The Official SDCC Coverage Thread

[Retroman]

Variety: Kevin, when are you going to get started on the Superman Sequel?

Kevin: I love the character, and I would love to reprise the role. I know Bryan is working on it, and by working on it, I mean thinking about it.

lol

 

[Showtime]

lol

Variety: So the sequel is going forward?

Kevin: It certainly is, in Bryan's mind. In fact, Bryan told me he already has the first cut done in his mind.

 

[Michael Corleone]

Variety: So the sequel is going forward?

Kevin: It certainly is, in Bryan's mind. In fact, Bryan told me he already has the first cut done in his mind.

He needs to hurry up, my mind's already in Post.

 

[Nightwing1977]

Variety: Kevin, when are you going to get started on the Superman Sequel?

Kevin: I love the character, and I would love to reprise the role. I know Bryan is working on it, and by working on it, I mean thinking about it.

How are we going to believe you when we get a real news from you? If you keep this joke up, we're going to keep thinking you're joking. You know, like the old story "Boy cry Wolf". Or in this case, "Boy cry Superman".

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

You know, like the old story "Boy cry Wolf". Or in this case, "Boy cry Superman".

That would be Mark Millar...

 

[Retroman]

Variety: So the sequel is going forward?

Kevin: It certainly is, in Bryan's mind. In fact, Bryan told me he already has the first cut done in his mind.

He needs to hurry up, my mind's already in Post.

LOLt:

Some more from the Con. First up is Robert Burnett who doesn't mention the sequel but does talk a little about SR.

Blu-ray producers talk straight at Comic-Con
Question value of bonus features to consumers

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 7/25/2008

JULY 24 | SAN DIEGO—A Blu-ray Disc producers panel at Comic-Con 2008 here today drew dozens of consumers, who heard some promotion of the format and participated in a frank Q&A.

Sponsored by the Digital Entertainment Group, panel participants talked up such upcoming Blu-ray titles as The Hills Run Red, coming next year from Warner Home Video, and The Weinstein Company’s The Mist before quickly transitioning to a discussion of the format’s pros and cons with consumer attendees.

Attendees voiced some skepticism about Blu-ray, lamenting the lack of innovative bonus features and elite titles.

Producers, such as Robert Meyer Burnett (Shoot ’Em Up) generally agreed, explaining that from their standpoint, studios can be more interested in showing off technology muscle than meaningful content.

"It would be interesting if they wanted to do a Star Trek encyclopedia or a primer on the whole history of Warner Bros.," said Burnett. "I'm not sure if people really want games and trivia."

Moderator Bill Hunt of fan site The Digital Bits agreed, saying you can find better versions of current Blu-ray extras elsewhere.

"If you want a game, you can get a better game, and if you want a social experience, you can get a better social experience," Hunt said.

Blade Runner DVD producer Charles de Lauzirika chimed in, "What better social experience is there than going to see a movie in the theater?"

Burnett is skeptical that bonus features will ever prove a big selling point for Blu-ray, thinking the format’s best advantages are superior video and sound.

"The single-disc Superman Returns outsold the two-disc special edition eight to two," said Burnett. "The reality of the population is that 20% are collectors. There's not much money in producing special features."

Other audience members were dismayed that there weren't enough classics or A-list titles on Blu-ray.

Hunt assured them that many are on their way, including expected next year releases of The Wizard of Oz and Gone With the Wind. He also anticipates that all four Indiana Jones films will be released shortly in the format.

As for bonus features, improvements will come as filmmakers themselves start using their creative expertise to advise studios on Blu-ray interactivity, said panelists.

"Everyone is still trying things out," Rambo DVD producer Cliff Stevenson said.

In a poll of the crowd, about half said they own Blu-ray players.

Kevin Smith does talk about the sequel though...

SDCC 08: Smith Talks Superman Sequel
Clerks helmer believes Singer can make the hero fly again.
by Phil Pirrello

July 25, 2008 - Kevin Smith, along with Judd Apatow, Zack Snyder amd Frank Miller, discussed all things comics and movies while attending the "Entertainment Weekly: Visionaries" panel at SDCC.

