All Things Superman: An Open Discussion

[Zack Snyder]

This may have been asked already, but because of the lawsuit with the descendants of Shuster and Siegel, I thought there was a limit to what could be shown regarding the origin. Aren't certain characters or places not allowed to be seen in the movie? If so, what are they?

Many have speculated the meanings of litigious issues surrounding Superman, but we don't know what has actually been worked out with the fact that a Superman film is going forward. S&S may have been restricting when a Superman film wasn't happening, but now that things are developing they could have given more free reign.

 

[The Sage]

Many have speculated the meanings of litigious issues surrounding Superman, but we don't know what has actually been worked out with the fact that a Superman film is going forward. S&S may have been restricting when a Superman film wasn't happening, but now that things are developing they could have given more free reign.

Cool if that's true.

 

[NotFadeAway]

I'm getting ahead of myself here. But how would all of you feel about adapting All-Star Superman into a live action sequel down the road? Maybe as the last film of the Cavill franchise? I bought and watched the animated movie today, and while that film wasn't perfect it got me thinking.

 

[HighFivingMF]

I'm getting ahead of myself here. But how would all of you feel about adapting All-Star Superman into a live action sequel down the road? Maybe as the last film of the Cavill franchise? I bought and watched the animated movie today, and while that film wasn't perfect it got me thinking.

I don't know if all of that would make sense. I could see the basic premise of Superman finding out he's dying and revealing his identity to Lois. But I don't know if Samson, Atlas, Bizarro World, and whatnot fitting into a mainstream movie. I'd love to see a scene similar to the Black-K one without Doomsday Jimmy I suppose.

 

[NotFadeAway]

I don't know if all of that would make sense. I could see the basic premise of Superman finding out he's dying and revealing his identity to Lois. But I don't know if Samson, Atlas, Bizarro World, and whatnot fitting into a mainstream movie. I'd love to see a scene similar to the Black-K one without Doomsday Jimmy I suppose.

I was thinking the basic premise of Superman dying and then setting up the story similiar to the book, but to fit the continuity of the franchise in place of your Bizzaro World-esque stuff.

I think it would be an excellent way to end a franchise. I'm trying to figure out a way Doomsday itself could be worked in. A combo All-Star Superman/Death of Superman story.

 

[sf2]

to end franchise??? it hasn't even begin and flourish!

 

[NotFadeAway]

to end franchise??? it hasn't even begin and flourish!

It's never too early to think ahead. If I took over a franchise like Superman, in addition to writing an origin script I would sit down and plot out where I wanted the franchise to go over the course of 3-4 films.

 

[Colonel Kurtz]

From what I can tell, the plot will be as follows...

"The Man of Steel"

Clark Kent leaves Smallville as freelance reporter, hoping to shed light on a current human rights conflict in a small African country. He says his goodbyes to Martha and Jonathan. Jonathan gives Clark the cliched speech about responsibility and being sent here for better things. Lana Lang wants to join Clark and his humanitarian efforts but Clark tells her of how dangerous it would be.

Clark arrives in Africa and sees genocide, rape, and other atrocities first hand. Unknown to him at the time, Lana Lang ignored Clark's wishes and came as well. After investigating and intervening in a few crimes, Clark discovers that the two warring African clans are being manipulated by someone who simply refers to himself as the "General."

Clark seeks this "General" out, but discovers that Lana Lang has been taken as a political hostage and is awaiting execution as a western infidel. Clark covertly intervenes, but after saving Lana, he is faced with the "General" himself.

The General, speaking to Clarks powers, claims to be "Dru-Zod" an alien from an extinct planet called Krypton. General "Dru-Zod" assumes that Clark is in fact Kal-el, Jor-el's son sent to Earth before the destruction of Krypton. Dru-Zod claims that he is testing the moral and physical limitations of the human animal in a study before conquering Earth. Zod and Clark have an escalated fight with Clark flying for the first time. Clark loses the fight and reluctantly retreats.

Clark and Lana return to Smallville with more questions than answers. General Zod tracks Clark to Smallville and holds Martha and Jonathan Kent hostage as a test of an alien concept he has been studying, "love." Zod monologues about hate and greed being the only true human emotions and that Clark should join him and rule over all of humanity.

Clark tells Zod of the inherent good in people and that his powers are a gift to share with the world. Zod critically throws Jonathan Kent, causing a massive heart attack. Clark and Zod continue to fight, unearthing Kal-el's spaceship in the process. Zod somehow gets transported to the negative zone and Clark meets a holographic image of his biological family.

