The Daily Planet - Superman News and Speculation Thread (🚨TAG SPOILERS🚨)

[Arachnerd]

Okay? I get your point, I was just pointing out the misunderstanding.

Anyway, about this Superman movie James Gunn is currently working on. Seems promising.

 

[Sawyer]

 

[Dr.]

Okay, confession time - I have never been able to make it through ZSJL. I have tried 3 times, and each time got so bored I fell asleep. In the end, I just gave up.

Josstice League is therefore by default my preferred version. I've watched it multiple times without falling asleep

I’m the opposite. I’ve seen ZSJL a few times. But never the Whedon cut.

In my (limited) experience, Superman often seems to get short shrift in team/ensemble stories. Perhaps because he’s so powerful, writers feel compelled to somehow level the playing field. And that typically means diminishing Supes’ standing/ability to some degree so that other characters appear more useful and relevant.

What I found interesting about ZSJL was that Superman’s status and importance as the premier superhero was never in question — even though he was largely absent from the narrative. Indeed, one might argue that his exalted status was easier to depict, easier to idealize because of absence.

 

[GreenKToo]

What gets me is his intellect is usually downplayed. His brain would be enhanced also, along with his other powers.

 

[Lily Adler]

Posting a Rugby player every day until the suit reveal Day 9:

 

[dhandler01]

I’m the opposite. I’ve seen ZSJL a few times. But never the Whedon cut.

In my (limited) experience, Superman often seems to get short shrift in team/ensemble stories. Perhaps because he’s so powerful, writers feel compelled to somehow level the playing field. And that typically means diminishing Supes’ standing/ability to some degree so that other characters appear more useful and relevant.

What I found interesting about ZSJL was that Superman’s status and importance as the premier superhero was never in question — even though he was largely absent from the narrative. Indeed, one might argue that his exalted status was easier to depict, easier to idealize because of absence.

That is what it seemed ZS was trying to do but he failed miserably. Everything ZS did always felt forced because he never let it happen organically. That is why his Lois and Clark relationship sucked, why the buildup to the conflict between Batman and Superman sucked, why the Death was stupid and why his version of Justice League made no sense. He tried to cram 6 movies worth of story (at least) into 3. IT doesn't take much to come up with a better overarching storyline...but that wasn't his style.

I watched ZSJL once...and I was super pumped for it. Even getting super high I fell asleep halfway through. Watched the second half the next day and at the end that was when I honestly turned on the entire thing. Until then I really loved MOS and enjoyed the extended cut of BvS...but ZSJL killed all of it. I honestly can't even fathom watching any of them every again...which is weird cause that isn't what I am usually like. Maybe that is why I actually liked The Flash...its a flawed film that had to be Franksteined together but it told a much better story than anything ZS tells...and it gets how to let certain things breathe and not every scene in every film needs to be SUPER BRO EDGELORD AWESOME!!!!1!11

Damnit...WE NEED NEWS JAMES!!

 

[SupermansPal]

Get to work, scoopers!

 

[WatchProtect]

The only characters I'd be upset about if they weren't in are Ma and Pa Kent and I think it's pretty likely they've been cast already.

I know people are skeptical of scoopers (as we should be) but the DCUleaks mods on Reddit got quite a few things right in the past so we could still be getting Hawksmoor and The Doctor in this film along with the Engineer. Who as a trio I'd think will be Superman's physical opposition throughout the film. With Lex Luthor being a behind the scenes type villain.

 

[Arachnerd]

I'm still waiting for the Kents casting news.

 

[agomezv3]

Gunn has been too silent about the Kents... I'm starting to consider they might not even be in the movie, which would be very controversial

 

[Lily Adler]

Gunn has been too silent about the Kents... I'm starting to consider they might not even be in the movie, which would be very controversial

 

[antsman41]

We need a 'Pa Kent didn't die' movie for once.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I’m the opposite. I’ve seen ZSJL a few times. But never the Whedon cut.

In my (limited) experience, Superman often seems to get short shrift in team/ensemble stories. Perhaps because he’s so powerful, writers feel compelled to somehow level the playing field. And that typically means diminishing Supes’ standing/ability to some degree so that other characters appear more useful and relevant.

What I found interesting about ZSJL was that Superman’s status and importance as the premier superhero was never in question — even though he was largely absent from the narrative. Indeed, one might argue that his exalted status was easier to depict, easier to idealize because of absence.

Why haven't you given the Whedon cut a go? My memory is shaky on this as its been years, but I remember at the time discovering that a lot of my favourite scenes in the film weren't in ZSJL... so id say its worth a watch!

I might have to go back and remind myself what they were though

View attachment 84708
Get to work, scoopers!

I think it's telling that there are several comments asking for confirmation of the Kents, but none asking about Jor-El.

Think people might be bored of holodaddy.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I wouldn't miss the Kent's in the movie, honestly. If the movie has an established Superman in a lived in DC world, I am fine with them not being in the movie.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I'll be extremely dissapointed if they aren't in any capacity.

Even if they are both dead, to not include even one memory of them, would feel like cutting a huge part of Clark Kent as a character out of the story.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I dont think we need flashbacks or anything. Clark can mention them in a scene and have it achieve the same effect if that's something they want to do. Look at The Batman. We never get flashbacks of the Waynes. Not when Bruce talks to Falcone or childhood memories. Everything we know about then that's relevant for us to know is conveyed by other people and how they react when they mention them. Frankly, I wish movies did this more. Cause really what's important to us, the audience, is how the Kent family effected Clark as a person, and that's something we can gather by seeing Clark react to talking about them and such.

