Superman Reboot Writers Workshop

[GreenKToo]

W.B. would never do it because its too simple, and W.B. and simple mix like oil and water.

 

[NotFadeAway]

My actualy layout for a movie franchise goes like this....

Superman: An origin movie focusing on the character of Clark Kent, why he becomes Superman, and how the debut of Superman changes the world. Either Eradicator or the kryptonian Braniac should serve as the films ONLY villian, as both chracters tie in nicely with Superman's heritage and could be used to further the origin storyline. Lex Luthor can be mentioned, and LexCorp can be seen, but thats it, because believe me, it will do the new franchise a world of good not to give Luthor a rest and not have him as the threat right off the bat. This also allows a nice build up to Lex Luthor appearing in the sequel. And I know that there are some fanboys who feel that Superman doesn't need an origin, that a 31 year old movie and a half assed WB/CW television show is good enough. Well, I let everyone in on a little secret, thats the wrong line of thinking. Superman needs re-introduced to the 21st century, and the poop stain that was Superman Returns needs bleached away. Origin flick, a combination of Birthright/For All Seasons/TAS would be a good route, Braniac or Eradicator as the villian, a cast of quality actors, were in business folks.

Superman: The Man of Steel - Superman vs. President Alexander "Lex" Luthor, the former chairman, CEO, and founder of LexCorp, the first third party President in United States history. Luthor has everyone fooled, except for Superman and Lois. Superman is a worldwide celebrity at this point, billboards, little kids in t-shirts, coffee mugs, invited to give speeches at press conferences, you name it. The two most popular men in the world, Superman and President Luthor. As it turns out, Lex Luthor is secretly funding and arming terrorist cells through LexCorp, so that in turn Luthor can have LexCorp continue making more profit from weapon engineering for the United States military, and Lex can recieve the go ahead to wipe out any and all threats to the United States. In this story, Lex would be a fierce nationalist who is a borderline Adolf Hitler, wanting the United States to become an empire and rule the world, because, in Luthors mind, thats whats best. In his own way, Lex Luthor wants to save the world, and needs to conquer it for that to happen. And his weapon of choice for this task, to lead his army, is Metallo/John Corben. I already have a scene in my head of Metallo walking through a bunker of terrorists that have discovered there backers true identity and are preparing blackmail, Metallo destroying everything and everyone in his path, ala Arnold shooting up the police station in the original Terminator. I would make Metallo as scary as I possibly could. Jason Isaacs as Lex and Alexander Skarsgård as Metallo. Superman is also drawn away from his duties when Martha Kent falls ill. Superman will show anger at Luthor blinding everyone, but nothing worth making him run away over, yet. But Clark would return to Smallville to help care for his mother, who would pass away during the film. Jonathan is always the one to die, I'd like to see Clark tackle his mothers death for once. I'd have a few flashbacks of the two together during Clark's childhood. Also during this time Lois would discover Luthors plan, placing her on his hit list, and with a little help from Lana Lang, would discover Superman's true identity. From there, obviously it's up to Superman to stop Lex Luthor before Luthor has the Vice President assasinated, giving him the true ammunition he needs to go forth with his plans. I figure the Vice president character would be a very popular young politician Lex lured away from one of the big parties for popularity points and for assasination sympathy.

Superman: Doomsday - The title says it all. The Death of Superman arc NEEDS to be shown on film. I would stretch this out over two films. This film would basically be a romantic action flick. The romance between Clark and Lois is a full go, there in love, there together, and there trying to build a life and be the couple they know they can be. And then Doomsday arrives and hell is unleashed. The first thing I'd have Doomsday do is destroy the FOS. I'd also begin introducing DC heroes who basically have no hope of getting a solo flick, like Martian Manhunter and Aquaman, yes, I said Aquaman. MM arrives to warn Superman about Doomsday, and Aquaman appears because Doomsday causes problems for Atlantis. Doomsday beats the hell out of the combined three, destroying city after city. Finally, Superman and Doomsday engage in a battle to the death, heroically sacrificing his own life and dying in the arms of Lois Lane. I'd end the film with Superman's funeral, which leads us into....

