Superman Returns

By: Corona's Coming Attractions
Date: Friday, April 22, 2005

Genre:
Superhero/Comic Book Adaptation/Action.

Studio:
Warner Brothers.

Production Company:
Unknown.

Project Phase:
In Development.

Who's In It:
Brandon Routh (Clark Kent/Kal-El/"Superman"); Kevin Spacey (Lex Luthor); Kate Bosworth (Lois Lane); Hugh Laurie (Perry White); James Marsden (Richard White).

Who's Making It:
Bryan Singer (Director); Dan Harris, Michael Dougherty (Screenwriters); Jon Peters (Producer?); Imageworks (Special Visual Effects); Mark Stetson (Special Visual Effects Supervisor); Stan Winston (Costume Designer - Superman?); John Ottman (Musical Score).

Premise:
After being sent to the planet Earth as an infant, the Kryptonian named Kal-El is raised by loving parents as their own child named Clark Kent. Discovering that Earth's yellow sun gives people from his world fantastic abilities, Clark fashions himself a red, blue and yellow costume and uses his powers for the good of humanity as Superman.

Release Date:
Summer 2006 (tentative).

Comments:

First Tim Burton was on the project, then he left it. After a number of years in limbo, CHARLIE'S ANGELS helmer McG came onboard -- and then he left too. McG was replaced by RED DRAGON and RUSH HOUR director Brett Ratner, but after failing to lure a star to play the Man of Steel, he also flew away. And then McG returned...and then he too was gone again. Now it's X-MEN's Bryan Singer turn at the blue and red spandex rollercoaster. Will Singer succeed where the others failed?

Scoop Feedback:

March 6, 2003... Two new casting rumors about Brett Ratner's SUPERMAN movie have surfaced in the past 24 hours. Both bits of speculation remain unconfirmed but as per usual, have caught the imaginations of fans looking for any news about this hot superhero project.

The first rumor appeared during yesterday's broadcast of E! NEWS LIVE and suggested that Jerry O'Connell (KANGAROO JACK) may be soon turning into the Man of Steel. Apparently O'Connell has been absent from recent episodes of his TV series CROSSING JORDAN, which lead to the rumor that he's being courted to play the new Superman.

The second rumor originated at THE Z REVIEW and quotes anonymous source saying that THE WEST WING star Rob Lowe is up for the role of Superman's adversary Lex Luthor. Lowe is scheduled to star in a new TV version of Stephen King's SALEM'S LOT, to be filmed in Australia, so if he were to be cast the picture would have to begin shooting a few months from now.

As is the nature with all rumors, everything needs to be weighed carefully and not taken as the gospel...at least until Warner Bros. or one of the stars themselves decides to comment on the gossip.

[Various.]

March 7, 2003... ANGEL's David Boreanaz and Jerry O'Connell addressed the latest SUPERMAN rumors...and one of them is really in the running to play the Man of Steel.

E! Online
published quotes from Boreanaz from a recent online chat held with the actor. "I don't know how that started, but it's not true," the actor who plays Angel said when asked. "It's amazing to me how it happens in this town. All these rumors are flying around. It spreads so fast."

But what about the story from earlier this week that Jerry O'Connell was also in the running for the part? E!'s Anderson Jones asked the actor point blank and got the confirmation he was looking for. "Yeah, I'm definitely right in there," O'Connell told the reporter. "There is some stiff competition, but I guarantee you I can do more push-ups than all those other guys."

O'Connell also revealed that the competition is fierce. He knows that some of the possible Superman contenders are Academy Award nominees but he hopes that he's got an edge up. "I know for a fact that I look good in blue Spandex," said the 29-year-old actor. "If it doesn't happen, SPACE GHOST is always an option."

And for a final comment on all the SUPERMAN casting rumors, Anderson called up X-MEN exec producer Tom DeSanto and asked him what he would do if he were in Warner Bros. position. "The only way to do Superman right is to find someone you never heard of so that you can buy into the illusion of Superman," said DeSanto. "Anyone who looks like they're past 30 should not be Superman." [E! Online.]

March 14, 2003... According to Variety, actor Paul Walker (THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS) removed himself from consideration to play the Man of Steel in the new SUPERMAN movie. The trade mag heard from a "source close to Walker" who said the rising star got cold feet over the three picture commitment that he would have to give Warner Bros. to play the superhero.

