The Man of Steel - Characters/Motivations thread

[BH/HHH]

Hi all,

I thought it would be good if we had a thread where you stated which characters (including the obvious ones i.e. Superman) you want in the new Superman film and what you want them to be like i.e. their motivations, etc:

Superman/Clark Kent - I want Clark to be like Clark from teh animated series, doesn't stand out but is a damned good reporter and isnt afraid to do what it takes to get the story, if hes threated or annoyed he will stand up for himself. I want the Superman to also be like the animated series version but not as weak, I don't mind him been more vulnerable but at times in this series he looked way too weak (and I am a massive fan of STAS).

Lois Lane - I want her to be more like she is in STAS aswell and the Byrne era Superman. She will stand up for what she believes in and will do what it takes to get the story even if it is dangerous. I want her to be able to look after herself like she can on Smallville and not always be the damsel in distress (at least not in the screaming for Superman everytime goes wrong sense). But shes also got to be likeable and not a complete b**ch. I also want her to get along with Clark and be competitive with him for the story.

Perry White - definitely more like he is in the Byrne era and even in the Donner Superman movie. He should shout, be commanding but not in an overly aggressive way.

Jimmy Olsen - Again more like he was in STAS, I think that version of Jimmy is bang on to be honest.

Lex Luthor - I want the Corporate Lex who also knows his sciene, like he was in Superman Doomsday. I think Lex should be a genius but his hatred of Superman blocks his judgement from time to time.

Brainiac - Like the STAS version (I know I love that show ) but also a living entity like he was in the Brainiac Geoff Johns graphic novel. I even had an idea where he is a living computer manufactured on Krypton and has collected vast amounts of data (as he does) destroying planets along the way who is after the final piece in making a real living body for himself and he needs the DNA of Superman (or something) to create his perfect body.

Mercy Greaves - I think she should definitely be in the next movie. She will do whatever Lex tells her but is only an employee (although one he holds in high regard) to him but its clear she feels something more for Lex.

 

[true316]

Good idea for a thread! I think there might be one already but I don't know what happened to it. In the interest of keeping this post shorter than a mile I'll discuss Superman in this one and his supporting cast in a different one.

Anyway, my two cents:

Superman: Simply put, the world's greatest hero. His whole life as Superman and Clark is dedicated to helping others. One thing I would emphasize is that Superman affects tangible change. I would write Metropolis as a city that was once viewed as "The City of Tomorrow" in the 1950s. But that description would seem like a joke in the wake of what Metropolis turned out to be. When Superman first arrives it is marred by political corruption and economic hardship and a general sense of pessimism. Superman would (with the help of Lois Lane and Clark Kent ) bring the underhanded actions of corrupt politicians to light. Tourists would flock to Metropolis hoping to catch a glimpse of the Man of Steel, boosting local businesses like hotels and restaurants. Superman would shatter the deathgrip that Intergang had once held on legitimate business owners in Metropolis. Crime in Metropolis would plummet to a virtually non-existant level. He would change things for the better in a very clear way.

And my idea of Superman is to go beyond the idea of him as this iconic, larger than life figure. He's personal as well. The way I would display this idea would be through his interactions with people. Everywhere he goes Superman leaves behind a trail of changed lives. I would take advantage of the differences between Superman and most other superheroes. Most children would never get to see Spider-Man or Batman smile at them, Spidey because of his mask, Batman because it doesn't really fit the character. But Superman, he doesn't wear a mask and it would most definitely fit the character. Because to me his defining attribute isn't that he's a boyscout...it's his compassion.

I would also try to clarify the nature of Superman's inspirational value. I've never liked the idea that Superman is presenting the world with an unreachable ideal that we'll never actually attain. At it's most basic level the Superman story is about a man who recognizes that he has the ability to help others. And he chooses to exercise that ability. He would tell you that he wasn't that different from anyone else in that sense. He believes everyone has the ability to help others in some way, a unique contribution that they can offer. Obviously it wouldn't be to bounce bullets off your chest or move at super speed. So he would say leave the bank robberries and alien invaders to him. But to spend time with orphans? To build homes for the homeless? To serve food to the hungry? These are things within OUR reach. I think Superman would be intentional in trying to inspire the human race in that direction.

