Mark Millar Talks Superman.

[Edible Napalm]

http://movies.ign.com/articles/886/886012p1.html

Comic writer Mark Millar, currently making a few bob off the back of the movie adaptation of Wanted, has reportedly said some rather intersting stuff about a future Superman movie.

"Since I was a kid I've always wanted to reinvent Superman for the 21st century," Millar told Scottish paper The Daily Record, "I've been planning this my entire life. I've got my director and producer set up, and it'll be 2011. This is how far ahead you have to think."

http://moviesmedia.ign.com/movies/image/article/886/886012/superman-man-of-steel-20080703072930703.jpg
What do you feel about Millar restarting the Superman franchise?

He continued, "The Superman brand is toxic after that last movie lost [a good chunk of change], but in 2011 we're hoping to restart it. Sadly I can't say who the director is, but we may make it official by Christmas."

Hmmm... We're not sure how this fits in with previous announcements that Bryan Singer is already onboard as director, or if it will be called Man of Steel, but its interesting stuff nonetheless. If what Millar says is true, which way would you like to see him take the franchise?

[DR. Jimcy M.E.]

NO! NO MORE BRYAN SINGER! Gay guys can't make action films espcially super hero action films. They get to caught up in making the costumes pretty and not enough on action and fighting. Bat suits with nipples? Ugh gay people stink.

I know everyone who doesn't read comics loves them but the first two xmen movies were bad, three was a step more toward the comics which I liked better. Superman returns was just terrible, a twink superman whos skinny and a emo. AND HE HAS A KID! Fucking terrible.

[fandango86]

Jimcy, I don't think you'll find too many folks who agree with your assessment of the X-Men franchise.

[DR. Jimcy M.E.]

Jimcy, I don't think you'll find too many folks who agree with your assessment of the X-Men franchise.

Like I said I know most people think the xmen films were good but I hate them. I don't think Ratner killed it, I think singer did when he ruined all the characters.

[LiddyRules]

NO! NO MORE BRYAN SINGER! Gay guys can't make action films espcially super hero action films. They get to caught up in making the costumes pretty and not enough on action and fighting. Bat suits with nipples? Ugh gay people stink. And if they teach our school children our school children will grow up gay too!!

three was a step more toward the comics which I liked better. Ew. Well we'll take your opinion under advisement.

Still think a reboot is the smartest thing they can do for the franchise.

[hypes]

As a huge fan of Mark Millar, I think he's one of the few writers who could do a really good job re-loading the Supes franchies. I agree with Jimcy that Bryan Singer f'ed it up beyond recognition...

[blackout-]

well they can't make superman any worse.

[PunchYourself187]

What were the complaints about "Superman Returns"? I was under the impression that it performed well in theaters. I only saw it on cable and I enjoyed it. I thought Spacey did a good job, I liked the action sequences, and the overall look of the film was cool - the sequences with Spacey kind of had a hybrid look of 1940's and present day. Did you guys forget how bad Superman 3 & 4 were?

[DR. Jimcy M.E.]

And if they teach our school children our school children will grow up gay too!!


Oh shut up, I could give a shit about gay people but lets face it they aren't known for fighting. There just not a violent group of people, the only real mean fags you will see are the straight guys who are forced to be gay in jail and maybe a few cock sucking redneck hillbillies. I've never met a mean gay dude, like Dov Davidoff says "gays guys always look like they just smelled cookies".

[PunchYourself187]

Oh shut up, I could give a shit about gay people but lets face it they aren't known for fighting. There just not a violent group of people, the only real mean fags you will see are the straight guys who are forced to be gay in jail and maybe a few cock sucking redneck hillbillies. I've never met a mean gay dude, like Dov Davidoff says "gays guys always look like they just smelled cookies".What about the gay jock types that are still trying to convince themselves that they are straight? They get in fights all the time just to reinforce their masculinity.

