V
Villain
Guest
With the San Diego Comic Con just around the corner and the World Premiere of “Superman/Doomsday”, fans of the Man of Steel would think, after a year remove from “Superman Returns”, seductive yet titillating news about the sequel, director, villains, and synopsis, would permeate the Comic Con; as well as entertainment magazines and oh yeah… the world wide web and it’s conglomerate of websites totally devoted to such things. Amazing, very little on the sequel to “Superman Returns” has been revealed. Maybe because of Warner Brothers inability to decide with vigor, what direction the company desires to take; in regard to, the director and his vision for the franchise title character, the villains that will oppose him, decreasing budget concerns, and the type of hero and story the fans is desirous to see.Without a shadow of doubt, Warner Brothers wishes to retain Bryan Singer as director of the sequel, despite their displeasure, along with a copious amount of fan-base uproar, regarding the direction the franchise has taken, Singer’s numerous other commitments(appearing lack of concern, commitment, and attachment), and DC’s discontent with the usage of characters of the Superman lore; but, Warner on the other hand is not oblivious to the idea of life without Singer. Warner Brothers ensures that the franchise will work much more closer with DC’s writers and source material, in developing a better semblance and chronicle of the leading characters. Hum… where have I heard that before? Oh well, we shall see.
In May of this year, an unsubstantiated report surface about a potential undisclosed draft being penned by a mystery writer(possibly from DC Comics) and allegedly purchased by Warner Brothers. Supposedly, Dan Harris(Superman Returns) is currently working on a screenplay to the sequel, based off some ideas from this undisclosed draft; however recently, rumor has this draft written for the WB‘s “Smallville“. Sources expressed their belief assuredly, that the draft is indeed for the sequel; but would not conclude by whom exactly. Harris, once attributed in saying, “We have to have a real villain(s), that pose a real threat, not just to Superman, but to humanity. We have to have a villain(s) just as strong and powerful; yet, intelligent enough to devise a situation or circumstance, that even the greatest of heroes, may not be able to withstand”.
Very little, until now, have surface about the draft, other than it ostensibly having some intriguing plot scenarios, a degree of mystery and emotion, and a huge twist involving one of the primary characters(believably Jason White). Kevin Spacey is expected to reprise his role as the villainous Lex Luthor and be join by an unannounced villain. However, with all eyes focus on Batman’s return to the big screen next year, Wonder Woman still locked in pre-production jitters, and the numerous buzz about JLA and Teen Titans gracing the silver screen in the near future; Superman appears to be on the back burner of upcoming Warner and DC film projects. That may perhaps be about to change… hopefully with a possibly huge announcement at the Comic Con, but more realistically, later this year.
Apparently, an interesting idea seems to be gaining some consideration and being tossed around the meeting room at Warner Brothers. The sequel to “Superman Returns” itself is a prequel to a JLA film, preliminary being slated for late 2010. YES… THAT’S CORRECT! It is unclear if Brandon Routh will be attached to the JLA project; but rest assure, there are talks of linking JLA to the Superman franchise. The undisclosed draft appears to leave a major cliffhanger, with a major supervillain, that will spill over and conclude in the propose JLA film. What Dark Seed is being planted here? Warner will essentially use JLA to then produce and introduce solo projects or spin-offs of other characters of the JLA. There are discussions at Warner, considering pushing back production of Wonder Woman(2009) after the launch of JLA; however, despite production hang ups, Wonder Woman is still, at the moment, on track for a 2009 release. If things progressively pan out, a move such as this, could catapult Superman, with a little help from a few others, to the forefront of the comic book movie genre. At least a little more closer to Spiderman.
We will be watching!
t:
