To me, the claim that the real costume doesn't work on screen is a complete lie. It worked before didn't it? Worked damn well too. No, the costume was changed to a dark dark dingy blue with no trunks as a tribal or whatever pattern because of shame, plain and simple. It's a damn miracle Superman: Returns got made with something resembling the real costume. Hell, it's fortunate that the MOS costume is as close as it is. Look at what Hollywood has tried to do to Superman over the years. No Krypton, no flying, Nic Cage, giant spider. It's why I feel they are worthless-they have hatred and scorn for comics and comics fans and only exploit them for money. But when I see the MOS costume-which isn't a half-bad costume as movie superhero suits go-I still see the shame of comics fans at their hobby, their embarrassment and a pointless attempt for acceptance. IT'S NOT GONNA HAPPEN.
Selling Superman out to a group of people that will always think he is stupid is very lame.
This is a pretty thought provoking argument; and I wanted to think on it some more before I responded in full.
As you and others have said before, it is indeed the intent of the Hollywood filmmakers and studios to change/update the look and feel of certain comic book characters so as to appeal to a wider audience. I won't go so far as to say that hatred is the fuel that burns their fires, but I agree that exploitation and greed is certainly at work here
on some level. Here's what I don't agree with. To assert that fans who are willing to accept some/all of these aforementioned changes are sellouts merely looking for acceptance is way too generalized of a statement -- one that is, by no means, an accurate reflection of all those who are in favor of the new MOS suit. Some fans just like it! And it's as simple as that! Superman is a whole lot more than blue tights and a red cape. People admire the character for a host of different reasons. And like I said before, even if you don't care for
every single detail about Siegel and Shuster's original creation, that doesn't make you less of a fan. I personally never cared for the trunks (even as a child), so it's not that big a deal for me that they're gone in this new incarnation; and I know I'm not the only one who feels this way. It seems to me that you're of the belief that anyone who doesn't support all aspects of the classic design is simply not a true Superman fan; and that's just ridiculous. You talk about acceptance, but you're actually just as bad as the people you despise in some ways. You frown upon those who don't accept your ideologies 100%. Despite not knowing for certain why some people like the new costume design, you have the audacity to act like you do -- as if you're some kind of a mind-reader. What's worse is that you ignore various explanations as to why we appreciate it.
Now, sure there is some hatred and scorn against fanboys (and fangirls, who aren't even always acknowledged outside and even inside that of fandom circles), but everyone who doesn't like comics isn't like that.
As far as fans wanting to assimilate with the mainstream, I don't think it's entirely a matter of people looking for
worldwide acceptance. Maybe you're wanting your girlfriend or your best friend, both who aren't into comics, to be exposed to something different. Maybe you love the comic book art form so much that you're wanting to share it with them. And you know what? You're wrong. Because chances are they might like it. People are full of surprises. And even if they don't like it, life goes on. Wanting to share and maybe even convert others to your way of thinking is a part of human nature.
There are things I personally like about the new MOS suit and things I don't. And the same can be said of the classic design. It's okay to like something 85% or ::gasp:: even 50%.
Having said that, you certainly do bring up some interesting points, but you lose them just as fast when you try to pigeonhole everyone into one group or assume that you perfectly understand everyone's thought processes and motivation for behavior. You most certainly do not.
And one final note: As a comic book fan, I'm grateful for the array of amazingly well done movies that have been and continue to be developed in this genre. Despite the "hatred and scorn" you say that Hollywood seemingly has for fandom, they've actually managed to not screw up too badly at all or veer
terribly far from the original source material. Sure, we've had some misses, but what about the hits?? And you know what else? Nick Cage? No Krypton? Giant Spider? Guess what? DIDN'T HAPPEN.