[LiddyRules]

What were the complaints about "Superman Returns"? I was under the impression that it performed well in theaters. I only saw it on cable and I enjoyed it. I thought Spacey did a good job, I liked the action sequences, and the overall look of the film was cool - the sequences with Spacey kind of had a hybrid look of 1940's and present day. Did you guys forget how bad Superman 3 & 4 were? No, at least SM3+4 were fun to make fun of. SR was just ridiculously weak. It copied too much from the first one (another real estate scam? Oh Lex.) without copying the tone that made STM so memorable. The stupid kid, the dead-eyed Lois Lane, and Spacey was probably the worst on-screen Lex Luthor. He just seemed like a thug. At least Hack-man seemed like a crazy genius who enjoyed being such, Clancy Brown's Lex was a suave intimidating asskicker, Smallville's Lex had this conflicting brooding thing going on. Spacey's Lex was just lame.

What action sequences? Pushing a rock into space? The Jesus symbolism?

Singer had this epic vision and I will agree that the movie seemed to want to strive to be epic and I definitely think he had the eye for it but the script was too empty to meet it.

You shouldn't leave a Superman movie saying "James Marsden was the best thing in that. Why wasn't he Superman?"

Oh shut up, I could give a shit about gay people but lets face it they aren't known for fighting. As opposed to all those comic writers who can clearly throw down. Jon Favreau clearly someone who can rumble. I mean Superman himself was created by Jews for God's sake.

[fandango86]

Some gay guys can probably kick some ass, some gay guys should stick to directing, and some should just stick it in their boyfriend's pooper. I'm pretty sure there's no correlation between homosexuality and the ability to direct an action film.

[silentbob8201]

As a huge fan of Mark Millar, I think he's one of the few writers who could do a really good job re-loading the Supes franchies. I agree with Jimcy that Bryan Singer f'ed it up beyond recognition...

Same hack who came up with the Batman Orson Wells news item, Same guy who said Matthew Boem was Superman when it was Brandon Routh that was announced that week annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd he works with Marvel for fuck sake what does he know about DC.

[PunchYourself187]

Action sequences in comic book films are usually the least interesting parts to me. Even with "Iron Man" (which I really enjoyed) there were only three short action sequences and the final one was shot too dark and too close. I enjoyed watching "Batman Begins" more the second time I saw it, but the action scenes in that were dark too. It seems like the thing to do when an action sequence gets too complicated is to just film it really close to mask any flaws.

I haven't seen the first "Superman" in about 20 years. I hadn't tried to compare it to "Returns". I thought the plane sequence in "Returns" was one of the best action scenes I've seen in a long time - certainly one of the best, if not the best, in a comic book movie, though I admit to not seeing or remembering EVERY comic book movie.

Aside from that, I always like how they integrate the suit into the story - which, prior to "Spider-man", always seemed to come out of nowhere. Even in "Spider-man", I'm still not sure where he got the nicer suit from.

I always find the interesting part of comic book films to be the internal conflict that the lead experiences - they have venerability and aren't just killing machines. I thought "Spider-man 2" probably did the best job of outlining the internal conflict that a superhero goes through. Being a superhero is a trade-off; there's sacrifices that come with those powers and I like to see how the character approaches that. The average superhero isn't a robot and he has stuff that he cares about. By stripping away any kind of romantic interest (the aspect to some that makes the superhero appear "gay"), you lose a decent part of the hero's sense of consequence as well as the most human aspect of the character. I think every guy has that one girl in his head that'd he'd save if he was a superhero. You put yourself in Peter Parker's role and her in Mary Jane Watson's role - that's part of the fun of the movie.

You're probably seeing more focus on internal conflicts verse actual action in some of these films because internal conflict is the basis for a strong character in both films and comics. We all have internal struggles and choices that we have to make, but we don't all have supervillians to fight, so that stuff comes second. First and foremost, you want your audience to connect with the character - if they connect with the character, they'll be entertained. Case in point: "Indy 4" - which was saved by the fact that you were going on a new adventure with Indiana Jones - a likable character. Likable characters are what translate into sequels. If the character is shit and the story is golden, people still may not be into checking out a sequel. On the other hand, if he's a fun character, you'll want to spend more time with him. Thanks to "Spider-Man 3", Peter Parker is no longer an enjoyable character to be around.

[askewcore]

Oh shut up, I could give a shit about gay people but lets face it they aren't known for fighting.

Well, fortunately for you I've heard rumors that Chuck Lidell is gonna direct the new Superman movie. I'm sure all his incredible fighting skills will make this movie fucking awesome! I dont know about costumes though, Superman might look silly in Muay Thai Trunks...

