The Official Choose A Director Thread

[hippie_hunter]

I doubt you’ll see any of the comic book writers getting a “screenwriter credit” on this new Superman project. I can see them as possible consultants or maybe even a story credit, writing and outline or treatment.

Also, Johns already pitched Superman to WB in 2007 along with other comic book writers, including Millar and they were all denied.

But did any of the comic book writers have the backing of a major Hollywood director who has directed several major films for Warner Bros. (the Goonies, the first two Superman movies, the Lethal Weapon series)?

And frankly with Mark Millar's director, I think it's becoming more and more obvious that he was talking some grade-A ********.

 

[NeoRanger]

I'm unaware of Johns' film experience, but I assume if they were particularly noteworthy -which Superman has to be in four years- I'd have heard something about it.

That aside, movies and comic books aren't the same. Like books and movies aren't the same. Like even movies and theater. They aim at different target groups, the style is different, the tone is different and, seeing how we're talking about a summer blockbuster, there are a lot more things than storytelling to consider. It's a whole different medium. If Hollywood writers need to rewrite their own scripts over and over to improve them and make them fit for the movie they're shooting, it's unlikely a comic book writer with a little experience in the medium is going to qualify as the best choice.

Keep him as consultant.

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

If Routh is sticking around, I could think of a few potential candidates for the reboot (i.e. none of em comic-book writers!)

 

[Double Down]

Do tell.

 

[Superark]

If Routh is sticking around, I could think of a few potential candidates for the reboot (i.e. none of em comic-book writers!)

Like who?

 

[Showtime]

But did any of the comic book writers have the backing of a major Hollywood director who has directed several major films for Warner Bros. (the Goonies, the first two Superman movies, the Lethal Weapon series)?

I think you're giving Donner to much sway at WB at this point. Plus, as I said, Johns already pitched it and was denied. So they already know the direction he would go.

And frankly with Mark Millar's director, I think it's becoming more and more obvious that he was talking some grade-A ********.

Your preaching to the choir on that front.

 

[Double Down]

After that. He's been asking around for the script by SaveSuperman's Steve.
Boll says it's probably his kind of material.

Snap!

 

[hippie_hunter]

I think you're giving Donner to much sway at WB at this point.

I'm not saying at all that Donner has a whole lot of sway or that Donner has Warner Bros. by the balls like Nolan does right now.

But wouldn't someone who has directed several successful films for Warner Bros. have some sort of sway?

Plus, as I said, Johns already pitched it and was denied. So they already know the direction he would go.

Wasn't Johns' reboot denied when Warner Bros. was still pursuing a sequel to Superman Returns and before they decided to go with a reboot?

 

[Showtime]

I'm not saying at all that Donner has a whole lot of sway or that Donner has Warner Bros. by the balls like Nolan does right now. But wouldn't someone who has directed several successful films for Warner Bros. have some sort of sway?

Maybe, maybe not. I don't think Donner mentioning Johns causes them to stand up and take notice. Donner hasn't really been much of active director. His sway would come from working with DC more then from movies he directed many years. He might have more sway with Fox through the Donners Company.

Wasn't Johns' reboot denied when Warner Bros. was still pursuing a sequel to Superman Returns and before they decided to go with a reboot?

No. It was at the time when they were exploring, "all options".

 

[The Guard]

It wasn't a case of WB being against Hayter, more of a situation where they were against Bryan Singer bringing in one of his own writers.

Singer brought Dougherty and Harris, both "his" writers...

From what I understand, it was Hayter who didn't want the gig. He's not a huge fan of Superman, or something along those lines.

 

[ironman29758]

all i known is Geoff John is doing the legion smallville episode and after reading brainiac arc I convinced

 

[Dark Knight]

Memento and Following, both solely written by Chris, destroy anything Goyer has written.

 

[deathshead2]

Johns is a great writer and I know he has a hard on for Donner and the silver age, but I don't think the silver age works anymore. The old supes movies for me are hard to watch, because of the cornyness, and Johns superman I can barely stand. Bring in Kurt Busik, Dan Jurgens, I'd prefer Timm and Dini since they made the superman that I enjoy most. A depowered supes, and an evil lex.

 

[Showtime]

Singer brought Dougherty and Harris, both "his" writers...

Right...he brought his writers in for Superman Returns, a movie in which Jeff Robinov just came out and said, "it didn't do it for him." The same writers who attempted two sequel pitches with Bryan, and then "left the project". WB themselves were meeting with writers for the sequel, that was part of the plan going forward. WB was doing it their way this time around.

From what I understand, it was Hayter who didn't want the gig. He's not a huge fan of Superman, or something along those lines.

You're talking about the sequel right? Where did you hear that it was Hayter that refused? I and others ie webmasters and writers were told different.

 

[deathshead2]

Right...he brought his writers in for Superman Returns, a movie in which Jeff Robinov just came out and said, "it didn't do it for him." The same writers who attempted two sequel pitches with Bryan, and then "left the project". WB themselves were meeting with writers themselves for the sequel, that was part of the plan going forward. WB was doing it their way this time around.



You're talking about the sequel right? Where did you hear that it was Hayter that refused? I and others ie webmasters and writers were told different.

Hayter could have left when he was asked to pen Lost planet.

 

[Showtime]

Hayter could have left when he was asked to pen Lost planet.

He was never really on the project enough to leave. Chris McQuarrie was much more involved.

 

[Scarlet Spider]

He was never really on the project enough to leave. Chris McQuarrie was much more involved.

Could you elaborate on McQuarrie's involvement?

 

[Zephyr Alexian]

Chris Nolan really isn't that much of a writer. His brother is.

Nolan often does his own re-writes during principal photography on his films.
________________________________

I respect Donner's opinion, but this is coming from the same man who claimed that Bryan Singer was the perfect man to bring Superman into the new millennium.

 

[Showtime]

Could you elaborate on McQuarrie's involvement?

Singer and McQuarrie were working on a possible sequel in some capacity during the shooting of Valkyrie.

 

[Scarlet Spider]

Singer and McQuarrie were working on a possible sequel in some capacity during the shooting of Valkyrie.

Thanks Showtime. Not surprising that McQuarrie was involved at some point.

 

[bgshw44]

im confused, are they doing a reboot, or just taking the franchise in a different direction?

 

[NotFadeAway]

Johns is a great writer and I know he has a hard on for Donner and the silver age, but I don't think the silver age works anymore. The old supes movies for me are hard to watch, because of the cornyness, and Johns superman I can barely stand. Bring in Kurt Busik, Dan Jurgens, I'd prefer Timm and Dini since they made the superman that I enjoy most. A depowered supes, and an evil lex.

My thoughts exactly. Johns is a good writer, but he is a ****e for the silver age, and the silver age is finished. It does not work anymore. We need a contemporary Superman. Timm and Dini were the guys who got me to like Superman more than Batman, but showtime is right, WB won't got there.

 

[solidsnake86]

A ****e for some of the ideas of the silver age, why dont you actually go read a story before writing him off as a silver age writer. Besides if it doesnt work anymore, why is his run on action comics one the best to come out of post-crisis.

 

[Double Down]

Exactly.

 

[CLARKY]

I think G.Johns is a good choice anyway because he comes from the cinema industry. I think if Warner wants a film with a different vibe than the donner film, G.Johns would still be able to write a good film. depends of the director too.