During the Q & A, Smith was asked by a Superman fan (and not a Superman Returns fan) if he thinks Krypton's Last Son deserves another reboot.

"I'm all for the reboot," Smith said. "I think Superman deserves another shot." The filmmaker cited that, even though the studio was unhappy with Returns' box office, he still think Bryan Singer can deliver.

"The guy did X2," Smith says of Singer. "I mean, any guy who can make a set piece, a fight scene set in a gift shop [in the first X-Men movie] interesting, and action-packed, deserves another shot."

Following Singer's previous quote about how his next Superman movie will be more akin to Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Smith humorously compared Returns to the pacing and tone of the first Trek movie, with the hope that Singer will deliver on his promise of giving us, and Kal-El, an epic superhero movie.

And who does Smith think Supes should finally fight on the big screen? "Let Supes fight Darkseid or something."

Source Links:http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6581762.html
http://movies.ign.com/articles/894/894027p1.html

 

[Nixon]

So, he wants a reboot and Bryan Singer to make another movie? Aren't those two options kind of mutually exclusive?


Also, according to the NYTimes both Thomas Tull and Alan Horn are at Comicon.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/movies/26comi.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

 

[Retroman]

So, he wants a reboot and Bryan Singer to make another movie? Aren't those two options kind of mutually exclusive?


Also, according to the NYTimes both Thomas Tull and Alan Horn are at Comicon.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/movies/26comi.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

Nice find! I really hope someone nabbed an interview with them.

Edit - Geoff Johns once again reaffirms his desire to be involved with a Superman movie. James Robinson is also interested.

SDCC '08 - 'Superman: Man of Tomorrow' Panel

By Albert Ching
posted: 24 July 2008 06:27 pm

Superman is generally considered the first superhero, so it makes some sense that DC Comics started their programming schedule at Comic-Con International in San Diego early Thursday afternoon with their “DC: Superman: Man of Tomorrow” panel.

In recent years, heavily comic book centric panels like this at Comic-Con - especially early on Thursday - haven’t attracted massive crowds like the celebrity-filled TV and movie panels. But Superman, evidently still a draw after all these years, attracted a line that stretched outside, with the panel itself filling the convention center’s large 6B conference room. Given that the convention sold out all four days last week, such lines will likely be the status quo for the rest of the weekend.

Panel moderator Matt Idelson, editor of the Superman books, was joined by new Supergirl creative team Sterling Gates (writer) and Jamal Igle (artist), Action Comics writer Geoff Johns, Superman writer James Robinson and artist Renato Guedes. Action Comics artist Gary Frank was in absentia.

The writers started the panel by giving some quick hints about upcoming storylines. Johns discussed the nine-part “New Krypton” crossover, starting in October (running through Action Comics, Superman and Supergirl, with Kryptonians declaring Earth to be “New Krypton).

For more on New Kyyton, check out our recent conversation with editor Matt Idelson in a video interview.

Robinson said his current Atlas storyline was “a little on its own, but with seeds of things to come” pointing towards a “cohesive universe” between the Superman books; and Gates said he wants to counter Supergirl’s reputation as a “b” title, and make “the best book we possibly can.”

“I’m a huge Superman fan,” said Igle. “Getting the opportunity to draw Supergirl has just been amazing. When I got the first script, I was surprised how good it was.” This comment might sound somewhat back-handed (the audience, playfully, thought so too), but Igle quickly clarified that he knew it was going to be good, but was blown away by the quality.

Johns then discussed the character Cat Grant and her recent and upcoming use (she’ll be publishing an article on why the world doesn’t need a Supergirl). After that, the panel was opened up to questions from the audience.

First question - “Ideas beyond ‘New Krypton’?” Johns answered that they recently had a creative summit and mapped out ideas until December 2010. He gave another hint - “Superwoman. Very interesting character. We’ve got a lot of twists and turns coming up in the books.”