I suppose the end goal would be to have the audience as they're walking out of the theater and they reflect on the Superman they've just seen, they can say to themselves: "I want to be like that guy."

 

[Daybreak_st]

double post

 

[Daybreak_st]

Superman:

Superman is fast, powerful, and durable. His power level is something like what was seen on the animated series. He can definitely get knocked around by strong enough equipment (tank maybe) or if he’s caught off guard. He reminds you of the Hulk (in both films) in that he knows how to take punishment and keep going. You see him exerting himself physically when performing inhuman feats, like the plane scene in Superman Returns. Not everything comes easy for him and he definitely has to think his way through situations.

His movements are similar to the fight scene in Superman: Doomsday. He was fast and forceful, he didn’t stand there and slug it out with Doomsday but was constantly moving, he jumped kneed him then flipped him. It was great stuff. He also used all of his abilities in battle. This is something I’ve always advocated about Superman, he’s spent his entire life harnessing these abilities he would definitely know how and when to use them to his advantage.

He very seldom stands there with his arms folded or in any sort of pose. He is fast and agile and moves constantly. Especially at first (before he gives an interview of any kind) perhaps even being referred to as the reb-blue blur (Smallville shout-out).

 

[Daybreak_st]

Jimmy Olsen:

Jimmy Olsen = awesome! Jimmy is the everyman, young, optimistic, enthusiastic, he’s just an all-around great guy. He’s like the little brother you wish you had. He’s smart but kind of geeky at the same time. He’s also adventurous. I can’t think of any actor who has totally nailed this portrayal of jimmy to date, but the all-star superman comic does a good job of showing this kind of jimmy in action (though its often over the top and he’s a bit older , prob mid-twenties). Ideally Jimmy is between 17-19 years old, probably an intern going to college to study photojournalism. He’s quirky, collects star wars memorabilia. Jimmy should feel like a guy you know or would like to know. He’s definitely likeable and you can see why he and Clark hit it off so well. He’s outgoing while Clark appears to be reserved. He reminds Clark of himself when he was younger, with such an adventurous spirit. Jimmy doesn’t realize just how similar he is to Clark, b/c Clark’s metropolis persona is so dialed back compared to his “real” personality.

Jimmy has a slight crush on Lois but she sees him as a little brother. He also has a crush on Cat Grant though she’s older and much more experienced (not portrayed as over-the-top as she was in Lois and Clark). Jimmy will probably also figure out that superman and Clark are the same person eventually, but respects Clark enough to go along with the secret identity. (Note: The general population assumes superman has no secret identity, without a mask, and appearing anywhere in an instant, most assume he’s superman 24-7. Everyone starts out with this assumption. However if the core daily planet staff has enough interaction with Superman after his initial debut and are regularly around Clark Kent it would be impossible for them to not see the connection. Superman would employ doubles, holograms and other devices so that jimmy, Lois, and Perry would see Superman and Clark in the same place at the same time, this would establish just enough doubt in their minds to dismiss the idea of Clark being superman. Although the running gag would be a celebrity look-a-like contest jimmy thinks Clark should enter b/c of resemblance to superman.) Jimmy also comes up with a very scifi-fanboy theory on why Clark and superman look so much alike: Superman copied Clark! He tells Clark his theory is based on the Sci-Fi film “Tracker” staring Adrian Paul (from Highlander). The character in the film was an alien of some sort with and inhuman appearance, when he arrives on earth he needs to blend in so adopts the appearance of the first person he sees, in this case a model on a billboard. Jimmy thinks superman may have done something similar to Clark, thus explaining the similar appearance and them both arriving in metropolis around the same time.

