Superman Returns New Backstory for SR

[mego joe]

Ok, a completely complicated and off the wall backstory for the events of Superman Returns.

Superman and Lois are in a committed loving relationship. He hears the news about Krypton, and decides he must go. He discusses it with Lois and she understands that he believes that he is not coming back. Feeling like he is abandoning his adopted home, and not wanting to leave it w/o a protector should he not return. Superman and Lois, unsure if they are genetically compatible try to become pregnant.

They try for a few months and get frustrated at the lack of success. Continuing to be torn apart at having to leave Earth and Lois, Superman realizes that if he doesn’t go and soon he might not go. He realizes that actually leaving is going to be harder than he thought. Lois already knows what he is going to do and he believes that she will know that he’s left - he leaves without a final goodbye.

She immediately knows when she doesn’t see him the next day that he’s gone for Krypton. After a couple of months she meets Richard and since he embodies many of the things that Superman does, she falls for him. Believing that Superman is not coming back, she forges ahead with the relationship. When they get pregnant she fully believes it to be Richard’s baby. Superman doesn’t come back and they continue to move forward with their life.

Then one day, 5 years after he left, Superman reappears on Earth. When he returns to the Planet and discovers that Lois has a child he is shocked b/c he didn’t think it had worked. And when he learns that Richard is the child’s father, he KNOWS it didn’t work.

When finally speaking to Lois, he realizes she is hurt b/c he omitted the final goodbye. He learns quickly that Lois is committed to her family and that there is no chance for him and Lois and she has truly moved on.

Lois wrote the article b/c she wanted to world to realize that they didn’t need a Superman not out of spite, but out of wanting to help the world move on with it’s loss.

Then when Jason throws the piano, she realizes their plan did work after all, but because she’s moved on Jason will have to grow up w/o Superman as his father.

Ok, it’s out there, but it came to me….

 

[El Payaso]

I approve this. Very good.

I'd be happy merely with Superman saying good-bye an Lois not being happy at all and being resentful that Superman chose to leave anyways.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Ok, a completely complicated and off the wall backstory for the events of Superman Returns.

Superman and Lois are in a committed loving relationship. He hears the news about Krypton, and decides he must go. He discusses it with Lois and she understands that he believes that he is not coming back. Feeling like he is abandoning his adopted home, and not wanting to leave it w/o a protector should he not return. Superman and Lois, unsure if they are genetically compatible try to become pregnant.

They try for a few months and get frustrated at the lack of success. Continuing to be torn apart at having to leave Earth and Lois, Superman realizes that if he doesn’t go and soon he might not go. He realizes that actually leaving is going to be harder than he thought. Lois already knows what he is going to do and he believes that she will know that he’s left - he leaves without a final goodbye.

She immediately knows when she doesn’t see him the next day that he’s gone for Krypton. After a couple of months she meets Richard and since he embodies many of the things that Superman does, she falls for him. Believing that Superman is not coming back, she forges ahead with the relationship. When they get pregnant she fully believes it to be Richard’s baby. Superman doesn’t come back and they continue to move forward with their life.

Then one day, 5 years after he left, Superman reappears on Earth. When he returns to the Planet and discovers that Lois has a child he is shocked b/c he didn’t think it had worked. And when he learns that Richard is the child’s father, he KNOWS it didn’t work.

When finally speaking to Lois, he realizes she is hurt b/c he omitted the final goodbye. He learns quickly that Lois is committed to her family and that there is no chance for him and Lois and she has truly moved on.

Lois wrote the article b/c she wanted to world to realize that they didn’t need a Superman not out of spite, but out of wanting to help the world move on with it’s loss.

Then when Jason throws the piano, she realizes their plan did work after all, but because she’s moved on Jason will have to grow up w/o Superman as his father.

Ok, it’s out there, but it came to me….

So, Superman having casual sex with Lois just for the purpose to make a being capable of protecting Earth is more accepting to you than what happened in SR? Come on Mega Joe, this is a bit hypocritical IMO, sorry.

 

[mego joe]

So, Superman having casual sex with Lois just for the purpose to make a being capable of protecting Earth is more accepting to you than what happened in SR? Come on Mega Joe, this is a bit hypocritical IMO, sorry.

Considering that I started with stating that they are in a committed relationship it is not casual sex.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

^But it could be considered that if they are doing it JUST for the purpose of having a child, that Superman will also not have the chance to raise.

