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WB president Jeff Robinov spoke to the Wall Street Journal about rebooting the Superman franchise and reintroducing Superman to the public.
"Warner Bros. also put on hold plans for another movie starring multiple superheroes -- known as "Batman vs. Superman" -- after the $215 million "Superman Returns," which had disappointing box-office returns, didn't please executives. "'Superman' didn't quite work as a film in the way that we wanted it to," says Mr. Robinov. "It didn't position the character the way he needed to be positioned." "Had 'Superman' worked in 2006, we would have had a movie for Christmas of this year or 2009," he adds. "But now the plan is just to reintroduce Superman without regard to a Batman and Superman movie at all."
In my opinion, even though we may not see the returns of Bryan Singer, Kate Bosworth, and Kevin Spacey, the chance of Brandon returning to don the red cape is favorable as the search for Superman was difficult. The next month or so should end any speculation about his involvement.
Labels:
Superman Returns
17 comments:
Sequel or reboot, the upcoming film should keep Bryan Singer and Brandon Routh. Is anyone starting a petition, to keep them on board?
Better keep Routh around. He was amazing.
In my opinion, Brandon Routh portrayed Superman/Clark Kent perfectly and I hope he returns for another film, regardless of who directs it. I also think Bryan Singer should be given another shot, given that "X2" was one of the best action/superhero films ever made. Furthermore, for Warner execs to say that "Superman Returns" was a box office disappointment is a bit misleading, given that "Batman Begins" made about the same amount before it's sequel "The Dark Night" hit box-office gold. I think for most viewers of "Superman Returns", the only missing element was a more formidable foe equal to Superman & fighting action, which can easily be remedied in a new film. My advice is for Brandon to lobby for the role w/ a copy of "The Death of Superman" comic series in his hands, as well as Mr. Singer. With a few modifications to the story, it would be an epic and Mr. Routh would shine brilliantly in it. Btw, if any petitions are circulated, I will be the first to sign. My best to Brandon & Co.
P.S. Here is a site that has already posted a petition to keep Brandon Routh on as Superman.
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/brandon-routh-for-man-of-steel
I don't see why Brandon wouldn't still be Superman. Appearance wise, he fits the role perfectly. And, hopefully, with the sequel, he'll be able to spread his acting wings a little more. I believe that the writing and direction stunted him a little bit in the first movie. They should get rid of Singer!
Let's do something before it's too late. Here's another petition site you can go to say NO to a Superman Reboot and to keep Brandon Routh on board. Go to http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/REBOOTNOWAY
Comments from stmlanekent@yahoo.com:
Our family and friends say no to a Superman reboot.
For the love of Superman and the future of its franchise, please keep Bryan Singer & Brandon Routh on board. Also, please the keep the John Williams’ theme (Much better, hire him to provide additional musical score for the next installment.). From an intellectual standpoint, it would not have been creatively challenging at all if Bryan Singer & company did a reboot from scratch (But to start the film's plot from where Superman The Movie & Superman 2 have left off was just pure genius -- something intelligently unpredictable that only a few people would have thought of). And the decision to cast Brandon Routh was no mistake at all. We all love & respect Christopher Reeve's portrayal of Clark Kent/Kal-El/Superman. We can't think of anyone else worthy of carrying on the legacy that Christopher Reeve has left to the Superman franchise, not until Brandon Routh came along. As for the character of Lois Lane, we do not object to a recast. (Maybe you should take more time and care in finding a better actress more suited to play the role. Just keep in mind the painstaking effort and process they went through in the 1970’s before casting Reeve & Kidder.)