That leaves the choices down to two remaining candidates: Brendan Fraser (THE MUMMY) and THE GUIDING LIGHT soap star Matthew Bomer. Both actors have given screen tests for director Brett Ratner and are awaiting word whether they'll don the red, blue and yellow spandex.

Variety also reports that the film's budget is still perched at an astronomical $200 million dollars. The studio continues to look for ways to reduce costs. [Variety.]

March 17, 2003... As recently as last week, the trade magazine Variety reported that the candidates for who will play the next SUPERMAN are down to just two: Brendan Fraser and soap star Matthew Bomer. However, just this past weekend Coming Attractions was informed that another individual, previously unnamed by any news agency so far, has auditioned for the part: British-born actor Henry Cavill.

Speaking under the provision of anonymity, a source by the name "Mr. Glass" informed us that Cavill flew to Los Angeles ten days ago to meet with Warner Bros. executives as well as SUPERMAN director Brett Ratner. What was the result of Cavill's supposed meeting with the SUPER-staff? Our source swore that they didn't know the results of that meeting.

Cavill's biggest North American role was in last year's adaptation of THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO starring Guy Pearce and James Caviezel. Prior to his work in COUNT, the actor had smaller parts in various British TV shows and mini-series. His acting agency lists Cavill's most recent screen credit as HELLRAISER 7, playing no less than that film's leading man.

Compared to the other possible Supermen, Cavill is the baby of the bunch at just 2 months shy of turning 20. Brendan Fraser, the most well-known of the SUPERMAN frontrunners, is 34 years old while Matthew Bomer is ten years' Fraser's junior at 24 years. (For those keeping a complete score at home, already-eliminated candidate Paul Walker is 29 years old.)

A official inquiry has been made to Cavill's agency asking for confirmation or denial of our story and we await word back from them.

["Mr. Glass".]

Also making news today: according to a story appearing in today's issue of The Hollywood Reporter, SUPERMAN director Brett Ratner may already have left the project. The industry trade reports that Ratner's deal to direct SUPERMAN expired last Saturday and a new extension hasn't yet been announced. Given all of the recent casting troubles over who will wear the spandex and red cape, as well as reports of troubles between Ratner and other creative execs, could this be the straw that broke the camel's back? [THR.]

March 18, 2003... Today's The Hollywood Reporter says that the two men thought to be the top two choices to play the new SUPERMAN are now no longer being considered. Sources for the Reporter told the magazine that Brendan Fraser and Matthew Bomer were both considered and ultimately passed over.

As well, the industry trade reports that today is D-day for director Brett Ratner. Warner Bros. executives are expected to let Ratner know if he is still their man to direct the movie. Ratner's option to direct SUPERMAN, based on a script by J.J. Abrams, expired last Saturday.

With the news that the top two candidates for Superman are now out of the running and the possibility that there may yet again be a change of directors, it's growing increasingly likely that the project will not be starting production in the near future. [The Hollywood Reporter.]

March 20, 2003... Director Brett Ratner has made it official: he's no longer involved with Warner Bros. SUPERMAN. Releasing a statement to the industry trade magazines, Ratner said "The difficulty of casting the role of Superman has contributed to my decision. I appreciate the efforts of Warner Bros. and the entire production team during this process."

Coming Attractions was first told that Ratner may be thinking about departing the project two months ago, and that Warner Bros. was putting together a list of possible replacement directors. Things only proceeded to worsen, with the studio, Ratner and producer Jon Peters unable to find their new Man of Steel. Things finally reached breaking point when Ratner's option to direct the film with the studio expired last Saturday, freeing him to focus his energy on developing RUSH HOUR 3.

The two remaining top candidates for Superman, actors Brendan Fraser and Matthew Bomer, have apparently been informed their services will no longer be required. Save for J.J. Abrams script, which was in the process of being rewritten, it truly appears that the project has collapsed upon itself for a second time. [Variety, The Hollywood Reporter.]

May 5, 2003... Game developer/publisher Electronic Arts has purchased the video game rights to Warner Bros. upcoming SUPERMAN movie, the comic books and any animated shows that might be produced during the length of the contract. It's not known how many years the EA contract covers but it begins in 2004 and is good for any current or next generation consoles. New SUPERMAN game projects will be put into development as soon as the contract takes effect.