 

[BH/HHH]

I thought of the idea for this thread last night just thought it'd be good to talk about what characters we want and how we want them

true316 - love your ideas especially Metropolis been the world of tommorow idea. Its like the city was once ahead of its time but now its floundering.

Daybreak_st - thats exactly how I want Superman to be.

 

[Webhead2006]

good thoughts guys, i totally agree with your motivations for characters. So i dont have much to add there. But i said this in another thread a week or two back. These are characters i definately want to play a part big or small over the course of this new film series:
Superman/clark kent
martha kent/jonahthan kent
lois lane
General Sam Lane
lucy lane
perry white
jimmy oslen
cat grant
lex luthor
mercy graves
dan turpin
maggie sawyer
dr. Emil hamilton/star labs

 

[Lead Cenobite]

Well for one, I'd like Lex to be sortof like the Birthright Lex. Not just a smart and ruthless business man, but a scientific genius too. Basically, where he started Lexcorp to capitalize on his inventions and discoveries.

 

[SuperDaniel]

SUPERMAN:

Why he uses his powers for good is a direct result of how he was raised in Smallville.

If anyone has any idea of what it feels like being raised in a very small town, where you know everybody and you are friends with everybody, you develop an intimate relationship with people. They`re part of your life. When the Tornado reaches and destroys Smallville, Clark sees everybody he knows in pain. Their houses are destroyed. Their lives changed. It`s a powerful motivation. Clark now knows he can`t let it happen again. He just can`t stand idly by with his godlike powers and not make a change anymore.

Beyond that, Clark`s travels around the world and the power of flight is such a symbolic and important reason too. After he leaves Smallville, He is able to see the cultures like no one else can. He`s able to be in China, Japan, Russia, Chile, anywhere in the world, in a blink of an eye. He is able to connect with them all. Get to know them. Respect them. Understand them. It`s not how we learn in school, through books. No. He is there, first hand, Everywhere, anywhere, anytime. Earth, when he leaves Smallville becomes his home. He basically takes what he learned in Smallville and applies to his life after it. And why does he do what he do? Because he wants his neighbours to feel happy. To have a good life. And with his super-senses, he can see everyone`s molecule and Dna structure and understand how precious and connected we all are. Clark is grateful that Earth gave him life. So he feels the obligation to return the favor. He knows above all, if everybody isn`t happy, he won`t be either...

And this is, to me, the never-ending battle. After all, isn`t life our quest for happinnes? Achievement of dreams? Hope for something better to come?

And who symbolizes this quest better than Superman?

LOIS LANE: Just like what was shown in Lois & Clark. Teri Hatcher was the perfect Lois Lane

PERRY WHITE: Lane Smith was perfect also

SMALLVILLE: Something very similar to Greenbow, Alabama in Forrest Gump.

THE KENTS: Something like Forrest`s mother and like the kents in Lois & Clark.

 

[Adenjo]

quick summary..

Clark wants to get in Lois' pants.
Lois wants to get in Supermans pants.
Jimmy wants to get in anyones pants.
Perry is wearing his wifes pants.

I'm sure Nolan, goyer and co can quite easily flesh this out a tad

 

[BH/HHH]

SUPERMAN:

Why he uses his powers for good is a direct result of how he was raised in Smallville.

If anyone has any idea of what it feels like being raised in a very small town, where you know everybody and you are friends with everybody, you develop an intimate relationship with people. They`re part of your life. When the Tornado reaches and destroys Smallville, Clark sees everybody he knows in pain. Their houses are destroyed. Their lives changed. It`s a powerful motivation. Clark now knows he can`t let it happen again. He just can`t stand idly by with his godlike powers and not make a change anymore.