Superman: Apokolips - I would do something comic book fanboys hate more often than not, and redo a little history. It turns out that it was a war with Darkseid and Apokolips that lead to the planetary shift resulting in Kryptons destruction, and Doomsday was a Kryptonian weapon of mass destruction that Darkseid had taken control of. Darkseid is now coming for Earth and Superman is resurrected for the sole purpose of stopping Darkseid. I'm still working on the details, but I'd have Superman return with temporary pre-crisis power levels to combat Darkseid. I'd also have Lex Luthor return in this film. I would have Lex found insane following the events of MOS, only to be given a clean bill of mental health in this film. I'd have Lex HELP Superman in some way during this film, because remember, Luthor wants to the savior of humanity. Also, many years prior to becoming President, Lex would have stored quite a large sum of cash under a phantom name, enough to buy controlling interest in LexCorp and take it back over, setting the stage for the fifth and sixth films.

Superman: The Man of Tomorrow - Superman vs. Luthor, one last time. Sketchy details, but I'd have Bizzaro or Lobo as the muscle villian, probably Bizzaro. I think if taken seriously and written well enough, a Bizzaro story could actually have a deep impact. I'd have Luthor take a bit of blood or some other tissue from Superman during his fight with Darkseid, while he had pre-crisis level powers, and use that to create Bizzaro and basically making Bizzaro more powerful than Superman, who has returned to his post-crisis level of strength. This is also when Superman would say goodbye to Lois and tell her to live a normal life with a normal man, that he couldn't give her a family and someone to grow old with.

Superman: Kingdom Come/Man of Forever/Day of Reckoning/etc - Obviously, something along the lines of Kingdom Come or my idea. Set in the future, Superman exiles himself after losing faith, all his loved one's have passed except maybe Jimmy. Superman is forced to return and save Earth from the forces of hell, demons like Neron and Etrigan popping up everywhere, meets some new friends and new love interest. You get the idea.

 

[Binker]

Here are the folllowing options:

ORIGIN - New Origin Story, New Beginning that Showcases the new, latest takes/incarnations of the characters and universe. So that people who know 100%, or 1000%, that "No this isn't Superman: The Movie, Superman Returns, Smallville, none etc"

MOVE FORWARD/ORIGIN FLASHBACK - A Movie that will have a Prologue and maybe a Flashback to the past touching upon the Origin to do the above option, but the Movie does move forward from that onto new directions and other new things that the franchise either hasn't done at all yet or has or might've, it just hasn't in a long time. This will include villains too (I will add that this personally will scare me because The Incredible Hulk and Punisher: War Zone went this way and wasn't...good maybe, not something we want again for Superman)

MOVE FORWARD - A Movie that goes into new directions and other things that the franchise hasn't done yet or in a long time, villains too, and doesn't concern itself with an origin flashback of any kind

 

[DavidTyler]

I'd like to see an entirely new Krypton ... something that puts Donner's Ice Crystal planet away forever.

and, as i've said on many occassions, I wouldn't mind at all if it nodded toward the Byrne interpretation of Krypton.

 

[GreenKToo]

Move forward with origin flashbacks.
Maybe when Supes is getting the bejeebus beaten out of him by whatever villain, flashbacks of krypton, smallville, his first time in Metropolis, etc come back to him.

 

[Webhead2006]

hmmm tough choice i would like to see a straight on origin and then move on to present day stuff but maybe start with present day and have flash backs during the film that relate to what is happening to clark during the film could work too. There is so many ways things could be done.

 

[MadVillainy]

ORigin...but skip the Smalllville stuff because we have seen that in the tv show. Show Krypton in the first 5 mins then show Superman first arriving in Metropolis

 

[cronosred]

With the FX they have today I would love to have a solid origin movie for the new franchise although I really like the Reeve films the FX are outdated which makes it hard for younger generations to enjoy, so IMO start fresh at the beginning.

 

[JackIvyGB]

Start the film with Clark arriving in Metropolis, or the morning Clark leaves Smallville for Metropolis, and then as it builds toward his first Superman appearance, have flashbacks. That way it tells the origin, but it isn't a complete chronological rehash (other than whatever design changes may occur). It also gets the main story going much sooner, with Lois, the villain, the action, and whatever else the film has in store.

