'Superman' Rumors Heat Up: Wachowskis? McTeigue?

Because of some backroom legal wrangling, if Warner Bros. wants to make a new Superman movie, it needs to do so within the next two years. This goes back to a court decision last year about how long Warner could possess the rights to the character and when they would revert back to the original owners. And for a few weeks after it was revealed Warners might be working against the clock, there didn't seem to be a lot of movement. And now, apparently, there is. IESB says that the studio has greased the rails for the Man of Steel to try to get a new movie in under the wire. As you and I both know, the best movies happen when you hurry. And with Superman, a series that has produced exactly no good movies since 1980, rushing through it really seems like a brilliant idea. Bryan Singer has been out of Metropolis for quite a while, Brandon Routh likely won't be back, either, so where oh where does the studio go from here? IESB says the new film won't have anything to do with Superman Returns, and if we are in a time crunch, I say ditch the origin story and just go for a typical adventure loaded with action. The current rumor surrounds the Wachowskis, who might either direct (doubtful) or produce for their protege, James McTeigue (more likely). The brothers, of course, directed Speed Racer and could use a hit on the other side of that if they want to be taken seriously by the studios. They make very expensive movies and while I'm sure Warner and DC would throw tons at any Superman project, would they want to deal with pairing a hero that hasn't gained a lot of traction in a generation with directors who many people believe have only directed one-and-a-half good movies? McTeigue directed V for Vendetta and the upcoming Ninja Assassin. He might be the front-runner for this job, but who knows, really? If the studio is serious they need to pick a name that will bring some excitement to the franchise, and that's for both the director and Clark Kent. Personally, I'm still not sure the time is right for Superman, and that has as much to do with a societal thirst for darker heroes as it does the lackluster response to Returns.

Comments

[Mr.K]

What do you think of the Clark Kent from Smallville?

[Get The Big Picture]

He's OK. Playing a much younger Clark Kent than they'd want to focus on, though.

[D]

Maybe Warner Bros. could do a Roger Corman rights holder like the '94 Fantastic Four movie.

[anybody]

I think I'm the only one who thought Speed Racer was great... what a crazy visual experience. I'd be in for a McTeigue Superman. I know they want to distance themselves from Returns but even though that movie was not so good I thought Routh was a perfect choice for the man of steel.

[Hotchman]

Yeah Warner and DC are pretty much screwed unless they pony up a whole bunch of money to the family of the creator. Rumor in the comic world is that Marvel has been angling with the family.

[Psyko Tek]

you know
it would be funny as hell if marvel got supewrman

but I don't see it happen

hell yeah take the smallville crew and turn them loose

they have enjoyed some sucess

I dunno never watched it
but it'sbeen on a while