Tom Welling as Superman

[Kaboom]

Lol...

 

[triplet]

You know, it occurs to me that Smallville has been shot on high-grade film stock, and in widescreen...

Wouldn't it be possible for a SV film to use footage from the TV series, perhaps as a sort of "montage" recapping key events from the show?

Imagine that... a Superman film where you actually see the lead character visibly age from teenager to adult, and unlike the use of Jeff East and Chris Reeve it's actually the same actor all the way through.

Desk!

You've been mighty scarce around these parts, nice to see ya!

I think that's a great idea, even if they only used footage from the show in a montage to show the origin...

It'd save some money anyway, so what's not to love about it?

 

[triplet]

Gets a probationary ban?

*snort*

 

[AgentPat]

Doesn't matter when everyone else is coming out. I keep saying it but I actually am dead serious when those words are typed onto the page. Give SV a Spider-Man 1 like budget (139 mil), and the EXACT same group that has seen SR regardless of how much they may hate the film would come out to see it as well. The tracking data for SR is showing that it's playing heavily to Superman fans.

An SV film that makes SR money would be VERY profitable for WB.

$139M? Holy sheeeitt!

... y'know, I think that's too much. Not that I wouldn't LOVE to see what they'd do with that kind of ridiculous coin, but it's not necessary, IMHO. I'd also rather see them spend $50-60M and clear $100-120M domestic, than risk a higher production budget and still make the same at the B.O. I'd rather them be innovative because they HAVE to be frugal (ala Centropolis' "Independence Day") than spend 2+ million dollars on a superfluous bank robbery scene that ends up losing its luster after being pimped the first time in one of the film's trailers. I think Warners would want to look back at a potential SV film and tout its success verses have to spin the numbers for the press. Go small budget (relatively) at first so the R.O.I. can be impressive, and then up the anti for a sequel if the first film does well.

 

[TKodami]

Even if they went that route I'm sure they'd do everything humanly possible to stretch out SV to 7 seasons without having the ratings slide. They'd need buffer time between SR and an SV feature -- Summer 2009 anyone?

At this point, I'd rather have them scrap SV 7th season and give us an SV mini-series bridging the SV and metropolis years. Why--best of all worlds. A mini-series could run only 4-6 episodes but with an insanely high budget comparatively. Explosions, great production values, FLIGHT! The FOTW factor would be scaled down since a mini-series only focuses on the core, core mythos stuff.

I do love movies...but I love television even more. And I've never met a 2-hour or even 3-hour movie that's given me enough. I think "Commencement" is exemplary of this kind of movie-like production values combined with the strengths of television. My SV dream project would be Commencement x 6. up:

Edit: Another great example of this would be the Dune mini-series that Sci-Fi aired several years ago. Great production values. So much better than the Dune movie, and it clocks in at a respectable 265 minutes long.

Last Edit: I was rifling through my Smallville folder, and I came across this picture. Probably even found it earlier in this thread! But I couldn't help myself from posting it again...

When I see this picture, I see Superman.

 

[AgentPat]

When I see this picture, I see Superman.

You and me both, babe!


Oh, and btw... I-Net poll, anybody?
http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/gallery/our_hottie_picks?pg=26

Deja vu! There's an argument to be made in there, I know there is.

When the puck are people gonna start noticing this stuff?

 

[Karea07]

what is this about Welling got fat?

 

[Serene]

what is this about Welling got fat?

Not "fat," but "phat."

I think it means he's even cooler than before.

 

[Bruce_Wayne29]

At this point, I'd rather have them scrap SV 7th season and give us an SV mini-series bridging the SV and metropolis years. Why--best of all worlds. A mini-series could run only 4-6 episodes but with an insanely high budget comparatively. Explosions, great production values, FLIGHT! The FOTW factor would be scaled down since a mini-series only focuses on the core, core mythos stuff.

I do love movies...but I love television even more. And I've never met a 2-hour or even 3-hour movie that's given me enough. I think "Commencement" is exemplary of this kind of movie-like production values combined with the strengths of television. My SV dream project would be Commencement x 6. up:

When I see this picture, I see Superman.

