In My Opinion: Bryan Singer needs to direct “The Man of Steel.”
Sunday, December 28th, 2008
As I’m sure a lot of you know, the condition of the next Superman movie has been up in the air for nearly three years now. As of right now there are two teams who have a real shot at being the creative force behind the film, currently going under the moniker The Man of Steel. There’s Mark Millar and his mystery “action director” and Bryan Singer, who directed 2006’s Superman Returns. I have now chosen a side; Bryan Singer needs to direct another Superman movie
I made this decision as I was leaving a sold out screening of Valkyrie, Singer’s first directorial effort since Superman Returns. I don’t want this to be a review of Valkyrie, mostly because Will and I are probably going to talk about it on the next Geekeasy (Episode 7 for guys, we recorded episode 6 right before we went to go see the flick.) but I will say that I had a blast watching the film and it reminded me what a fantastic filmmaker Singer is. There are shots in this film-little tricks with the camera and whatnot- that could only have been done by the guy that made The Usual Suspects and X2:X Men United. Singer has this really interesting visual style and imagination that I forgot how much I admired until watching Valkyrie. Now I’m fully aware that Warner Bros. has officially stated that they want to “reboot” the Superman franchise a la The Incredible Hulk. I think this is a great idea, even though I admired the hell out of Superman Returns. The movie was weird love letter to Richard Donnor’s Superman and even though it the franchise back a few years, I’m glad Singer made the film that he wanted to make, if only because he now has it out of his system.
Look, Singer’s a smart guy. He knows that the popular consensus with Superman Returns was that it was long, boring and “artsy” (see, intelligent.) And when he says he wants to go Wrath of Kahn on the sequel, I believe him and I believe its what’s best for the franchise. What I don’t believe is good for the franchise is Mark Millar’s Lord of the Rings meets The Godfather saga. Don’t get me wrong, its a really cool concept….for a graphic novel. But if Warner Bros. thinks that Singer’s “Superman as Jesus” killed the franchise, wait ’till they get a load of “Superman as Michael Coreleone meets The Omega man in this epic three part saga that ends with the world dying.” And this whole “top secret action director” bothers me as well. When I think “action director,” I think Paul W.S. Anderson, Louis Leterrier and those other guys that make unambitious, hyper-edited gun fight-a-thons that come out in August. (I dug The Incredible Hulk, btw) I don’t want an “action director” to handle Superman, I want a “filmmaker” which Singer is and always has been. I want someone who knows how to excite an audience with thrills and chills, but not the expense off story and character.
I believe in second chances, even when it comes to billion-dollar industry like film. And I think that Singer deserves a second crack at a badass, epic Superman movie with Brandon Routh back in the costume that he was born to wear. To me, we as moviegoers shouldn’t have to choose between action-packed or deep. Look at Iron Man and The Dark Knight; guys, we can have both. And we know that Singer can deliver both, just look at X2. So as little as it matters, I’m letting my opinion known; I think Bryan Singer is the right man for the job. With him behind the camera, I can believe a man can fly.
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I see your point and you have convinced me. I’m not saying that I want Singer to direct so much as I want a “filmmaker.” Doesn’t anyone think it’s weird that Warner Bros. is even considering Singer for the reboot? It’s like, “Okay, Superman Returns was lacking and we need to reboot it. Hey, let’s get Singer again!”
I’m thinking not so much.
There was nothing wrong with how Superman Returns was directed. It looks great. I hated the story itself. If Singer had a great story to work with, I think he could do a great job with it.
Superman Returns needed a better story, more action, and aside from mainly Kevin Spacey, actors who could have fit the roles better. Routh still looks too young for me to have him play Superman in my opinion. The directing was ok, but they were trying to make the film in a way that it shouldn’t have been made if you want to reboot the franchise.
All I can say is that next film better have a villain that Superman can punch!
I agree Routh looks young but if its being rebooted back to square one wouldn’t He be perfect since Superman would be younger?
Thing is, they can’t reboot if they don’t change the actor. And if they don’t reboot, then they can’t ignore what happened in superman returns – Lois married and raising superman’s son.
I didnt think much of SR but I didnt hate it so bad I would take away his second chance, I really like the new superman and I want to see how he would act when he gets back into the swing of things, the first one was basically a sort of origin, I think he should get a chance to tell a good arc.
I just hopw they ignore the kid.
I’ve always been one for saying give Singer another chance, I liked SR quite a bit, it captured me and made me fall for it.
My vote is still for Millar, but that does depend on which “action” director he has up his sleeve.
Is there a write-in vote on the ballot? I don’t think I want either one.
I’m still for Millar! I don’t care that Valkyrie was good, Singer is too in love with the Donner Superman… and lets be honest is Lame (no offense to the wonderful Christopher Reeves). I’m still holding out for Millar and his special Friend Director…Maybe it’s the Nightwatch, Daywatch, Wanted guy….That could be really cool!
I could get behind that actually. How insane would it be if Warner Bros. chose Millar and he was like “Fooled ya, bitches!” and his director WAS Bryan Singer.
Screw it- let Millar do it. It’d just be so damn crazy. No one does flat out crazy anymore.
I think Hollywood and screen audiences needs a little flat out crazy every now and then.
Singer was tried and true with Supes. Don’t get me wrong, I have a soft spot in my heart for Donner/Reeves Superman but…
It’d totally be rock and roll if they picked Millar.
…but to be fair I’m not the hugest Millar fan in the world. I’m kinda with Scott, do we have a third choice somewhere in all this?
To me, and DC comic book property can be done right on film if they just follow the Bruce Timm DCAU model. That whole universe was set up so perfectly and stays true to every character in it that any movie based around that would totally kick ass. Just take a look at how spot on Batman: The Animated Series was and you’ll have an idea of what I’m talking about.