And I happen to think The Incredible Hulk pwned. In fact, on some days, I prefer it over Iron Man... though both were spectacular. I enjoyed Punisher: War Zone too, though I can definitely see why other people wouldn't like it though. I like that it felt like an uber violent 80s b-movie sort of.

 

[Frodo]

An origin film with brief flashbacks having to do with his relationship with Johnathan Kent, his tutorals with Jor El in the FOS, Destruction of Krypton and his arrival to earth, some of his global travels through poverty stricken country's. I agree that alot of the Smallville stuff should be left behind . I picture the beginning of the film being a bit like the Motorcycle diares with Clark travelling countrysides of war torn countries with a backpack and a notepad . Sort of hitching rides and writing down his thoughts . He'd be working for another paper and his articles would get the notice of the Daily planet.

 

[bunk]

I'd like to see something similar to Mask of the Phantasm, where you have Superman flashing back to his origin in a way that's relevant to the story.

 

[Christmas]

I agree with Bunk.

Flashbacks like in Godfather II would even be cool, a string of sequences introducing characters like Darkseid or Zod that tie into what's happening at present on earth.

Superman encounters Brainiac, learns more of other worlds, etc...

 

[Excel]

This one:

http://forums.superherohype.com/showthread.php?t=282813

 

[not_a_victim]

What Kind of Story should be the Reboot?


Yoda, is that you?

 

[BATZARRO WWD]

Here are the folllowing options:

ORIGIN - New Origin Story, New Beginning that Showcases the new, latest takes/incarnations of the characters and universe. So that people who know 100%, or 1000%, that "No this isn't Superman: The Movie, Superman Returns, Smallville, none etc"

MOVE FORWARD/ORIGIN FLASHBACK - A Movie that will have a Prologue and maybe a Flashback to the past touching upon the Origin to do the above option, but the Movie does move forward from that onto new directions and other new things that the franchise either hasn't done at all yet or has or might've, it just hasn't in a long time. This will include villains too (I will add that this personally will scare me because The Incredible Hulk and Punisher: War Zone went this way and wasn't...good maybe, not something we want again for Superman)

MOVE FORWARD - A Movie that goes into new directions and other things that the franchise hasn't done yet or in a long time, villains too, and doesn't concern itself with an origin flashback of any kind

Origin: It's what they should have done. It's what they should do.

 

[SuperDaniel]

Origin, non linear.

ACT 1:

-My story starts in Smallvile with Jonathan and Martha finding baby Kal-el. An alien probe falls in the Artic region too.

-Then We zoom to the future and now Clark, around 25, is in Caznia, a middle-east country (nod to TAS), and a war is destroying the country and we find out he's been traveling around the world and helping people in secrecy. Lois and Jimmy are there and they hear news that guardian angel somehow is saving inocent people and Terrorists weapons and Tanks of the Caznian Army are being destroyed. Lois still doesn't believe in a angel and finds out that the Terrorists had some kind of a weapon deal with someone in Metropolis. Clark listens to this and decides to go there too to uncover the truth but firstly, he stops by Smallville to talk to his parents about a realization he had in Caznia.

-Back in Smallville, Clark has flashbacks about his childhood and how he developed powers and started to use them. We find out he gave up of his normal life with his high-school sweetheart Lana Lang. Triggered by the events of a tornado that hit Smallville and almost destroyed his hometown and the lives of the people he care for,and by what he could've done to prevent it, he decided to travel the world to use his powers for good. He says to his parents that he found out in Caznia that the way he's been acting, in secrecy, isn't helping anybody in a large scale. Although he saved people in the war and is proud of it, he feels he is not fighting what caused it in the first place. He feels that his hands are tied and says he needs to have a more active role to inspire hope in people. He talks about the times he was traveling the world and learned about how in every culture, people have something to aspire to, either through religion or the gods of the past. They develop a costume and Clark leaves to Metropolis.

-When we arrive to Metropolis, we found out about scientist Lex Luthor and that the technollogy of his multi-million corporation, LexCorp, transformed the city in the "City of Tomorrow", a very advanced and a shining example for all the cities of the world. One example of this is an elevated train that is going to be inaugurated for millions to see. Meanwhile, Lois is in the Daily Planet, talking to Perry about what she found out in Caznia and he says she doesn't have proof so he asks her to interview Luthor instead. Lex asked this himself. Perry says this is news not some rumour about Caznia. Lois gets mad but still agrees to do it. She doesn't trust Luthor one bit 'cause she believes he is somehow connected to the war.

