Superman Returns Was Singer merely aiming for nostalgia?

[Superwoman Prime]

How much inspiration, if any at all, did he draw from the Fleischer era?

I realize he claims to have used only the Donner vision, but when I see that suit for the old cartoons, I'm not so sure anymore.

 

[ROBOCOP CPU001]

personally i think he used the donnerverse..to have some common ground with an already waiting public.. and to get his film green lighted..you couldn't give supes a kid in an origin story.

 

[KalMart]

I think the overall color scheme, retro production design/costumes, and luminance of the film was very influenced by the Fleischer stuff. Unfortunately, it resulted in an overall drab live-action visual feel to the whole thing.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hi there!

He certainly used the Fleischer era for the (50% Sky Captain) look of the movie.

Though he recycled much of Donner's Superman the Movie with regards the storyline.

So basically, Singer's "progressive" vision was to ape the look of the 40's, ape the story already told in the 70's and take the 'super' away from Superman by making him a complete pansy.

Rather than a strong central male character people can look up to, we get an insecure, morose, bungling, wimp we are meant to pity.

In a way its almost as if Singer reversed the character of Clark and Superman in the movie. Kent actually comes across as the far stronger personality (to me at least), and I also though Brandon's superb performance in the Kent role was infinitely better than his (very limp in my opinion) Superman.

To answer your original question, no, I don't think Singer was going for nostalgia.

I think what he was trying to do was target the adult female demographic in the misguided notion that the action/adventure audience and young kids demographics would just turn up 'simply' because it had Superman in it. However, I think he alienated those latter demographics far too much.

It was also monumental hubris from Singer to basically ignore the two biggest demographics for Superhero movies, in his pursuit of the third demographic.

However, his folly was ultimately exposed by the poor box office figures.

If he gets another bite at the cherry lets hope Singer both acknowledges and learns from his mistakes!

 

[Immortalfire]

Yes.

 

[Showtime]

Singer heavily relied on the Fleischer and George Reeves Superman for inspiration in Returns, almost just as much as he did on the Donner Universe.

 

[Dr. Fate]

Hi there!

He certainly used the Fleischer era for the (50% Sky Captain) look of the movie.

Though he recycled much of Donner's Superman the Movie with regards the storyline.

So basically, Singer's "progressive" vision was to ape the look of the 40's, ape the story already told in the 70's and take the 'super' away from Superman by making him a complete pansy.

Rather than a strong central male character people can look up to, we get an insecure, morose, bungling, wimp we are meant to pity.

In a way its almost as if Singer reversed the character of Clark and Superman in the movie. Kent actually comes across as the far stronger personality (to me at least), and I also though Brandon's superb performance in the Kent role was infinitely better than his (very limp in my opinion) Superman.

To answer your original question, no, I don't think Singer was going for nostalgia.

I think what he was trying to do was target the adult female demographic in the misguided notion that the action/adventure audience and young kids demographics would just turn up 'simply' because it had Superman in it. However, I think he alienated those latter demographics far too much.

It was also monumental hubris from Singer to basically ignore the two biggest demographics for Superhero movies, in his pursuit of the third demographic.

However, his folly was ultimately exposed by the poor box office figures.

If he gets another bite at the cherry lets hope Singer both acknowledges and learns from his mistakes!

You are correct, Upper Krust.

 

[Comic Book Boy]

It really isn't close to the Fleischer Superman at all. The Fleischer Superman was a brute and Lois was a moron. (I like the Fleischer Superman, but RETURNS isn't like it at all, aside from the 40's style stuff in some places)

And yes, nostalgia was a clear motive. Nostalgia of the Donner Superman.

 

[afan]

How much inspiration, if any at all, did he draw from the Fleischer era?

I realize he claims to have used only the Donner vision, but when I see that suit for the old cartoons, I'm not so sure anymore.

Exactly what do you see in this suit that was included in the SR suit
I really don't see any strong links, beyond superficial visual appearance, between any previous Superman incarnations and SR.

When I look at this photo I see an individual who stands squarely and unashamedly for Truth, Justice and the American Way!
SR stood for truth, justice and all that other stuff?

Have you actually watched any of the Fleischer cartoons?

 

[November Rain]

yes and to also reinforce the fact the film is in continuity

 

[DrMylesOBoogie]

and I also though Brandon's superb performance in the Kent role

That sentence did make me laugh out loud.

 

[Brainiac 2009]

They confirmed on the DVD that stylistically they went for a look that reflected all the classic eras of Superman. The classic Fliesher influence is somewhat noticeable.

