Sequels What about Joss Whedon for Superman?

[fabman]

I've been thinking about this lately, probably because of J.J. Abrams directing the Star Trek restart. But what would you think about Joss Whedon writing and directing a Superman restart?

Personally I think this franchise needs some "fresh air," and Joss Whedon sure could create something very interesting. But - we know he's a good writer, but how good is he at directing?

What do you think, guys?

 

[X-Maniac]

Can't say I'm that keen on Joss. I don't like Buffy and I didn't like Serenity. I don't think he's capable of such a massive project as Superman.

If you want an epic Superman, then you need an epic director. Cameron, Spielberg. But i suppose we have little chance of getting those!

Peter Jackson's a genius but a little indulgent, Gore Verbinsky could also be a good choice.

Singer's movies have characters who are a little cold and neurotic, with internalised turmoils. Worked okay for X-Men (but still very cold), not so successful for Superman.
I'm not sure Singer can do emotional warmth.

 

[fabman]

Yeah, I don't really think he can make emotional warmth, and mostly, I didn't really like the characters in Superman Returns. Go figure, I think one of the best moments in the movie is when Lex's goons are kicking Supes, when it's actually him we should root for.

Regarding Whedon, well, the fact is, I'm sure he'd write a brilliant script, but I'm not so sure if he could direct such a movie. It would be nice to have a "fresh director," like Sam Raimi when he was doing Spider-Man, or Chris Nolan when he was doing Batman Begins, that's why a director like Steven Spielberg wouldn't be in my "list of directors" for Superman.

Other directors I'd like for a Superman movie would be Frank Darabont, Joe Dante, both are favorites of mine, or what about directors such as Matthew Vaughn or the French director Florent Siri (I thought Hostage wasn't too bade, and I liked his last pic, Intimate Enemies)? I'd like Sam Mendes aswell, but it depends on wether or not he'd be interested in directing a blockbuster.

...

David Fincher?

 

[matthooper]

How about John McTiernan? We know he does some of the best action ever made like Die Hard and Predator, but he can also do great character pieces like The Thomas Crown Affair and The Hunt For Red October.

With a great action packed script, he'd be my choice. That's if he is a Superman fan and uses a script written by Superman fans. A luxury we didn't have for the latest "Superman" film.

 

[fabman]

I agree that John McTiernan is a talented director, but he hasn't really done anything memorable since The Thomas Crown Affair. His Rollerball remake was horrible, and Basic, starring John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson, was okay at best.

You mean McTiernan still has it?

 

[matthooper]

I agree that John McTiernan is a talented director, but he hasn't really done anything memorable since The Thomas Crown Affair. His Rollerball remake was horrible, and Basic, starring John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson, was okay at best.

You mean McTiernan still has it?

He simply doesn't work that much, by his own choice. He's only made 2 films since Thomas Crown and only eight since Die Hard. Basically, by your post you are judging his entire career now on Rollerball and Basic, which I thought was good. So he's lost it because he made a terrible movie? What director hasn't made a terrible film.

This is his entire filmograpy since Predator...

Basic (2003)
Rollerball (2002)
The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
The 13th Warrior (1999)
Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)
Last Action Hero (1993)
Medicine Man (1992)
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
Die Hard (1988)
Predator (1987)

Some damn good films and some forgettable ones too. But since he doesn't work that much, it's impossible to say he has lost it.

 

[fabman]

I'm not saying he has lost it, I just think it's a possibility, hoping that he's making something more memorable next. I liked most of his movies, except for The 13th Warrior and Rollerball, I even liked Basic, even though it's just "okay," but I'm still looking forward to his next project, hoping that it will be better than what he's done in the last few years.

 

[matthooper]

I'm not saying he has lost it, I just think it's a possibility, hoping that he's making something more memorable next. I liked most of his movies, except for The 13th Warrior and Rollerball, I even liked Basic, even though it's just "okay," but I'm still looking forward to his next project, hoping that it will be better than what he's done in the last few years.

Obiously it's all a wish list anyway. None of us will ever get the directors we want. I'm not saying I wan't McTiernan, it was just a thought.

None of us are going to get our wish. Not even the Singer lovers. There will be no sequel and no reboot either. No matter what the rumors are. WB by remaining silent has nailed the door shut. They spent too much time and money on a failed launch for Superman. It didn't work and there is no way in hell they bank on a sequel to a relative failure. By failure I don't just mean numbers. It might have made it's money back. I mean failure by not achieving a franchise or a mass sucess.

 

[fabman]

Yeah, I completely agree with you. I think that they'll wait before making another Superman. Even if Bryan Singer intends on directing a sequel to Superman Returns, I don't think they'll make it unless they think that they really have something special that's going to really please the mass.

 

[matthooper]

Yeah, I completely agree with you. I think that they'll wait before making another Superman. Even if Bryan Singer intends on directing a sequel to Superman Returns, I don't think they'll make it unless they think that they really have something special that's going to really please the mass.

The problem is they thought they had that with Superman Returns. Obviously, they didn't. The first one sets the tone for the franchise and the tone set was a bad one. You can't simply add some action and expect a miracle, which is what Singer seems to think. That's like adding brand new horseshoes to a dead horse, it's still not going to win the race. Besides, Lack of action was only one of it's many problems.

Regardless of the defenders undying love for it, Superman Returns is viewed as a dissapointment and the time between any actual movement in the franchise is proof to that. It's simply to much of a risk for the studio, even with a smaller budget.

