Reboot: Character Portrayal

[KalMart]

Okay... my Superman portrayal:

He would *****slap everyone who insists he has to be "relatable", "down to earth", "human" and "vulnerable". He would cripple people who call him "just a farmboy", "not as smart as Batman" and "boy scout".

He could spend an entire movie doing that, and still not finish. t:

 

[Wheels]

Okay... my Superman portrayal:

He would *****slap everyone who insists he has to be "relatable", "down to earth", "human" and "vulnerable". He would cripple people who call him "just a farmboy", "not as smart as Batman" and "boy scout".

Superman's whole belief system is based on the moral values given to him by Jonathan and Martha Kent. You know, his "human" parents.

 

[NeoRanger]

expl-ai-n

There's not much to explain. He was an all around nice guy, with a fairly ordinary life; a job he liked, a passion for truth and justice and in love with a girl. And on top of all that, the inner strength to do right and make a difference. I see plenty of relatability there; at least that's what it felt like reading him.

 

[Wheels]

I'm going add something else.

If an alien lived amongst humans his entire life, it's only natural that he would develop their social and emotional characteristics.

 

[Frodo]

Ok. I tried to avoid saying that but You DO NOT understand the character of Lois Lane if you think she should start her career doing gossip. It's not the point of showing the beggining of her career. It's her ideals. Gossip isn't journalism and Lois Lane has always been the best example of a journalist, since the start. You diminish her character and personality.

The point isn't to try something new. The point is being faithful to the essence of the characters and create the best story with that.

The characters of the Superman mythos are already estabilished. There is not need to fix what ain't broke. It's simple as that.

Many authors are just trying SO MUCH to put their stamp on the characters that they don't realize that the best thing to do is just respect them and create the best story USING them. You see the difference?

You're right about USING them and creating the best story. The point in my version IS to show the beginning of their careers and through the beginning you see their ideals. You don't seem think is that the story can be tweaked or things can be added to the already established myths. Look at Nolan's Batman films, The Spiderman films X Men etc. Changes , events are made like it or not. Now my version may not be the best story or the way you but regardless , with a long lasting myth like Superman or any of the films filmmakers and writers will try to explore new areas or come at things in different directions. I know there are fans who don't like that, and I can respect that as I've been one of them many a time.

As for Lois Lane, I DO understand the character. I'm doing something different in terms of her very early beginnings at the Planet. The point in my version is that she wants to aspire higher and doesn't want to be doing fluff stories for the Planet but is assigned to it because the people above her don't believe in her.Her character is the same it's her circumstances in her very early career, which hasn't been covered in the movies anyway, is new. She's still the moral hard working character , that's the point . I'm just adding a different chapter to her very early career which has not ever been dealt with in the films. Clearly you have a problem with my version . That's ok. If you don't like it , you don't like it. Everyone is entitled to their own view .

 

[afan]

Superman's whole belief system is based on the moral values given to him by Jonathan and Martha Kent. You know, his "human" parents.

If I read TruerToTheCore's disdain for the insistance that Superman has to be more human correctly it refers to those that relish a Superman who also exhibits the weak traits of human behaviour.

For me the character is super not only as a result of the yellow sun but also as you point out by the upbringing of the Kent's. The strength of character they instill within Superman is far more important than the strength of body that his yellow sun generated powers grant him.
He should be "human", but he should always epitomize only the best and noblest qualities of humanity.

 

[Wheels]

but he should always epitomize only the best and noblest qualities of humanity.

I agree with you, I just don't want Superman to come off as aloof or detached from the world in which he lives.

 

[KalElofKrypton]

I absolutely disagree.

While Batman is a shadowy nightmare figure who is often believed by the citizens to be a myth, Superman needs a lot of interaction with the people of Metropolis. He wants people to know him and to feel comfortable about him being there. He is the polar opposite of Batman.

Sure, there should be citizens who aren't exactly fans and, conversely, those who idolize him as well as all measure in between ... but he should be out there mingling and letting people feel they can reach out to him. Reassuring them that he's there to help. Again, he is the polar opposite of Batman.

Superman shouldn't stop and pose for pictures but he's not opposed to someone taking those pictures. He's warmed by the people he's sworn to protect.. otherwise, what's the point? His motivation is that he cares about people ... why would he distance himself?

I like the idea that was presented in the season 8 episode of Smallville, "Infamous". Clark revealed his identity as the Red Blue Blur to the public, and while there were the masses of people ready to idolize him, there was a woman on the news whose husband dies in a construcion accident. She asked the Red Blue Blur why he got to play God, and why it was her husband to die. So I like the idea of Superman being a "savior" to the people of Metropolis, but also the idea that he can't save everyone.

