This is topic If they make a sequel to Superman Returns... in forum Books, Films, Food and Culture at Hatrack River Forum.


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Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
 
...who would you like to see as the villain?


One of the problems with Superman is that beyond these guys, one finds a bunch of losers like the Toyman and the Prankster...or villains that just don't match the iconic nature of ol' Supes.
 
Posted by Rakeesh (Member # 2001) on :
 
Hmmmm.

Mr. Mxyzptlk is right off. He's just too zany, although he could be a funny 'also' villain. Not Lex Luthor, even if they DO get Kevin Spacey for it. Bizarro, also too weird and not so very fearsome in and of himself. He's more like a strange tornado than someone who wants to actually go do evil.

I'd pick either Brainiac, Darkseid, Mongul, Metallo, or (maybe) Lobo. The trouuble with the middle two is that there's a lot of exposition that's got to go on for the audience to suddenly realize, "Hey, there are vast alien cultures out there and suddenly a couple of them are VERY interested in Earth. I'd say tie Darkseid to the Parasite and Metallo, maybe...have him pulling the strings, something only hinted at and briefly shown, to set him up for a later film.
 
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
 
Doomsday? Or is that too contemporary for you folks? [Wink]
 
Posted by Bean Counter (Member # 6001) on :
 
I think it would be nice to see a group of villians run him ragged, Superman is just one man, Lex pulls him out of position almost at will.

They could also introduce the concept of the JLA to help the man of steel meet the challenge of being in several places at once.

BC
 
Posted by Bean Counter (Member # 6001) on :
 
Maybe an X-men style of group with individual powers and teamwork could kick him around and get away scot free, that would be cool, but I do not know the DC Universe well enough to offer a lineup. Who can suggest a team?

BC
 
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
 
Doomsday is nothing but a "gimmick" character...though maybe if something like the Bruce Timm version from the "Justice Lords" animated DCU was used....hmmmm...
 
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by Rakeesh:
Mr. Mxyzptlk is right off. He's just too zany,

I think Mxy could work if they did him more like "Q" from Star Trek: TNG...omnipotent and humorous...but cruel and NOT an imp in a derby.

Especially if they used the Alan Moore version. Brrrr.
 
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
 
Definitely the Dini/Timm version of Brainiac would work best for a film.. Have him be the other last (artificially intelligent) son of Krypton...viewing Kal-El as the final piece of his home world fit only to be reduced to mere information.

But use that cool "metallic skeleton" design.
 
Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
Please not Doomsday. The whole "Superman Dies" concept only worked if you believed that Superman forgot his other powers and intelligence and was reduced to a super-powered rock-em-sock-em-robot that fought oh-so-valiantly to die saving his friends in a carefully chosen location for a photo op.
 
Posted by KarlEd (Member # 571) on :
 
What do you mean "if" they make a sequel? Does anyone think there might not be one?
 
Posted by Destineer (Member # 821) on :
 
Brianiac, hands down.
 
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
 
The film had a $260+ million budget...so it's going to have to be a -massive- success. 'S all I meant. [Smile]
 
Posted by Mig (Member # 9284) on :
 
Superman: The Return of Zod. With Terrrance Stamp reprising the role.
 
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
 
Batman.

Come on, but Returned in the past two years. Lets see what happens when Clark thinks Bruce has gone beyond the law.
 
Posted by Ron Lambert (Member # 2872) on :
 
Only one thing I ask of the sequel. Please, please, do NOT title it, Son of Superman!

What I would like to see in a sequel would be Superman Vs. Predator Vs. Aliens. Now that movie would rock!
 
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
Oh, I thought this was gonna be about the title. Superman Returns: Again! How much you wanna bet? [Roll Eyes]
 
Posted by Rakeesh (Member # 2001) on :
 
Heh, there are so many moments I would relish if the next film was with Batman.

Superman X-raying and immediately discovering Batman's identity. Batman easily tracking down Superman and discovering his, potentially through a tracking device. There being some crime going down and Superman zooming up to listen and look, while Batman already knows who did it and why and where they are, their blood type clothing allergies...

Batman, say, breaking a thug's jaw:) Superman getting pasted after Batman has time to plan.
 
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
 
Sounds like the moments in "Worlds Finest", the Batman/Superman animated crossover released back in 1997. [Smile]
 
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
 
Superman VS Wonderwoman (Wonderwoman starts to win when Lois Lane beats her silly for trying to steal her man)

Superman VS Vegeta--due to a cross universal glitch....um nevervind.

Superman VS The Autobots
 
Posted by Lord Solar Macharius (Member # 7775) on :
 
The following is merely myself thinking aloud and I appy polly loggy in advance for the strange flow.

