Official Superman Poster

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

For me, the question is not whether it will be a good film. it isn't even whether he will get Clark/Superman right. the question is whether he can make a film without a bunch on inane and sophomoric humor in it. The inclusion of Gardner and a secret role for Alan Tudyuk (is he playing Dr. Phosphorus?) makes me worry that he can't.

You could say the same about the late Keith Giffen, who wrote Justice League International, which made Gardner into such a great comedic character. Yeah, Giffen wrote the JLI and Ambush Bug and various quasi-Ambush Bug characters after that.

But he also wrote the Legion's 5 Years Later arc which was dark while also understanding what fundamentally makes those characters work and the franchise work in a way that seems to be increasingly rare. He wrote cosmic stories for Marvel that, yes, had Rocket (Raccoon) in them, but also were about cosmic villains seeking to wipe out whole galaxies.

Gardner is part of a longer-term plan for Gunn's DCU; I wouldn't expect him to have more than one or two short bits. I think his inclusion is more of Gunn making a statement of purpose -- that the DC heroes are a cooperative bunch (even Batman!) who believe that working with others is the best way to improve the world.

It's an anti-Snyder move, I believe.

 

[Reynard]

You could say the same about the late Keith Giffen, who wrote Justice League International, which made Gardner into such a great comedic character. Yeah, Giffen wrote the JLI and Ambush Bug and various quasi-Ambush Bug characters after that.

But he also write the Legion's 5 Years Later arc which was dark while also understanding what fundamentally makes those characters work and the franchise work in a way that seems to be increasingly rare. He wrote cosmic stories for Marvel that, yes, had Rocket (Raccoon) in them, but also were about cosmic villains seeking to wipe out whole galaxies.

Gardner is part of a longer-term plan for Gunn's DCU; I wouldn't expect him to have more than one or two short bits. I think his inclusion is more of Gunn making a statement of purpose -- that the DC heroes are a cooperative bunch (even Batman!) who believe that working with others is the best way to improve the world.

It's an anti-Snyder move, I believe.

Like I said, I am hopeful but also scared. Superman is REALLY important to me. I do not want them to do this poorly.

 

[Reynard]

And for the record, the more I see from Gunn, the more confident I feel.

 

[Stalker0]

I mean honestly if Gunn can't make a good Superman film we might we give up and go home as regards most DC heroes/villains. But I hope and think he can.

This statement might be pretty true.

Let’s be honest, Gunn has a Herculean task in resurrecting the DCU…at a time when people are seriously asking “isn’t it time movies move on from Superheroes?”

This move could in fact be do or die. If it’s a hit; it shows there is still gas in the tank. But if it fails…it could seal the deal right then and there

 

[Reynard]

This statement might be pretty true.

Let’s be honest, Gunn has a Herculean task in resurrecting the DCU…at a time when people are seriously asking “isn’t it time movies move on from Superheroes?”

This move could in fact be do or die. If it’s a hit; it shows there is still gas in the tank. But if it fails…it could seal the deal right then and there

I don't believe the "superhero fatigue" line. They say that, and when a good one comes out, it still makes a (literal) billion dollars. it isn't superhero fatigue, it is "rote by the numbers film making" fatigue.

 

[Tonguez]

Watching this made me feel a bit better about Gunns take on Superman. At 5.50 he lists Donners Superman as his 2nd favourite Superhero movie and cites Reeves 'playfulness' "he enjoys helping people" which was a good observation. If he's taking some inspiration from it then it will be a good foundation - all Supes movies are going to be compared to Reeves portrayal anyway, so may as well use that and not try and give it a unique stamp that looses the essence - Superman is iconic, the challenges is how to capture that for modern jaded audiences.

 

[TwoSix]

For me, the question is not whether it will be a good film. it isn't even whether he will get Clark/Superman right. the question is whether he can make a film without a bunch on inane and sophomoric humor in it. The inclusion of Gardner and a secret role for Alan Tudyuk (is he playing Dr. Phosphorus?) makes me worry that he can't.

I'm unclear why I would want to see a movie without inane and sophomoric humor. Why else do we consume media?

 

[Reynard]

I'm unclear why I would want to see a movie without inane and sophomoric humor. Why else do we consume media?

Is this a joke?

 

[TwoSix]

Is this a joke?

Sort of, but not really? It's playful, but I do have a disagreement with not wanting comic book movies to have silly and even lowbrow humor. I like silly and lowbrow; I don't want to see Gunn bowdlerize himself over the portion of the fanbase that's like "Superman is VERY IMPORTANT and needs respect.".

 

[Ruin Explorer]

If it’s a hit; it shows there is still gas in the tank.

I honestly think that MCU and DCU Superheroes are two separate genres, for the most part. There have been a few movies which were kind of close to the other, but most of them haven't been. I don't think one of them succeeding necessarily means there's strong appetite for the other.

If Gunn was directing/writing all the movies, I do think the DCU would edge towards the MCU but, he ain't, and the plans he's announced so far would further distance the DCU from the MCU, if anything, more towards bizarre and the legendary, which DC excels at (there are some truly odd movies he's planning).

I don't want to see Gunn bowdlerize himself over the portion of the fanbase that's like "Superman is VERY IMPORTANT and needs respect.".

I just don't see that being an issue with Gunn. If he self-edits it'll be because he wants to do it, not because some loud fans demand something. I do think Superman should remain a very upright person, but everything I've heard from Gunn makes me think he agrees. Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner does imply we're going to get a pretty "full on" Guy Gardner who may of course be a gleeful idiot with a bowl cut (as he has been at times in the comics), but I don't think that'll reflect on Supes.