 

[matthooper]

^But it could be considered that if they are doing it JUST for the purpose of having a child, that Superman will also not have the chance to raise.

Just what don't you get about this? He clearly said..

Superman and Lois are in a committed loving relationship.

It's not just about a kid and it's not just about casual sex. It certainly makes a heck of a lot more sense than what actually happened in Superman Returns.

 

[Dope Nose]

Just what don't you get about this? He clearly said..

Superman and Lois are in a committed loving relationship.

It's not just about a kid and it's not just about casual sex. It certainly makes a heck of a lot more sense than what actually happened in Superman Returns.

what don't you get about AVEITWITHJAMON's posts? yes, mego joe said that they're in a committed, loving relationship but he also stated that, prior to their attempting to conceive, Superman believed that he wouldn't be returning, that he felt that he was abandoning his adopted home, and that he didn't want to leave it without a protector. regardless of whether he loves Lois it sounds like Superman's main motivation for having a child is guilt.

 

[matthooper]

what don't you get about AVEITWITHJAMON's posts? yes, mego joe said that they're in a committed, loving relationship but he also stated that, prior to their attempting to conceive, Superman believed that he wouldn't be returning, that he felt that he was abandoning his adopted home, and that he didn't want to leave it without a protector. regardless of whether he loves Lois it sounds like Superman's main motivation for having a child is guilt.

I apologize. I guess I misread his posts. I guess I don't see too well.

So, Superman having casual sex with Lois just for the purpose to make a being capable of protecting Earth is more accepting to you than what happened in SR? Come on Mega Joe, this is a bit hypocritical IMO, sorry.

^But it could be considered that if they are doing it JUST for the purpose of having a child, that Superman will also not have the chance to raise.

I guess I have to slow down and read more slowly. Since the first thing Joe mentions is that they are in loving commited relationship.

Ok, a completely complicated and off the wall backstory for the events of Superman Returns.

Superman and Lois are in a committed loving relationship. He hears the news about Krypton, and decides he must go.

I would have thought that that would trump any other motivation that would occur after. I guess I'm wrong. According to some here I'm such an dim-witted idiot, I guess I just forgot how to read. Again, my bad.

 

[mego joe]

Let me clarify:

They are in a committed and loving relationship and have not consumated the relationship. They decide that they want to consumate it before he leaves. In their discussions of this decision, Superman b/c of his overdeveloped sense of responsibility to Earth (and lessons he's learned in the past about leaving Earth w/o a protector) asks Lois if she would be willing to help him in this matter. Lois agrees and together they decide that it is a good idea. It is not about guilt, but rather responsibility. If it was about guilt then we would be saying it's wrong to leave Earth. But it's not. Instead it develops both sides of SUperman's nature and his responsibility to not only Earth but the Universe. And given the situation, he feels equal sense of responsibility to both and therefore attempts something that will fulfill his sense of responsibiltity to Earth.

Additionally, this flesehes out the Jor-El parallel that is suggested at the end of the film, giving his only son to Earth.

I realize this idea is in no way perfect, but it satisfies many of the problems I have with SR and the reasons I dislike SR so intensely.

IMO, this backstory is more about Superman trying to fulfill both responsibilites with something a bit risky, but for he right reasons and b/c of the proper motivation. He's not perfect. THings don't work out as planned exactly and he comes back to a situation that is far from perfect. But, the difference to me is in motivation and a greater depth of the understanding of Superman's character and is sense of responsibility instead of just making him a jerk.

It still doesn't solve one problem, and that's SUperman and Lois being involved seriously w/o Lois knowing he's also Clark. Perhaps there is a solution to that as well though......

 

[Angeloz]

Let me clarify:

They are in a committed and loving relationship and have not consumated the relationship. They decide that they want to consumate it before he leaves. In their discussions of this decision, Superman b/c of his overdeveloped sense of responsibility to Earth (and lessons he's learned in the past about leaving Earth w/o a protector) asks Lois if she would be willing to help him in this matter. Lois agrees and together they decide that it is a good idea. It is not about guilt, but rather responsibility. If it was about guilt then we would be saying it's wrong to leave Earth. But it's not. Instead it develops both sides of SUperman's nature and his responsibility to not only Earth but the Universe. And given the situation, he feels equal sense of responsibility to both and therefore attempts something that will fulfill his sense of responsibiltity to Earth.

