel, Joker is a bigger name than Zod, and it had the hype from curiosity over Ledger's casting. As for Bane... need we discuss the insane hype leading up to that film?

MOS doesn't have the same widespread anticipation.

 

[Alexei Belyakov]

Different films, different strategies. TDK was a sequel, Joker is a bigger name than Zod, and it had the hype from curiosity over Ledger's casting. As for Bane... need we discuss the insane hype leading up to that film?

MOS doesn't have the same widespread anticipation

Which to me seems like an even bigger reason to create hype for its characters by giving the film's villain an official reveal in the vein of what TDK & TDKR did with its villains.

Frankly, I just don't think its smart on WB's part to keep things so quiet.

Hopefully we get a full trailer with THE HOBBIT that features Zod and some of the other characters.

 

[Zorex]

Which to me seems like an even bigger reason to create hype for its characters by giving the film's villain an official reveal in the vein of what TDK & TDKR did with its villains.

Frankly, I just don't think its smart on WB's part to keep things so quiet.

Hopefully we get a full trailer with THE HOBBIT that features Zod and some of the other characters.

But, without the pre-existing hype, you need to play your cards differently, and releasing a picture of an actor not many people are familiar with of a villain that maybe some people have heard of from a movie that probably even fewer people are aware of is coming... Basically, like I said before, MOS is in a different situation than TDK & TDKR.

Something we all need to keep in mind is our perspective is way different than the perspective of the general audiences that WB needs to seduce. We'll eat this **** up no matter how close or far the movie is. But the more casual audience-goer needs to be courted in a much more particular manner. With some films, that means holding back... even to the chagrin of its more diehard fans.

 

[BestGirl]

But, without the pre-existing hype, you need to play your cards differently, and releasing a picture of an actor not many people are familiar with of a villain that maybe some people have heard of from a movie that probably even fewer people are aware of is coming... Basically, like I said before, MOS is in a different situation than TDK & TDKR.

Something we all need to keep in mind is our perspective is way different than the perspective of the general audiences that WB needs to seduce. We'll eat this **** up no matter how close or far the movie is. But the more casual audience-goer needs to be courted in a much more particular manner. With some films, that means holding back... even to the chagrin of its more diehard fans.

I don't understand why it's a good idea to hold back when the audience is unfamiliar with the film and its characters. If there's not a lot of public interest in the film, I would release as much info as possible to build up more attention.

 

[charl_huntress]

There's still time for that.

 

[BestGirl]

There's still time for that.

Oh, definitely. I just don't know why a film being an unknown entity means that the marketing team should pull back. It's not as though Cavill and Shannon/Zod are going to become more famous between now and the time the movie comes out.

 

[charl_huntress]

I kind of feel like by holding it back they are preventing any inevitable comparisons to previous released superhero flicks in 2012. Conceivably this may work to prevent people from comparing MOS to The Avengers. They may also feel there will be more parity between IM3 and MOS going head to head.

LOL....though you guys know how I feel about WB, so another possible answer could be because they are baboons.

 

[BatFitz]

I don't think this is anything new. I remember there being practically nothing to see leading up to the release of Batman Begins. I mean, the closer it got, the more the trailers & TV Spots would roll out, obviously. But, about this distance away from release all we had was the very sparse teaser trailer (much like MOS) and some very shadowy photos of Batman.

 

[Alexei Belyakov]

I don't understand why it's a good idea to hold back when the audience is unfamiliar with the film and its characters. If there's not a lot of public interest in the film, I would release as much info as possible to build up more attention.

This.

Also, Michael Shannon is very well known at this point. Boardwalk Empire made the GA aware of him, while TAKE SHELTER & REVOLUTIONARY ROAD are common titles the cinephile community associates with stellar. Also, Nichols' MUD might land Shannon another Best Supporting Actor Nomination come January.

 

[charl_huntress]

I had no idea who Michael Shannon was...though I also don't watch Boardwalk Empire.

 

[Alexei Belyakov]

I had no idea who Michael Shannon was...though I also don't watch Boardwalk Empire.

You'd probably seen him, just never learned his name.

