K
Kane
Guest
Q. Many people love the first hour-and-a-half of "Superman: The Movie," which is somber and reverent — but have mixed reviews for the more overtly comical second half. Which leads me to ask how you guys are handling Lex Luthor.
MD: That was always one of the hardest parts about the film, finding the right tone for Lex.
Q. I can imagine.
MD: Because as much as we enjoyed Gene Hackman’s performance, there was a large segment of the population that — even though they enjoyed it — was like, “Can we get a more serious and menacing villain here?”
DH: That’s one of the most fun parts of this movie — getting into Lex Luthor’s head. We know Hackman’s classic performance, and when he was on, he was really on — but some of the comedy doesn’t work nowadays. It’s a little dated and over-the-top. How do we change that character and move him forward?
Well, Lex Luthor’s been in prison, because of Superman, for five years — and it’s really hardened him and darkened him. There’s still that hint of witty Lex, but this time around he’s a sadist out for revenge. It’s a much scarier side of Lex Luthor.
MD: He’s much more menacing — but at the same time, he enjoys what he does. You want to like the guy. You want to hang out with him. He’s not as grim as someone like Magneto, say, or as serious or heavy-handed. He’s a little bit of everything: We have a bit of the scientist and a bit of the politician. Definitely the criminal mastermind.
DH: He’s still a capitalist … but there’s a lot more that comes with his plan — and the way he interacts with Superman.
MD: And we had to throw in a dash of comedy — but black comedy.
Q. Some recent comics have explored Luthor’s motivation a little more, and given him a very valid point of view: Superman is an alien being. Maybe we shouldn’t trust him.
DH: Yeah. In this movie, someone says, “Well, you’re not a god, Lex.” And he says, “No, I’m not a god. Gods are selfish little beings who fly around in red capes and don’t share their powers with mankind.”
Q. Is Spacey doing an homage to Hackman’s performance at all, or…?
DH: He’s taking it his own way. It’s hard for me to talk about Kevin’s motivations, but I know what ended up onscreen. It’s a hardened, scarier Lex. We see hints of the Lex we love, but there’s a darker side. Something changed this guy, and he’s a real threat now. Not that he wasn’t before — but I think people are going to be afraid for that confrontation between Superman and Lex Luthor that finally happens, because it’s so built up.
http://www.infocusmag.com/06june/supermanuncut.htm
So he has serious motivations, dark, sadistical, criminal mastermind.....part scientist/part politician.....but hes also entertaining and enjoys being an assh0le. Sounds good.
MD: That was always one of the hardest parts about the film, finding the right tone for Lex.
Q. I can imagine.
MD: Because as much as we enjoyed Gene Hackman’s performance, there was a large segment of the population that — even though they enjoyed it — was like, “Can we get a more serious and menacing villain here?”
DH: That’s one of the most fun parts of this movie — getting into Lex Luthor’s head. We know Hackman’s classic performance, and when he was on, he was really on — but some of the comedy doesn’t work nowadays. It’s a little dated and over-the-top. How do we change that character and move him forward?
Well, Lex Luthor’s been in prison, because of Superman, for five years — and it’s really hardened him and darkened him. There’s still that hint of witty Lex, but this time around he’s a sadist out for revenge. It’s a much scarier side of Lex Luthor.
MD: He’s much more menacing — but at the same time, he enjoys what he does. You want to like the guy. You want to hang out with him. He’s not as grim as someone like Magneto, say, or as serious or heavy-handed. He’s a little bit of everything: We have a bit of the scientist and a bit of the politician. Definitely the criminal mastermind.
DH: He’s still a capitalist … but there’s a lot more that comes with his plan — and the way he interacts with Superman.
MD: And we had to throw in a dash of comedy — but black comedy.
Q. Some recent comics have explored Luthor’s motivation a little more, and given him a very valid point of view: Superman is an alien being. Maybe we shouldn’t trust him.
DH: Yeah. In this movie, someone says, “Well, you’re not a god, Lex.” And he says, “No, I’m not a god. Gods are selfish little beings who fly around in red capes and don’t share their powers with mankind.”
Q. Is Spacey doing an homage to Hackman’s performance at all, or…?
DH: He’s taking it his own way. It’s hard for me to talk about Kevin’s motivations, but I know what ended up onscreen. It’s a hardened, scarier Lex. We see hints of the Lex we love, but there’s a darker side. Something changed this guy, and he’s a real threat now. Not that he wasn’t before — but I think people are going to be afraid for that confrontation between Superman and Lex Luthor that finally happens, because it’s so built up.
http://www.infocusmag.com/06june/supermanuncut.htm
So he has serious motivations, dark, sadistical, criminal mastermind.....part scientist/part politician.....but hes also entertaining and enjoys being an assh0le. Sounds good.