I say bring in the Eradicator, and give him hints of DCAU Brainiac. Make him a strange villain in that he's not really evil. He was just built by a Kryptonian who listened to Jor-El's warnings and wanted a way to preserve Krypton. When Superman went to the remains of Krypton, the Eradicator quickly cobbled together some sort of space ship, perhaps extrapolating it from the design of Supes' ship.

So, he gets to Earth. Drop that there are Presidential Elections coming up. Around here he meets with Superman and tries to push him to rule kind of like the Justice Lords or Red Son. Wouldn't the world be better with you in control? Make the world generally getting worse and Supes is really strained. Stuff happens. He goes to the FOS for a break and while this is happening, the Eradicator takes on Superman's symbol and cape and starts making declarations for the new Kryptonian rule. Various governments try to take him down and are about to be utterly defeated until Lex Luthor saves the day.

Lex is arrested but there is overwhelming popular support for his release (it was really, really bad. The situation leading up to this will have to be filled out more).

The Eradicator goes to the FOS and is slapped down by Supes without really understanding why (he has a very simple “mind”). It flees with Superman in pursuit. Supes is catching up when he hears and narrowly avoids a missile streaking past him, stopping in the sky. Seven Rocket Reds fly up, flocking his path. Two continue after the Eradicator while five stay back to inform Superman that he is unlawfully entering Russian airspace and that they will handle it. He is not needed there.

Anyway, stuff happens. After Superman's rejection of the Eradicator maybe it takes Jason. Says that it will rule until Jason is ready to take his place, Superman having abdicated. There’s probably been an undercurrent of Jason being somewhat uncomfortable with his (minor) abilities and his confusion over why he has them, over why he is who he is. Richard needs a lot of screen time. Lex has gotten military funding under a very watchful eye. Maybe a Hal Jordan cameo.

Third act: Lex has been pushing people to be distrustful of the aliens and gaining popular support after the Eradicator does something or other. There is still much love for Superman but there is a general unease. Stuff happens. Jason wants to go home which sets up a big fight in Metropolis. The Eradicator is prepared for Lex’s old trick and under whelmed by any new ones. Only Superman can save the day!

Anyway, ends with Lex Luthor in Office. Obviously it needs to be hammered out, but for off the top of my head I think it would be a fun movie. Hopefully there are enough dramatic beats that can be brought forth from the foundations both already present and newly introduced while allowing for some action and fights and whatever that some people seem to have wanted.
 
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
 
If he weren't so obscure, Grant Morrison's contribution to Superman's rogues gallery might be fun: Solaris, the Living Sun!
 
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
 
The Eradicator (in the comics) was a product of John Byrne's sterile, cruel Krypton...AKA "The Krypton that DESERVED to die, and leaving it was the BEST thing that ever happened to Kal-El".

The character would need to be severely revamped to bring it in line with the Krypton seen in the films. Other than the Phantom Zone criminals it seemed nigh-Utopian.
 
Posted by Lord Solar Macharius (Member # 7775) on :
 
Yeah, I was just pretty much using its name.
 
Posted by Rakeesh (Member # 2001) on :
 
It is, Puffy Treat. They're also in a few other comics that weren't animated.
 
Posted by EKR (Member # 9545) on :
 
I think a good sequel, or even a finale to the series, would be that of a morally divided Superman. Much like the story of Kingdom Come. The world has moved on from a life loving Savior. No matter how many criminals he imprisons, no matter how many lives he saves... The bad guys always return. Finally, Lex Luthor, more cynical than ever, takes the road of vigilante and murders a serial killer in public. He becomes judge, jury and executioner. The public adores him.

"Finally someone who TRULY rids the world of evil!"

Realizing the world has really changed, that the world really doesn't need a Superman... He retreats into solitude. And thus a world of chaos ensues. And he just watches, rejected from the world. Now, how do you conclude or give climax to such a story? Hmm...


Oh, and I think it's best to stay away from too many bright costumes in one film.
 
Posted by TomDavidson (Member # 124) on :
 
quote:
Now, how do you conclude or give climax to such a story?
You don't. It's a deconstruction of the genre. The proper way to end a story like that is with the death of the hero. Seriously.
 
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
 
Like...maybe a brain-washed, heart-broken Captain Marvel sacrificing himself? [Roll Eyes] [Big Grin]
 
Posted by Bean Counter (Member # 6001) on :
 
They have never done a good Green Lantern Movie, it would be cool to show a Lantern using green radiation to take out Superman as casually as swating a fly.