 

[Angeloz]

I've been thinking about this lately, probably because of J.J. Abrams directing the Star Trek restart. But what would you think about Joss Whedon writing and directing a Superman restart?

Personally I think this franchise needs some "fresh air," and Joss Whedon sure could create something very interesting. But - we know he's a good writer, but how good is he at directing?

What do you think, guys?

So you want Lois and maybe Perry or Jimmy to die?

The problem is they thought they had that with Superman Returns. Obviously, they didn't. The first one sets the tone for the franchise and the tone set was a bad one. You can't simply add some action and expect a miracle, which is what Singer seems to think. That's like adding brand new horseshoes to a dead horse, it's still not going to win the race. Besides, Lack of action was only one of it's many problems.

Regardless of the defenders undying love for it, Superman Returns is viewed as a dissapointment and the time between any actual movement in the franchise is proof to that. It's simply to much of a risk for the studio, even with a smaller budget.

Man you love to talk (OK - write) depressing.

Angeloz

 

[Sawyer]

I love Joss' stuff, but I dont think Supes would be a good fit for him.

A character like Spider-Man or Wolverine would be better for him.

 

[dr collossus]

I don't think Joss Whedon is a good idea. Bryan Singer probably has far too big an ego for it, but personally I would like to see a directorial team-up between him and someone more focused on the character's existing mythos and background. The only person who springs to mind at the moment is Kevin Smith, although I must admit I'm not keen on the idea. You get the picture though.

Any one got any team-up ideas?

 

[Sawyer]

A big "No, thank you" to Kevin Smith.

 

[Clark Kent]

If you want an epic Superman, then you need an epic director. Cameron, Spielberg.

He's too obsessed with water, IMO. Not that we didn't get far more than enough water in Superman Returns, again IMO, but I think if Cameron were to come on board, he'd probably want Superman to find Atlantis or something.

EDIT: Aquaman, get James Cameron for Aquaman.

Other directors I'd like for a Superman movie would be Frank Darabont, Joe Dante

He hasn't done anything since Looney Tunes: Back in Action though.

How about John McTiernan? We know he does some of the best action ever made like Die Hard and Predator, but he can also do great character pieces like The Thomas Crown Affair and The Hunt For Red October.

With a great action packed script, he'd be my choice. That's if he is a Superman fan and uses a script written by Superman fans. A luxury we didn't have for the latest "Superman" film.

He's a massively talented director, IMO, but the whole Pellicano thing has tainted him.

I don't think they'll make it unless they think that they really have something special that's going to really please the mass.

Let's hope so.

 

[Peyton Westlake]

In the past, I would have voted for Cameron. But since he's been away from feature films about 10 years, I'm not so sure anymore. I don't think a director can lose his talent but....his absence from Hollywood is disturbing.

 

[Peyton Westlake]

As far as Whedon, to me , all he ever did was Buffy. It was good but had a campy comedy style to it. Not sure if Superman is good for him. He woould not be a top choice of mine.

 

[Angeloz]

If he wrote it he'd kill a few characters and destroy any romantic relationships. Usually tragically. Been there seen that.

Angeloz

 

[El Payaso]

A big "No, thank you" to Kevin Smith.

I think he has got that one before about Superman.

 

[LooseNoose]

A big "No, thank you" to Kevin Smith.

HAHA! That's terrible. At least he could write a better one than we've seen so far.

Still, Joss Whedon wouldn't be bad either. He did a fantastic job with Serenity, so he's got that going for him.

 

[spidermilk]

He simply doesn't work that much, by his own choice. He's only made 2 films since Thomas Crown and only eight since Die Hard. Basically, by your post you are judging his entire career now on Rollerball and Basic, which I thought was good. So he's lost it because he made a terrible movie? What director hasn't made a terrible film.

This is his entire filmograpy since Predator...

Basic (2003)
Rollerball (2002)
The Thomas Crown Affair (1999)
The 13th Warrior (1999)
Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995)
Last Action Hero (1993)
Medicine Man (1992)
The Hunt for Red October (1990)
Die Hard (1988)
Predator (1987)

Some damn good films and some forgettable ones too. But since he doesn't work that much, it's impossible to say he has lost it.

Some good movies here.

 

[spidermilk]

As far as Whedon, to me , all he ever did was Buffy. It was good but had a campy comedy style to it. Not sure if Superman is good for him. He woould not be a top choice of mine.

Agree. Buffy sucked for a TV serial.

 

[The_Beav]

How about Michael Bay? Sure he'll screw up the characters and mythology, but could he do worse than Singer? Seriously, Singer changed Superman from a Hero to a deadbeat dad and stalker. At least Bay would make him a Hero and add LOTS of action and explosions to the film.

 

[Matt]

I've always felt Whedon would be perfect for Fantastic Four. Superman, not so much.

 

[NotFadeAway]

Joss Whedon=The Flash

Now then, if Whedon were to come aboard a Superman film, I'd be thrilled because Whedon is one of my favorite writer/director/producers in Hollywood. I think Whedon is just as talented as J.J. Abrams, it's just that Abrams has worked on projects that have pulled in the general audience, were Whedon so far has created cult hits. But the two are very similiar in there attention to character, emotion, passion, and dialouge.

Whedon just needs to get over himself a little bit and do something mainstream, and as long as he stuck to the source material, I think he could make a great Superman or Flash movie.

I would throw Superman: Birthright, Superman For All Seasons, All-Star Superman, and Superman:TAS in front of him to eradicate his belief that DC characters are somewhat one dimensional, which is the silver age's fault, not Whedon's.