Superpowers said:
Would you have preferred this film to be based off Smallville?
This a trick question? What film?
Aight, J/K. Yes, I would have LOVED to have seen a SV feature film the last time I ventured into the theater. I get VERY excited just to see new episodes on TV, so I'm pretty confident a film version of the show would keep me on the edge of my seat. I don't think I would groan, mockingly laugh, or face palm even once during such a film.
Would that have made a difference in the box office?
You mean what do I think such a film could do domestically? Way hard to say. B.O. is a very unpredictable animal. I think I'd have better odds guessing tomorrow's lottery numbers.
Keep in mind the majority of Smallville bought tickets and saw the film anyways.
WoM is probably more important for a SV film. Then again, WoM is important for ALL theatrically released films. If you're only depending on a core audience to sell tickets, even repeat customers are not going to guarantee a boffo B.O. A SV film would also have to overcome existing audience biases. For example, would you market it as a SV film, or a Superman movie? Technically, both are correct, but there might be more mainstream reluctance to see a film that folks see as being based on a TV show, rather than a comic book character. Again, both are correct, but the perception is very different.
Then there's content. Do you take the "touchy feely" character route, or do you go all out summer popcorn ala Michael Bay? I saw Spider-Man 2 again over the weekend, and I have to say I appreciated it a LOT more the second time I saw it than the first. Unlike SV, it's a movie that doesn't take itself too seriously. The filmmakers are given a lot of latitude because of that. That's not necessarily an argument for camp, but if they were to adapt SV for a feature film, they'd HAVE to keep character motivations realistic. It HAS to make sense. Lex Luthor, for example, is a character who thinks he's doing the right thing for mankind. He's not a mad scientist or crazed lunatic willing to kill billions of people for personal gain. If the director wants a villain like that, they can't have the characters take themselves too seriously. I don't think it would work.
Regardless of the level of realism though, a SV film needs to have a sense of humor. The wittier the banter the better. Here's an excerpt of dialog from Gone. This is the kind of stuff that keeps audiences laughing with the characters, not *at* them...
Lois: Nothing like a little North by Northwest action to get the blood pumping, huh?
Clark: Um... we usually take turns in the bathroom.
Lois: Oh, don't start with me, Smallville. You're the one taking the marathon shower. Besides, my delicate feminine sensibilities weren't offended the first time I got a glimpse of, uh, Clark Junior.
Clark: My parents kind of missed the whole Woodstock phase. Besides, they freaked out the last time they caught me in a co-ed situation.
Lois: Last time? So the eagle scout does have a few secrets in the closet.
Clark: Just forget it, all right? That's my shirt!
Lois: It's the only thing I could find that was clean. Hey, let's keep this morning's game of chopper tag a secret, okay?
Clark: Right. Because I'm the one who can't keep my mouth shut. Mom...
Martha: Hi.
Clark: ...You're home.
Lois: Hi, Mrs. Kent.
[cut to next scene]
Lois: I don't understand what the big deal is here. We just took a shower.
Clark: Showers. We took separate showers.
Martha: At noon?
Lois: We were just...
Clark: We went to Chloe's safe house.
Clark: These guys showed up and chased us into a field, and there was all this dirt.
Jonathan: Clark, that is a federal crime scene. And the last thing that we want is for you two kids to get involved with the FBI.
Lois: Whoever it was, we don't need to worry 'cause their chopper is face first in the middle of the field. [pause] Your non-verbals are killing me, and this seems like it's a family matter, so... I'm just gonna get out of the way. [to Clark] Way to go.
Jonathan: Please tell me that you did not crash that helicopter.
Another thing I'd like to see SV do, both in the series and for a potential film, is show more joy as Clark slowly learns to accept who he is and know his destiny. He carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, but he should eventually get over that angsty part of his demeanor. Batman is the brooder. Superman is more a ray of sunshine, no pun intended. He will always see himself as an outsider, but he's at peace with himself.
And finally, folks shouldn't need to see the show in order to understand the history of the characters. While an origin story isn't necessarily as important, a SV film *should* start from scratch as much as possible. For example, if Clark and Lois don't get together romantically during the series (the most likely scenario), then their relationship - if there is to be one in a film (most likely) - needs to be shown from scratch in said film. Audiences connect better with characters if they take the journey with them, verses being told about a pre-existing love through cold dialog exposition.
This of course is all moot right now 'cause I wouldn't want a SV film until AFTER the series is done, and that (hopefully) won't be for another two years.
[fingers crossed]
