World Superman 4 should've been bases for Superman Returns

[Daybreak_st]

Instead of SR being a continuation from Superman 2 i think a more interesting idea would've been to continue from Superman 4. Before you all start complaining just read on. The only reason Singer didn’t do this, is so his plot with Lois getting pregnant would work out. Anyway the biggest problem with Superman 4 was the execution not the idea.

You want a morally conflicted Supes, look no further than that film. He honestly doesn’t know what to do, whether he should interfere in mankind’s affairs by destroying Nuclear missles. He addresses the United Nations, which was interesting to see how the world views superman. He visits the Fortress and it’s interesting to see him talk to Kryptonian elders about the dilemma, they mention that if earth is destroyed there are other more advanced worlds he could go to in which war has been eliminated. Also at the end of the film Superman gives a great speech about how and when we as humans may attain world peace, which highlights his belief in humanity, then he also talks about other advanced civilizations out there that humans will one day meet, the look on Chris Reeve’s face in that scene was terrific. Also despite how dumb his scenes turned out, Lex Luthor was shown to actually be a genius in creating Nuclear man, rather than a cheap con artist who wants real estate.

Multiple times the movie references other advanced alien civilizations. It reminded me of how George lucas mentions the clone wars in star wars, but never shows anything from it b/c he didn’t feel like the technology was right at that time. The setup was there in Superman 4 to later show some of these alien civilizations, and if lex was to return he could’ve been better defined as a scientific genius rather than a real estate con man.

SR could’ve addressed the current state of world affairs and superman may have wondered if he’d done enough to prevent the new wars from arising (a soft reference to superman 4). At this point an advanced alien civilization shows up, similar to the “V” tv show, full armada of giant ships across the world. The world quickly gravitates towards them, and their promises of peace and advancement. Superman is hopeful but a little skeptical at first, people also start favoring the new aliens rather than superman. Clark and Lois are trying to investigate these new vistors while superman seeks knowledge from the fortress of solitude. He’s surpised there is no record of this civilization, or if there is they’ve supposedly been wiped out, so he’s suspicious. At some point it’s revealed that one of Supes classic villains is behind this “arrival” and it’s really an invasion. Supes has to use all of this powers and insight to fight off this threat. We could’ve introduced Star Labs, the science police, and eetc. Supes realizes that he needs Luthor’s help (scientific genius lex not real estate con artist) and somehow they work together to stop the aliens. Luthor is pardoned and the setup is there for him to become corporate lex in the sequels.

This is what should’ve happened with SR.

 

[Wolfman]

That's a good idea, too bad they went the other way.

 

[Daybreak_st]

Thanks, i didn't even know if people still checked this thread or not. Appreciate the feedback.

 

[Wolfman]

I was in the neighborhood.

 

[Spiderine]

You actually make some good points. Its just too bad that film is viewed as such a joke by many critics and fans.

 

[Daybreak_st]

Thanks, i know there multiple ways that the story could've gone but my main point is that the ground work was there regarding other alien races and what not and it would've been the perfect jumping on point for a smart filmaker. But Singer had no real creative vision beyond just retreading old ground.

 

[Nightwing1983]

I agree, though I think the reason he didn't follow 3 and 4 was mainly because they were unpopular. I honestly think this idea of, "yeah, he got Lois pregnant" was due to his not thinking, and this seems an anomaly with his alleged "passion" for the project and the characters.

 

[zmystico]

I like your idea...much better than SR, I can't even watch that movie all the way through.

 

[Kevin Roegele]

It's a good idea, but how many people amongst the general public would remember there was a Superman IV, let alone have watched it? Whereas the original movie, and to a lesser extent Superman II, is an extremely famous piece of pop culture.

 

[DarKush]

Man, that was an awesome idea.

 

[Daybreak_st]

It's a good idea, but how many people amongst the general public would remember there was a Superman IV, let alone have watched it? Whereas the original movie, and to a lesser extent Superman II, is an extremely famous piece of pop culture.

Good point, but like Bryan Singer originally said it was suppose to be a Vague sequel. Nothing needed to directly related, just something that implied in the past Superman tried to tackle nuclear arms and now he feels like maybe he should've done more.

My main point is that creating the new film as a jump off from Superman 4 would've lent itself to a more creative solution, especially with the multiple mentioning of other alien civilizations. That's something i never realized until i just rewatched all the superman movies about 2 months ago. It felt like the groundwork was there but never utilized.

Man, that was an awesome idea.

Thanks man!

I like your idea...much better than SR, I can't even watch that movie all the way through.

I appreciate it, thanks.

I agree, though I think the reason he didn't follow 3 and 4 was mainly because they were unpopular. I honestly think this idea of, "yeah, he got Lois pregnant" was due to his not thinking, and this seems an anomaly with his alleged "passion" for the project and the characters.

That's true, but i just think there were much more creative solutions, and him ignoring those two films didn't help anything. It's like both those films exist on there own. Superman 4 makes no mention of 3, and 3 doesn't make mention of 2. The new film could've followed suit, while acknowledging that Superman has had a variety of adventures, such as those of Superman 1-4, he's had other adventures that we simply haven't seen. The new film just picks up with an already established Superman. Something like that would've lent itself to more original ideas imho.

I just think Singer wanted to push the kid agenda. And i have no idea why as there's not many places they could've taken the franchise after that. And now his film will be ignored just like he ignored Supes 3 and 4, it's really ashame.

 

[Last Son]

I think you could have brought in good ideas from old films that would have given true Superman Nerds (such as myself) a chuckle but it would still worked as a stand alone story for every one else.