Reboot: Character Portrayal

[Daybreak_st]

I want him to be more like he is in Superman TAS

That works fine in a cartoon when everyone looks rather generic but if he's that way in a live action film there's not much to differentiate him from Superman. It would be similar to Lois and Clark. Great show, great Clark Kent, but he's clearly the same guy as Superman. I'd think they'd want to differentiate the personalities somehow.

 

[Eze]

I want him to be more like he is in Superman TAS

Agreed, the more we explore the distinct personality traits of Clark Kent, and the dual identity love triangle, the greater the chance we have of rehashing StM, again.

 

[The Caped Knight]

We've seen the bumbling idiot Clark Kent portrayed magnificently by Christopher Reeves (IMO, No one will ever reach or top his performance as that verison of Clark's Mild Mannered Reporter facade.)

But I feel that in this reboot we need to see a much more Confidant, Intelligent Clark (similar to how he's presented in the current comics as well as in Superman: The Animated Series, Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman and "Smallville" {Season 8-10}. ) I'm not saying that Clark needs to be a complete professional super reporter keep some of the bumbling idiot characteristic in his character in play so no one will realize that he's Superman. But I think Clark needs to at least more of a challenge for Lois who isn't easy so easy a target to be pushed around by her . And even with his Mild Mannered reporter facade you actually could see Lois falling in love with him beneath the surface while she head over heels in love with Superman at the same time as well.

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

We're getting a real-world journalist version of Clark Kent.

We already know from the casting call he is a freelance journalist working in Africa, meaning he was motivated to that career by a passion for journalism as opposed to using it as some kind of cover.

Also, the script by Goyer/Nolan is bound to employ some kind of exaggerated disguise/personality for Clark at the DP, just as they did for Bale's Batman with the "playboy Bruce" persona.

It's the only way to make DP Clark and Superman separate with some level of versimilatude.

 

[BH/HHH]

We're getting a real-world journalist version of Clark Kent.

We already know from the casting call he is a freelance journalist working in Africa, meaning he was motivated to that career by a passion for journalism as opposed to using it as some kind of cover.

Also, the script by Goyer/Nolan is bound to employ some kind of exaggerated disguise/personality for Clark at the DP, just as they did for Bale's Batman with the "playboy Bruce" persona.

It's the only way to make DP Clark and Superman separate with some level of versimilatude.

 

[Rust]

I wonder what would drive somebody like him into journalism.

 

[BH/HHH]

I wonder what would drive somebody like him into journalism.

Means he can be close to the action maybe

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

He probably went to college and pursued that major. Clark being early 20s in this movie makes me think he's a recent college grad and this freelance reporter gig is his first job in the field.

There's elements of this in the 1986 "Man of Steel" and "Birthright"

 

[The Caped Knight]

I wonder what would drive somebody like him into journalism.

Perhaps because by being a reporter he'll hear about every crisis as it happens and will know that he can actually help by using his powers to save lives .

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

According to the information we know so far, he's still not a superhero during his time in Africa. He's basically deciding whether to be one. The casting read-out says something big happens that drives him back to Smallville, Kansas to discover his destiny.


This world sounds like it's one full of political problems. Clark is probably drawn to journalism out of intrigue regarding those issues. It explains why he's in Africa in the midst of a civil war and some political coup.

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

According to the information we know so far, he's still not a superhero during his time in Africa. He's basically deciding whether to be one. The casting read-out says something big happens that drives him back to Smallville, Kansas to discover his destiny.


This world sounds like it's one full of political problems. Clark is probably drawn to journalism out of intrigue regarding those issues. It explains why he's in Africa in the midst of a civil war and some political coup.

 

[BH/HHH]

According to the information we know so far, he's still not a superhero during his time in Africa. He's basically deciding whether to be one. The casting read-out says something big happens that drives him back to Smallville, Kansas to discover his destiny.


This world sounds like it's one full of political problems. Clark is probably drawn to journalism out of intrigue regarding those issues. It explains why he's in Africa in the midst of a civil war and some political coup.

Well I hope that this is part of the storyline, I dont get why some people were worried that most of the film would be in Africa its obviously just at the start

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

It sounds like the equivalent of Batman Begins starting in Asia.

The majority of the film is bound to be in Metropolis New York.

I don't know if we'll actually get to see Krypton (Jor-El, Lara etc) though, depends on the lawsuit and the issues with Action #1.

 

[BH/HHH]

It sounds like the equivalent of Batman Begins starting in Asia.

The majority of the film is bound to be in Metropolis New York.

I don't know if we'll actually get to see Krypton (Jor-El, Lara etc) though, depends on the lawsuit and the issues with Action #1.

Yeah hopefully it'l all be sorted out. But its possible that there may not be that much involving Krypton etc

 

[El Payaso]

Perhaps because by being a reporter he'll hear about every crisis as it happens and will know that he can actually help by using his powers to save lives .

Having super-hearing amongst his powers should be enough, so he wouldn't need to hear things as journalists do.

I think it's more about fighting for people knowing the truth and the freedom that information give to the people. I know how it sounds but I'm serious.

 

[Stripesy Strip]

But he was Clark before he was Superman. He was Clark before he put on his costume and decided to go help people.