[DocSavage]

Plz no more Superman garbage. They need to end the francise for one simple reason: the character sucks, always has, always will. To qoute the great Stan Lee: "The hardest thing Superman ever had to do was figure out who to punch first."

BORING Francise...boring villians...and it is ruining the comic genre in the public view.

Let Marvel do the movies! NUFF SAID! Excellisior!

[weakside]

In my opinion Superman doesn’t work because there isn’t much to make a connection with the character…

People like superhero/comic book movies because it reminds us of who we are. We relate to the characters that have to overcome some sort of demon or flaw. Spiderman is a guy who had superpowers thrust upon him. He is kind of a wise-ass and struggles with having to hide who he is. The hulk is an individual that has an uncontrollable rage that comes out of him. He is misunderstood and struggling to control that aspect of his personality. Batman is based off of the idea of revenge and is no more of a superhero than the rest of us. All these characters we can relate to because just like them we are capable of greatness despite our flaws.

Superman is an all-powerful, perfect individual in mind, body, and spirit. He isn’t even human. Even at our best there isn’t anything we can connect to. The earlier films worked because they played up the aspect of his struggle with having a secret identity and living two lives, and even then that concept was constantly being contradicted and overshadowed by Superman’s perfection

So without any emotional connection to the character a superhero film has to otherwise be outstanding in other aspects for people to like it, and the last superman film we saw definitely fell shot in that endeavor.

[GLENN_THE_TOOL]

i don't think they really need to revamp Superman or restart it the way they did with Batman Begins. they just need to give Superman a real challenge in the next movie, someone who can kick the shit outta him without using Kryptonite to do it. Doomsday might work, but i think that needs to be handled by doing two movies. Doomsday kills Superman in the first, then comes back in the second movie. that way, there's a year or two in between films so Superman's death has actual emotional weight to it. but if they need a movie to get the franchise back on track, have Darkseid invade.

[Minhaj]

has anyone read Superman: Red Son? its written by Mark Miller.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Son

[Rob D]

Mark Millar is a fucking tool. This is the same asshole who stated that Eminem would be starring in Wanted and constantly hypes his own work to the point of inducing nausea. The motherfucker is making a pitch to write a Superman script and he acts like it's all locked up and he's the official guy with the blessing of the studio. It may happen, it may not, but in a perfect world Millar would get anally ***** and eaten by a tiger on the way to the pitch meeting. For real man, fuck that dude.

[silentbob8201]

i don't think they really need to revamp Superman or restart it the way they did with Batman Begins. they just need to give Superman a real challenge in the next movie, someone who can kick the shit outta him without using Kryptonite to do it. Doomsday might work, but i think that needs to be handled by doing two movies. Doomsday kills Superman in the first, then comes back in the second movie. that way, there's a year or two in between films so Superman's death has actual emotional weight to it. but if they need a movie to get the franchise back on track, have Darkseid invade.

Darkseid and his Apocalypse Army invading Earth would be nice. Hell i'd settle for the classic Metallo the Man with the Kryptonite Heart at this point ANYONE One other than ZOd or Luthor.

[LiddyRules]

The problem with Doomsday is his only thing is killing Superman. Otherwise, he's kind of worthless. And I think we need to re-fall in love with the character before his loss means anything. That's why something like Darkseid would work better. Metallo would also work, also would Brainiac. Maybe even ol' Mxy (if Spider-Man 4 is made, I still want Mysterio as a villain).

However, I would like Lex as a background character. And businessman Lex not thuglife Lex.

Also, Doomsday is going to be on Smallville next season in the guise of a hot EMT who kills at night.

Mark Millar is a fucking tool. I think most of this thread is about how fucked Superman Returns was and the need for a new franchise. Not the need of a new franchise written by Mark Millar. Millar's kind of incidental at this point. Now it's all just the wonderful delight of fanboys whining about a comic book movie.

[Vyce]

As a huge fan of Mark Millar, I think he's one of the few writers who could do a really good job re-loading the Supes franchies. I agree with Jimcy that Bryan Singer f'ed it up beyond recognition...

Go read the Wanted thread for my thoughts on Millar.

