Late last August, Warner Bros. big-wig Jeff Robinov announced that the studio decided to can production of a Superman Returns sequel in favor of an all-new reboot focusing on the “darker” aspects of the character.
Yeah…the “darker” aspects…of Superman…whatever…I don’t want to think about what that means.
I can’t say I’m surprised. As much as I enjoyed the movie, there was always a sense that certain elements introduced in the film (especially Jason, the super-son) were going to limit possible routes for future films.
But, still, I was looking forward to another Superman movie, so it’s a little depressing when your favorite superhero is also the world’s most well-known superhero, and no one can get off their ass to make a movie about him. Yet, we get Ghost Rider… (Not that there’s anything wrong with the character. It’s just that that piece of crap movie got made – actually made – and Superman sits on the sidelines).
So what does this news mean for Superman Returns?
At first, I can’t help but think that WB is trying to repeat Marvel’s success with the recent movie mulligan with The Incredible Hulk, realizing that the property was stagnate and broken and unsalvageable. But the more I think about it, this isn’t the case at all.
I mean, really, Ang Lee’s Hulk was terrible. It was like the best sandwich I ever had on stale bread. Let me explain that. The beginning of the movie was awful. The set-up and origin…just utter crap. Then Hulk fought gamma dogs and the army – freakin’ smashtastic, edge of my seat awesomeness. And then the movie went back to being complete crap. Get it? Bad – good – bad? You’re with me.
But as I was saying…
The more I thought about it, this wasn’t the case at all. The characters weren’t broken at all. In fact, Bryan Singer and co. did what comic fans consistently call on superhero movie-makers to do: EMBRACE THE PAST.
But, in the end, holding on to what had come before in the previous silver screen adventures of the man of steel wasn’t enough to gain support from the studio, even with its nearly $400 million worldwide payoff.
So where does this leave Superman Returns?
It could be one of those “let’s pretend it never happened” things, where it’s politely ignored. But, it wasn’t bad. It had everything a Superman movie needs, but maybe it was just made a few years too late…or a few decades for that matter.
So, in my opinion, I think its role should be recast.
Instead of being the first chapter in a series set to introduce 21st century audiences to the man, though never the intent, should be welcomed and reinterpreted as the final chapter of the story started so longer ago by the brilliant Richard Donner and heroic Christopher Reeve.
Let’s face it, in many respects, 1978’s Superman: The Movie is still the best movie of it’s genre, if not second to this summer’s The Dark Knight. Why? Because before people took comic books seriously, before respected and acclaimed directors helmed superhero projects as a legitimate and adult creative outlet, Donner set out to do that with Superman, even while producers and studio exec’s were pushing for a campy version, a la Adam West’s Batman.
And with Donner at the helm, and Christopher in the red cape and boots, the two made audiences believe a man could fly (I’m sorry, I had to throw that in there!). They set the standard for superhero films that very few have reached since. Too few, actually, when considering the sheer number of comic book films that have hit theatres in the last eight years.
Yet, where did the original franchise end up? With Donner fired off Superman II before it saw completion and his credit for the film wiped away, and Reeve staring through the disappointing Superman III and painfully awful Superman IV. But while the plots of the following movies…well…sucked, Reeve’s portrayal of Krypton’s last son never did. The character crafted by Donner and Reeve never broke, but terrible film making decisions tarnished the magic these men introduced, and the series went out with lackluster notes.
So here’s where Superman Returns takes on a new role…
Bryan Singer and his team took what was the best of the original Donner film and Reeve’s character, and reminded us why that first movie was so special, embracing the elements of the hero and supporting cast, and using them to craft the next chapter Superman’s journey, and lo, the final chapter.
But no longer do Reeve and Donner go out on a sour note.
We have one last adventure. One last conversation with Jimmy Olsen. One last moment of awe with Lois Lane. One last chance to despise Lex Luthor.
And one last flight with Superman.
The Superman that made so many of us, especially me, a fan of the character. Forever.
Superman Returns may not have been the means to bring Superman back to the big screen, but instead the vehicle for the original series to go out with a respectful and fitting ending.
And, for many of us, the chance to say goodbye.
Frank DeAngelo doesn’t care what you think, Superman: The Movie is still the best superhero movie. Ever. And Christopher Reeve will always be the best Superman.