 

[NeoRanger]

The savior angle is one I could never stomach. The conflict is interesting (even if done to DEATH by now), as long as it's not done over-the-top... you know, like in that recent movie.

I really dug the very original Superman motto of the "champion who fought for the helpless and the opressed, against the forces of evil and injustice".

 

[DavidTyler]

Okay... my Superman portrayal:

He would *****slap everyone who insists he has to be "relatable", "down to earth", "human" and "vulnerable". He would cripple people who call him "just a farmboy", "not as smart as Batman" and "boy scout".

Core ... you're a pretty violent dude.

Try having a beer and chill by the pool.

 

[DavidTyler]

I do not want a 'vanilla' Superman. MY GOD, could anything be more boring?!!

While I don't want to see him exhibit the baser traits of humanity, I do want to see him given to anger, doubt, bad humour, and see him conflicted at times.

But let's not let this thread degrade to just being about Superman/Clark. I started the thread to see how you would want ALL of the characters handled.

Rock on, everyone.

 

[NeoRanger]

I think afan didn't mean that he should have a range of emotions, but mostly that he shouldn't completely succumb to and be governed by them, like, for example, he does in Smallville.

 

[KalMart]

I do not want a 'vanilla' Superman. MY GOD, could anything be more boring?!!

While I don't want to see him exhibit the baser traits of humanity, I do want to see him given to anger, doubt, bad humour, and see him conflicted at times.

But let's not let this thread degrade to just being about Superman/Clark. I started the thread to see how you would want ALL of the characters handled.

Rock on, everyone.

What I liked about his portrayal in that JL animated show is that we see him struggling with being himself in a team environment. Not to say that he's incapable or ill-suited (no pun intended), but the natural difficulty of his philosophies clashing with those of others, even though they share a common goal. In a lot of ways, it brings more importance to him being the way he is, and being the leader. He is sometimes harsh and unapologetic...but it emphasizes his adamant belief in what's right. And through it all, it reinforces that aside from his power, what's most important in a leader is the quality of his character....and there's never any question about that, no matter how hard his decisions are. Even his harshest and most honest critic, Batman, knows that.

 

[afan]

I think afan didn't mean that he should have a range of emotions, but mostly that he shouldn't completely succumb to and be governed by them, like, for example, he does in Smallville.

Couldn't have put it better, Thanks.

 

[protocida]

Lois Lane:
Lois Lane is the older daughter of Gen. Sam Lane, from the USA government. She and her younger sister, Lucy, grew up in military bases where their father worked. Lois became an great hand-to-hand fighter and learned several things about military vehicles and weaponry. At 18, she choose to be a reporter and got to college, where se formed with honors. After graduating, Lois headed to Metropolis, where she was hired as Daily Planet's chief-editor Perry White's assistent, and crawled her way from the office-girl to N° 1 reporter with her great scoops. Lois is a strong and independent woman, who always speaks her mind and doesn't have any problem in face off powerful people. She has got a lot of enemies along her way, from criminals to politicians, and she fears noone. She's one of the few reporters who treat Jimmy Olsen nicely, and he became her "non-official" photograper. She doesn't to have to "babysit" Clark Kent when he arrives at the Planet, but they slowly become friends, as Clark shows he's more than a bubbling farmboy. And she's mesmerized by Superman ever since he first saves her from a plane crash. Lois is also the only person in Metropolis who doesn't fear Lex Luthor, and tries to uncover his criminal plans, what transforms her into a target of Luthor's secret weapon: Metallo. It's up to Superman to protect her. And it's up to her to help him destroy Metallo before he ravages Metropolis. Lois ain't no damsel in distress, and she's going to prove it.

 

[Webhead2006]

Now that sounds like a solid good lois, i would love to see her done like that.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Lois Lane:
Lois Lane is the older daughter of Gen. Sam Lane, from the USA government. She and her younger sister, Lucy, grew up in military bases where their father worked. Lois became an great hand-to-hand fighter and learned several things about military vehicles and weaponry. At 18, she choose to be a reporter and got to college, where se formed with honors. After graduating, Lois headed to Metropolis, where she was hired as Daily Planet's chief-editor Perry White's assistent, and crawled her way from the office-girl to N° 1 reporter with her great scoops. Lois is a strong and independent woman, who always speaks her mind and doesn't have any problem in face off powerful people. She has got a lot of enemies along her way, from criminals to politicians, and she fears noone. She's one of the few reporters who treat Jimmy Olsen nicely, and he became her "non-official" photograper. She doesn't to have to "babysit" Clark Kent when he arrives at the Planet, but they slowly become friends, as Clark shows he's more than a bubbling farmboy. And she's mesmerized by Superman ever since he first saves her from a plane crash. Lois is also the only person in Metropolis who doesn't fear Lex Luthor, and tries to uncover his criminal plans, what transforms her into a target of Luthor's secret weapon: Metallo. It's up to Superman to protect her. And it's up to her to help him destroy Metallo before he ravages Metropolis. Lois ain't no damsel in distress, and she's going to prove it.