Clark, instead of hearing about his past on Krypton, spends his time with Jonathan and Martha Kent as Jonathan slowly dies. Clark sees Jonathan's life force leave his body as he "becomes one with the universe." Clark tells Martha of the great potential humanity has and how it's his duty, as a "Superman," to guide mankind along the bumpy road to peace.

At Jonathan's funeral, Clark realizes his duty as a hero to be a "Superman" discovering his past and helping humanity's future along the way. Lana Lang say's her goodbyes to Clark as he leaves for better things in Metropolis. Clark dons the Superman suit, being a son of both Krypton and Earth, flying into the waning sunset on the horizon of a golden field of wheat.

 

[Rainer7]

Just a discussion if they did that, if it could work or prove to complicated to pull off.

I liked the idea that his parents could relate to being different as one of a few black families in SV. I also liked the idea that Martha saw no color when she found the baby. She would say "Black, white, or a Russian experiment. He needs us."

Not to say I would choose that as the way to go. Just seeing how the idea could be play out if used.

I think this is a really cool idea and wouldn't confuse the mainstream audience... I mean I think it would make the retelling of his origins a little more interesting this time around instead of seeing what we've seen for the last 60 years.

 

[BH/HHH]

From what I can tell, the plot will be as follows...

"The Man of Steel"

Clark Kent leaves Smallville as freelance reporter, hoping to shed light on a current human rights conflict in a small African country. He says his goodbyes to Martha and Jonathan. Jonathan gives Clark the cliched speech about responsibility and being sent here for better things. Lana Lang wants to join Clark and his humanitarian efforts but Clark tells her of how dangerous it would be.

Clark arrives in Africa and sees genocide, rape, and other atrocities first hand. Unknown to him at the time, Lana Lang ignored Clark's wishes and came as well. After investigating and intervening in a few crimes, Clark discovers that the two warring African clans are being manipulated by someone who simply refers to himself as the "General."

Clark seeks this "General" out, but discovers that Lana Lang has been taken as a political hostage and is awaiting execution as a western infidel. Clark covertly intervenes, but after saving Lana, he is faced with the "General" himself.

The General, speaking to Clarks powers, claims to be "Dru-Zod" an alien from an extinct planet called Krypton. General "Dru-Zod" assumes that Clark is in fact Kal-el, Jor-el's son sent to Earth before the destruction of Krypton. Dru-Zod claims that he is testing the moral and physical limitations of the human animal in a study before conquering Earth. Zod and Clark have an escalated fight with Clark flying for the first time. Clark loses the fight and reluctantly retreats.

Clark and Lana return to Smallville with more questions than answers. General Zod tracks Clark to Smallville and holds Martha and Jonathan Kent hostage as a test of an alien concept he has been studying, "love." Zod monologues about hate and greed being the only true human emotions and that Clark should join him and rule over all of humanity.

Clark tells Zod of the inherent good in people and that his powers are a gift to share with the world. Zod critically throws Jonathan Kent, causing a massive heart attack. Clark and Zod continue to fight, unearthing Kal-el's spaceship in the process. Zod somehow gets transported to the negative zone and Clark meets a holographic image of his biological family.

Clark, instead of hearing about his past on Krypton, spends his time with Jonathan and Martha Kent as Jonathan slowly dies. Clark sees Jonathan's life force leave his body as he "becomes one with the universe." Clark tells Martha of the great potential humanity has and how it's his duty, as a "Superman," to guide mankind along the bumpy road to peace.

At Jonathan's funeral, Clark realizes his duty as a hero to be a "Superman" discovering his past and helping humanity's future along the way. Lana Lang say's her goodbyes to Clark as he leaves for better things in Metropolis. Clark dons the Superman suit, being a son of both Krypton and Earth, flying into the waning sunset on the horizon of a golden field of wheat.

You got all that from the rumours, HOW?

 

[GreenKToo]

^Thats what i'd like to know as well.

More likely than not we'll see krypton, clark in SV, clark exploring the world, clark deciding to become superman, clark arriving in metropolis and the dp, Lex, Lex-corp, zod and/or brainiac arriving on earth, massive fights with lots of destruction, and a feel good ending.

 

[sf2]

From what I can tell, the plot will be as follows...

"The Man of Steel"

Clark Kent leaves Smallville as freelance reporter, hoping to shed light on a current human rights conflict in a small African country. He says his goodbyes to Martha and Jonathan. Jonathan gives Clark the cliched speech about responsibility and being sent here for better things. Lana Lang wants to join Clark and his humanitarian efforts but Clark tells her of how dangerous it would be.