"We are extremely excited about creating a whole new look and feel for the universe of Superman characters," said John Riccitiello, President and COO of Electronic Arts in a press release announcing the partnership. "We'll work closely with Warner Bros. Consumer Products and DC Comics to make the games compatible with the evolution of this character and the highly-anticipated film to come." [Source: Electronic Arts.]

September 10, 2003... Robert from the impressive Superman V website has alerted us to a slew of photos allegedly taken by location scouts working on the new SUPERMAN film this past spring. These shots were taken in rural Washington state and show various angles of a rustic farm and the land it sits on, as well as local railroad tracks, bridges and a cemetary.

"I can't give much detail on how we got the shots, but I can guarantee you they are genuine," Robert wrote to us.

The site also has an exclusive interview with Ralf Mohr, one the former artists who worked on the earlier, aborted Tim Burton version of the project. "I sensed from what I was being told about the story that there was a lot of dithering and uncertainty going on, which is usually a bad sign," Mohr recalls of what happened. "I have a feeling the reason nobody could agree on what this film should be was because of a typical power struggle between clashing Hollywood egos."

And finally, the site has another exclusive interview, this one with set decorator Dawn Brown who discusses their short experience working on Burton's SUPERMAN. "Frankly, we were under the impression it was a sure thing," said Stone when the order came down from WB to close up shop. "It was quite a surprise when we were asked to pack up and go home."

[Thanks to Robert at Superman-V for sending us the info. Perry White has his eye on you.]

October 16, 2003... Sources for the Superman V.com website are saying that the prime candidate for the new Man of Steel is once again young British actor Henry Cavill. This site first mentioned Caville as a candidate last March, and Superman V.com's sources also heard the same rumor and reported on it last August.

According to the latest Superman V.com report, Cavill is now director's McG as well as producer Jon Peters first choice for the part of Superman. Even so the website knows just how tenuous these kind of reports can be, and how fast things can change. "Don't take this as gospel until WB issue a press release saying he has the role," adds the site's reporter.

We'll keep our own ears open and see what our sources have to say.

January 14, 2004... Last weekend the Fangoria Weekend of Horrors convention was held, and at one of the panels actress Selma Blair was helping to promote her upcoming film HELLBOY. According to a report published by Bloody Disgusting sent in by a reader that attended the con, Blair reportedly told the audience that she is "this close" to signing a deal to star in the new SUPERMAN movie. Blair didn't say what role she would be playing but the likely role for an actress her age with dark hair is Lois Lane, the Daily Planet's star reporter and love interest for the Man of Steel. [Bloody Disgusting.]

January 28, 2004... Last night a new source contacted this site with what they claimed was the latest casting information about McG's SUPERMAN. Since the scooper was new to us, we had no way to know if our leg was being pulled or not. Thankfully, the source also left us the means to contact them and find out who they are and how they came into this information, and today we did just that.

Our anonymous individual tells us that, as of yesterday afternoon, Warner Bros. has selected two frontrunners for roles in the new SUPERMAN film. They are Beyonce Knowles (AUSTIN POWERS IN GOLDMEMBER) in the part of Lois Lane and Johnny Depp (PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN) as Lex Luthor.

This same scoop is also being reported by Ain't It Cool News and Superhero Hype, and we did establish that the same source contacted both of these sites and also furnished them with the same info. Our source was forthcoming and explained that this is the new direction that WB and McG currently want to take the project. Whether these actors will wind up starring in the film once it is given a greenlight remains to be seen, but again, as of yesterday afternoon, they are the leading candidates.

[Our thanks to anonymous for sending us the scoop and trusting us to provide the means to contact them.]

May 20, 2004... We've been tipped by a scooper that Warner Bros. has selected ESC Entertainment to produce the visual effects for its upcoming SUPERMAN film. ESC is the San Francisco-based special effects firm that was created after the dissolution of Manex Visual Effects (the firm that created most of the effects for the first MATRIX film); many of the ex-employees of Manex went on to found and work at ESC. The company created the bulk of the major visual effects sequences for the two MATRIX sequels and went on to deliver effects for the remake of THE LADYKILLERS. They are currently working on two more Warner Bros. movie projects, namely CATWOMAN and CONSTANTINE.