Sounds good to me.

 

[Webhead2006]

You got any for the rest of the leads?

 

[MadVillainy]

Really brief ones:

Lois Lane= A young, one hit wonder whose first article for The Daily Planet won her the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting. As of late even though her reputation is still in tact as the Planet, her career is beginning to fizzle. She writes good articles, but none live up to her first. She's sassy, sarcastic, and witty. Taking Jimmy Olsen under her wing, she sets out to find more about Superman and what he stands for.

Jimmy Olsen= An awkward, but well meaning college graduate. Jimmy is a photographer and glorified assistant for many of the older staff members. Jimmy's aspiration are large, but he knows that he can reach them. He looks up to many of the staff members and is a die hard supporter for Metropolis' newest superhero. He follows Lois Lane around helping her whenever she needs. Lois gets a "protoge", while Jimmy gets a older sister figure, mentor, and friend.

Lex Luthor= Wonderkin, anger prone, and arrogant are the best words to describe Lex Luthor. he is ruthless and pushes to get any thing he wants no matter who or what gets in his way. Despite the fact that he hates the new hero Superman, he afraid and jealous of the "messiah complex" that Superman seems to have within days of arriving in Metropolis. Using his vast fortune, Luthor tries to end Superman's and all of those who side with Superman's life.

 

[MadVillainy]

Really brief ones:

Lois Lane= A young, one hit wonder whose first article for The Daily Planet won her the Pulitzer Prize for Explanatory Reporting. As of late even though her reputation is still in tact as the Planet, her career is beginning to fizzle. She writes good articles, but none live up to her first. She's sassy, sarcastic, and witty. Taking Jimmy Olsen under her wing, she sets out to find more about Superman and what he stands for.

Jimmy Olsen= An awkward, but well meaning college graduate. Jimmy is a photographer and glorified assistant for many of the older staff members. Jimmy's aspiration are large, but he knows that he can reach them. He looks up to many of the staff members and is a die hard supporter for Metropolis' newest superhero. He follows Lois Lane around helping her whenever she needs. Lois gets a "protoge", while Jimmy gets a older sister figure, mentor, and friend.

Lex Luthor= Wonderkin, anger prone, and arrogant are the best words to describe Lex Luthor. he is ruthless and pushes to get any thing he wants no matter who or what gets in his way. Despite the fact that he hates the new hero Superman, he afraid and jealous of the "messiah complex" that Superman seems to have within days of arriving in Metropolis. Using his vast fortune, Luthor tries to end Superman's and all of those who side with Superman's life.

 

[protocida]

You got any for the rest of the leads?

Yes. I'll post it soon.

 

[Webhead2006]

Ok cool

 

[The Englishman]

How would you like Clark Kent portrayed in a future Superman movie? Ive never liked how Clark has beem portrayed in the movies before, As the Bumbling Idiot. I first got into Superman with the Doomsday story and then i went back and got the John Bryne Man Of Steel sories so i grew up on these stories and also the Lois & Clark TV show and Superman the Animated series and in all of these Clark is a confident, intelligent man. I dont agree with the concept of Clark being Supermans critiqe of the human race and that being his diguise but rather Kent being the real man and Superman is the way he can use his powers for good. "Clark is who i am and Superman is what i do".
In the movies i always felt that Clark was shown as not important to anyone and did not have any respect and certainly would not have got Lois to fall in love with him. The only time Clark felt important was the Bad Superman/ Clark Kent fight in Superman 3.
Anyway what are other peoples opinions on the way Clark Kent should be portrayed??

 

[SuperDaniel]

I want him as a normal, kind and away from the public eye person. Not cool, defnitely. A middle term between bumbling and cool.

 

[Superwoman Prime]

Confident, intelligent, kind, and cool. The problem with Reeve Clark is that he would be drawing too much unwanted attention to himself by acting that way. Clark needs to be a relatively normal man, yet distinctive because of his ideals and competency as a reporter.