Clark arrives in Africa and sees genocide, rape, and other atrocities first hand. Unknown to him at the time, Lana Lang ignored Clark's wishes and came as well. After investigating and intervening in a few crimes, Clark discovers that the two warring African clans are being manipulated by someone who simply refers to himself as the "General."

Clark seeks this "General" out, but discovers that Lana Lang has been taken as a political hostage and is awaiting execution as a western infidel. Clark covertly intervenes, but after saving Lana, he is faced with the "General" himself.

The General, speaking to Clarks powers, claims to be "Dru-Zod" an alien from an extinct planet called Krypton. General "Dru-Zod" assumes that Clark is in fact Kal-el, Jor-el's son sent to Earth before the destruction of Krypton. Dru-Zod claims that he is testing the moral and physical limitations of the human animal in a study before conquering Earth. Zod and Clark have an escalated fight with Clark flying for the first time. Clark loses the fight and reluctantly retreats.

Clark and Lana return to Smallville with more questions than answers. General Zod tracks Clark to Smallville and holds Martha and Jonathan Kent hostage as a test of an alien concept he has been studying, "love." Zod monologues about hate and greed being the only true human emotions and that Clark should join him and rule over all of humanity.

Clark tells Zod of the inherent good in people and that his powers are a gift to share with the world. Zod critically throws Jonathan Kent, causing a massive heart attack. Clark and Zod continue to fight, unearthing Kal-el's spaceship in the process. Zod somehow gets transported to the negative zone and Clark meets a holographic image of his biological family.

Clark, instead of hearing about his past on Krypton, spends his time with Jonathan and Martha Kent as Jonathan slowly dies. Clark sees Jonathan's life force leave his body as he "becomes one with the universe." Clark tells Martha of the great potential humanity has and how it's his duty, as a "Superman," to guide mankind along the bumpy road to peace.

At Jonathan's funeral, Clark realizes his duty as a hero to be a "Superman" discovering his past and helping humanity's future along the way. Lana Lang say's her goodbyes to Clark as he leaves for better things in Metropolis. Clark dons the Superman suit, being a son of both Krypton and Earth, flying into the waning sunset on the horizon of a golden field of wheat.

to guide mankind along the bumpy road to peace??? r u serious???
btw, i think ur story is dry and boring. worse than textbook.

 

[GhostPoet]

Boy, if that was actually the story...might as well just sleep through it. It sounds boring and nothing at all like Superman should be.

 

[Ita-KalEl]

So no costume in the movie?

 

[Dark_Lord]

From what I can tell, the plot will be as follows...

"The Man of Steel"

Clark Kent leaves Smallville as freelance reporter, hoping to shed light on a current human rights conflict in a small African country. He says his goodbyes to Martha and Jonathan. Jonathan gives Clark the cliched speech about responsibility and being sent here for better things. Lana Lang wants to join Clark and his humanitarian efforts but Clark tells her of how dangerous it would be.

Clark arrives in Africa and sees genocide, rape, and other atrocities first hand. Unknown to him at the time, Lana Lang ignored Clark's wishes and came as well. After investigating and intervening in a few crimes, Clark discovers that the two warring African clans are being manipulated by someone who simply refers to himself as the "General."

Clark seeks this "General" out, but discovers that Lana Lang has been taken as a political hostage and is awaiting execution as a western infidel. Clark covertly intervenes, but after saving Lana, he is faced with the "General" himself.

The General, speaking to Clarks powers, claims to be "Dru-Zod" an alien from an extinct planet called Krypton. General "Dru-Zod" assumes that Clark is in fact Kal-el, Jor-el's son sent to Earth before the destruction of Krypton. Dru-Zod claims that he is testing the moral and physical limitations of the human animal in a study before conquering Earth. Zod and Clark have an escalated fight with Clark flying for the first time. Clark loses the fight and reluctantly retreats.

Clark and Lana return to Smallville with more questions than answers. General Zod tracks Clark to Smallville and holds Martha and Jonathan Kent hostage as a test of an alien concept he has been studying, "love." Zod monologues about hate and greed being the only true human emotions and that Clark should join him and rule over all of humanity.

Clark tells Zod of the inherent good in people and that his powers are a gift to share with the world. Zod critically throws Jonathan Kent, causing a massive heart attack. Clark and Zod continue to fight, unearthing Kal-el's spaceship in the process. Zod somehow gets transported to the negative zone and Clark meets a holographic image of his biological family.

Clark, instead of hearing about his past on Krypton, spends his time with Jonathan and Martha Kent as Jonathan slowly dies. Clark sees Jonathan's life force leave his body as he "becomes one with the universe." Clark tells Martha of the great potential humanity has and how it's his duty, as a "Superman," to guide mankind along the bumpy road to peace.

