Mark Millar's Many Thoughts On Superman

[Doc Samson]

Sounds interesting, but a few things I don't understand. Number one, I don't see what exactly he plans on showing in Krypton that we really need to see? I don't know how enthralling that could be, I feel we got as much backstory as needed in Donner's film, anything beyond that could become tedious. I don't see what story is there left to tell that's actually intriguing.

Secondly, like others have stated, why on earth would Superman be on earth if there was nobody left to protect? Why would he wait for the sun to kill him when he could still have the strength to fly somewhere else?

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Sounds like a depressing s**tastic idea.

Give it up Millar, you ain't getting the job.

 

[Cain]

Sounds interesting, but a few things I don't understand. Number one, I don't see what exactly he plans on showing in Krypton that we really need to see? I don't know how enthralling that could be, I feel we got as much backstory as needed in Donner's film, anything beyond that could become tedious. I don't see what story is there left to tell that's actually intriguing.

Krypton could be interpreted in many different ways and none of the Krypton histories from the comics have ever been shown in a movie. Hell even today the comics are reinventing Krypton's history yet again. The only thing that counts are the basics (advanced planet, one of it's top scientist puts his son in a rocket, planet dies) all the details could always be retold.

Can't tell you why Supes wouldn't just leave earth though before the sun dies out though I do like the idea still. Personally I think Millar should also look at his boy Morrison's One Million series where Supes lived in the yellow sun till he became a living god, and his legacy inspired many to become heroes throughout the years.

 

[The Sage]

Can't tell you why Supes wouldn't just leave earth though before the sun dies out though I do like the idea still. Personally I think Millar should also look at his boy Morrison's One Million series where Supes lived in the yellow sun till he became a living god, and his legacy inspired many to become heroes throughout the years.

That's exactly what I want to see. You can even throw in Superman searching for Lois through time and space to be with him if you want to tie in their love story.

 

[stargazer]

If Superman having a child didn't give hope to the audience, I don't see how it would in another interpretation.

Barring that ending--which I can see being changed--bring on Millar's vision and his mystery director.

As far as I know, only fanboys complained about Jason as Supes son. I don't know anyone who hated him, at all. Most audiences just wanted more action and for Supes to puch someone...

Most of the critics liked/loved the movie, that's why it has a 77% rating score at rottentomatoes and a B rating all across the web. And SR made almost $400 mil ww, since when is that soo bad? And it made more than BB at the BO... Sure, it underperformed due to the budget and expectations, still, a lot of people liked/loved it and wish for the story to continue in a sequel, myself included.

I liked Superman Returns.

Sure, it could've been better. But that just means there's more room to improve with another movie...

Like the Doomsday story. That could be worth a couple of movies. It's better than (once again) rehashing the story of Krypton, or giving us a depressing story of the end of the world and a lousy death of Superman (losing his powers when the sun turns red!? c'm on. WEEEAAAK.)

Make one story the arrival of Doomsday and the death of Superman. Then make the second story the arrival of the Supermen. And a third movie the Return Of Superman...

c'm on. We'd rather see that kind of action and drama than...
than...
well...

you get the idea.

Agreed. Though I loved SR and wish to see that story continued.

But what about the Brainiac story? I think the comicbooks have shown that it could really rock.

BRING ON GEOFF JOHNS!!

 

[COMPO]

I get his idea the Godfather was good set of films but does Superman have to end with him dying alone... that's not really Superman it would fit more Batman. I mean with Micheal Corleone dying alone in the last godfather it fitted his story he had lost his soul, he had lost everything by becoming the godfather and ended alone. That fitted but Superman I agree should be uplifting.

I mean if he wanted to explore Superman's immortality why not just set it in the future with Superman outliving all his friends but not the Earth and is lonely because he can't be Clark Kent anymore and interact with people in case of raising suspicion and is cut off from the world and is more about him regaining his hope and will to keep on fighting. Kind of like the Sixth Rocky film you could have a Lois Lane character that helps him out.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Is there an eco in here?