Additionally, this flesehes out the Jor-El parallel that is suggested at the end of the film, giving his only son to Earth.

I realize this idea is in no way perfect, but it satisfies many of the problems I have with SR and the reasons I dislike SR so intensely.

IMO, this backstory is more about Superman trying to fulfill both responsibilites with something a bit risky, but for he right reasons and b/c of the proper motivation. He's not perfect. THings don't work out as planned exactly and he comes back to a situation that is far from perfect. But, the difference to me is in motivation and a greater depth of the understanding of Superman's character and is sense of responsibility instead of just making him a jerk.

It still doesn't solve one problem, and that's SUperman and Lois being involved seriously w/o Lois knowing he's also Clark. Perhaps there is a solution to that as well though......

Sorry for taking so long to comment but I haven't been around. So now you know how it's been for those that like the film i.e. you get attacked for it. My commiserations. I'm glad you've tried to do this. I don't know if it took or you changed your mind. Or is it more of a what if scenario? Seems like it to me. I also like that you make Lois alright too. 'Cos writers sometimes write that she's cool because everyone thinks so and not because of what she actually does. Possibly why I prefer him with Batman - although he sometimes does worse than Lois. Like having plans to counteract against his JLA team mates getting into the wrong hands and him being distracted elsewhere. I've also heard about Brother-Eye but it was after I stopped reading. Sorry got side-tracked.

My solution to her not knowing his identity is that she knew but maybe something erased her memory. If we want it not to be Kal-El then maybe Jor-El or better still a bad guy. Also I'd prefer if he left it was after something that might have broke it off. Maybe like "Superman II". Also maybe Lois wasn't ready at that time to be with him because she was jealous of the world. But mainly just not ready or at least she might have thought so. Maybe Jor-El in the Fortress wiped her memory in consequence to that. And so Kal-El had more than one reason not to say goodbye. As she couldn't remember their time together. If not Jor-El then a bad guy erased her memory of Superman or something. So she might have got most of it back except their times together and his identity - I know - that's very convenient. Oh well. But it's nice to read this from you mego joe. Even if you found it a waste of time at least you might know what it's like for people that like the film. So I don't think so i.e. empathy = good.

Angeloz

 

[SuperDaniel]

I dont like it. There`s no way to improve the story of SR. It is a total mess.

I would completely change the tone of the story and exclude Richard and Jason and make the theme of the movie do we need a Superman? I`d make Luthor to be the saviour of Metropolis when Superman is gone and when he is back, he has to prove himself all over again. So, Perry pairs Lois & Clark to try to dethrone Luthor, etc etc.

Put Brainiac too and we have a different movie.

The only good theme of SR is the alienation theme when he Returns to Krypton to find that he is completely alone. The whole romance soap opera thing just destroyed the movie, IMO. It just didnt work.

 

[Angeloz]

I dont like it. There`s no way to improve the story of SR. It is a total mess.

I would completely change the tone of the story and exclude Richard and Jason and make the theme of the movie do we need a Superman? I`d make Luthor to be the saviour of Metropolis when Superman is gone and when he is back, he has to prove himself all over again. So, Perry pairs Lois & Clark to try to dethrone Luthor, etc etc.

Put Brainiac too and we have a different movie.

The only good theme of SR is the alienation theme when he Returns to Krypton to find that he is completely alone. The whole romance soap opera thing just destroyed the movie, IMO. It just didnt work.

He should really be with Bruce. But they wouldn't go for it.

Angeloz

 

[mego joe]

Sorry for taking so long to comment but I haven't been around. So now you know how it's been for those that like the film i.e. you get attacked for it. My commiserations. I'm glad you've tried to do this. I don't know if it took or you changed your mind. Or is it more of a what if scenario? Seems like it to me. I also like that you make Lois alright too. 'Cos writers sometimes write that she's cool because everyone thinks so and not because of what she actually does. Possibly why I prefer him with Batman - although he sometimes does worse than Lois. Like having plans to counteract against his JLA team mates getting into the wrong hands and him being distracted elsewhere. I've also heard about Brother-Eye but it was after I stopped reading. Sorry got side-tracked.

