The Official Re-Imagining Clark Kent Thread

[Kurosawa]

sure the film is a fantasy but it would be nice to have certain things based on real life things to make it a bit more believeable and all that.

Meh, people who think like that tend to think themselves out of enjoying anything. Superman is thought provoking but not in that way. It's mythology.

 

[Webhead2006]

well i do want so see scifi/fantasy stuff played with alot for this next film which we didnt see much in other supes films. But to throw in aspects of realistic traits to certain things would be a nice relatable thing.

 

[Daybreak_st]

There is a huge difference between classic Clark from the comics and Chris Reeve's Clark. He was never a bumbling klutz in the early comics, and rarely if ever afterwards. Especially in the Siegel and Shuster stories, Clark was direct and competent in his reporting, interviews and writing, both accepting assignments from Taylor or White or bringing in his own stories and pushing his own causes using the press. Mild mannered Clark is not Chris Reeve's Inspector Clouseau act. He'd feign cowardice or play sick or have Clark get knocked away to switch to Superman, but he has always had to do that.

The above is how i want clark portrayed in the new movie. Making it modern i could see him being a little quirky to add some personality to distinguish from Superman, but i want a competent reporter clark not bumbling idiot over the top guy.

 

[TruerToTheCore]

Some people should try to imagine that "Clark Kent" is also a device that's supposed to be funny. Imagine that.

 

[Daybreak_st]

Some people should try to imagine that "Clark Kent" is also a device that's supposed to be funny. Imagine that.

You can be funny without being "corny". That's what reeve's clark was. He lacked character depth because of it. However you could have a character like Chuck Bartoski, from Chuck, who's more of a geek, but still all-around great well done lead character. I'd love a similar treatment for clark. Heck even lois and clark avoided the "goofy" thing but the show was plenty of fun. you don't need goofy/corny clark to make a superman movie fun.

 

[Webhead2006]

i hope we get a good character development for clark and a good difference to his superman persona.

 

[SuperMike335!!]

The version I liked most, outside of the comics, was STAS. There he seemed bland, but not corny.

 

[Daybreak_st]

yeah, their are multiple ways to translate "mild mannered" i just prefer any that don't include "corny".

Has anyone suggest Christopher Gorham for clark/superman? I know he's too short 6' but i was thinking he's pretty much played the character in Jake 2.0. Even if you could find someone like him, i think you'd get the clark is kind of geeky, automatically, then he'd have to bulk up a lot (although he's got a good build) to portray superman accuarately. Also he's an example of skinny face/neck and buff build similar to earth one superman.

Metropolis clark

Regular clark

Superman (minus the odd facial expression and glasses)

 

[Kurosawa]

Some people should try to imagine that "Clark Kent" is also a device that's supposed to be funny. Imagine that.

He is supposed to bring a certain amount of humor and vulnerability to Superman's world.

 

[SuperDaniel]

^That`s more Peter Parker than Clark Kent to me. I don`t want Clark to look THAT GEEKY. **** Chris Reeve`s Clark!

 

[Kurosawa]

^That`s more Peter Parker than Clark Kent to me. I don`t want Clark to look THAT GEEKY. **** Chris Reeve`s Clark!

Those pics above? Yea that's too much. That's worse than Chris Reeve's Clark. Clark is supposed to come off as somewhat inhibited and intellectual, but that does not = total nerd.

 

[Webhead2006]

totally i really dont want to see goofy clark any more. it just doesnt really work nowadays.

 

[Daybreak_st]

Those pics above? Yea that's too much. That's worse than Chris Reeve's Clark. Clark is supposed to come off as somewhat inhibited and intellectual, but that does not = total nerd.

yeah i agree, just thought i'd throw him out there, he played in Jake 2.0, an IT guy who get's superpowers via nano technology. He was able to play, both geek and cool spy. The pics above are from Ugly Betty, which i've never seen him in, but i guess he plays a nerdy guy.

 

[elgaz]

The reality is that goofy nerdy Clark actually draws more attention to himself than normal Clark. It worked in the 70s movie where the nerdiness greatly distance the gap between the Clark Kent persona and the Superman persona, but in this day and age we'll be wondering why people are sitting up and taking notice of this bumbling idiot who keeps bumping into things or making a nuisance. I just found it hard to believe that bumbling Clark Kent can be this great reporter who often competes with Lois for Daily Planet stories.

Say what you like about Smallville, but I like their current version of Clark Kent. He's normal. He has a job, has good reporter instincts, goes for coffee with people, doesn't trip over things, doesn't get walked over by everyone else, etc. He fits in much more easily than a nerdy version would, and IMO that would make it harder for people to believe he is Superman. Of course they need to work on the glasses and changing his looks slightly, but the essence of the modern day Clark Kent is there.

 

[MMMMM...Pancakes]

yeah, their are multiple ways to translate "mild mannered" i just prefer any that don't include "corny".

Has anyone suggest Christopher Gorham for clark/superman? I know he's too short 6' but i was thinking he's pretty much played the character in Jake 2.0. Even if you could find someone like him, i think you'd get the clark is kind of geeky, automatically, then he'd have to bulk up a lot (although he's got a good build) to portray superman accuarately. Also he's an example of skinny face/neck and buff build similar to earth one superman.

Metropolis clark

Regular clark

Superman (minus the odd facial expression and glasses)

This dudes way to skinny to pass as Superman IMO. Doesn't look like a farmboy to me. Definitely would make a good Peter Parker though.

 

[Webhead2006]

totally elgaz

 

[Kurosawa]

The reality is that goofy nerdy Clark actually draws more attention to himself than normal Clark. It worked in the 70s movie where the nerdiness greatly distance the gap between the Clark Kent persona and the Superman persona, but in this day and age we'll be wondering why people are sitting up and taking notice of this bumbling idiot who keeps bumping into things or making a nuisance. I just found it hard to believe that bumbling Clark Kent can be this great reporter who often competes with Lois for Daily Planet stories.