 

[Brainiac 2009]

When I look at this photo I see an individual who stands squarely and unashamedly for Truth, Justice and the American Way!
SR stood for truth, justice and all that other stuff?

We dont need a propaganda hero anymore especially with how 'gray' the "American Way" in today's world.

I do think they would have left 'American Way' in before 2001 though but now its seems obvious why they would write Brandon's Superman for everyone on the world and not America first and foremost.

 

[Superwoman Prime]

Exactly what do you see in this suit that was included in the SR suit
I really don't see any strong links, beyond superficial visual appearance, between any previous Superman incarnations and SR.

When I look at this photo I see an individual who stands squarely and unashamedly for Truth, Justice and the American Way!
SR stood for truth, justice and all that other stuff?

Have you actually watched any of the Fleischer cartoons?

I own all these episodes of the Fleischer cartoons:

Mad Scientist
Mechanical Monsters
Billion Dollar Limited
Arctic Giant
The Bulleteers
Mummy Strikes
Electrical Earthquake

So yeah, buddy. I have seen a few. I don't like SR any more than you do, as a side note.

 

[Super Kal]

How much inspiration, if any at all, did he draw from the Fleischer era?

I realize he claims to have used only the Donner vision, but when I see that suit for the old cartoons, I'm not so sure anymore.

IMO, the only thing he used from the Fleischer era was how dark it was.

 

[Super Kal]

I own all these episodes of the Fleischer cartoons:

Mad Scientist
Mechanical Monsters
Billion Dollar Limited
Arctic Giant
The Bulleteers
Mummy Strikes
Electrical Earthquake

So yeah, buddy. I have seen a few. I don't like SR any more than you do, as a side note.

this just reminds me how cool the suit could of looked with the actual Fleischer colors...

 

[Showtime]

IMO, the only thing he used from the Fleischer era was how dark it was.

Metropolis was no doubt influenced by the Fleischer Cartoons I believe.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hey there!

That sentence did make me laugh out loud.

I fully stand by what I said.

Few, if any, loathe Superman Returns as much as me, but credit where its due, I thought Routh's Kent was very good. It was simply unfortunate that his Superman was terrible.

I'm still not convinced hes a good actor, but if it was a choice of bringing back Routh, Bosworth or Spacey, I'd pick Routh.

 

[DrMylesOBoogie]

I'm still not convinced hes a good actor, but if it was a choice of bringing back Routh, Bosworth or Spacey, I'd pick Routh.

I'd probably bring back Spacey on the condition that he had a very small part.

I really don't see anything that was even good about Routh's Clark. I can't get into a character that's purpose is to stand around and look stupid.

 

[Upper_Krust]

Hello again!

I'd probably bring back Spacey on the condition that he had a very small part.

Out with the whole cast and bring in the Smallville actors where at least you have a multifaceted Clark, excellent Lois (though Teri Hatcher is still the ultimate Lois in my opinion) and the best onscreen Lex imaginable.

I really don't see anything that was even good about Routh's Clark. I can't get into a character that's purpose is to stand around and look stupid.

Maybe Routh excelled as Clark because he was just being himself.

 

[Dr. Fate]

One advantage the Fleischer Superman cartoons have over Singer's SR is this: at least the Fleischer cartoons had actual action sequences that made Superman seem awe inspiring.

 

[Ming]

How much inspiration, if any at all, did he draw from the Fleischer era?

I realize he claims to have used only the Donner vision, but when I see that suit for the old cartoons, I'm not so sure anymore.

Your statement is a delusion. The only thing that he based it on was the Donner, a heeping helping of his own "Screw-the-fans-this-is-my-story" drink mix, and some "superdickery". It is evident in the whole movie.

 

[Superwoman Prime]

One advantage the Fleischer Superman cartoons have over Singer's SR is this: at least the Fleischer cartoons had actual action sequences that made Superman seem awe inspiring.

True that.

 

[Zen Ith]

I really don't see anything that was even good about Routh's Clark. I can't get into a character that's purpose is to stand around and look stupid.

I don't think you have the capacity to get a character at all, sublety seems to be lost on you if you think that's all Routh's Clark was doing.

 

[DrMylesOBoogie]

I don't think you have the capacity to get a character at all, sublety seems to be lost on you if you think that's all Routh's Clark was doing.

It's nothing to do with sublety. He had no presence or charm. I've watched his screentest and he was terrible in that too.