A fan then asked if Robinson would mostly be handling new villains and Johns classic ones. Robinson corrected the fan, saying “Atlas isn’t a new character, you know that. He actually appeared in the first issue special. He’s actually a Kirby character.” Johns then said it’ll continue to be a mix of old and new, and that, “We’ll come up with something for Captain Atom, as well”

Johns said that the triangle numbers - prevalent in the 1990s with all four mainstream continuity Superman comics crossed over on regular basis - would return soon, likely with “New Krypton.” “They won’t be on every single issue, but when we do crossovers, there will be there.”

A fan curious about the delays on Richard Donner’s co-writing run with Geoff Johns asked about any possibility of anything similar happening in the future. Johns credited the work of Idelson and made the rather bold assertion, “I don’t think you’re going to see delays ever again.”

Any chance of Jack Knight (who James Robinson created and wrote in his much-lauded Starman run) in Superman? Robinson said, “When you retire a character, you open him up to the potential that he might appear in books that you don’t want him to appear in, or be handled by other writers. Long answer short, no. But I have brought back Krypto.”

“Is there anything in particular in store for Lois Lane?” Johns answered, “Yes. Lois Lane is the second most important character in our books. She’s got to be cool - if Superman’s gonna marry her, she’s gotta be the coolest girl in the world.”

Another famous Superman supporting character, Jimmy Olsen, was brought up next. Robinson said he’s working on a Jimmy Olsen special, and that, “One day he is destined to be the greatest reporter Metropolis has ever seen, but he’s just not there yet.”

A fan made the connection that both Johns and Robinson have screenwriting experience, and asked if there was a chance they’ll work on a Superman movie. “It’s not up to us,” said Johns. “We’d love to do it. It’d be fun to see Brainiac on the big screen.”

When asked about what kind of changes the writers were looking to bring to the characters and mythos, Johns said he wasn’t interested in “facade changes” that will be undone in two years, but ones with more meaning.

Channeling Stephen Colbert, an audience member asked if Krypto was a great Superman character or the greatest Superman character?” Robinson responded, “I love dogs, and he’s going to be an important part of the DC Universe.” The same fan asked if there was any chance of seeing Streaky the Supercat or Comet the Super-Horse - “Now you’re pushing it,” said Robinson. Johns added that both he and Gates love Streaky, so there might be an appearance in the works after all.

“I’ve noticed the Superboy name pop up in solicits. Has that been cleared up?” Johns said, “Superboy Prime is a different character, so we can use him. But we can’t really talk about it.”

A fan acknowledged that he bought more Marvel books than DC, and echoed the common complaint that DC Comics are less accessible and more reliant on knowledge of prior character histories and storylines than Marvel. “Our goal is to make these books extremely accessible,” said Johns.

Other topic covered during the hour-long panel included and if we’ll see Doomsday, Zod John Henry Irons anytime soon (yes to all three), if Jimmy Olsen knowing Superman’s identity in Countdown will be dealt with (it won’t, with both Robinson and Johns expressing distaste for the idea), possible crossovers with Superman/Batman (“That book’s kind of on its own,” said Johns), the differences between Action Comics and Superman (Robinson noted the art styles and the fact that Johns doesn’t use thought captions and he does), and what Superman comics would be good for someone new to comics (Johns pointed to the first issue of “New Krypton” and the first Gates and Igle issue of Supergirl in October).

Source:http://www.newsarama.com/comics/080724-comiccon-superman-panel.html

 

[I Am The Knight]

"Nice."

 

[AragornKing1]

So, he wants a reboot and Bryan Singer to make another movie? Aren't those two options kind of mutually exclusive?


Also, according to the NYTimes both Thomas Tull and Alan Horn are at Comicon.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/26/movies/26comi.html?_r=2&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

I think what he meant was that he would love to see a reboot and would accept it, but if not he would also give Bryan Singer a second chance. I would too. And he made a good point with X-Men 1 and 2.

 

[I Am The Knight]

I don't remember that "gift shop" fight in X1.

