Warner Bros just doesn’t know what to do with Superman. They’ve proven this time and again. But now they may have finally figured out a solution: they’re bringing in Christopher Nolan to be the ‘godfather’ to the franchise. At least that’s what Nikki Finke is saying.
Nolan and the studio have a great relationship, so it’s not surprising that WB would turn to him and ask for his help in getting Superman out of the morass in which he’s currently stuck. More surprising is that Nolan accepted the gig. Could this be the first step in getting Nolan to ‘godfather’ much of the rest of the DC Universe on film*?
The studio has been trying to come up with something – anything – to do with the Man of Steel that isn’t a continuation of Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns. The problem is that they just don’t know what the fuck to do with the character, and apparently Nolan has a take.
What would that take be? Here are some ideas that our made-up sources have fed to us:
– Trapped in the Phantom Zone, Superman is disconnected from temporal linearity. He must go over his life – out of order – to discover who stuck him there.
– Nolan is interested in remaking Superman III, just without any of the edge or subtext.
– Superman actually has no powers but wears an armored suit and has a cape that functions as a glider. He runs around a dark, oppressive city and has a sore throat. Everybody is impressed by how realistic it is.
– He’s just going to convince the studio to rerelease The Prestige, but in IMAX and with Mr. Mxyzptlk CGI’ed over Hugh Jackman.
Nolan won’t be directing this film – at least not at this stage – but it’ll very likely be his vision for the character. Now it’s your turn to try and figure out where he’ll take Superman.
* Please God, no.
28 comments
Nolan knows that Batman is the complete opposite of Superman. He has to be SPECTACULAR. I just hope that this doesn't interfere with Nolan and Batman 3. I have a feeling we'll be hearing soon that Nolan is simply producing the new Bat film, but time will tell.
Superman – Worst superhero ever! Let me guess superman will fight Lex Luthor again and get this, Lex will discover that the only weakness Superman has is Kryptonite. If there is one power Superqueer doesn't have its the power to be entertaining!
Maybe Nolan's role will be to call Sam Raimi and fix him up on this.
??? Please God No? Devin, you must have creamed yourself when you read this. Since you have worn yourself out on Avatar hating, it's time to hit the Nolan Batman series… yes, my fat little stoog… start making snide comments from your computer while eating mounds of Dorritos, Hot Pockets, and frozen Mountian Dew Code Red…. that ever expanding stomach of yours, will not bring you happiness Devin… it won't…
To me, the one thing that really sets the world of Superman apart from that of Batman is simply that it's science fiction. Sure, both of them are to a degree, but Superman is an alien. Who traveled to our planet from outer space and fights other aliens.
All-Star Superman captures this feeling perfectly. Now, yes, it's just fan-wanking to want them to adapt All-Star Superman into a film (or trilogy), but honestly, it wasn't the story that set All-Star apart. It was the setting.
If Nolan set the new film in the All-Star world, it would really take the franchise to a new level. Though then again, it seems like Green Lantern is doing much of the same thing in its adaptation.
Nolan should do a live-action variation on the animated Batman/Superman Movie. It has a cool love triangle subplot with Lois Lane. He'd have to substitute a different villian for the Joker, which shouldn't be difficult.
Maybe DC and Warner think they can Favreau Nolan and have him direct one of the franchises while he helps the other franchises form together for the Justice League movie at some point.
So I'm guessing Jon Peters and his giant spiders are gone? What a shame. It would be interesting to see Nolan's take on an inherently "optimistic" property. He should definitely read All-Star Supes and take note of how Morrison plays the characters, but in no way shape or form should he seek to reproduce it – it's a comic book about comic book things, not a storyboard for a movie (I really hope people we're reading it picturing it as a movie – you'd be missing the point in a big way).
Too bad John Hamm (the guy from Mad Men) isn't a bit younger. I think he'd make a good Superman.
Though I'd be happy with him doin it at his age, you know the studios wouldn't go for it.
W-w-what's this? Surely….surely nit. Surely Devin isn't being snarky, snide and unfunny about an upcoming Nolan project, possibly years in advance? Could it be? Could Devin actually be this small, this predictable? Remember folks, GI Joe and Fantastic Four are great!
I hope he has a funny voice.
Hahahaha I love this shit. Devin goes "*Please God, no." I go "Oh fuck, yes!" In terms of the DC universe really making it on film, it's all in Green Lantern's hands. That better not fumble.
Hello Raimi?
Maybe he'll get them to do Superman Doomsday but instead of the continuations just have him die. Finally WB won't have to worry about Superman anymore and Christopher Nolan can still be a pessimist and have a reason to bring Batman into Metropolis to keep that going
Seemly like Dini and Timm never had much trouble with the character. It's really easy, and the technology is there. 1) Friggin' 4th World. 2) (devin will hate this) admit that Kevin Smith was right and make a Braniac movie.
Superman is lame as hell. I hope Sam doesn't waste his time with this if it's offered. Like he really needs to be pinned down by another comic book franchise for a fucking decade.
I want to see Superman fight Batman. How bout that.
need a decent actor to play a character that can do just about anything.. not some girlie-man with zero presence..
Thay should make the next Superman film a period piece, set back in the 40s. The character just doesn't work as well in modern times.
Mark Boone Junior as Superman.
Is the reason for all the angst and struggle to make a Superman movie based on the rights bearing down like a freight train in 2013? Is it simply to get one last real big cash-in on the character? Because, man, I really could just do without another plodding, stupid Superman flick. They seem to gnash their teeth and agonize over this. It's a freakin' Superman movie, for cryin' out loud. Speed, action, explosions, tension, suspense and Clark doesn't get the girl in the end. More fun. Less dumb. Done.
Jon Hamm as a mature non-girly Superman. Donald Draper is Kent/Kal el!
http://www.interiordesign.net/articles/blog/1850000585/20080905/donald_draper.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/donalddraper/2982381489/
Umm…..there was also a geek factor when Singer took over Superman and look how that turned out. Why should we be excited for Nolan helping with it when, back then a few years ago, people were geeking out saying Singer would fix it ?
For all the snide jibes Devin sends her way, Nikki Finke sure seems to be the source for most of CHUD's movie news these days.
I must be the only one who really liked Superman Returns.
Why is this good news? Why would Nolan be different than Singer? That is, he's just going to bring the same aesthetic/flavor (nothing in his resume suggests otherwise) just like Singer did and odds are it will be weak. What Superman needs are fresh eyes, someone who can bring something different to the table.
Superman (and the Fantastic Four for that matter) belongs in another time. Set him somewhere between the '30s and the '50s (or in the case of the FF the '60s) and have him fight giant robots, enormous monsters, aliens, and crazy supervillains.
Jesus, did it realy ever occur to WB that maybe, just MAYBE people in this dfay and age don't care about SUPERMAN and that the only SUPERMAN people will ever recognize is Christopher Reeve???? Maybe when he died, SUPERMAN died???? It sure didn't benefit Bryan Singer and his version at the box office now did it???
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