At Jonathan's funeral, Clark realizes his duty as a hero to be a "Superman" discovering his past and helping humanity's future along the way. Lana Lang say's her goodbyes to Clark as he leaves for better things in Metropolis. Clark dons the Superman suit, being a son of both Krypton and Earth, flying into the waning sunset on the horizon of a golden field of wheat.

Hmm...

Anyway...I don't think I'd like something like this. Especially Clark wearing the costume at the end of the movie only. Maybe as the Smallville series finale.

I can't wait for some real news on the story.

 

[GreenKToo]

I'd be royally pi$$ed if he didn't decide to become superman until the very end...lets hope that never happens.

 

[Superwoman Prime]

From what I can tell, the plot will be as follows...

"The Man of Steel"

Clark Kent leaves Smallville as freelance reporter, hoping to shed light on a current human rights conflict in a small African country. He says his goodbyes to Martha and Jonathan. Jonathan gives Clark the cliched speech about responsibility and being sent here for better things. Lana Lang wants to join Clark and his humanitarian efforts but Clark tells her of how dangerous it would be.

Clark arrives in Africa and sees genocide, rape, and other atrocities first hand. Unknown to him at the time, Lana Lang ignored Clark's wishes and came as well. After investigating and intervening in a few crimes, Clark discovers that the two warring African clans are being manipulated by someone who simply refers to himself as the "General."

Clark seeks this "General" out, but discovers that Lana Lang has been taken as a political hostage and is awaiting execution as a western infidel. Clark covertly intervenes, but after saving Lana, he is faced with the "General" himself.

The General, speaking to Clarks powers, claims to be "Dru-Zod" an alien from an extinct planet called Krypton. General "Dru-Zod" assumes that Clark is in fact Kal-el, Jor-el's son sent to Earth before the destruction of Krypton. Dru-Zod claims that he is testing the moral and physical limitations of the human animal in a study before conquering Earth. Zod and Clark have an escalated fight with Clark flying for the first time. Clark loses the fight and reluctantly retreats.

Clark and Lana return to Smallville with more questions than answers. General Zod tracks Clark to Smallville and holds Martha and Jonathan Kent hostage as a test of an alien concept he has been studying, "love." Zod monologues about hate and greed being the only true human emotions and that Clark should join him and rule over all of humanity.

Clark tells Zod of the inherent good in people and that his powers are a gift to share with the world. Zod critically throws Jonathan Kent, causing a massive heart attack. Clark and Zod continue to fight, unearthing Kal-el's spaceship in the process. Zod somehow gets transported to the negative zone and Clark meets a holographic image of his biological family.

Clark, instead of hearing about his past on Krypton, spends his time with Jonathan and Martha Kent as Jonathan slowly dies. Clark sees Jonathan's life force leave his body as he "becomes one with the universe." Clark tells Martha of the great potential humanity has and how it's his duty, as a "Superman," to guide mankind along the bumpy road to peace.

At Jonathan's funeral, Clark realizes his duty as a hero to be a "Superman" discovering his past and helping humanity's future along the way. Lana Lang say's her goodbyes to Clark as he leaves for better things in Metropolis. Clark dons the Superman suit, being a son of both Krypton and Earth, flying into the waning sunset on the horizon of a golden field of wheat.

If that's the story, forget calling the film "Superman" anything. They should call it "Clark Kent" instead.

 

[Herolee10]

I wish that they would give us an indication as to whether this is a origin story for Superman or something.

I mean whatever they're planning on telling, obviously it has to be something that has never been done before on screen with Superman's character as the idea of it had captured Nolan's fascination and interest.

Tbh, I'm still hoping to see some type of origin story, since I think we're all ready to be given a new take on the origin that isn't shaped and influenced by the Donner films.

It would be great to see one large and epic film of showing Clark traveling the world and learning his heritage slowly throughout the film, rather than being told all about it at once at some point in his youth.

Heck, if I could have things my way, I'd have the story somewhat similar in terms of coverage to Batman begins one, where we start the film with Clark traveling the globe to find some purpose in life with his gifts, and coming upon the realization after seeing so much suffering from people that he can make a positive difference with them.

He would return to SV, figure out where he goes from there, which leads him to Metropolis where he meets Lois and the rest of Metropolis's inhabitants, and forge the iconic Superman persona.


My main desire is to see the difference in Metropolis's atmosphere in terms of how Superman's presence has changed it for the better. I want to see Metropolis in a bad place before Clark becomes superman, so that it's that much more evident at the end of the film as to how much of a better place it is with him there.

