Superman Reboot - Page 4

VaderFan · 03-05-2010, 10:49 PM

See, this is why I unload here. Feedback like this makes it worth while. It's like there's still sanity in the world. And while a handful of a fans from Texas get it, the people making the decisions don't seem to, nor do the vocal majority I talk to. How is that possible? Don't bother answering that - the answer is self-evident.

VaderFan · 03-06-2010, 11:03 PM

Given our disgust with WB's mishandling of pretty much all things of late that could tie into a live-action Justice League movie, Black Adam and myself have taken it upon ourselves to write a script treatment for our Superman movie, which we tentatively call "The Man of Tomorrow."

We went into this project with confirmed expectations of what must not happen.

1. No Lex Luthor. We love the character, but he's been overused. 4 out of 5 films means it's time for a change.

2. No origin story. We all know it, we've all seen it, it's not necessary to rehash it.

These points are also what WB is looking for. Here's what we bring to the table that they're not considering.

3. No Kryptonite, magic, or any other trope that causes Superman to lose his powers. The Man of Steel must be challenged at his own level just to prove once and for all to all the nay-sayers that it can be done. Big Blue isn't too powerful to challenge. The writers of the past simply haven't given it their full imagination.

4. Superman must ultimately stand for Truth, Justice, and the American Way. After decades of this, the foundations are beginning to crumble, and that's not acceptable. Comics readers and movie goers have both grown up, and characters must evolve...preferably without betraying the very ideals they stand for. Superman has always evolved, he seems to be less appreciated by the masses today. Nobody seems to have faith in the American Way anymore, which is probably a significant reason. Superman doesn't represent the elected officials and corruption, he represents the Bill of Rights and the ideals this country was founded upon. He is a symbol of greater ideas. He's a world hero, but with American sensibilities. He will live by them as he always has, setting an example to the world around him. Justice is a given. He'll catch the bad guys, many of whom will fight back at his level. Big fights that we all want to see.

Truth is the big one, and this is the point that we're sure will drive many fanboys to cast us as heretics and defilers just as we've done to many a writer. Superman, in disguising himself as reporter Clark Kent, has lied to the American people. Yes, his reasons are justified in the eyes of this fanboy, but modern forensics and good-old-fashioned observation will be taken to task. He knew he couldn't hide forever. Clark Kent will be exposed, and Superman's role in the world as Earth's Greatest Hero must be re-examined at the core level. How this affects him, Lois, Perry, the Daily Planet itself...these ramifications will be explored. Ultimately he must triumph, and how it's to be handled will, if we're successful, set a new standard for Superman's foothold in the 21st century. Superman returns relied too much on nostalgia and gave us a super-stalker who is unsure of himself and his place in the world. Smallville has given us too much Clark and not enough Superman, blowing up twin towers in the heart of Metropolis in the process - a symbolism that we certainly don't need in our Man of Steel. We're looking to ensure the mythos can be proud of its heritage and will honor what has gone before, but it will not be allowed to use that mythos as a crutch that keeps the character from being "relevant" in a world that could use all the hope it can get.

What we've done in forcing the removal of the Clark Kent identity is admittedly a scary idea. It's also one that we've worked out sufficiently from every conceivable angle, and we're confident that it will work for the right reasons in the hands of a talented production team. The character himself isn't changing. He's merely being forced to re-examine his place in the world and how best to perform his mission.

Now here's the problem, and this is why we turn to our forum for help. Scripts are generally not accepted unsolicited, and we have no insider track to get our treatment to the right people. If anyone is in any position to help, be it directly with WB / Legendary Pictures, or indirectly through internet buzz and other fan sites who do have pull (Ain't It Cool News or io9, for example), we'd appreciate any feet in the door we can get.

Thank you all in advance for your support of this project.

Black Adam · 03-06-2010, 11:12 PM

Let me add my voice to this as well. This is a project that is as near and dear to my heart as any project I've ever tried to work on. It challenges what I and VaderFan know about Superman, but I wish it to remain respectful and true. That's why removing Clark is such a hard thing to do. I ask for your help and faith in that we two can do this and that, with your help, we will do this. I welcome any thoughts and questions through this forum or emails.

Again, many thanks in to you all.

CyLeader · 03-07-2010, 06:20 PM

If anyone can do it you 2 can. I'd love to see a Superman movie where he is basically Superman all the time, and fights villians that are on his scale. That was the best thing about Superman II was that he was fighting villains that could take a punch from him and a blast of heat vision. I want to see big knock down drag out fights!

Black Adam · 03-07-2010, 07:37 PM

And we'd love to be the ones making sure that happen. lol But we're going to need a lot of help in order to secure it. You and Sci Fi Junkie are two such people I believe would greatly benefit us in this. Mind you, I'm not discounting anyone. Any one that has any sort of connection or just wants to back us as we try this will be a great help and very appreciated.

VaderFan · 03-08-2010, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CyLeader

If anyone can do it you 2 can. I'd love to see a Superman movie where he is basically Superman all the time, and fights villians that are on his scale. That was the best thing about Superman II was that he was fighting villains that could take a punch from him and a blast of heat vision. I want to see big knock down drag out fights!

We appreciate the vote of confidence. With a little luck, we can get those big fight scenes out there for you. I think we'd all like to see that at this point. It's only been nearly 30 years (if you don't count Superman IV...most don't.)

CyLeader · 03-08-2010, 09:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VaderFan

We appreciate the vote of confidence. With a little luck, we can get those big fight scenes out there for you. I think we'd all like to see that at this point. It's only been nearly 30 years (if you don't count Superman IV...most don't.)

I most definetly don't!

VaderFan · 03-09-2010, 12:37 PM

We're no longer stumbling in the dark! Having not truly been aware of our options before, we got excellent advice and encouragement from Michael R. Mennanga and Jeffrey Willerth, FarPoint Media's COO and VP of Programming and Advertising, respectively. Big thanks to them.

If anyone out there personally knows any reputable screenwriting agents in DFW with connections in the Las Colinas Studios (and thusly in turn connections to WB!), we'd greatly appreciate a meeting when the time comes. In the meantime, it's back to business polishing up the script so that we have something to submit. Thanks again!