He was never really was this "Clark". I don't think Superman ever was the farm boy like they're doing in the show Smallville. His parents gave him a good code of conduct with moral values but ultimately he's greater than all of this. The too much focus on Clark has always annoyed me. It's weak writers trying to personalises Superman because they don't know how to write him.

 

[Stripesy Strip]

I would actually change one thing in particular: Clark Kent with glasses( Metropolis Clark)would just appear in the last 10 mins of the movie.

SHOCKING, HUH? CONTINUE WITH ME ON THIS.

He would just be Superman all the time for most part of the film. A man in a colorful costume who wants to save the world and bring hope to people, And, also, find out his place in our planet and where he comes from. He won't even think about a secret identity at first. Why would he need one? He is powerful, sees everything, hears everything. Until some bad stuff happens through the course of the movie, particularly the end... wait and see! It is a much more realistic take, So, you'll follow the whole journey before it gets to the point we all love and care wich are the chemestry and fights between Lois & Clark. This time done with justice. No Smallville BS.

Because of that, my Superman would be characterized as a much more lovely, kind, less god like person in personality. No saviour as shown in SR BS!! He would be just a man with an ideal. In fact, he would work with Lois, who would be his PR person, to find out the truth about his origins, Brainiac and "dethrone" Luthor. In th end, when Lois thinks she got the news and story, BAM! Here comes Clark, out of nowheresville with an exclusive. The rivalry and the fun begins!

Superman Starts.

Bring on the sequel!

It would be interesting to push the idea of Superman with Lois as the PR further and see what grows from there by having this teamup plays longer. The newsman Clark and Lois duo is fun but it's all about talking heads and it doesn't have to always be the focus in a Superman film.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

To the 19 people who have so far voted for a bumbling Clark Kent I say:

Go and watch the last 5 movies if you want that, i'd like to see something different myself.

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

As long as there's two distinct version of Clark in the film; the real CK and the Daily Planet exaggerated persona, I don't care how they do it.

The real CK is bound to be the one we see in Africa as the freelance journalist. I think his personality in the DP, once he adopts the Superman identity, will be an invented and exaggerated persona.

 

[El Payaso]

What I'd like to see but I certainly won't is a shy Clark but that's NOT an act. He is like that, although nowhere close to Reeve's Clark.

 

[Man of Tomorrow]

What I'd like to see but I certainly won't is a shy Clark but that's NOT an act. He is like that, although nowhere close to Reeve's Clark.

Yeah, I don't see that happening. It's possible he could pretend to be shy and reserved at the DP under the false CK persona.


BUT in the regards to the real CK, I can't see someone shy thrusting himself in the midst of a political coup in Africa bound to turn violent.

 

[El Payaso]

Yeah, I don't see that happening. It's possible he could pretend to be shy and reserved at the DP under the false CK persona.

That's EXACTLY the opposite of what I said.

BUT in the regards to the real CK, I can't see someone shy thrusting himself in the midst of a political coup in Africa bound to turn violent.

Why not exactly? Being shy doesn't mean you won't do what you know is right.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

What I'd like to see but I certainly won't is a shy Clark but that's NOT an act. He is like that, although nowhere close to Reeve's Clark.

That's EXACTLY the opposite of what I said.
Why not exactly? Being shy doesn't mean you won't do what you know is right.

I kind of agree with you, but I wouldn't say shy as such.

It's kind of the difference between Clark Kent and Peter Parker for me.

Peter is a geek because he is. He's a science nerd, he's always been picked on for being a weakling and socially awkward. And when he gets his powers and he's not weak anymore, he learns confidence - but behind a mask. I mean yeah, he get's more confident as a person in general too, but he's still Peter Parker science nerd at heart. Still gonna bumble when he speaks to girls and stuff, because he's just not very good at speaking to girls.

Clark Kent on the other hand, could have been a jock. He's buff, good looking, would be great at any sport he tried. But his whole life he's been told to shunn the spotlight. He doesn't socialise much, he's unpopular, because he has to be... long before he becomes Superman. And anyone who grows up like that is going to be two things 1. Insecure and 2. Humble.

His natural instinct is to play down how good he is. And his natural reaction to anyone who takes too much of an interest in him is not to trust them and to put them off trying to get to know him.

So yeah, i'd like to see a Clark who isn't confident because he isn't confident, but not because he's shy particularly, but because he's wary of people.

 

[Tacit Ronin]

Peter is a geek because he is. He's a science nerd, he's always been picked on for being a weakling and socially awkward. And when he gets his powers and he's not weak anymore, he learns confidence - but behind a mask. I mean yeah, he get's more confident as a person in general too, but he's still Peter Parker science nerd at heart. Still gonna bumble when he speaks to girls and stuff, because he's just not very good at speaking to girls.

Uh, peter was only like that during his teen years. You can't expect a grown ass 23 year old bumbling when talking to girls.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Uh, peter was only like that during his teen years. You can't expect a grown ass 23 year old bumbling when talking to girls.

I'm sorry, but that's exactly how I see him. And BTW, i'm 23 and have plenty of geeky male friends who struggle to know what to say to girls.