How many times can you write the same exact thing MP? You writing this...

As far as I know, only fanboys complained about Jason as Supes son. I don't know anyone who hated him, at all. Most audiences just wanted more action and for Supes to puch someone...

Most of the critics liked/loved the movie, that's why it has a 77% rating score at rottentomatoes and a B rating all across the web. And SR made almost $400 mil ww, since when is that soo bad? And it made more than BB at the BO... Sure, it underperformed due to the budget and expectations, still, a lot of people liked/loved it and wish for the story to continue in a sequel, myself included.

...again and again doesn't change the fact that, right now, WB aren't looking to do a sequel to SR and it doesn't make the comment true.

 

[StarvingArtist]

I'll never understand why people would want to see that doomsday ****fest of a storyline as a movie. The only good thing about it would be watching Booster Gold get his ass kicked by a mindless, invincible, kryptonian, contrived, marketing ploy.

I'm with Millar on his idea. Give me epic, give me interesting, give me something I've never seen before.

Just don't mess with the costume

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

I agree, Doomsday just aint that special.

 

[Doc Samson]

Krypton could be interpreted in many different ways and none of the Krypton histories from the comics have ever been shown in a movie. Hell even today the comics are reinventing Krypton's history yet again. The only thing that counts are the basics (advanced planet, one of it's top scientist puts his son in a rocket, planet dies) all the details could always be retold.

Can't tell you why Supes wouldn't just leave earth though before the sun dies out though I do like the idea still. Personally I think Millar should also look at his boy Morrison's One Million series where Supes lived in the yellow sun till he became a living god, and his legacy inspired many to become heroes throughout the years.

I hear what your saying about Krypton, but in a movie, what exactly will they be showing that can hold the attention span of the general audience? Us fans can sit through things like that, but fanboys aren't going to make up the whole percentage of the BO. And if they're not making their money on that first film, how can the trilogy be successful?

We also don't know exactly how long his story is set in that time period, is he proposing it being the whole first movie? Half of it? Who knows, but I think if he were to get the opportunity, it could be very interesting like I said initially, or it could go the other way completely

 

[Dark Jaguar]

We want to see the limit of Superman's powers...
The epitome of that is the fight between Superman and Doomsday...
plus the story allows for sequels...

OK, admittedly... It leaves little room for imagination (like the Titanic, we all know how it ends)... but who wouldn't want to see that on the big screen??

One WHOLE movie could just be Superman and Doomsday fighting across the US...
now tell me that wouldn't be eye candy, and with no need for a script!!

 

[solidsnake86]

Well you know doomsday as a character is garbage when smallville has a better take on him. Obviously Millar is full of it because the guy doesn't have the job. I've never heard of any other comic book writer or director talking about a script they have before they were actually hired on.

Second, he is so in love with his epic idea (or so he thinks its so great) that I really can't see him being open to other ideas. Basically your moving from bryan singer who was the director who surrounded himself with yes men, to millar who is the writer who is surrounding himself with yes men.

Third, fans may think spending 15 minutes to 30 minutes on krypton is a stellar idea, but the movie is about superman. Unless you skip out the smallville stuff i dont see the importance of showing kyrpton 1000 years ago in a movie that basically has one chance to do it right or will basically never see the light of day again.

They need to go with the tried tested and true format if they want to succeed. Basically an origin story, whether you guys like it or not it works.

 

[terry78]

So he basically wants to make The Fountain, only with Superman. Gotcha.

 

[Motown Marvel]

sounds like a quality idea....for the comic books, not a movie.

 

[Cain]

I agree that Doomsday was and always will be trash but why is showing Krypton important when it should focus on Superman's origin? well because Krypton is a big part of his origin. One of the other things that makes the story so compelling is how similar Jor-El and Kal-El are even though Jor-El did not raise him. That's an interesting parrallel to put out there on film.

I hear what your saying about Krypton, but in a movie, what exactly will they be showing that can hold the attention span of the general audience?