According to the scooper, ESC is currently contracted to produce all of the visual effects for the new SUPERMAN, which would turn out to be a major task. No further details were given by our scooper. At the present time the website for ESC Entertainment does not list SUPERMAN among its list of projects. Given ESC's close ties to Warner Bros., it's more than feasible the studio chose to award the job to a company that has proven themselves more than capable in the past.

[Anonymous.]

Superhero Hype is reporting that Oscar-winning makeup artist/monster creator Stan Winston has been hired to create the new SUPERMAN costume for the upcoming movie. According to the Hype's source, the costume is being sculpted as if it's filled out to fit Superman's physique. The cape is reported to resemble latex.

While Winston and his team have worked on comic book movies before (they created the makeup for Danny DeVito in BATMAN RETURNS), this undoubtedly be the big crowl jewel of DC Comics family that they get to create. [Superhero Hype.]

May 24, 2004... Variety has confirmed our scoop from last week that ESC Entertainment will create the digital special effects for the new SUPERMAN film. The trade also confirmed Coming Soon's scoop that makeup mastro Stan Winston is indeed crafting the look of the new costume for the Man of Steel.

Variety says SUPERMAN is being eyed for a summer 2006 release. McG (CHARLIE'S ANGELS) is still attached as the director. The script is by J.J. Abrams (ALIAS). [Variety.]

May 26, 2004... Dark Horizons breaks word today from one of their sources that Johnny Depp, rumored to have been in the running for the role of Lex Luthor in the new SUPERMAN movie, is in fact interested in playing the part of Supes' father Jor-El.

But all is not so rosy in regards to the film's story. "New script draft is more action focused while the main storyline features promptly on Clark/Superman/Lois romance," spills Dark Horizons' spy. "A good portion of the screenplay is action, think of TOMB RAIDER. No story, all action. The origins are displayed, but downplayed, and this is indeed set as a more trendier and more fashionable update rather than a classic return to the comics roots one (ala BATMAN BEGINS)."

The Horizons mole also spills the news that Brendan Fraser is still interested in starring in the film...but not as the Man of Steel. Hit the Horizons link above to learn what role Fraser supposedly wants.

Over at Superman V, that website reports that Gilbert Adler has come onboard the project to serve as Executive Producer. Adler is a producer on CONSTANTINE and also worked on THIRTEEN GHOSTS, GHOST SHIP and STARSKY & HUTCH. Finally, the Superman V team reports that the Superman suit that Stan Winston is working on is supposed to not be the character's traditional red, blue and yellow tights but is of "Kryptonian origin". Alien power armor, anyone? [Dark Horizons, Superman V.]

June 7, 2004... The Superman V fansite reports that six actors are screentesting for the part of the Man of Steel this week starting today. Unfortunately, the site's source couldn't find out the names of the six that are testing for director McG. Names being bandied about once again are Jake Gyllenhaal and Henry Cavill but no Brendan Fraser (yet).

The site also reports that special effects firms Photon VFX and Giant Killer Robots are working on the movie's effects in some capacity. These two firms join the previously named ESC Entertainment as suppliers of FX sequences for the new SUPERMAN, and could be seen as a sign that this time things are moving towards a start of filming before the end of the year. [Superman-V.com.]

June 18, 2004... Today's Variety has a big story about the latest developments with Warner Bros. SUPERMAN movie project. According to the trade magazine, S.W.A.T. and FAST AND THE FURIOUS producer Neal Moritz and Gilbert Adler (CONSTANTINE, GHOST SHIP) are in talks to come serve as producers on SUPERMAN. Mortiz is the more trickier contract to work out; he's already got a deal with Columbia Pictures, but a plan may have already been brokered that would open the door for him to help the Man of Steel movie out of development hell. Adler already has a proven track record producing films for Warners so there's no problem with his deal.

What this latest development would mean to the sole producer already on the project, Jon Peters, is debatable. Peters has been trying to get the film off the ground for seven long years, burning through directors like Tim Burton and Brett Ratner and millions in development costs. With Adler and Mortiz involvement, Peters may wind up becoming less influencial to the project's creative storm.