-During the ride, Intergang, a terrorist faction in Metropolis, attack the train, Superman is introduced to the world when he saves Luthor, Lois and the passengers and go after the attackers in a great action sequence. Lois falls in love with the new super-hero and wants to interview him. Luthor, on the other hand, hates him because of jelousy but somehow is happy when he sees the kryptonian symbol in Superman's chest.

End of act 1. More to come.

 

[Webhead2006]

That sounds pretty good.

 

[Superfreak]

Origin, non linear.

ACT 1:

-My story starts in Smallvile with Jonathan and Martha finding baby Kal-el. An alien probe falls in the Artic region too.

-Then We zoom to the future and now Clark, around 25, is in Caznia, a middle-east country (nod to TAS), and a war is destroying the country and we find out he's been traveling around the world and helping people in secrecy. Lois and Jimmy are there and they hear news that guardian angel somehow is saving inocent people and Terrorists weapons and Tanks of the Caznian Army are being destroyed. Lois still doesn't believe in a angel and finds out that the Terrorists had some kind of a weapon deal with someone in Metropolis. Clark listens to this and decides to go there too to uncover the truth but firstly, he stops by Smallville to talk to his parents about a realization he had in Caznia.

-Back in Smallville, Clark has flashbacks about his childhood and how he developed powers and started to use them. We find out he gave up of his normal life with his high-school sweetheart Lana Lang. Triggered by the events of a tornado that hit Smallville and almost destroyed his hometown and the lives of the people he care for,and by what he could've done to prevent it, he decided to travel the world to use his powers for good. He says to his parents that he found out in Caznia that the way he's been acting, in secrecy, isn't helping anybody in a large scale. Although he saved people in the war and is proud of it, he feels he is not fighting what caused it in the first place. He feels that his hands are tied and says he needs to have a more active role to inspire hope in people. He talks about the times he was traveling the world and learned about how in every culture, people have something to aspire to, either through religion or the gods of the past. They develop a costume and Clark leaves to Metropolis.

-When we arrive to Metropolis, we found out about scientist Lex Luthor and that the technollogy of his multi-million corporation, LexCorp, transformed the city in the "City of Tomorrow", a very advanced and a shining example for all the cities of the world. One example of this is an elevated train that is going to be inaugurated for millions to see. Meanwhile, Lois is in the Daily Planet, talking to Perry about what she found out in Caznia and he says she doesn't have proof so he asks her to interview Luthor instead. Lex asked this himself. Perry says this is news not some rumour about Caznia. Lois gets mad but still agrees to do it. She doesn't trust Luthor one bit 'cause she believes he is somehow connected to the war.

-During the ride, Intergang, a terrorist faction in Metropolis, attack the train, Superman is introduced to the world when he saves Luthor, Lois and the passengers and go after the attackers in a great action sequence. Lois falls in love with the new super-hero and wants to interview him. Luthor, on the other hand, hates him because of jelousy but somehow is happy when he sees the kryptonian symbol in Superman's chest.

End of act 1. More to come.

I like Dan. But I'd do away with the Luthor recognizes the symbol angle(unless it's merely from Clark's unseen medling in the events in Casnia, prior to where the movie picks up). I'd love to see this go in the direction, that the war in Casnia, and the Intergang attacks in Metropolis, are all actually individual plots, that mastermind Luthor is orchestrating, in order to 'take over the world'.

And I'd prefer not seeing Krypton at all... or atleast it being saved for a sequel. I like the concept of Superman only knowing that he came from a spaceship... nothing more.

 

[NeoRanger]

Non-linear origin, per Batman Begins. I always wanted to see a clear connection between choices and decisions he makes in adult life and moments from his childhood in Smallville. Should do fine in defining his origin, in the wider sense of the term.

 

[NotFadeAway]

Before Returns, I wanted an established Superman story with flashbacks to his childhood. The opening scene would have followed his ship throughout space on it's journey to Earth, with a Jor-El voiceover. Ship lands on Earth, the Kents find baby Kal-El, and we jump forward to Superman, again, with flashbacks to his early childhood, somewhere around ages 5-13. The story would have revolved around Superman battling President Alexander "Lex" Luthor and Metallo.