I hear you. One of the options to go (especially if the Feature division decides to continue on the maroon express) would really be an HBO mini-series. They are owned by Warner and they have great production values.
I think they're season finales are like mini movies and the effects are movie style effects now more than ever. If they can do that with around 4 million, what they couldn't do with a 100 million budget for a theatrical movie. Hell even with a mini series with a lesser budget !
I saw Vessel after I saw the movie and now more than ever not only Tom IS Superman to me but also SV's cast is now the definitive to me.

 

[TKodami]

I saw Vessel after I saw the movie and now more than ever not only Tom IS Superman to me but also SV's cast is now the definitive to me.

I can understand that feeling, though I don't quite share it. To me, there is no one definitive Superman cast, because I love both. And I'm greedy. I want to have both. Hehe.

Here here to the HBO mini-series idea, 'cept for the fact I don't get HBO.

Edit: !! Two birds with one stone! Infinite Crisis special! (yeah, I know, not a particularly new idea, but still...)

 

[MJZ]

Out of the list of directors you could reasonably get (barring the likes of Spielberg, Zemeckis, and Shyamalan), Bay would be the ideal choice. Thing is I believe he's never been into comics and adapting them, thus it'd be a hard sell, as evidenced by WB's failed attempts to court him over the years.

There's also the concern of how much of a Superman film it'd be, over a Michael Bay film. This is what's going on on Transformers.

Still, I'd love to see it.

 

[RakuMon]

I don't think Michael Bay would be an ideal choice for a Smallville movie. His stye's too distinct. I think someone who could adapt to what makes the show work -- but also has a cinematic vision -- would be the most ideal.

I mean Greg Beeman's done movies in the past. (They weren't particularly good ones but at least he knows how to direct and light the actors!)

 

[The Incredible Hulk]

Bay is too substance over style and is usually never cheap. I'd rather get like a Robert Rodriguez type guy that can do a lot with a smaller budgeted film.

 

[AgentPat]

I don't think Michael Bay would be an ideal choice for a Smallville movie. His style's too distinct. I think someone who could adapt to what makes the show work -- but also has a cinematic vision -- would be the most ideal.

I mean Greg Beeman's done movies in the past. (They weren't particularly good ones but at least he knows how to direct and light the actors!)

Heheheh... well, I'd argue those are some of the things Bay is actually known for. The way he uses natural lighting, particularly the "sweet hour," to elicit a very sunny, Americana-type mood, is practically the epitome of Superman. He knows how to make you care for the characters, and he's an expert at visual spectacle. He keeps the camera moving to maintain pace during slower scenes, and his frenetic, no-holds-barred editing style has defined the look of today's action-oriented films. Only "down" side is the fact that Bay works *very* quick, so he has no time to coddle inexperienced actors. Luckily, the SV cast know their characters inside and out, and they're used to pounding out scenes under pressure.

Are there better directors out there? Absolutely. I'd take Spielberg or Zemeckis in a cocaine heartbeat. But there's not a shred of doubt in my mind that Bay could deliver a Superman film that would rock the house down.

 

[AgentPat]

Oh... and PS... Bay LOVES full-frame close-ups on faces, which is a SV tradition.

Uhkay, I'm done pimping Michael Bay. I realize he can be an acquired taste

Any other suggestions?

 

[Kaboom]

^^^ cuz when Supe's rocks the house, he rocks it all the way down!

 

[Kaboom]

o gee i don't know, maybe a lil guy i like to call Gore Verbinski?

 

[AgentPat]

o gee i don't know, maybe a lil guy i like to call Gore Verbinski?

When can he start?

 

[RakuMon]

Bay is too substance over style and is usually never cheap. I'd rather get like a Robert Rodriguez type guy that can do a lot with a smaller budgeted film.

I think you meant style over substance.

o gee i don't know, maybe a lil guy i like to call Gore Verbinski?