 

[Nixon]

I think it was the bit before they're all brought up to Liberty's torch.

 

[I Am The Knight]

Oh yes...I think you're right.

 

[FilmNerdJamie]

Kevin Smith does talk about the sequel though...

Speaking of Kevin Smith...

Comic-Con: Kevin Smith Makes a "Porno"

Parental discretion was advised before Comic-Con mascot Kevin Smith began his Saturday night live in Hall H, and oh my, was it ever needed. Smith and the cast of his upcoming mainstream romantic comedy Zack and Miri Make A Porno — including Seth Rogen, Elizabeth Banks, a short-haired Jason Mewes, and B-movie legend Traci Lords — spent the majority of their hour-and-a-half Q&A making good use of the late, great George Carlin’s "seven words;" they also managed to make more gay jokes per capita than a frat house on speed. The movie stars Rogen and Banks as long-time best friends who decide to shoot a skin-flick to make money, and after a long text intro from Smith saying not to be a "f---tard" and record it, the crowd got to see a clip whose central feature was suddenly-indispensable Mac guy Justin Long as a gloopy-voiced gay porn actor flouncing about his closeted boyfriend (played by one Brandon "Superman" Routh). Little else about the movie was revealed, although Smith said he's entering the MPAA’s appeals process next month to get his current NC-17 rating knocked down to the hard-R he’s contractually obligated to deliver (so far he's had to cut "a lot of thrusting" and something "unspeakable"). Banks — who, FYI, said she's not yet been asked to appear on Scrubs next season — also called the film a "sweet, adorable love story." "No one's gonna go see it now!" Smith wailed in protest to that comment, so Banks amended it: "There’s a lot of f---ing and s--- in it, too." "Thank you," said Smith. "I got a rep to protect."

http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/07/comic-con-kevin.html

 

[charl_huntress]

SDCC has a been great fun this year. I didn't really attend any panels, but it was fun to see the fan action. There were a lot of Transformer fans, and that seems to be a big draw.

I will probably go tomorrow to see what else is up, but I didn't see a lot about Supes.

 

[GreenKToo]

Still no mention of their line up yet huh.

 

[Superman-Prime]

Kevin Smith is a moron for wanting a reboot. That's all. He always suck as I thought. Always. I never like him anyway.

 

[charl_huntress]

Still no mention of their line up yet huh.

No...le sigh....nothing really about Supes this year. There was a lot about Batman though!

 

[charl_huntress]

Kevin Smith is a moron for wanting a reboot. That's all. He always suck as I thought. Always. I never like him anyway.

LOL...you hate him too now, huh? You hate everyone who wants a reboot, huh?



I wish you could have seen the lack of Superman fans at SDCC...that make you rethink your stupid position.

 

[AragornKing1]

Kevin Smith is a moron for wanting a reboot. That's all. He always suck as I thought. Always. I never like him anyway.

Dude, chill out. Kevin Smith, like me and Showtime, don't care if we get a reboot or a sequel to Superman Returns. But Mark Millar's director, if he even had one in the first place, said that WB isn't listening to any reboot pitches.

 

[Mikelus]

^^ He's immature (SP), ignore him.

We don't know what is going to happen, but with the crazy success of TDK, if there's a sequel, Singer or whoever directs it will have much more pressure for sure.

 

[AragornKing1]

The Dark Knight was not announced until after Comic Con on July 31 2006. So we can't assume anything yet.

 

[charl_huntress]

The Dark Knight was not announced until after Comic Con on July 31 2006. So we can't assume anything yet.

Well, this year there was a significant lack of Superman fans. I wore my Supes belt and I felt like an outsider. He didn't have a lot of representation at this year' s SDCC.

 

[AragornKing1]

Well, this year there was a significant lack of Superman fans. I wore my Supes belt and I felt like an outsider. He didn't have a lot of representation at this year' s SDCC.

Yeah, that does suck.

 

[charl_huntress]

Yeah, that does suck.

Yeah....glad you feel that way Singer-supporter.