Beyond that, Clark`s travels around the world and the power of flight is such a symbolic and important reason too. After he leaves Smallville, He is able to see the cultures like no one else can. He`s able to be in China, Japan, Russia, Chile, anywhere in the world, in a blink of an eye. He is able to connect with them all. Get to know them. Respect them. Understand them. It`s not how we learn in school, through books. No. He is there, first hand, Everywhere, anywhere, anytime. Earth, when he leaves Smallville becomes his home. He basically takes what he learned in Smallville and applies to his life after it. And why does he do what he do? Because he wants his neighbours to feel happy. To have a good life. And with his super-senses, he can see everyone`s molecule and Dna structure and understand how precious and connected we all are. Clark is grateful that Earth gave him life. So he feels the obligation to return the favor. He knows above all, if everybody isn`t happy, he won`t be either...

And this is, to me, the never-ending battle. After all, isn`t life our quest for happinnes? Achievement of dreams? Hope for something better to come?

And who symbolizes this quest better than Superman?

Great man, absolutely love it, that is Superman all over.

Love the idea for the Tornado scene I wrote one in my Superman reboot idea that is posted elsewhere on here.

 

[ironman29758]

Superman:Clark trying to balance his human and kryptonian identity as well as fully devolp his secret identity as both Clark and Superman. Clark should realize why he loves metropolis and smallville(All Star Clark had him not feeling used to living there at first and wanted to stay in Metropolis untill Johnathan dies, Superman Secret Origin had Clark being in awe of Metropolis and Man of Steel Clark said Metropolis feels like home). then we should see Supermanc Birthright, Superman Secret origin, Smallville season 8 and 9, Superman the movie, superman for all seasons etc
'Lois: a combo of lois and clark's teri hatcher Lois Lane, Smallville Lois and Superman, It's Superman Lois Lane, Superman Birthright and secret origin Lois, and TAS Lois.She's bold, agressive, worldy, impulsive yet searching for the truth in everything. We should see the reason Clark chose her to be her girlfriend and wife and we could see a great triangle for two between Clark, Superman and Lois
Jimmy: We should see the origin of him being the best friend of Clark Kent and Superman. He had a crush on Lois because she is a great reporter. Being
Lex: a combo of the mad scientist Lex and the corprate mongul Lex. Someone who could combat Superman on a intellecual level and be the only one Superman can't arrest. He feels like Superman is a threat to the world because he's an alien and we couldn't trust him.
and we should see Daily Planet cast member beside Lois, Clark, Jimmy and Perry such as Cat Grant, Steve Lombard, Ron Troupe and maybe one of the old publishers
Brainiac: He should be able to battle people using super powers and super genius being an 12th level intellect. He should have the powers of smallville brainiac( super strength, super speed, flight, heat vision, invunrebility, mineral, electonic and biological manipulation, information asorbation, shapeshifting, asorbation, possesion ) and the powers he have in the comic. a force field belt, shrinking ray, telepathy, telekinesis. He should have part in the destrucion of krypton and should asorbing intelegence and destroying the planet.
The movie should be a mixture of Geof John Brainiac story arc, Action Comics #242, Superman: man of steel miniseries, Legion of Superheroes in the 31st century# 13, superman secret origin, superman birthright. Clark is starting out as a hero and people still don't have a total opinion. some people don't trust him because he's an alien some people(Daily planet members) support him and believe he's here to help. Metropolis should be like how it is stories like Superman secret origin, Superman Birthright and Smallville season 8 and 9. It's going through a bad time and people are looking for hope which they believe is in Lex Luthor. Then Superman comes. Lex feels betrayed and tries to make Superman look like a supervillian. No one should know nearly anything about superman(like his weaknesses) but knows he's from krypton and his superpowers and his true name is Kal-el and then Brainiac comes. He's intrested in superman because he's from krypton. Then it would be like the brainiac story.

 

[JStorm]

**** Luthor.

Give me a myriad of B-raters before Luthor.

 

[Webhead2006]

some good thoughts guys.

Jstorm lex could be very good character to use, more so if we get to see the corp/political take on the guy. We shouldnt not have him be in new series. just at least for first film play a back seat role over the super powered villain.

 

[BH/HHH]

Lex is part of Supermans supporting cast he should always be around. He doesn't have to be the main villian, but he should always be there.