It might also be neat for him to repel an alien invasion that pretends to be the lost Arc Fleet of Krypton. A situation where Superman has to take on a Captain America style roll of leading a large scale retaliation in coordination with Earth Defensive Forces, maybe project into the future where Superman aids the Earth by using the Technology Lex claims he denies mankind to build a beanpole into space and open the universe to Mankind under a single defensive umbrella, with the first challenge being the invasion. Oh and have the Invaders secretly be behind the destruction of Krypton which they feared, and have their automated tracking systems tag Superman on his way home to Earth.

BC
 
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
 
A Green Lantern could create Kryptonite with his/her/its ring -if- they knew the exact composition and structure of the mineral.

The thing is, such lethal force is not (normally) the Green Lantern way. [Smile]
 
Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
 
My votes would be for Brainiac or Bizarro. Bizarro couldn't really carry it on his own though, so you'd have to have Lex creating him and being the real mastermind of the movie.

--Enigmatic
 
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
 
Hmm, outside of Lex Luthor, what villains would the average non-comic reading people be aware of? Batman has the benefit of numerous TV shows, people know about the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, and so on. I haven't heard of any of these other guys (save for Doomsday), and I've read some Superman over the years. Unless they create something new, Luthor is really the only solid choice.

TheTick, wondering who Iron Man is going to fight.
 
Posted by A Rat Named Dog (Member # 699) on :
 
Superman vs The Eradicator ... co-starring Bruce McCullough!
 
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
 
There is only one man that can take on Superman head-to-head:

Richard Pryor.
 
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
 
quote:
Originally posted by TheTick:
Hmm, outside of Lex Luthor, what villains would the average non-comic reading people be aware of? Batman has the benefit of numerous TV shows, people know about the Joker, the Penguin, the Riddler, and so on. I haven't heard of any of these other guys (save for Doomsday), and I've read some Superman over the years. Unless they create something new, Luthor is really the only solid choice.

Did the general public really know who Ras Al Ghul was?

Beyond the comics, he made it into the animated series. That's it.

And guess what Brainiac, Mongul, Metallo, Bizarro, Mr. Mxyzptlk, the Parasite, Darkseid, etc have all appeared in besides the comics? [Big Grin] All were villains on various Superfriends, Superman, and Justice League animated series over the years. Including the most recent ones.

Heck, Brainiac was the "big bad" on the most recent season of Smallville!

If they hadn't foreshadowed it in the original film, nobody would've known who the Phantom Zone criminals were either!

So...no. Not being in previous movies isn't really a demerit, here.
 
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
 
The kids who watched the recent Batman animated series, one of the most popular kids series, all know who he was. Maybe the younger kids who watch that new fangled JLA show may have seen a few of these guys, but I don't think any of the things you mentioned have the mindshare that Batman: TAS had for the twenty to thirty year olds.

Part of it, for me, is also that Superman is so powerful. There's no one on your list where I'd think "SWEET! Superman is going to fight x in the next movie!". He's pretty much invulnerable unless they trot out Kryptonite. You know that every time Batman or Spiderman step out in their costume, they can be beaten. For Supes, the guy who can get capped in the eye and not even have to blink, it takes a bit more to get worked up. None of those names really have that feeling.

And...Smallville? Really? I don't hold campy Bat-Dancing Batman against Batman Returns, so I won't hold that against Superman. [Wink]
 
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
 
quote:
Part of it, for me, is also that Superman is so powerful. There's no one on your list where I'd think "SWEET! Superman is going to fight x in the next movie!". He's pretty much invulnerable unless they trot out Kryptonite. You know that every time Batman or Spiderman step out in their costume, they can be beaten. For Supes, the guy who can get capped in the eye and not even have to blink, it takes a bit more to get worked up. None of those names really have that feeling.
This is why Superman comics bore me to death, and why I'd rather have Doomsday as the bad guy than any of the less gimmicky characters. Doomsday may have been utterly pointless, but he won without the gimmicky kryptonite crap, and that makes him infinitely more interesting to me.
 
Posted by Puffy Treat (Member # 7210) on :
 
Superman: The Animated Series (the Dini/Timm one) ran from '96 to the year 2000. For much of that period it was teamed up with the Dini/Timm Batman show as "The Batman/Superman Adventures".

The one so many people in the 20-30 age group watched. [Smile]

The "new fangled Justice League" show was broadcast at 8PM, than later at 10:00 PM. Its audience was almost entirely adults.

The majority of the villains I mentioned turned up on the earlier Superman series first.
 
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
 
I turned off the Superman segments on that show. Few of the people I've mentioned watching the Batman animated series ever mention the conjoined Superman show as having any particular place in their pantheon of 'best cartoons ever!' where Batman does.