If you're really a fanboy then you'd already know. But for example they could introduce Kara Zor-El Superman's cousin and show how she was also sent to earth. This recent Braniac arc that just finished showed that Braniac kidnapped the capital city of Krypton (Kandor) like in the silver age. That'd be interesting to see in a movie during the Krypton segment as it was awesome in the story and would provide good early sci-fi action for the mainstream. It showed that Zod and his military tried to fight against Brainiac's ship to no avail it also opens the door for both Supergirl and Brainiac for the future.

Aside from that there are many other things that have been introduced that flesh out Krypton more. It's been stated in the current canon that Non who the comics adopted was actually Jor-El's mentor who was lobotomized because simply because he found out about Krypton's eventual fate refused to stay shut about it. In this case I'm not saying the movies should neccessarily take it there just giving an example as to how a little imagination could lead to more elements added to krypton.

We also don't know exactly how long his story is set in that time period, is he proposing it being the whole first movie? Half of it? Who knows, but I think if he were to get the opportunity, it could be very interesting like I said initially, or it could go the other way completely

Somehow I doubt Krypton would take more than a half hour you still need Smallville and Metropolis. 8 hour epic = at least 2 and a half hours for a couple of those movies. Still this means nothing in the long run it's just fun to read Millar's ideas people need to get a grip and understand that the guy knows he doesn't have this job. He's just speaking up like any other fan who had problems with were the Superman movies went.

 

[The Guard]

A great idea because as said it explores his immortality.

There's a ****ton more to Superman, and elements to him that are far more important than his immortality. Fact is, no one really knows how immortal he is. You want a movie about immortality, go read TUCK EVERLASTING. I want a franchise that celebrates Superman, not a franchise that celebrates the fact that Superman is a nigh immortal alien.

 

[terry78]

There's a ****ton more to Superman, and elements to him that are far more important than his immortality. Fact is, no one really knows how immortal he is. You want a movie about immortality, go read TUCK EVERLASTING. I want a franchise that celebrates Superman, not a franchise that celebrates the fact that Superman is a nigh immortal alien.

That right there is the reason people say he's so unrelatable. Now Singer basically took that a little too much to heart and made him a ****ing baby daddy and a stalker, but someone needs to find a happy medium.

 

[Cain]

There's a ****ton more to Superman, and elements to him that are far more important than his immortality. Fact is, no one really knows how immortal he is. You want a movie about immortality, go read TUCK EVERLASTING. I want a franchise that celebrates Superman, not a franchise that celebrates the fact that Superman is a nigh immortal alien.

Slow your tone there guy. This dude said this will be the end of this movie be fair based on the fact he didn't say how much time that will take up in a movie. For all you know it's more than likely an epilogue like the LOtR movies had.

 

[Doc Samson]

If you're really a fanboy then you'd already know. But for example they could introduce Kara Zor-El Superman's cousin and show how she was also sent to earth. This Braniac arc that just happened showed that Braniac kidnapped the capital city of Krypton (Kandor) like in the silver age. That'd be interesting to see during the Krypton segment as it was awesome in the story. It showed that Zod and his military tried to fight against Brainiac's ship to no avail it also opens the door for both Supergirl and Brainiac for the future.

Lol, this is why I said the "general audience." They make a bigger portion of the pie than diehard fans do (and further to the point, my real name comes from Superman so I've been a fanboy since I came out the womb)

That being said, those are great suggestions you brought up, I never said it couldn't work at all, I'm just saying how deep can you go with it before you lose people that may not be invested into the character completely. Being equal parts Hulk fan, I can say from experience how antsy the audience can get when they already have preconceived notions prior to stepping inside the theatre, and how that can affect any further attempts at a reboot or sequel.


By the way, Rakim is the GOAT

 

[The Sage]

There's a ****ton more to Superman, and elements to him that are far more important than his immortality. Fact is, no one really knows how immortal he is. You want a movie about immortality, go read TUCK EVERLASTING. I want a franchise that celebrates Superman, not a franchise that celebrates the fact that Superman is a nigh immortal alien.