The latest news comes hot on the heels of reports that screen tests were held for half-a-dozen possible SUPERMAN actors last week. Variety confirms the tests did go down and that actors Jason Behr (ROSWELL), Henry Cavill (THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO), Jared Padalecki (NEW YORK MINUTE) and Michael Cassidy were among the actors that tried out for the part. Director McG (CHARLIE'S ANGELS) remains involved with the production. And if everything and everyone can gel together nicely, filming could be underway before the end of the year. [Variety.]

June 21, 2004... Over the past weekend the CHUD movie website broke an interesting scoop about a possible heavy hitter emerging for the role of Lex Luthor in the ever-developing SUPERMAN movie. According to their source, CHUD reports that newly-added producer Neal Moritz would like to see Vin Diesel play Luthor in the picture. Moritz brought Diesel to the next level when the actor starred in THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS, which was produced by Moritz.

We know that our man Vin is already geek savvy, so he may already have an interest in playing the Man of Steel's Earthly yang. Diesel's latest film, the mega-sized CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK, isn't performing well at the box office, which may further make the prospect of starring in SUPERMAN, budgeted at $200 million dollars and hoped to be the first film in a new franchise, enticing in a business sort of way. [CHUD.]

June 25, 2004... McG has been the target of scorn and speculation, as well as some adulation, during his post-Brett Ratner reign as director of the new SUPERMAN movie over at Warner Brothers. But now several websites are reporting that McG is out, the creator of the BATMAN: DEAD END fan flick might be in, and that J.J. Abrams scripts (the latter drafts introducing a new Kryptonian suit) were tossed in the McTrash.

Superman-V.com says that McG was "Ratnered" after he failed to show for an Australian location scout, which compounded on his recent indecisiveness and apparent indifference. Dark Horizons and Project Voice say that the J.J. Abrams drafts of the script may be scrapped in favor of a new writer, and mention that J.J. intro'd a new black Kryptonian suit in later drafts.

And in the "If it's not a planted rumor then I'll eat Kandor" department, take a grain of Kryptonian salt when you read that Warners is trying to set up a meeting with Sandy Collura (creator of fan flick BATMAN: DEAD END) to talk about his "possible involvement." Now, if you were making decisions on a major, potentially billion-dollar franchise, would you put it in the hands of a newbie? (Watch DEAD END again before you answer that.)

After all this, the actual shooting the movie will be a cakewalk...

[Dark Horizons, Superman-V.com, Project Voice.]

July 9, 2004... According to an informant for IGN FilmForce, X-MEN director Bryan Singer and Warner Bros. President Alan Horn recently had a business dinner meeting, and a job was offered to the helmer: come direct the new SUPERMAN feature. Reportedly Singer is mulling over the offer.

If Singer decides to accept and be the new director of SUPERMAN, all plans for his proposed remake of LOGAN'S RUN would have to go immediately on hold. The decision may also force a delay on the development of X-MEN 3, or it might even force Fox to consider hiring a replacement for Singer. The studio has announced plans to begin filming X3 next year for a May 5, 2006 release.

In other SUPERMAN news, USA Today spoke with actor Shia LaBeouf at the premiere of his new movie, I, ROBOT. The young actor told the paper that he had just met with director McG earlier that day to discuss his possible role in SUPERMAN as Daily Planet photographer Jimmy Olsen. "The production's so locked down they said I can't even take the script home," said LeBeouf. "I have to go to Warner Bros. to read it and then leave it there."

LaBeouf did mention the leading candidates for two roles in SUPERMAN: if McG has his way and remains involved in the production, he wants Scarlett Johansson (LOST IN TRANSLATION) to play Lois Lane, Johnny Depp (SECRET WINDOW) for Lex Luthor and an unknown actor for the part of the Man of Steel. [IGN FilmForce, USA Today.]

July 12, 2004... He's officially outta there. CHARLIE'S ANGELS director McG has left the building and departed Warner Bros. SUPERMAN project, leaving it without a helmer once again.

The official reason that McG gave to the press as to why the Man of Steel is no longer in his future has to do with differences on where the studio wanted the film to shoot. According to the trades, McG had his heart set on filming the new SUPERMAN movie in New York City, ideally the closest counterpart on the planet to Metropolis, Superman's hometown. Instead, Warner Bros. wanted the picture (and still do) to shoot in Australia, saving them a couple of million bucks on the $200 million dollar budgeted film.