 

[Superwoman Prime]

Waiting to see Superman in action, in costume, is fine. It builds anticipation. It helps with the sense of rising tension. But to save him for the ending scenes is such a waste. Midway through the second act is where he needs to appear.

 

[Herolee10]

Waiting to see Superman in action, in costume, is fine. It builds anticipation. It helps with the sense of rising tension. But to save him for the ending scenes is such a waste. Midway through the second act is where he needs to appear.

Agreed; I mean what would be the point of calling the film "Superman" if he's not officially the man of steel until the end of the film?

I would say that, if this is a origin story, then it'd be best to introduce Superman in his fully glory by the time that the 45-50 minute mark hits, assuming of course that the film is at least 2 hours and 20 minutes long.

 

[Superwoman Prime]

Agreed; I mean what would be the point of calling the film "Superman" if he's not officially the man of steel until the end of the film?

I would say that, if this is a origin story, then it'd be best to introduce Superman in his fully glory by the time that the 45-50 minute mark hits, assuming of course that the film is at least 2 hours and 20 minutes long.

Sounds about right. People complained about Batman appearing so late in Batman Begins; as an origin tale, that's appropriate. They may have complained, but we know they all liked it deep down.

Two others things. I'm OK with this being an origin. As long as they stray away from showing too much of Krypton at the beginning, and too much of his life on the farm before he sets off. Matter of a fact, those are best avoided until later. They reek of "been there before". There's all sorts of opportunities to show Clark developing his motivations. . . wandering around Africa is the popular idea right now, and it'd work.

And I do like your idea of Metropolis being a mess before Superman shows up. Show it being almost as bad as Gotham. Batman could only clean Gotham up so much because he's a human with some cool technology and the willpower. Superman is a different story altogether. He has awesome super-powers, he needs to use them, embrace them, and make zero apologies for it. I get this sense that writers make those matters too difficult for Superman, because they don't want us human readers to feel overly inferior or something.

Screw that. Superman uses his powers to his full advantage. In the end, the audience wants to be awe-struck. Who cares if we know we could never have the same powers. Superman is only something to strive for morally. Everything else is supposed to be pure entertainment.

 

[Herolee10]

Sounds about right. People complained about Batman appearing so late in Batman Begins; as an origin tale, that's appropriate. They may have complained, but we know they all liked it deep down.

Two others things. I'm OK with this being an origin. As long as they stray away from showing too much of Krypton at the beginning, and too much of his life on the farm before he sets off. Matter of a fact, those are best avoided until later. They reek of "been there before". There's all sorts of opportunities to show Clark developing his motivations. . . wandering around Africa is the popular idea right now, and it'd work.

And I do like your idea of Metropolis being a mess before Superman shows up. Show it being almost as bad as Gotham. Batman could only clean Gotham up so much because he's a human with some cool technology and the willpower. Superman is a different story altogether. He has awesome super-powers, he needs to use them, embrace them, and make zero apologies for it. I get this sense that writers make those matters too difficult for Superman, because they don't want us human readers to feel overly inferior or something.

Screw that. Superman uses his powers to his full advantage. In the end, the audience wants to be awe-struck. Who cares if we know we could never have the same powers. Superman is only something to strive for morally. Everything else is supposed to be pure entertainment.

Agreed on all counts. I just want them to emphasize on how Superman really is a symbol of hope for people to believe in, though in a non religious way to avoid further comparisons with the Reeve films.

I mean this is Superman for crying out loud, a hero that's considered to be the best in DC comics, the leader of the JLA, I mean there's so much to work with from something as showing on how he came from humble beginnings towards becoming this larger than life person in the eyes of the public.

I want to see a realistic looking world filled with a lot of the problems we see in our own, and really show on what it would be like if we did have a Superman of our own, and realistically show on how people would react to his presence on Earth.

I think one of the problems with the prior films is that they emphasized too much on either his godly aspects or his relationship drama (unneeded drama I might add) when they should have placed more focus on the world around him and how he was affecting it.

 

[Superwoman Prime]

I think one of the problems with the prior films is that they emphasized too much on either his godly aspects or his relationship drama (unneeded drama I might add) when they should have placed more focus on the world around him and how he was affecting it.

Well, I'm adding you to my friends list. You've earned the hell out of it.

 

[sf2]

I'd be royally pi$$ed if he didn't decide to become superman until the very end...lets hope that never happens.

it would be a disaster at least to me if the movie is about should or shouldn't i become superman. head banging wall !

 

[Gianakin_]

No, I'm sure it won't be like that. I expect something more along the lines of how to become Superman (ie. how to help the world). Even Batman showed up in the 40 minute mark in BB.