Granted, I wouldn't want it to be the focus of the story, but what's wrong with showing that aspect of the character? If the franchise is celebrating Superman, why take a look at it?

 

[Cain]

That right there is the reason people say he's so unrelatable. Now Singer basically took that a little too much to heart and made him a ****ing baby daddy and a stalker, but someone needs to find a happy medium.

False, Superman is said to be unrelatable to many because a lot of people don't read his comics. I'm not an alien or immortal just a 5'10 bronx born brown skin kid who was raised and still lives in manhattan and I relate to Superman. I'm not even mentioning Clark Kent here though I relate to him too but just Superman. Like Superman I was raised by a man who wasn't my biological dad, Like Superman I do feel like an outcast even amongst my friends because I truly haven't met anybody I could fully relate to.

Like Superman I try to do the best I can do with all the abilities that I have. Oh but wait he is not relatable just cause he's an alien and will live for centuries. I honestly think "Superman is not relatable" is an urban legend. Something people hear from a friend and keep passing around.Don't even mention Singer he's a good filmmaker yeah but he proved his knowledge didn't go beyond the first Donner movie.

 

[Cain]

Rakim is the GOAT

truth.com

 

[M.O.Steel]

even if superman dies, i prefer him dying for a reason, not because it's the end of time.

 

[Superman-Prime]

There is a new article on Mark Millar at empireonline.com,

I didn't post the link; I'm not sure is 'allowed' now, is it? Any way, this is what it says:



29 October 2008
Exclusive: Mark Millar Talks Superman
Pitches his 'Magnum Opus' to Empire

Mark Millar wants to create an epic 8-hour screen story which will follow the entire life of Kal-El from his birth on Krypton a thousand years ago, until he is the last being left on Earth.

Empire sat down for a chat with comic book writer and creator Millar, the man behind Wanted and the upcoming Kick-Ass, and he filled us in on his pitch for the follow-up to Superman Returns.
Mark has been working closely with a ‘big-Hollywood action director’ – who he refuses to name at this stage – on a pitch for what he is calling the Magnum Opus of Superman stories. His idea is for an 8-hour saga, split into 3 films to be released a year apart, in a Lord of the Rings fashion. Although several other sources have reported similar conversations with Mark, he went into further detail, fleshing out the story arc a little more.
“It’s gonna be like Michael Corleone in the Godfather films, the entire story from beginning to end, you see where he starts, how he becomes who he becomes, and where that takes him. The Dark Knight showed you can take a comic book property and make a serious film, and I think the studios are ready to listen to bigger ideas now.”
“The problem with Superman Returns was like releasing Star Wars in ’77, The Empire Strikes Back in ’80 and then waiting 28 years to release Return of the Jedi, it wasn’t relevant. I understand what Bryan Singer was trying to do, to pay homage to Richard Donner’s original vision, but I think you should pay homage by doing something completely different.”
“I want to start on Krypton, a thousand years ago, and end with Superman alone on Planet Earth, the last being left on the planet, as the yellow sun turns red and starts to supernova, and he loses his powers."
Certainly no-one can ever say that Millar lacks vision and if he and his ‘bigHollywoodaction director’ friend get backing for the project, and we certainly hope they do, it might just prove to be the Godfather of superhero films.



Well, I HATE his ideas for Superman, and I just don't like him at all.

His idea makes me want to vomit. Millar sucks.

He needs to stay away from Superman franchise. Seriously.

 

[Cain]

i don't remember him dying my man. his daughter on the other hand...

even if superman dies, i prefer him dying for a reason, not because it's the end of time.

You need to rewatch Godfather Pt. III Michael Corleone grows old and dies of natural causes another of the many parallels between him and his pop. Might be the reason Millar wants Supes to die a simple death too and he'd probably have parallels between Jor-El and Kal-El if given a shot at a trilogy if he's being inspired by The Godfather.