Or wait, let me just summarize them here: Millar is a fucking piece of shit writer and should die. No way in hell I want him to touch this film, and I say that with the fact that, even though I'm a comic nerd, Superman isn't even a comic character I give much of a shit about.

[Xyn]

I'd love to see a superman movie with a little more influence from supermans original roots. Not saying he should be a villain, just a little less of a good guy.

No Hancock bullshit, not drunk and all that, just make him abuse his powers or make the wrong decision now and then. Don't make him reform at the end either, make him a little good and a little bad throughout the whole film. Superman could do with a few flaws.

Also get rid of some of the extraneous powers (ice breath? Really?). Maybe get rid of flying too, bring back that whole "leeps tall buildings in a single bound" thing.

But I'm not a fan of superman, so my oppinions are probably pretty biased.

[Jerry1]

NO! NO MORE BRYAN SINGER! Gay guys can't make action films espcially super hero action films. They get to caught up in making the costumes pretty and not enough on action and fighting. Bat suits with nipples? Ugh gay people stink.



I think you're mistaken with Joel Shumacher. The man who directed "Batman Forever" and "Batman & Robin" and almost killed the Batman franchise.

[MrBogey]

I don't like how 90% of authors portray Superman. The 1980s reboot with John Byrne is what they need to stick to.

When you have an all-powerful guy who has a stable of family members and their fucking pets showing up then you have a problem. Keep it to the guy who is immensely powerful but still can't change the laws of physics to suit whatever cockamamie plot the author boxed himself into.

[Jim T.]

As noted, Millar has a long history of this type of horseshit. The Eminem thing was hilarious, although that was not his intention. I also remember him hyping up some crappy Rob Liefeld comic he wrote 2 issues of, saying it was the best thing he'd ever done. He's like Stan Lee without the talent or charm.

[GLENN_THE_TOOL]

The problem with Doomsday is his only thing is killing Superman. Otherwise, he's kind of worthless. And I think we need to re-fall in love with the character before his loss means anything. That's why something like Darkseid would work better. Metallo would also work, also would Brainiac. Maybe even ol' Mxy (if Spider-Man 4 is made, I still want Mysterio as a villain).

However, I would like Lex as a background character. And businessman Lex not thuglife Lex.

Also, Doomsday is going to be on Smallville next season in the guise of a hot EMT who kills at night.

I think most of this thread is about how fucked Superman Returns was and the need for a new franchise. Not the need of a new franchise written by Mark Millar. Millar's kind of incidental at this point. Now it's all just the wonderful delight of fanboys whining about a comic book movie.

i agree on most of those points. Doomsday is pretty much useless after he kills Superman. his character is way too thin. so to have any kind of weight to Superman's death and not have Doomsday look quite as one-dimensional, i think they should handle Superman's death in one movie, then have Superman come back in the following movie. to have Superman get killed by Doomsday and come back in the same movie makes Doomsday look too much like a throw-away character.

and yes, Lex needs to be more of an underlying, looming threat rather than coming up with outlandish schemes in every movie.

and i think Millar's just trying to get some kind of buzz going for himself. word is, Louis Leterrier has been "talked to" about directing the next Superman movie, and he's possibly the director Millar was hinting at. i'm not in favor of a Millar/Leterrier Superman movie. from what i've heard, Millar's a douche who really hates comic books, and Leterrier isn't known for doing very complex work. sure, he knows action, he did the recent Hulk movie and directed the Transporter movies. but they need a director who knows how to do real, compelling drama. and i wouldn't be against Singer coming back if a much better script is involved.

[silentbob8201]

Honestly if they adapted any and i do mean any Story arc from Superman the Animated Series Warner Brothers would have a certified Hit on their hands. It's that simple really just hire Bruce Timm and Paul Dini.

[mcipoletti]

I know everyone who doesn't read comics loves them but the first two xmen movies were bad, three was a step more toward the comics which I liked better. Superman returns was just terrible, a twink superman whos skinny and a emo. AND HE HAS A KID! Fucking terrible.

Boooo!!!!! First two were good third one sucked ass. Ratner is a TERRIBLE director. Eff singer for leaving the franchise and going to make that shite superman movie. Maybe Millar can bring something good to the franchise.