WB please learn from the past (Just imagine how many brilliant Superman movies we could have had with Christopher Reeve and Margot Kidder, if only Richard Donner & Tom Mankiewicz remained as the creative guardians of the franchise.) Superman Returns may not have had so many action scenes that majority of other typical mediocre movies have today, but its collective scenes whether dramatic, comedic or fast-moving make one exceptional film that engages both mind & heart. Bryan Singer did the right thing in anchoring the plot of his film from what was already established by the Donner/Reeve version which would always remain the classic standard to which all Superman reincarnations would be compared to. WB, you do not need to reboot the film. Please don’t shrink away from the challenge of creating a sequel to Superman Returns that would resolve the questions left unanswered by the film and could only be addressed by a continuity stemming from it. Donner & Reeve were able to bring such magic to the big screen in the late 1970’s, and so will Singer & Routh if only you let them continue what they started.
WB, if it’s monetary rewards that you’re concerned about, deviating from the true essence of Superman to suit today’s craving for unintelligent/mtv-inspired dark material would probably earn you profit, but it would be short-lived. It’s the standard classics that prove to be persistently successful in the long run. (Just look at the video/dvd sales you’ve made with the Donner/Reeve version of Superman.). It would be great to add more breathtaking action scenes in the next Superman film, but in doing so you need to maintain an intelligent script where all aspects of wit, adventure, romance and conflict all compliment each other. Superman is not all about dark nonsensical violence & cynicism. Superman is all about integrity, intelligence, genuine goodness, love, hope, resilience and perpetual morality prevailing even in the worst of situations – the magic formula which keeps us in awe & makes us all feel good and hopeful when we are witnessing his iconic adventures whether they be on comic books, fanfiction, television or on film.
With all that said, we sincerely re-affirm our petition: No to a Superman reboot. Yes to a Superman Returns sequel.
quote - "jap said 'I don't see why Brandon wouldn't still be Superman. Appearance wise, he fits the role perfectly. And, hopefully, with the sequel, he'll be able to spread his acting wings a little more. I believe that the writing and direction stunted him a little bit in the first movie. They should get rid of Singer!"
Very true...Brandon Routh deserves another chance. Singer got the score, tone and feel right, but a new director can take it from there, if need be. So now let's move onto the action and new villians! Keep Brando Routh!
TO WB: You guys are cowards for suggesting that the Superman series be rebooted just because SUPERMAN RETURNS fell below box office expectations. It took 20 years to get the movies off the ground, and now, just because THE DARK KNIGHT is a raging success, the same formula should be applied to Superman? Singer and his cast deserve more respect than that, and so does the audience. Keep Routh, Bosworth, Singer and the rest and stop wasting time with trying to reboot. Again, revamping the films will only make the WB look cowardly for not following through on the promise of SUPERMAN RETURNS.
Quote diesel: "TO WB: You guys are cowards for suggesting that the Superman series be rebooted just because SUPERMAN RETURNS fell below box office expectations. It took 20 years to get the movies off the ground, and now, just because THE DARK KNIGHT is a raging success, the same formula should be applied to Superman? Singer and his cast deserve more respect than that, and so does the audience. Keep Routh, Bosworth, Singer and the rest and stop wasting time with trying to reboot. Again, revamping the films will only make the WB look cowardly for not following through on the promise of SUPERMAN RETURNS."
To the Execs @ W.B: This is very true. Brian Singer took Superman out of Development limbo and got the film made. He deserves another shot at making another Superman film. He hit the mark on X2, and I'm sure he can do it again w/ a sequel to "Superman Returns".