Say what you like about Smallville, but I like their current version of Clark Kent. He's normal. He has a job, has good reporter instincts, goes for coffee with people, doesn't trip over things, doesn't get walked over by everyone else, etc. He fits in much more easily than a nerdy version would, and IMO that would make it harder for people to believe he is Superman. Of course they need to work on the glasses and changing his looks slightly, but the essence of the modern day Clark Kent is there.

I think a lot of people who really don't know the classic comics confuse Reeve's Clark with the Clark of those comics. That's not how Clark was written. When Clark was used for humor, it was usually because someone would try to be a jerk to him (or someone else) and he would, unknown to them, stop it and make them look foolish instead by using his powers. For the most part Clark was not written as a cartoon clutz, but as a more mature, intellectual type, but also the kind of person who puts people at ease to a degree. Another thing is Clark was always written as a good conversationalist, which certainly couldn't hurt his reporter work. You can make Clark different from Superman without making him a clown.

 

[Pittman4Two]

I think a lot of people who really don't know the classic comics confuse Reeve's Clark with the Clark of those comics. That's not how Clark was written. When Clark was used for humor, it was usually because someone would try to be a jerk to him (or someone else) and he would, unknown to them, stop it and make them look foolish instead by using his powers. For the most part Clark was not written as a cartoon clutz, but as a more mature, intellectual type, but also the kind of person who puts people at ease to a degree. Another thing is Clark was always written as a good conversationalist, which certainly couldn't hurt his reporter work. You can make Clark different from Superman without making him a clown.

Obviously, in the films, Donner (and especially Lester) tried to inject quite a bit of physical humor with Clark. Reeve played this perfectly. I'll agree that we did not see a whole lot of the investigative, determined reporter some of you have mentioned.

Would you say that Clark's character was more authentic comic-wise during the Lois and Clark series?

 

[Daybreak_st]

Obviously, in the films, Donner (and especially Lester) tried to inject quite a bit of physical humor with Clark. Reeve played this perfectly. I'll agree that we did not see a whole lot of the investigative, determined reporter some of you have mentioned.

Would you say that Clark's character was more authentic comic-wise during the Lois and Clark series?

Yes i would. he's based on the Man of Steel Reboot portrayal of clark. He was written as the lead in a romantic comedy, so while not 100% like the comic of the time, he was pretty close. Others may disagree but he's still my favorite live action clark kent. Tom welling's clark is similar but he comes off as a little too heroic, if that makes sense. Maybe it's just how the show has panned out but he's rescued so many people as clark already, and people are aware of it, so him as superman would be easy to figure out. At least for me Dean Cain's clark was more of a regular guy, a cool guy sure , but still not quite as "heroic" as Tom's clark.

I think the perfect clark is a solid reporter, with a personality that's different from superman, maybe a little quirky, with a great sense of humor, for the most part he keeps a low profile but those close to him know him a little better, or a least see more of his personality. LIke he was originally written he's not a coward, but he simply won't engage in a physical confrontation, he will however use his powers in creative ways to teach bullies a lesson (as clark).

Then as Superman he's much more serious (personality wise). He has a strong voice and commanding/authoritative presence.

So you as the audience would always see a distinct difference in personalities, body language, voice, etc.

 

[Webhead2006]

totally there is so many things they can do to differant both clark and superman personas. i am sure nolan/goyer will find a good way to do it. And i am interested to see how they will work the character this time.

 

[SuperDaniel]

Those pics above? Yea that's too much. That's worse than Chris Reeve's Clark. Clark is supposed to come off as somewhat inhibited and intellectual, but that does not = total nerd.

See? We agree on something. I really don`t want to see Reeve`s Clark ever again on the big screen. I didn`t like when i saw in Secret Origins. Clark doesn`t have to be THAT goofy and nerdy. Just a normal, average guy. Something like All-Star Superman was perfect.

 

[Webhead2006]

yea i would like to see a more regular joe type of clark like dean/tom do for their clark's.

 

[Kurosawa]

Obviously, in the films, Donner (and especially Lester) tried to inject quite a bit of physical humor with Clark. Reeve played this perfectly. I'll agree that we did not see a whole lot of the investigative, determined reporter some of you have mentioned.

Would you say that Clark's character was more authentic comic-wise during the Lois and Clark series?

Kinda...actually the 50's TV show was pretty close as well. But Clark did (in the classic comics) feign cowardice or illness sometimes to switch to Superman.

 

[Webhead2006]

that is something i hope they are creative with how to have clark step away from folks as clark to go off and be superman.

 

[GL1]

• Clark Kent plays a dumb farmboy in the big city, but with his father's good natured sarcasm. Lois, Jimmy, Perry, Cat and Ron quickly find out he's a generally well traveled.
• Clark Kent is a good journalist, who LIKES his job. He likes Lois because of how she carries herself, and because she's an incredible person, not just out of some hero complex. He's friends with Jimmy because he finds Jimmy's bumbling amusing. We could even throw in a nod by having Clark bumble to cover for Jimmy, not to hid his supermanness. That's how they become good friends.
• Clark Kent does try to keep his cover, but not by making it so ridiculous that he'd be Superman, but by intelligently defelecting suspicion. By having airtight alibis. In reality, the visual similarity between Clark Kent and Superman would have to be acknolwedged, not just glossed over.
• To solidify his non-supermanness to other characters, having Clark sick (from kryptonite) and injured and rushed to the hospital is a good idea.
• Show him frustrated that he has no one to talk to.
• Convince Lois, realistically, and you convince the audience.