Now, because of Returns, and because I think that its just time, an origin story is needed. The character needs to be re-introduced to world in a modern tale. Superman: The Movie is dated and overrated once you think of everything that happened other than Chris Reeve's performance, and I don't buy into the line of thinking that says Smallville is origin enough for todays audience. It's on the CW for crying out loud.

 

[Frodo]

Origin, non linear.

ACT 1:


-Then We zoom to the future and now Clark, around 25, is in Caznia, a middle-east country (nod to TAS), and a war is destroying the country and we find out he's been traveling around the world and helping people in secrecy. Lois and Jimmy are there and they hear news that guardian angel somehow is saving inocent people and Terrorists weapons and Tanks of the Caznian Army are being destroyed. Lois still doesn't believe in a angel and finds out that the Terrorists had some kind of a weapon deal with someone in Metropolis. Clark listens to this and decides to go there too to uncover the truth but firstly, he stops by Smallville to talk to his parents about a realization he had in Caznia.

QUOTE]

I had an idea similar to this though the weaponry would be used by warlords connected to intergang and Lois and Jimmy wouldn't be in the foreign when Clark is there. The incident wouldn't come up again later in the film once he finds a connection between the war lord and Morgan Edge.
I like your idea though.

 

[Frodo]

As far as a story goes , it should be a story of the path of reaching your destiny and the trials and tribulations that it takes to reach it. The story begins with an idealistic and confident Clark Kent ready to change the world , but unprepared for the challenges and consequences that await him. His idealism is put to the test, he realizes he isn't invincible and he begins to realize that he can't change the world alone but he can be a guiding light to humanity that hopes to inspire others. Lois Lane is a sports and gossip columnist at the struggling Daily Planet newspaper who longs to emerge from her father's shadow. She wants to report the hard news such as intergangs growing grip on Metropolis. Attempts have even been made on the life of the city's favorite son Lex Luthor for his efforts to try to bring Metropolis intothe 21st century. Lois isn't taken seriously by her co workers and is considered a light weight amoung the staff. Having seen crime and fear reach a new level in Metropolis, she's lost her faith and has become cynical. Ultimately, the appearence of Superman changes the lives of citzens of Metropolis and sets the Daily Planet and the city on a new hopeful direction. Standing in Superman's way are two deadly foes in the form Metallo and Intergang .

 

[Lead Cenobite]

The story would have revolved around Superman battling President Alexander "Lex" Luthor and Metallo.

Why make Lex a president from the very beginning? I think it would be better to atleast start him off as head of Lexcorp. Remember, Lex was known for years as simply a criminal mastermind, it'd be kindof a leap to all the sudden have an origin movie where he's the president. I actually think having him as president is a bit extreme anyway. I mean, he's one of the worst criminals in the world and he's also one of the most powerful world leaders. It's kindof over the top.

Superman: The Movie is dated and overrated once you think of everything that happened other than Chris Reeve's performance

And despite Christopher Reeve's presence, Superman III and IV were panned. That kinda kills the theory that Reeve is all the movie had going for it, I think.

 

[Webhead2006]

i still say if the plan is in the end to restart everything from the begining again. We need to first have a solid story/script, a solid director in place. And we need to keep any donnor stuff to a minium and distance the film as much as possible from donnor/singer looks/setting/story. Then have a totally new cast.

 

[SuperDaniel]

I like Dan. But I'd do away with the Luthor recognizes the symbol angle(unless it's merely from Clark's unseen medling in the events in Casnia, prior to where the movie picks up). I'd love to see this go in the direction, that the war in Casnia, and the Intergang attacks in Metropolis, are all actually individual plots, that mastermind Luthor is orchestrating, in order to 'take over the world'.

And I'd prefer not seeing Krypton at all... or atleast it being saved for a sequel. I like the concept of Superman only knowing that he came from a spaceship... nothing more.

Well, in my script, all of this is actually part of of a bigger plot connecting Krypton, Brainiac, Technollogy... Not something like Superman Returns though...quite different...