Oh an excellent choice! While we're at it, how about Alfonso Cuaron, Luc Besson, or Paul Greengrass?

 

[Kaboom]

cuaron did a heck of a job on harry potter, but thats the only film ive seen of his
greengrass has good action but may be a little to dark and introverted...
besson though? the transporter has great stylized action violence and a lot of ha! funny moments! i think hes the best choice of the three

 

[TKodami]

I <3 Luc Besson.

However, for an SV movie, what's wrong with using the current production / direction team? I'd take Beeman or Marshall over any of these other directors because they have familiarity with the actors.

 

[Bruce_Wayne29]

However, for an SV movie, what's wrong with using the current production / direction team? I'd take Beeman or Marshall over any of these other directors because they have familiarity with the actors.

Yeah I was kind of thinking the same thing. Even Miles could do it. The problem is that they may not be well versed in movie making (and more on tv productions which have a slightly different type of visual language).
But one thing we have to admit, SV's season premieres and finales have a mini movie kind of feel more than ever. These guys would know the right balance between character driven story and kick ass action.

 

[AgentPat]

I <3 Luc Besson.

However, for an SV movie, what's wrong with using the current production / direction team? I'd take Beeman or Marshall over any of these other directors because they have familiarity with the actors.

For a TV movie (90 minutes plus commercials), sure! In fact, I'd WANT Marshall or Beeman to do that. But for a major motion picture, with a $100M dollar budget? Gosh! Break out the big guns and do it "right." Having a well known director on a feature that size also brings with it more clout among audiences, not to mention studio reassurance. Not that Marshall or Beeman are incapable, but Beeman's ONLY experience has been in television, and Marshall's last stint on a film set was as a second assistant director twelve years ago.

A nice compromise would be to bring either or both on as second units or assistant directors. That would work in everybody's favor.

 

[RakuMon]

For a TV movie (90 minutes plus commercials), sure! In fact, I'd WANT Marshall or Beeman to do that. But for a major motion picture, with a $100M dollar budget? Gosh! Break out the big guns and do it "right." Having a well known director on a feature that size also brings with it more clout among audiences, not to mention studio reassurance. Not that Marshall or Beeman are incapable, but Beeman's ONLY experience has been in television, and Marshall's last stint on a film set was as a second assistant director twelve years ago.

A nice compromise would be to bring either or both on as second units or assistant directors. That would work in everybody's favor.

Not entirely true. Like I stated in an earlier post, Beeman's done some forgettable movies in the past (mainly 80s comedies like the Haim/Feldman...er... vehicle License to Drive).

What about David Nutter?

While he's primarily a TV director (he did the SV pilot after all), he's one of the more respected in the industry. He's helmed some critically acclaimed shows that have a real cinematic feel (Sopranos, Nip/Tuck, Entourage, West Wing, Band of Brothers, etc.) and he's helmed movies in the past (most notably, the James Marsden/Katie Holmes starrer 'Disturbing Behavior.')

 

[TKodami]

For a TV movie (90 minutes plus commercials), sure! In fact, I'd WANT Marshall or Beeman to do that. But for a major motion picture, with a $100M dollar budget? Gosh! Break out the big guns and do it right. Having a well known director on a feature that size also brings with it more clout among audiences, not to mention studio reassurance. Not that Marshall or Beeman are incapable, but Beeman's ONLY experience has been in television, and Marshall's last stint on a film set was as a second assistant director twelve years ago.

I definitely understand the impetus to get a big-name director as it were for that big-picture feel. I know we're just throwing out hypotheticals--and to me, for a theatrical release I think the "Superman" or "Smallville" name is enough to attract initial audiences. From there, the quality of the film would (hopefully) sell itself.


Every time we talk about a 90-minute Smallville tv event, I get giddy. I so, so look forward to another one.

A nice compromise would be to bring either or both on as second units or assistant directors. That would work in everybody's favor.

Or better yet, as producers or executive producers, who, depending on the name and position, have a lot to say about the final look & feel of a film.