I first came across the guy in Billy Friedkin's [brilliant] BUG but then realized after looking up his resume that he'd been in a dozen movies I'd seen playing smaller parts (Groundhog Day, Pearl Harbor, Tigerland, Cecil B. Demented, High Crimes, etc.)

BUG was the first movie where he had a chance to show his skills. SHOTGUN STORIES being the follow-up & REVOLUTIONARY ROAD being the first real victory for him as an actor critically.

THE MISSING PERSON, THE RUNAWAYS & MY SON, MY SON, WHAT HAVE YE' DONE? are notable examples of how brilliant the guy is & how very capable and commanding he is as a lead actor.

TAKE SHELTER is the film he was ****ing robbed for. The man deserved a Best Actor Nomination (and the film deserved a Best Picture Nomination). Such a fantastic motion picture with a brilliant performance by Shannon. The Academy just completely dropped the ball last year.

 

[charl_huntress]

I feel bad, but I am not familiar with any of those movies.

 

[superhero#1]

They couldn't show zod 14 months prior to release.I think some of his suit is cgi.They should be done with it now.

It will be extra special if they wait until the first full trailer in december to reveal the new zod.

 

[Alexei Belyakov]

They couldn't show zod 14 months prior to release.I think some of his suit is cgi.They should be done with it now.

It will be extra special if they wait until the first full trailer in december to reveal the new zod.

They showed him at Comicon.

 

[Roose Bolton]

They showed his face at Comicon.

 

[Alexei Belyakov]

They showed his face at Comicon.

His shoulders and chest too.

 

[Roose Bolton]

They showed **** all, for a brief single shot.

 

[Project862006]

Shannon was the white supremacist in bad boys 2!!!

 

[Kane52630]

Yeah I watch Boardwalk Empire and the man is insanely good....and by that I mean he's f**** insane in the show. lol
Take Shelter is another great thing he was in.

 

[Zorex]

I don't understand why it's a good idea to hold back when the audience is unfamiliar with the film and its characters. If there's not a lot of public interest in the film, I would release as much info as possible to build up more attention.

Build the pressure. Start releasing stuff too early and you run the risk of the audience cooling to the picture well before its release date. Releasing as much info as possible too early could, and probably would, do the opposite of what you estimate it would.

Also, keep in mind there are other tentpole releases coming that WB is going to want to saturate your brain with. Cough, The Hobbit, Cough.

This.

Also, Michael Shannon is very well known at this point. Boardwalk Empire made the GA aware of him, while TAKE SHELTER & REVOLUTIONARY ROAD are common titles the cinephile community associates with stellar. Also, Nichols' MUD might land Shannon another Best Supporting Actor Nomination come January.

I really think you overestimate how well the GA knows Michael Shannon. They may, may, recognize his face when they see a trailer or the final film, but I really don't think he has the kind of name recognition that you're suggesting. Also, you make mention of the GA, but then switch the the "cinephile community." Cinephiles are aware of him, sure, but again... common audience members... not so much. Not enough for sure-fire buzz based on one released picture.

A trailer will come in December... things will really start moving then. Just because they aren't already unleashing an avalanche of materials onto us fans doesn't mean that the film is somehow fail catching on to the public and tank at the box office and whatever other doomsday scenario fans can come up with.

 

[Rust]

Yeah I watch Boardwalk Empire and the man is insanely good....and by that I mean he's f**** insane in the show. lol
Take Shelter is another great thing he was in.

Check out "My Son, My Son, What Have Ye Done" if you havent. More artsy than Take Shelter, but Shannon's got some intense scenes and he's pretty damn convincing even though he has this distant style to his acting.

 

[manofsteel4life]

Not to mention Shannon, though an incredible actor, is not a box office draw either.....I honestly didn't really know Shannon till I came on these boards

 

[terry78]

I'm actually glad he isn't that well known. Gives it more of an illusion that I'm seeing Zod and not some A-lister playing Zod.

 

[superman2090]

Back to the trailer releases, I found it odd that The Lone Ranger has a full trailer and comes out a month after MOS. I don't understand the strategy.