October
30
Singer Returns to Superman
It's official: Bryan Singer has signed a deal with Warner Bros. to direct a sequel to "Superman Returns."
Film will likely be released in 2009 and the studio has option for Brandon Routh to return as the Man of Steel. Sequel was much talked-about but it was not official Singer would direct until now. Singer spoke at last summer's Comic-Con of his desire to make a sequel and promised more action.
"Superman Returns" finally crossed the $200 million domestic gross mark and has grossed $390 million worldwide. Pic was generally seen as an underperformer, with a lukewarm critical response and a grosses that failed to live up the cost of the film, which the studio pegs at $209 million, without factoring in development costs, etc. Other estimates put the cost much higher.
Film gets a major DVD release Nov. 28, along with re-releases of previous Superman films and the release of a new cut of "Superman II" overseen by its original director, Richard Donner.
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My disappointment with "Superman Returns" was mild but quite distinct (I didn't want to come out of a Superman movie saying "it was okay, but...")...but, that said, I'm open to Singer taking a shot at doing a better job (if he can bring the next Superman movie the same energy and wonder he brought to "X2" it should be all good.)
Posted by: Michael K. Willis | October 31, 2006 at 11:47 AM
Superman Returns was the most disappointing movie based on a DC major character I've ever seen! It was nothing more than a badly made re-run of Richard Donner's original masterpiece. Routh looked like Christopher Reeves, but lacked any morsel of charisma that the latter had in spades! Spacey gave what must be his worst ever performance, lacking either the wit or the menace of Gene Hackman's Lex Luther, while the roles of Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen and Clark Kent's boss and colleagues were totally lacking in any form of cinematic expertise. One wonders why Singer would be chosen to have another bash at wrecking the franchise. This is even a bigger flop that the appalling "Batman and Robin". It would be wiser to cancel the franchise now, so fans can remember the masterpiece that Richard Donner created almost 30 years ago. Superman sucks, at least while Bryan Singer is in the driving seat.
Posted by: Tom Darragh | October 31, 2006 at 05:30 PM
I'm sure that WB would like to have made more money from Superman Returns but, if we think of it as the relaunch of a franchise which has already peaked, then its box office is comparable to that of Batman Begins (in fact, it has outgrossed BB worldwide!).
If we see it as the first film of a modern series, then it has outperformed others of that ilk quite easily (X-Men, Fantastic Four, Hulk etc). Spider-Man, Batman and Superman The Movie had the advantage of bringing brand new, fresh characters to the big screen.
To say that the critical reception for SR was lukewarm is inaccurate. It has a 76% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and most reviews are positive. Yes, there are criticisms but not many devastating ones. No film is perfect and Singer had a big task both to bring Supes back to cinemas faithfully and to please the majority of fans.
Personally, I very much like the film and I am looking forward to the sequel!
Posted by: Matt | November 11, 2006 at 07:45 AM
Superman Returns was the most disappointing movie based on a DC major character I've ever seen!
Obviously, you have never seen Batman Forever, Batman & Robin, or Superman 2-4.
Posted by: Dino Pollard | November 16, 2006 at 12:25 PM
I totally agree with Tom Darragh.Singer ruined this.
Posted by: Leon | December 15, 2006 at 02:04 PM