Christopher Nolan Overseeing Superman for Warner Bros

[Rappy Veteran]

EXCLUSIVE: Warner Bros is trying to ready its DC Comics stalwart Superman to soar again on the Big Screen, and the studio has turned to Chris Nolan to mentor development of the movie. Our insiders say that the brains behind rebooted Batman has been asked to play a "godfather" role and ensure The Man Of Steel gets off the ground after a 3 1/2-year hiatus. Nolan's leadership of the project can set it in the right direction with the critics and the fans, not to mention at the box office. Besides, Nolan is considered something of a god at Warner Bros and has a strong relationship with the studio after the success of Batman Begins and The Dark Knight. Though he wasn?t obligated to do so, he gave the studio first crack at his spec script Inception, and Warner Bros was able to buy it before other studios even got a sniff. While Nolan completes that Leonardo DiCaprio-starrer for a July 16th release, he's also hatched an idea for Warner Bros' third Batman installment. Now his brother and frequent collaborator Jonah Nolan, and David Goyer who co-wrote Batman Begins and penned the story for The Dark Knight, are off scripting it. (See 'FlashForward' Showrunner Exits For Features).

Let us emphasize that Superman 3.0 is in the early stages of development. And we doubt Nolan would direct. This wouldn't be a sequel to Superman Returns but a completely fresh franchise. As one of our insiders reassures: ?It would definitely not be a followup to Superman Returns." Nolan coming on board follows a hiatus period for Superman after that 2006 reboot as the studio tried to figure out whether or not to make a sequel to that version starring Brandon Routh directed by Bryan Singer. As recently as this summer, Warner Bros was still contemplating how to proceed. We were told that "Bryan or Brandon are not completely out of it yet. But Warner Bros doesn't have a handle yet on it, either. [Producer] Jon Peters is trying to make something happen since he stands to benefit financially. But they [the studio] need to hear a great story that makes sense." Another insider explained to us, "We know what we don't want to do. But we don't know what we want to do. We learned a lot from the last movie, and we want to get it right this time."

Fans have long been yearning for Superman to finally get the big screen Nolan-ized treatment this classic superhero deserves. Warner Bros clearly has learned from its attempt to follow the mediocre 1978-1985 quartet of movies starring Christopher Reeve and produced by Ilya and Alexander Salkind, with 2006's underwhelming Superman Returns. That inbetween period was plagued by long delays and budget troubles and script misses. In 1997, original Batman director Tim Burton tried to make a Superman movie starring Nicolas Cage. Around 2004, J.J. Abrams wrote a film that was the first leg of a trilogy. Abrams wanted to direct, but had only directed episodes of his TV series (and wouldn't make his feature directing debut until 2006's Mission:Impossible III. McG and Brett Ratner separately were attached to that film. Ratner got closest, but Warner Bros was wary of a budget that swelled to $250 million, and which seemed risky after established star Josh Hartnett turned down the 3-picture deal that could have brought him $100 million in salary. After that, Warner Bros bosses didn't embrace Ratner's s choice of soap opera actor Matt Bomer to star.

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[Axel]

I think a reboot is what should have been done in the first place, rather than attempting to continue on from the Christopher Reeve movies. If it can get the same sort of treatment that Batman did then fantastic, I'll look forward to a new and edgier Superman franchise.

The question though... WHO should play Superman?

[Growled Member]

I'm not into reboots but Superman is definitely one franchise that needs it. None of the movies have really delivered an awesome Superman experience to me.

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Donner's Superman and then re-cut of Superman 2 are just fine. 3 and 4 were terrible but films of the time.

Returns? I personally like it, but can see what's wrong with it.

A reboot so soon however? Hmmm

[Rappy Veteran]

I'm not into reboots but Superman is definitely one franchise that needs it. None of the movies have really delivered an awesome Superman experience to me.

even the original?

[Axel]

Donner's Superman and then re-cut of Superman 2 are just fine. 3 and 4 were terrible but films of the time.

Returns? I personally like it, but can see what's wrong with it.

A reboot so soon however? Hmmm

It's apparently become "fashionable" to do reboots recently, since they seem to be appearing all over the place. I say we just embrace it - personally, I'm always interested in whether they can do something original with something old.

[coresx]

I've never really liked the Superman character I've seen in films and I absolutely hated Superman Returns, what a waste that was, I felt I watching a homage movie. I think they need to have the balls and revamp the character. I say get rid of the glasses hiding his identity for one. The suit could also be changed. I just think Superman is rather rubbish to begin with and a new one needs to be created. By all means keep Clark Kent, Krypton, his weakness etc. but they should tweak and change much of universe for the better.

[Xero]

Hopefully Nolan will help bring new life to Superman. I can't stand the movies. I like the cartoon/comics best. I would like to see a well made movie though.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

Awesome. Even better because it won't be a sequel to Superman Returns.

[Gotenks98]

I think a reboot is what should have been done in the first place, rather than attempting to continue on from the Christopher Reeve movies. If it can get the same sort of treatment that Batman did then fantastic, I'll look forward to a new and edgier Superman franchise.

The question though... WHO should play Superman?

