First off, we start with this report:


Has the Superman Production Shut Down? Source: Superman-V.com
Superman-V.com reported the following today...

Mark Mansbridge (Art Director) has left the project. More worryingly, Duncan Henderson (Producer) is gone and Owen Paterson (Production Designer) may have as well. Word is Paterson has left the production in LA and gone home to Australia. We hope to bring you confirmation on Paterson soon. We can tell you that Kym Barrett, who worked with Paterson on The Matrix hasn't gone and is still Costume Designer.

These departures are due to the project being shut down. The script is also going to undergo yet more rewrites and these rewrites are said to be MAJOR. WB are also debating whether to move the whole production to Australia.

While the above might be true - some people might have left the production - we can assure you director McG is still working on bringing the film to the big screen.

Then there's this bit:

More on the Superman Production? Source: Superman-V.com, Mark Millar

You thought you were confused about all this Superman mess? Here's some additional items that will only make it worse. 'Krisboyuk' pointed us to two 'possible' updates about the Superman production. First up, Superman-V.com updated their previous item...

Owen Paterson's agents have confirmed he is still on Superman "Owen still is the production designer for Superman. He has gone to Australia, because that's where they plan on shooting."

Our 16/2/04 update asked to look at things in two ways - it appears the latter is true. The move to Australia is happening and expect a whole new crew to appear. With the new rewrites happening hopefully the Australian Superman production will finally deliver.

Jon Peters and McG are still in the mix with McG's agents revealing the situation is still the same with Mr McGinty "Nothing has been confirmed, right now."

But comic book writer Mark Millar claims production on Superman is a no-go. He posted the following on his message board...

Trust me, McG is not getting anywhere NEAR this ****ing thing. He (and others) are talking about this as a means of rejigging their careers. No actress is being seriously considered for Lois and nobody is being auditioned for Supes because there is NO MOVIE, folks. Here's the scoop...

The movie is already something like 50 mill in debt because of all the false-starts. It's a HUGE problem because they want big stars, big effects and a big budget and this would push you to the 250, 300 million mark. This ain't gonna happen, especially with someone as choppy as McG and that ****ing awful script kicking around. A chum of mine, like I've said, has been making calls and taking meetings very quietly, has a few things he has to finish first and plans to get moving on this around 2006. Believe NONE of this bull**** you're reading because Beyonce, etc, etc, is just all pish. The real deal is still two years away from even seriously starting work on this so the flick isn't going to be seen until around 2007 at the earliest. There'll be possibly two Batman pics before the next Superman.

We'll have to wait and see how all this turns out.

Personally, I hope that what Millar says is true. I've read two different drafts of the script, and its bloody awful! It doesn't, in any way, stay true to the roots of the character, and it completely re-writes Supe's origin. Hopefully, WB will go the same route they are with "Batman", and do a story closer to the comic (personally, I think they should wait until "Smallville" ends and then use that cast for the film. All the backstory would already be taken care of, and you'd have a great group of actors who are already kicking ass with these characters)

Interesting..

Would u be excited if Kevin Smith said "I have this screenplay, let me rewrite it and get people to jump on and I'll have it for you by christmas 2005" would you go for it?

granted...it took him HOW long to finish Green Arrow?

JediMaster said:

Dauphin said:

Actually, Smith did a Superman script back in about 1998 that almost got made. It was based primarily on the Death Of Superman/ Reign Of The Supermen storyline, and is said to be quite good. When WB hired Tim Burton to direct the flick, he threw out the script (now, I like Tim Burton, but he was definitely the wrong guy to direct this movie. He was the one who wanted Nic Cage as the Man Of Steel! )

I don't think the Death Of Superman storyline is really what needs to be done with a Supe's flick right now. Lots of kids are really just now discovering the character through "Smallville", and I really think they should capatalize on that. They need to have Clark Kent just starting off in Metropolis, and meeting Chloe's cousin (Lois Lane) for the first time.

Chole's "cousin", or Chloe as Lois Lane.



muahahahahah

I'm a fan of the idea to make _Smallville_ Chloe to be Lois Lane, personally.

JediMaster said:

Dauphin said:

While I love the character of Chloe, I just don't see that working. Lois and Chloe have pretty drastically different personalities, plus it just wouldn't make sense for Lois to have grown up in Smallville. Lois is most definitely a big city girl, born and raised.

David Boreanaz (Angel) doesn't have a gig at the moment. He'd be great as Supes i reckon.

Marrk said:

He was once up for the part. In fact, he also was once in discussions for the Batman flcik as well, but had to drop out due to his "Angel" shooting schedule.

JediMaster said:

Because of his naturally dark look, he'd make a better Superman than Batman.
Strike that, reverse it.....

OdysseyMiles said:

See, I think of him as being better for Batman myself. Maybe its just because of all the years we've seen him as the dark, brooding avenger on "Angel".

I definitely think Bale will be superb. He can do the billionaire playboy thing for Wayne, and he should have no problem showing off the dark side with Batman.

JediMaster said:

I agree.

OdysseyMiles said:

What do you think of the rest of the cast? I personally am pleased as punch! Some truly phenomenal actors have been brought in for this flick!

JediMaster said:

I'M STOKED ABOUT THE CAST!!
I love Morgan Freeman and Michael Caine. Liam Neeson is great.
I hope Bale can be as good as Michael Keaton. Ya gotta have a certain coolness to pull off Bruce Wayne

OdysseyMiles said:

Totally agree! Ken Watanabe is a great choice for Ra's Al Ghul, and Oldman is a very interesting, solid pick for Gordon. The cast is great, all around!

Personally, I think Bale will be even better than Keaton. He can portray the pathos as well as Keaton, but also have the physicality. I think Bale will be able to depict the playboy facade of Bruce Wayne, while also showing the obsession and drive of The Dark Knight. Keaton definitely had the obsession and drive down, but I never quite bought the playboy facade.