JLA hardly counts in my book, too many heroes, you get a Superman episode once a month.

Who knows, maybe they can take Brainiac and make a great movie out of it. I would just have my doubts with a LOT of mythos changes.
 
Posted by Ron Lambert (Member # 2872) on :
 
TheTick--I'm just wondering something. I've heard of hairy-ticks, and fanny-ticks, and looney-ticks. But not just TheTick. Where do you fit in?
 
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
 
That's it.. Superman VS The Tick.

(The Tick was an animated, and then very short lived live action tv series involving an invulnerable superhero with few if any working brain cells, and his exploits saving/and almost saving/ the world.)
 
Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
 
(Man in Diner) So…you're a superhero, huh? and what sort of costume is that supposed to be?

(The Tick) Costume? No costume, friend. I am simply The Tick.

(Man in Diner) Well you can't be The Tick…ticks are arachnids; they got eight legs.

(The Tick) How do you know I don't?

(Man in Diner) Ticks suck blood…do you suck blood?

(The Tick) Uh, yeah, I suck blood all the time!

(Man in Diner) Yeah, right

(The Tick) Look, I got a straw right here, pal…you want a demonstration?
 
Posted by Dan_raven (Member # 3383) on :
 
Metropolis always struck me as in a "Blue" state.

Kansas is a "Red" state.

"Superman for President" would be an interesting movie. Of course, being an alien--not born in the US--he is unable to be President. Still, "Superman VS The Politicians" would be interesting.

One Spinmaster realizes Superman's potential and seeks his endorsement of his candidate. Others are soon flocking, and the man of steal must face the irrationalities of political life as lobbyists, motivators, and others seek to manipulate him into accidently supporting thier politicians.

He is a hero, faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, but one mistaken word at the wrong time and he's political hamburger.
 
Posted by Shepherd (Member # 7380) on :
 
I wanna see doomsday kill him, be a great ending for the series. Then have his kid pick up his cape, look all empowered, and then sneeze. credits.

shepherd
 
Posted by Irami Osei-Frimpong (Member # 2229) on :
 
I don't think that Superman movies are about the villians. Superman is too powerful. They are about Lois and Superman. I'm confused, though. Superman and Clark are two different people, and it seems to me that Superman is the more natural character and Clark is the caricature, which means I'm not interested at all in whether Clark gets the girl.

So here is what I need from the next Superman movie. I need Superman to realize what a sham he is as a father, and that raising a son is not a job that be half-assed or outsourced- though it would be tricky because isn't that kind of what Jor-el did?

Either that, or Superman gets tricked. He is the man of steel, but that doesn't say anything about his judgment. He could be duped into being on the wrong side of a moral issue. Isn't this the way one of the comics went. I think that either of those would be an appropriate sequel.

[ July 02, 2006, 07:46 PM: Message edited by: Irami Osei-Frimpong ]
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
quote:
An essential characteristic of the superhero mythology is, there's the superhero, and there's the alter ego. Batman is actually Bruce Wayne, Spider-Man is actually Peter Parker. When he wakes up in the morning, he's Peter Parker. He has to put on a costume to become Spider-Man. And it is in that characteristic that Superman stands alone. Superman did not become Superman, Superman was born Superman. When Superman wakes up in the morning, he's Superman. His alter ego is Clark Kent. His outfit with the big red "S", that's the blanket he was wrapped in as a baby when the Kents found him. Those are his clothes. What Kent wears, the glasses, the business suit, that's the costume. That's the costume Superman wears to blend in with us. Clark Kent is how Superman views us. And what are the characteristics of Clark Kent? He's weak, he's unsure of himself... he's a coward. Clark Kent is Superman's critique on the whole human race. Sort of like Beatrix Kiddo and Mrs. Tommy Plympton.

 
Posted by docmagik (Member # 1131) on :
 
quote:
Clark Kent is how Superman views us.
I agree with the first half, but this bit's just silly. Even if you accept the bumbling Clark Kent of the movies as the only Clark Kent, then that Clark Kent represents Superman's attempt to put himself at the opposite extreme of the human race to keep people from figuring out his identity.

In other words, it says that he feels the vast majority of humanity would be closer to being like Superman than Clark Kent would be.
 
Posted by Dagonee (Member # 5818) on :
 
Of course it's silly. It's the quote of a murdering bastard whose philosophy of life is used to justify wholesale killing for profit. [Smile]
 
Posted by Juxtapose (Member # 8837) on :
 
Was that from Kill Bill 2 Dag?

Anyway, I have an AU comic set in the Cold War era where Superman is a communist and Batman is a terrorist. Now that's a movie I'd like to see.
 


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