"When I flew to New York to scout, I became enamored with our greatest American city," McG is quoted as saying in Variety. "It was clear to me that this was Metropolis. As a filmmaker, I felt it was inappropriate to try to capture the heart of America on another continent. I look at Superman as a character that embodies all that is beautiful about America."

But don't count the project down and out just yet: confirming last week's scoop that first appeared on IGN FilmForce, one of our sources also has heard that Bryan Singer has been asked by Warner Bros. brass to come direct SUPERMAN. Our source hasn't strayed off-course before, and if they say Singer presently has the opportunity to direct SUPERMAN laid out in front of him, it's real. [Variety, The Hollywood Reporter.]

July 19, 2004... It's a done deal. After being first reported ten days ago as a rumor, Variety has confirmed that X-MEN director Bryan Singer has signed on to be the new director of Warner Bros. SUPERMAN film. Joining Singer will be his X2 writers Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty. The pair will write a fresh screenplay for Singer's SUPERMAN, and Warners still has it in mind to have the film shooting in Australia come November with a budget of $200 million dollars.

Departing the SUPERMAN project are producers Neal Moritz and Gilbert Adler. Variety is unclear whether producer Jon Peters -- who has been through this project back in the distant days when BATMAN director Tim Burton was involved -- will remain on under Singer's reign.

"My interest in Superman dates back many, many years," Singer told Variety. "In fact, it was the Richard Donner classic film that was my day-to-day inspiration in shaping the X-Men universe for the screen. I feel that Superman has been late in his return and it is time for him to fly again."

How this affects 20th Century Fox's attempts to nuture a third X-MEN movie remains unclear. Singer had been in negotiations with Fox to direct the next installment of the Marvel Comics film franchise, but with his new involvement on SUPERMAN now dominating his future, would Fox wait until Singer's schedule cleared up (which might be a year to 18 months away)? Chances are slim the studio would adopt such a strategy. At the present time Fox is still hoping for a May 2006 for X-MEN 3. One thing that is certain right now is Singer's plans to remake LOGAN'S RUN are on hold. [Variety.]

July 21, 2004...
The Superman-V website reports that X-MEN producer Lauren Shuler Donner and husband/director Richard Donner are in "deep negotiations" to come aboard Bryan Singer's SUPERMAN movie. The site goes on to say that Christopher Reeve will also be offered a producing role on the film.

If the rumors are true, the decision to get the Donners and Reeve involved could be viewed as a nod to both the success of X-MEN as well as Donner's first SUPERMAN film (you did know that Richard Donner directed the 1979 film, right?) If it helps any, our own spy network has also heard of the rumor that the Donners are in talks to serve as producers on the film.

In other SUPERMAN news, albeit a little more solid, longtime Singer collaborator/composer John Ottman has said that he will indeed compose and conduct the score for Singer's SUPERMAN movie as well as edit the picture. Speaking with Music From the Movies, Ottman went on the record and said "All I can say is that he [Bryan Singer] is going to do it. And yeah, I'm editing and scoring." [
Superman-V, Music From the Movies.]

August 24, 2004... The news of an open casting call for actors to play the new SUPERMAN has made the rounds and been confirmed, so we know that a search is on for thr young male actor to play the Man of Steel. But is there also a search on concurrent to the one for Superman to find the father of Clark Kent?

According to the sender of an anonymous scoop, auditions for the part of Jonathan Kent, one-half of the husband-wife couple that discover the baby Superman and raise him as their son Clark, are underway and they know of one actor that has tried out for the part: John Saxon. Genre-wise, Saxon is probably best known for playing the part of Lieutenant Thompson in A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET, the father to Heather Lengenkamp's Nancy character. The 69-year-old actor has a long list of credits and chances are if you've seen a few late night movies, you've seen Saxon's work. He's appeared in BLACK CHRISTMAS, ENTER THE DRAGON, BATTLE BEYOND THE STARS, BLOOD BEACH, BEVERLY HILLS COP III and FROM DUSK TILL DAWN just to name a few of his better known roles.

