Superman Returns The Writers of Superman Returns DID Read the Comicbooks!

[Kane]

Setting the record straight:

Did you use many previous comics and graphic novels as inspiration and if so, which?
There were a few laying around the office that we'd flip through for inspiration. Anything by Alex Ross for starters. He just has a way of capturing the visual essence of Superman, or any other superhero for that matter, that makes them seem REAL.
The other work that really touched us was Superman for All Seasons by Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale. It did such an amazing job at making the character human. I remember opening the book and the first images you saw weren't typical stuff like Superman fighting off some giant robot or massive evil villain - they were his baby photos, just images of Clark Kent growing up over the years. Of course all the Superman action is important, but it's pointless and hollow if you don't capture the heart of the character, and that book really nailed it.

http://www.supermancinema.co.uk/daily_planet/new_film/sr-promotion/mikedougherty-interview.asp

It seems like theres alot of fans of SfAS on this board, nice to know they drew some inspiration when it comes to characterization from that story.

 

[NotFadeAway]

I wonder if they read Birthright

 

[Action ACE]

I really respected Alex Ross until I read interviews with him where he basically bashes every work that is not his. Hey Alex, Superman isn't 70 years old!!!

Anyway, back on topic, I'm glad to hear they looked to the comics for inspiration. It would be asinine for them not to.

 

[Kane]

It would be asinine for fans on this board to assume they didnt.

 

[ChrisBaleBatman]

Ross didn't bash Begins.....so.....(whistles)

Good to hear they read the comics......although, honestly...I thought it was a little evident.

 

[Action ACE]

Ross didn't bash Begins.....so.....(whistles)

Good to hear they read the comics......although, honestly...I thought it was a little evident.

Who would?

 

[IKnowSomeJudo]

I wonder if they read Birthright

Brandon did.

 

[Cinemaman]

Thank God! They do that!!

But I hope they will read more comics, when they makes SR2

 

[NotFadeAway]

Brandon did.

Where did you hear Brandon read Birthright?

 

[Kane]

He mentioned he did in an interview.

 

[IKnowSomeJudo]

Where did you hear Brandon read Birthright?

He said it himself in an interview (I think it's on Supermanhomepage?). He mentioned it when they asked him about his favorite Supes comics...

 

[Coldplay Sux]

So they had a few laying around and picked up a couple--so what? To me that doesn't count as being a fan or basing the film on the comics. And what's more important is that Singer isn't a fan; he had the ultimate say on what got into the film. He's solely making a film based on the overrated '78 flick, nothing else. I know that he became a fan of the X-comics even though he never liked comics growing up. Why wouldn't he want to do the same with Supes? He's making a huge film of a 68-year-old character and he's choosing to limit himself to one dumb flick. How sad, what a wasted opportunity.

 

[Kane]

Just because he put the movie in vague continuity with the first Donner film (the most known Superman media portrayal across the vast majority)....doesnt mean the writers didnt draw inspiration from the comics, George Reeves and the Max Fliesher cartoons.

Watch Singer's documentary, a toronto review said the doc went into some good details about the comic continuity and how each media interpretation in history influenced Singer for the film.

 

[Cinemaman]

So they had a few laying around and picked up a couple--so what? To me that doesn't count as being a fan or basing the film on the comics. And what's more important is that Singer isn't a fan; he had the ultimate say on what got into the film. He's solely making a film based on the overrated '78 flick, nothing else. I know that he became a fan of the X-comics even though he never liked comics growing up. Why wouldn't he want to do the same with Supes? He's making a huge film of a 68-year-old character and he's choosing to limit himself to one dumb flick. How sad, what a wasted opportunity.

If writers read comics, they know what they want.

Singer is STM fan, others were comics fans (like Ratner and McG) and their ideas were dumb.

So we should be happy with what Singer is doing.

He also has his own vissual style for SR, which looks awesome, but a bit dark.

And if you read all spoilers, you would understand that it has new and big changes.

 

[rohitiyer]

I was watching the X-Men: The Last Stand Special on VH1 today. Hugh Jackman said something about X1.

He said something like Bryan Singer wouldn't let them touch a single comic book, because he didn't want their performances to be "heightened" by their influence, and thus he felt the characters would be more real.

Maybe that was Singer's approach to SR as well. Although that kinda contradicts that story about him showing Jackman Donner's Superman scene to help him through a scene (lol).

But it DOES make some sense to me.

Whaddya think, guys?

 

[Kane]

All I know is the writers used comicbook influences in the script and read them. Geez, theres even a classic Action Comics #1 scene where Supes is lifting a car.

Singer may not use comics for his direction style (but thats prolly in the best interest of his vision, to maintain some reality about his presentation).

 

[Cinemaman]

I was watching the X-Men: The Last Stand Special on VH1 today. Hugh Jackman said something about X1.

He said something like Bryan Singer wouldn't let them touch a single comic book, because he didn't want their performances to be "heightened" by their influence, and thus he felt the characters would be more real.

Maybe that was Singer's approach to SR as well. Although that kinda contradicts that story about him showing Jackman Donner's Superman scene to help him through a scene (lol).

But it DOES make some sense to me.

Whaddya think, guys?

I think Singer is Superman's fan, but everything what he does know is STM.

But Dougherty and Harris as I know read comics and they are screenwriters. So the whole movie will also include parts from comics in storylines.

 

[Fan of Tomorrow]

I'd rather they read Man of Steel than Birthright, regardless of what's in continuity these days.

Anywho, I'm really not surprised at this. I don't know how any writer for a comic book film could go into their job without having at least picked up some of the source material. It's good news, especially considering I love For All Seasons myself, but I doubt this fact will make or break the plotting of the film. In the end, the movie is it was it is.

 

[rohitiyer]

All I know is the writers used comicbook influences in the script and read them. Geez, theres even a classic Action Comics #1 scene where Supes is lifting a car.

Singer may not use comics for his direction style (but thats prolly in the best interest of his vision, to maintain some reality about his presentation).

This is kinda off topic, but notice how many "lifting" scenes there are?

Superman holding up the airplane on top of the baseball diamond.

Superman holding up the Daily Planet Globe.

Superman holding up a car.

I expect him to be holding up NK as well.

I guess he just can't find his kinda gym! lol

 

[Ita-KalEl]

The Shuttle scene is inspired by "Man of Steel" of Byrne.
Elevator scene by Superman for All Seasons.

 

[Captain Villa]

You Expect Them To Say They Never Read One ?!

 

[Cinemaman]

This is kinda off topic, but notice how many "lifting" scenes there are?

Superman holding up the airplane on top of the baseball diamond.

Superman holding up the Daily Planet Globe.

Superman holding up a car.

I expect him to be holding up NK as well.

I guess he just can't find his kinda gym! lol

LOL

Nice joke

 

[Cinemaman]

You Expect Them To Say They Never Read One ?!

Singer said that he didn't read comics. They could also said the same, but they didn't, because they read it.

What the reason of lie?

 

[Motown Marvel]

dude, harris and dougherty are self confessed life long comic book fans.

 

[Cinemaman]

dude, harris and dougherty are self confessed life long comic book fans.

So they are comic book readers, right??