The Plot To Bryan Singer's Man Of Steel

[Sheridan Passell]

Outline was written while Superman Returns was in production and explains the whole point of why he had a son. I actually really like this story, and am pretty certain it would have been better than Snyder's new plot. They could have made this in the time since the last one and still had a reboot in 2012, what a shame.

http://iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10633:what-almost-was-bryan-singers-the-man-of-steel-storyline&catid=41:news&Itemid=71

[dnwilliams]

FFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

reading now

[dalmatianjaws]

Pretty awesome and a LOT more action than the first one, which is the only real complaint, that and Luthor's silly scheme and the strict adherence to Donner's films.

I LOVED the revelation he had a kid and would have liked to see that developed. Could have done with less Bosworth though.

[Sheridan Passell]

It saves it for me that they created that kid knowing that Superman would have to kill him.

[dalmatianjaws]

Exactly. If the kid is a throwaway shock moment than F Singer, but it sounds like he had the right idea and was working into the series for a better second installment, ala Raimi's Spider-Man 2.

[dalmatianjaws]

Sheridan, Supes Returns After These Messages earned 120 million more than its budget. Even allowing for 50 million in PR that's a 70 million profit. Any word on why no sequel? Did they think the fans wouldn't show up for a second one?

[dnwilliams]

It actually DISGUSTS me that that sequel never got made. I blame critics. It sounds like it would have been awesome. The movie was profitable, dammit!

There were three (arguably) valid complaints:

1) Bosworth
2) The whole son of Superman thing
3) Nobody for Superman to punch

That story sorted 2 out of 3!!! And I loved that it was a continuation of the Donnor movies (complete with Reeve-like Superman and John Williams theme) rather than a reboot.

Man, I'm in a much worse mood about the Snyder situation right now. 

[dalmatianjaws]

Yeah, same here. While I would have rather had a reboot even though I loved Donner's take, Superman Returns was a good film. All its flaws (except for Bosworth) came from trying to ape Donner's version. While I agree the crystal island was a crappy master plan, and would also have loved to see Supes in an honest to god fight, those fall in line with the campy streak of Gene Hackman's Luthor. I loved the overall themes and premise and, yes, Brandon Routh.

Giving him a son is a master stroke. Donner rightly knew that it's Supes pride and emotional frailty that are his Achilles heel and giving him a bastard son plays into both those things perfectly. What's awkward is the vision of Superman flying around witha  little kid or some nonsense, which Singer never intended (going by this article anyway).  Seems like he knew how to milk true drama out of that plot twist rather than use it as a gimmick.

Singer still wasn't the right man for the job though, and neither is Snyder.

[Sheridan Passell]

I think the studio just sensed a lacklustre reception from the public, both to the movie and the actor, and a lack of excitement for more, which is true when you compare it to Batman Begins or Spider-Man, Superman should be almost as big as those. Snyder's visuals will probably fix some of that with a compelling trailer, but the movie itself will likely have the usual Snyder faults.

[dnwilliams]

Now I want to know what Ang Lee's Hulk sequel would have been.

[Sheridan Passell]

And Joel Schumacher's third Batman movie.

[dnwilliams]

You went too far.