My solution to her not knowing his identity is that she knew but maybe something erased her memory. If we want it not to be Kal-El then maybe Jor-El or better still a bad guy. Also I'd prefer if he left it was after something that might have broke it off. Maybe like "Superman II". Also maybe Lois wasn't ready at that time to be with him because she was jealous of the world. But mainly just not ready or at least she might have thought so. Maybe Jor-El in the Fortress wiped her memory in consequence to that. And so Kal-El had more than one reason not to say goodbye. As she couldn't remember their time together. If not Jor-El then a bad guy erased her memory of Superman or something. So she might have got most of it back except their times together and his identity - I know - that's very convenient. Oh well. But it's nice to read this from you mego joe. Even if you found it a waste of time at least you might know what it's like for people that like the film. So I don't think so i.e. empathy = good.

Angeloz

I really tried it as a what, to see if I could come up with something I could get behind that would make sense to me (b/c what's in SR doesn't make sense). It was a creative exercise. The fact that I had to go to such extremes, to me shows just how wrong the story was in the first place, it just doesn't work on a straigtforward level, which is how it was presented.

I certainly don't think it's was a waste of time, but neither does it make me like SR anymore. It was WAY too much work on my part to make it fit and I know it wasn't intended to be like this.

As far as Lois not knowing Clark's ID, what if she knew, but b/c of the circumstances they decided together that it would be better and easier for Lois to not recall this fact and therefore he amnesia kissed her, and she only recalls the plan without all the details.

 

[mego joe]

I dont like it. There`s no way to improve the story of SR. It is a total mess.


I would completely change the tone of the story and exclude Richard and Jason and make the theme of the movie do we need a Superman? I`d make Luthor to be the saviour of Metropolis when Superman is gone and when he is back, he has to prove himself all over again. So, Perry pairs Lois & Clark to try to dethrone Luthor, etc etc.

Put Brainiac too and we have a different movie.

The only good theme of SR is the alienation theme when he Returns to Krypton to find that he is completely alone. The whole romance soap opera thing just destroyed the movie, IMO. It just didnt work.

I know what you are saying, and part of this exercise was for me to see how far out I had to go to get something that I considered passable. For it REALLY to work, you'd have to actually reveal this backstory at some point and build off of it.

And part of the exercise was not contradicting anything that is actually in the movie.

 

[That'ssuper!]

Superman having sex with Lois before they are at least engaged backs the dickons out of me. Otherwise this is fine for SR.

 

[mego joe]

what don't you get about AVEITWITHJAMON's posts? yes, mego joe said that they're in a committed, loving relationship but he also stated that, prior to their attempting to conceive, Superman believed that he wouldn't be returning, that he felt that he was abandoning his adopted home, and that he didn't want to leave it without a protector. regardless of whether he loves Lois it sounds like Superman's main motivation for having a child is guilt.

Guilt or Responsibility?

 

[X Knight]

the very existence of this thread just proves that SR failed to define the backstory or context of the film. fans or the GA shouldn't have to create their own backstories for the film. Nor should they be required to watch/read/purchased extraneous material, like movie-novels, prequel comics, etc. ( prior films should only be required if the film is a direct sequel ).

mego joe, I applaud your efforts for coming up with this backstory, but it still doesn't do it for me.

The fact that Supes and Lois decided to have a child for the purpose of giving earth a "replacement" protector due to Superman's absence just cheapens the whole concept. Even if Supes and Lois are in a committed loving relationship, it just turns their kid into more of a "tool" who is being used by his parents. IOW, the kid wasn't conceived because the parents wanted to settle down and start a family. He was essentially being "conceived," "reared," and "groomed" to be a protector....a weapon so to speak.....

Also, it is still insanely selfish of Superman, believing that he would be gone forever, to place the entire BURDEN and RESPONSIBILITY of child birth and child rearing on Lois!!! That's like Supes is essentially USING Lois to conceive his child. That's even more selfish than just shacking it up and having casual sex.

In addition, there is an inherent flaw with the kid being Superman's replacement protector. Given that the child will need quite a few years to develop his powers and mature into a teenager ( at least ) or young adult, that leaves a rather large window of time where the planet would be left relatively defenseless from whatever super-powered threat that might arise ( Brainiac, Darkseid, Imperiex, etc. ).

The kid would also make a good "target" for any villain, thus putting the child, Lois, Martha, and anyone connected to the kid ( presumably ppl that Supes loves and cares about ) in grave danger....