Well what hurts superman returns was 2 things, one is the actors, other was the plot. It could have continued on the same timeline instead of a reboot but they screwed it up with the plot. First off Brandon Routh was a horrible superman, the only thing he had going for him was that he looked like Reeves. Next that piece of crap actress they had as Lois Lane could have easily been someone else off the street that would have did better. Next is the plot, how stupid can you get with a kryptonite island and super ****** child. At this point a reboot has to happen because of those screw ups. Superman needs to fight Darkside or someone else that actually gave him a challenge in the DC universe, no more Lex Luthor. Next for an actor this role has to go to Tom Welling. He has been playing superman/clark kent longer than anyone else ever did. I see no reason why he would not be perfect for the role. They could actually use this movie as a closure point in smallville to transition it to a new series in Metropolis and call it Metropolis instead of smallville. Lois Lane can easily be Erica Durance because she is hawt enough to do it. Personally I dont want them to go the route of the Dark Knight for 2 reasons. Superman has always been the blue boy scout and has never let his moral compass go to far to the darkside where as other dc characters have. Secondly I think Dark Knight was the most overrated piece of crap of a movie. It only did well because it was Ledgers last film. Had he not died it would never had done as good in the box office. Personally I enjoyed Michael Kenton as batman more than a batman that sounds like he is smoking 4 cartons of cigarettes a day.

[Rappy Veteran]

I wouldn't mind a dark superman with a really dark setting and story.

[fix-this!]

I wouldn't mind a dark superman with a really dark setting and story.

i would, superman is not a dark character. im not for this nolan giving direction at all. he needs to stay with batman and stay FAR away from this. i hope this is just a rumor that gets debunked.

[Yusuf M. Veteran]

i would, superman is not a dark character. im not for this nolan giving direction at all. he needs to stay with batman and stay FAR away from this. i hope this is just a rumor that gets debunked.

Superman himself doesn't have to be "dark". I think it'd be cool to see a darker Superman movie. It'll make Superman look even brighter as a super hero.

[Rappy Veteran]

Superman himself doesn't have to be "dark". I think it'd be cool to see a darker Superman movie. It'll make Superman look even brighter as a super hero.

+1

I am not saying Superman should go round being all emo Clarke Kent on people I am just saying it could have a dark story that is like really gritty.

[fix-this!]

+1

I am not saying Superman should go round being all emo Clarke Kent on people I am just saying it could have a dark story that is like really gritty.

i see, well i still don't want nolan near it. i think im one of the very few who actually didn't like batman begins or tdk.

i really don't think he's all that great of a director tbh. they should bring back routh or get welling to don the tights and give singer another stab at it.

[benplace]

I like what Nolan did with Batman in trying to make it realistic. I'm not sure how that would translate to a story about a space alien. Maybe som time explaining why his powers work the way they do because of the sun/radiation etc..

[Xero]

i see, well i still don't want nolan near it. i think im one of the very few who actually didn't like batman begins or tdk.

i really don't think he's all that great of a director tbh. they should bring back routh or get welling to don the tights and give singer another stab at it.

You're one of the few. I think Nolan is fantastic. His regular writers, directing, everything is fantastic I really enjoy his films. He has a great way to make the unbelievable, believable. Like the Rapster, I'd love a dark, gritty Superman. Certainly don't want him emo-like *cough* Spidey 3 but some of my favourite comics were the darker ones. The Death of Superman obviously stands out. If I wanted a cheery, happy, joke dropping Superman, I'd watch the cartoons. I want the movie to be more adult-oriented. Plus Superman needs to be jacked, not a little pretty boy like Routh. I wouldn't object to modifying the suit around too, something... less spandex. but obviously not too drastic as his suit is very iconic.

And a big no for Singer or Routh back. Singer's comic book movies remind me of Raimi's. And neither I'm a big fan of. But its hard to hate on X-Men as it was the first of the new comic book movie wave.

[Growled Member]

I wouldn't mind a dark superman with a really dark setting and story.

I wouldn't like a dark Superman. That's not Superman at all and that will ruin it. I would like a cool dark story.

[Lqv2015]

I'd say put Raimi in the director seat & cast Maguire as the man of steel. :p

I would love to see Cameron take on the franchise. Him to direct but not write. But you know that's not gonna happen.

[Antaris Veteran]

Well, I loved Superman Returns. There was so much about it that was good, the style, the music, the opening, the plane, Brandon and especially Spacey as Lex Luthor, I thought the whole move was really well polished. It did alright at the box office, pulling in ~$400 million, but i think because it cost $200 million to make in the first place, the studio doesn't see that as successful. Combined with Hollywood's unrelenting love for reboots, looks like we're getting a new Superman.

Saying that, Superman vs Doomsday on the big screen, in 3D would be EPIC

[SimplySchizo]

Well, I loved Superman Returns. There was so much about it that was good, the style, the music, the opening, the plane, Brandon and especially Spacey as Lex Luthor, I thought the whole move was really well polished. It did alright at the box office, pulling in ~$400 million, but i think because it cost $200 million to make in the first place, the studio doesn't see that as successful. Combined with Hollywood's unrelenting love for reboots, looks like we're getting a new Superman.

Saying that, Superman vs Doomsday on the big screen, in 3D would be EPIC

I don't see why so few of us liked Superman Returns. I really enjoyed it. I think Brandon Routh did a great job. Uncanny at times. I don't think there's anyone else that could've pulled it off better after C Reeve.

And, YES! If Nolan is truly on board, then there's no Superman story better for him to take up than The Death of Superman! That would rake in the bucks for sure.

Forget reboots. Superman 1,2 are classics and were well done.

[Ayepecks]

I'd say put Raimi in the director seat & cast Maguire as the man of steel. :p

Dear goodness, no.

[SuperJediMedia]

Another Reboot?

Hell No!

There are still MANY villians yet to be dealt with in the movies yet!

Just do sequels NO reboots necessary!!!

[Growled Member]

Saying that, Superman vs Doomsday on the big screen, in 3D would be EPIC

It would be freaking awesome.

[Rappy Veteran]

imagine how dark they could make this!