I know that WB wants to make tons of money with its movies, but I hope it doesn’t turn Superman into a ninja style warrior the way they did with Batman. Even with SR bringing in $400 million dollars they doubled what it cost to make the movie—so what are they complaining about? Don’t they know it’s not good to be greedy? While I enjoyed “The Dark Knight” I did not associate it with the Batman I grew up with…and loved. I’d like to think that Superhero’s (and particularly Superman) are good guys and their actions are out of defending good and not out of anger or some sort of revenge. Superman is the ultimate “Good Guy” and would never kill or beat someone up in a fit of anger—heck he wouldn’t kill, or beat someone up at all if there was another way of resolving the situation. Brian Singer and Brandon brought to life that character, and did it perfectly. Now I understand that some of the male youth (and a few others) may want to see more violence, which they have confused with “action”. Superman Returns had plenty of fast moving action—it just didn’t have the need to beat someone to a pulp to do it. Saving a plane (in probably one of the most exciting scenes in movie history) didn’t constitute action? Rescuing the car out of control wasn’t action? Saving the city from destruction wasn’t exciting? Taking a bullet in the eye wasn’t one of the coolest things ever on film? It’s a shame that some people are so numb to violence that it takes more and more of it to grab their attention. Superman Return’s was a movie to appeal to all audiences, including little boys and girls that are looking up to their hero. I for one would want my son and daughter to look up to a man that was a man of honor and control, a man of morals and dignity—not someone that resolves things with violence unless absolutely necessary. Some heads of state could learn something from him! Brian and Brandon accomplished that with SR. I really wish WB doesn’t tarnish that image and character for a quick buck. When WB bought the rights to Superman, they accepted the responsibility to protect his image and not squander it because a few might want to change it to appeal to a different audience—the majority of people want Superman to remain the icon he is, and always has been. Go ahead and make all the “action” movies you want with guys beating the snot out of each other—and leave Superman alone! I know the next film will have more of an “action” flavor to it, but I am grateful that the first movie was the brilliant work of art that it is. I loved that it had some humor in it, and the touching moments made it even more special. It had everything you go to see a movie for in it—it made me laugh, and yes it made me cry, it kept me on the edge of my seat, and it made me cheer at the end—what more could I ask for? Except for a sequel! I hope they keep Kate as Lois—I think her and Brandon had real chemistry on film, and certainly keep her for continuity sake. Maybe Superman Returns didn’t bring in as much money as WB might have expected—but it certainly nailed the essence of Superman, and is my favorite movie of all time. Thanks to Brandon and Brian for keeping the dream alive…
Brandon Routh is the superman of this era, I support the campaign to bring back Routh as the man of steel
USA Weekend is running a poll on who's your favorite Superman. Christopher Reeve and Brandon Routh are lagging behind. Too many Smallville fans are campaigning for Tom Welling to be the next Superman on that site. If you want to save the Superman franchise, then let your voice be heard. Vote for Christopher Reeve & Brandon Routh. Leave your comment to continue Reeve's Superman legacy by supporting Brandon Routh's return as the Man of Steel (No to reboot. Yes to a "Superman Returns" sequel). Go to
http://blogs.usaweekend.com/whos_news/2008/08/tell-us-who-is.html
Also listed below are other petition options you have to support Brandon Routh in continuing Reeve's Superman legacy (The source of the following list is http://www.bluetights.net/theplanet/showthread.php?t=28166)
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/REBOOTNOWAY
Bring Routh Back thread/petition site at Blue Tights website:
http://www.bluetights.net/theplanet/showthread.php?t=28166
BR.C forum:
http://www. bluetights. net/theplanet/... splay. php?f=44
Bluetights. net
http://www. bluetights. net/
Contacts at WB:
Warner Brothers (general contact): http://www.warnerbros.com/main/help/customer_service.html
jeff.robinov@warnerbros.com (Warner Brothers)
alan.horn@warnerbros (Warner Brothers)
Dennis Bakriges (Legendary Pictures Creative Executive for the next Superman film): Address: 4000 Warner Blvd, Bldg 76, Burbank, Ca 91522-0001
WB FAX/PHONE
Phn: 818-954-6000
Fax: 818-954-7305
LEGENDARY FAX/PHONE
Phn: 818-954-3888
Fax: 818-954-3884
THOMAS TULL
LEGENDARY PICTURES, CEO
4000 Warner Boulevard, Bldg 76
Burbank, CA 91522
WB LONDON:
Warner Bros. Entertainment UK Limited;
Warner House,
98 Theobald's Road,
London WC1X 8WB
fax : 020 7984 5001
WB AUSTRALIA:
Warners Bros. International
Level 6
116 Military Road
Neutral Bay. NSW. 2089
Fax: 9908 5500
WB Germany
Jarrestr.4
22303 Hamburg
Deutschland
Postfach 761249
22062 Hamburg
Deutschland
Tel: 40-226500
Fax: 040-22650259
DC Comics
1700 Broadway
New York City, NY
GREGORY NOVECK
SVP CREATIVE AFFAIRS, DC COMICS
1700 Broadway, 7th Floor
New York, NY 10019-5905
Around the web:
Polls
Superman Homepage (member poll): http://supermanhomepage.com/news.php
Petition: http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/REBOOTNOWAY
SHH (open poll): http://www.superherohype.com
Contacts
Warner Brothers (general contact): http://www.warnerbros.com/main/help/customer_service.html
jeff.robinov@warnerbros.com
and
alan.horn@warnerbros.com
comingsoon.net (site contact - forum also at site)
worldsfinestonline.com (moderator contacts)
worldsfinestonline.com (links)
Entertainment Weekly (general contact)
Time Magazine and USA Today (general contacts)
Empire Magazine (general contact)
ew.popwatch (I see some of your comments there - it's looking pretty favorable, considering - great job!)
superheroflix.com (forum)
lauren.schuker@wsj.com (the Robinov article author)
slashfilm.com (comments)
Keep Brandon Routh as Superman!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=24132654162 (facebook page)
Keep Brandon Routh for Superman Revamp/Reboot!!!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31895789539 (facebook page)
Fortaleza de la Soledad (Spanish language and big supporter - please support this site)
NEW LINKS: Day 3
Superman Forum German fans of Big Blue
Supermanjaviolivares Spanish site and supporter - please support this site
Den of Geek Reboot Blog - comments feature at blog
MTV Splashpage on Reboot - comments feature at page
SupermanSupersite
MySpace - absoluteimp
MySpace - Hannibal King
MySpace - Silvermare forever
NEW LINKS: 8/30/08
Superman Fan Art
New SHH Poll
New Petition
gregory.noveck@dccomics.com
USA Weekend Poll
Cinematical Article - asks for feedback
SHH Thread - BR as Superman
SHH Thread - Which DC Film Next?
MySpace Group
ivan.cohen@dccomics.com
will.hackner@dccomics.com
aria.moffly@dccomics.com
Here's a special music video I made to show my appreciation for both the movie Superman Returns and Brandon's portrayal as the man of steel. :D
Uh whoops, I think I forgot to post the link to the music video. Anyways, here it is!
http://the-numb-skull.deviantart.com/
Sorry, that was my deviant art page. Here's the youtube link.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbKJufYzF1c
*leaves before the mods shank me with a kryptonite*
Comments from stmlanekent@yahoo.com:
USA Weekend is running a poll on who's your favorite Superman. Christopher Reeve and Brandon Routh are lagging behind. Too many Smallville fans are campaigning for Tom Welling to be the next Superman on that site. If you want to save the Superman franchise, then let your voice be heard. Vote for Christopher Reeve & Brandon Routh. Leave your comment to continue Reeve's Superman legacy by supporting Brandon Routh's return as the Man of Steel (No to reboot. Yes to a "Superman Returns" sequel). Go to
http://blogs.usaweekend.com/whos_news/2008/08/tell-us-who-is.html
Also listed below are other petition options you have to support Brandon Routh in continuing Christopher Reeve's Superman legacy:
If you want Warner Bros. to proceed with a sequel to “Superman Returns” with Bryan Singer and Brandon Routh, submit your petition by going to this website address
http://www.petitionspot.com/petitions/REBOOTNOWAY
If you want to join & find out how you can help in the all out comprehensive petition campaign called “Bring Routh Back {BRB)”, visit this website address
http://www.bluetights.net/theplanet/showthread.php?t=28166
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