 

[Lily Adler]

We need a 'Pa Kent didn't die' movie for once.

Let's kill Ma.

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I dont think we need flashbacks or anything. Clark can mention them in a scene and have it achieve the same effect if that's something they want to do. Look at The Batman. We never get flashbacks of the Waynes. Not when Bruce talks to Falcone or childhood memories. Everything we know about then that's relevant for us to know is conveyed by other people and how they react when they mention them. Frankly, I wish movies did this more. Cause really what's important to us, the audience, is how the Kent family effected Clark as a person, and that's something we can gather by seeing Clark react to talking about them and such.

I mean, we do see video of Thomas Wayne in the film though dont we? Or am I remembering that wrong?

I think it's different with the Kents though because its hard to really create a sense of the Smallville upbringing, the small town morals, the simple aporeciation for and respect for life that they instill, by including a few lines of description.

I know the Wayne's aren't devoid of personality/actual influence on Bruce, but he lost them so young that their death was sort of more influential on his development than their lives/who they were. In fact, as happened in The Batman, its often revealed he didn't really know them well at all.

 

[DCDAVE]

The Kents will be in the movie. They are essential to the Clark character. You will hear about their casting when they start filming in Ohio.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I mean, we do see video of Thomas Wayne in the film though dont we? Or am I remembering that wrong?

I think it's different with the Kents though because its hard to really create a sense of the Smallville upbringing, the small town morals, the simple aporeciation for and respect for life that they instill, by including a few lines of description.

I know the Wayne's aren't devoid of personality/actual influence on Bruce, but he lost them so young that their death was sort of more influential on his development than their lives/who they were. In fact, as happened in The Batman, its often revealed he didn't really know them well at all.

That's not a flashbacks, though. That's archival footage. So sure Clark can have family photos or something, that's fine. I am fine with flashbacks when they add something we cannot get any other way. Looking at the Guardians films, Gunn doesn't use them a lot. We have the brief scenes at the beginning of GOTG and GOTG2 before we hit the present day timeline to start those movies. Gamora talking about Thanos doesn't prompt flashbacks or Drax and his family, or even Ego talking about Merideth Quill. We understand all these characters and how those experiences effected them without seeing it. Now, GOTG3 we get many of them. But I think the context of Rocket's relationship and history with the High Evolutionary was relevant to the plot. So we needed it. I think we can humanize Superman and emphasize his upbringing without seeing the Kent family physically.

The Kents also may very well be in the movie in the end. I am just saying I don't think we 100% need them in it physically.

 

[Spider-Fan]

Let me show my point this way:

GOTG2, Drax tells Mantis he reminds him of his daughter. She asks if it's cause she is ugly, and he replies with innocent. She then touches him while he silently stares with sad eyes and she cries.

You could have inserted a shot of Drax laughing with a woman watching and he pick up a laughing child and he laughs with her then they hug or something. You COuULD have done that....but what does it add? The idea is conveyed more than effectively without the flashback. In fact, I love this scene more cause it DOESN'T do that. Both Mantis and Drax tell us the story with their reactions.

Flashbacks need to add something visual language won't covey or plot points we need or some kind of vital info we only get with the flashback. That's my point

 

[hopefuldreamer]

Let me show my point this way:

GOTG2, Drax tells Mantis he reminds him of his daughter. She asks if it's cause she is ugly, and he replies with innocent. She then touches him while he silently stares with sad eyes and she cries.

You could have inserted a shot of Drax laughing with a woman watching and he pick up a laughing child and he laughs with her then they hug or something. You COuULD have done that....but what does it add? The idea is conveyed more than effectively without the flashback. In fact, I love this scene more cause it DOESN'T do that. Both Mantis and Drax tell us the story with their reactions.

Flashbacks need to add something visual language won't covey or plot points we need or some kind of vital info we only get with the flashback. That's my point

I mean, that's exactly my point though. I don't think language alone can convey the impact The Kents/Smallville had on the development of Clark's personality.

I do think that should be conveyed visually.

And personally, I'd like this visual, whether present day or memory.

 

[Herolee10]

We're already in the last week of March and the photos we've gotten are several snowy shots, the Superman emblem, and a few paparazzi photos of the Engineer.

 

[Spider-Fan]

I mean, that's exactly my point though. I don't think language alone can convey the impact The Kents/Smallville had on the developm

I dont agree with that sentiment. I don't think we need to see it anymore than we need to see a scene of Thanos forcing Nebula and Gamora to fight as kids and then he replaces her or eye or something. Especially if it's a Superman who isn't new. In Superman: The Movie, it makes more sense cause that's a movie about a young man trying to find his place in the world and where he starts as a person is relevant to who he becomes. It is the same hero's journey they used for Luke in Star Wars. But if Superman is already Superman and he is saving people and doing his thing, then I don't think it's as necessary to see that

 

[hopefuldreamer]

I dont agree with that sentiment. I don't think we need to see it anymore than we need to see a scene of Thanos forcing Nebula and Gamora to fight as kids and then he replaces her or eye or something. Especially if it's a Superman who isn't new. In Superman: The Movie, it makes more sense cause that's a movie about a young man trying to find his place in the world and where he starts as a person is relevant to who he becomes. It is the same hero's journey they used for Luke in Star Wars. But if Superman is already Superman and he is saving people and doing his thing, then I don't think it's as necessary to see that

Agree to disagree there then.

For me it'd be like GTG not showing Peter's mom and only talking about her - it would lose so much of its emotional core.