 

[mego joe]

the very existence of this thread just proves that SR failed to define the backstory or context of the film. fans or the GA shouldn't have to create their own backstories for the film. Nor should they be required to watch/read/purchased extraneous material, like movie-novels, prequel comics, etc. ( prior films should only be required if the film is a direct sequel ).

mego joe, I applaud your efforts for coming up with this backstory, but it still doesn't do it for me.

The fact that Supes and Lois decided to have a child for the purpose of giving earth a "replacement" protector due to Superman's absence just cheapens the whole concept. Even if Supes and Lois are in a committed loving relationship, it just turns their kid into more of a "tool" who is being used by his parents. IOW, the kid wasn't conceived because the parents wanted to settle down and start a family. He was essentially being "conceived," "reared," and "groomed" to be a protector....a weapon so to speak.....

Also, it is still insanely selfish of Superman, believing that he would be gone forever, to place the entire BURDEN and RESPONSIBILITY of child birth and child rearing on Lois!!! That's like Supes is essentially USING Lois to conceive his child. That's even more selfish than just shacking it up and having casual sex.

In addition, there is an inherent flaw with the kid being Superman's replacement protector. Given that the child will need quite a few years to develop his powers and mature into a teenager ( at least ) or young adult, that leaves a rather large window of time where the planet would be left relatively defenseless from whatever super-powered threat that might arise ( Brainiac, Darkseid, Imperiex, etc. ).

The kid would also make a good "target" for any villain, thus putting the child, Lois, Martha, and anyone connected to the kid ( presumably ppl that Supes loves and cares about ) in grave danger....

I never said it was perfect, just better than what we got in SR...

 

[Angeloz]

the very existence of this thread just proves that SR failed to define the backstory or context of the film. fans or the GA shouldn't have to create their own backstories for the film. Nor should they be required to watch/read/purchased extraneous material, like movie-novels, prequel comics, etc. ( prior films should only be required if the film is a direct sequel ).

When I first saw the film I'd only seen the clips, trailers and TV spots. I still enjoyed it. Actually I think it's those that know more that might have the greater problems. By the way I like mysteries. Or better still television and films that don't hand me everything on a silver platter when it comes to information. It was part of the reason I like the film. Especially in subsequent viewings. It's the difference between boredom and interest. Especially after the first viewing. That's why I've watched "Spider-man 1" & "2" two or three times. They entertain me but hold no mystery to explore or subtlety. So I watch them just before I see the sequel to refresh myself.

mego joe, I applaud your efforts for coming up with this backstory, but it still doesn't do it for me.

The fact that Supes and Lois decided to have a child for the purpose of giving earth a "replacement" protector due to Superman's absence just cheapens the whole concept. Even if Supes and Lois are in a committed loving relationship, it just turns their kid into more of a "tool" who is being used by his parents. IOW, the kid wasn't conceived because the parents wanted to settle down and start a family. He was essentially being "conceived," "reared," and "groomed" to be a protector....a weapon so to speak.....

Also, it is still insanely selfish of Superman, believing that he would be gone forever, to place the entire BURDEN and RESPONSIBILITY of child birth and child rearing on Lois!!! That's like Supes is essentially USING Lois to conceive his child. That's even more selfish than just shacking it up and having casual sex.

In addition, there is an inherent flaw with the kid being Superman's replacement protector. Given that the child will need quite a few years to develop his powers and mature into a teenager ( at least ) or young adult, that leaves a rather large window of time where the planet would be left relatively defenseless from whatever super-powered threat that might arise ( Brainiac, Darkseid, Imperiex, etc. ).

The kid would also make a good "target" for any villain, thus putting the child, Lois, Martha, and anyone connected to the kid ( presumably ppl that Supes loves and cares about ) in grave danger....

You assume that he thought there might be a danger from invasion. The Earth has been safe from that for centuries. Especially the film world. If you only count that then the greatest danger was from Krypton (Zod, etc.). And that might not be true in "Superman Returns" universe (especially if you count the novelisation in that he'd only heard of Zod and not met him). So he was the only invader to date that possibly he or anyone knew of.

Angeloz

 

[Cosmic]

This idea would be great for an issue of Lois Lane - Superman's Girlfriend...but not for a blockbuster, live-action Superman film.