Our scooper said that the actor auditioned for the part in Los Angeles last week and was hopeful that his work would meet with the approval of SUPERMAN director Bryan Singer. We may be reading too much into this but one interesting aspect of the scoop was that the part was referred to as being "Pa Kent" and not "Jonathan Kent" as the character is referred to on SMALLVILLE. If indeed the character is being written as Pa Kent that would be congruent with the character's name in Richard Donner's 1979 movie (as played by Glenn Ford.) We're hanging on to a couple of details in the hopes our scooper will return with more news.

[Anonymous.]

August 25, 2004... IESB.net is reporting the story that, according to a source that they spoke with, one of Bryan Singer's cast member from the X-MEN films is his first choice for the part of Superman's father in the new SUPERMAN film. Referring to a contact that they know works in a public relations firm in Hollywood, the site claims that Singer wants Patrick Stewart to play Jor-El, the doomed Kryptonian scientist and father of baby Kal-El, the child that he would send to Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. "I think what the deal is is that they want to surround an unknown with slightly more marketable names," explained the contact, referring to Singer's alleged desire to cast an unknown actor in the role of the new Superman.

Whether <>i>IESB's source is on the up and up isn't for ourselves to say, but they did also repeat the scoop we published yesterday that John Saxon had gone in to test for the part of Superman's Earth Dad, Jonathan Kent. Their insider also drops the names of other prospective pops that auditioned for the part, namely Gary Cole, Robert John Burke and David Keith. [IESB.net.]

October 18, 2004... It appears that one of the great mysteries surrounding the development of a new movie has been uncovered by the online community. Over the past weekend at least three movie websites have published the name of an actor that they believe will play the role of the Man of Steel in the new SUPERMAN film: 25-year-old Brandon James Routh.

The site that is being credited as breaking the information first is Latino Review, followed by confirmation from Superhero Hype and Dark Horizons sources.

Routh has made guest appearances in such television shows as WILL & GRACE, COLD CASE, GILMOUR GIRLS, the soap opera ONE LIFE TO LIVE and MTV's UNDRESSED. While not a rookie actor, Routh does fit the mold of being an "unknown", something that SUPERMAN director Bryan Singer has stated that he wants for his project.

Dark Horizons followed up on the story by reporting that Singer's version of Krypton and the Fortress of Solitude will closely follow the production design of Richard Donner's 1978 SUPERMAN while the Hype printed from their source that General Zod will be used "in some capacity" in the film.

After the news started making the rounds on the Web, Routh's personal website was deluged with traffic and has temporarily gone down due to exceeding its bandwidth allotment. Ironically, there are a number of photos from Routh's website showing him wearing a Clark Kent costume from a Halloween party he attended last year -- and under the shirt a Superman costume can be plainly seen.

If the stories are true Warner Bros. will likely be making an official announcement shortly. [Latino Review, Superhero Hype, Dark Horizons.]

October 20, 2004... Now that the new Man of Steel has been minted by Bryan Singer, one of the remaining casting mysteries for the new SUPERMAN film is: who will play Lois Lane?

This new scooper claims to know who it's down to and told us the six actresses that are supposedly on the callback list. We know the ID of our scooper and they also told us where (in a roundabout fashion) that they heard this info from and they claim it comes from a reliable contact of theirs. Three of the names mentioned on the list have been referred to on other websites, so perhaps the scooper is also tapped into the same source that these other reports are originating from. For now, take it with a grain of salt as we don't have a prior history with our new pal -- but if it turns out that the new Lois does indeed comes from this list, then we've got a new contact that has earned our trust.

According to the scooper, these six actresses are presently frontrunners for the part of Lois Lane in SUPERMAN. In alphabetical order they are:

Mischa Barton (THE O.C.)
Charisma Carpenter (ANGEL)
Mia Kirshner (THE CROW: CITY OF ANGELS)
Evangeline Lilly (LOST)
Natalie Portman (STAR WARS: ATTACK OF THE CLONES)
Keri Russell (FELICITY)

We've seen three of the actresses mentioned before. Barton and Portman have been both linked as being a possible Lois for a number of months now, and two days ago the movie website JoBlo.com was the first to report Evangeline Lilly as another candidate. That site's source also told them that Singer had narrowed the short list down to four names, two less than what we were told it stands at.

Let's see where it goes from here.

[Name withheld, you damn well know who you are.]

October 22, 2004... It's official.

Warner Bros. Pictures.

Late last night Warner Bros. issued a press release announcing that it has cast Brandon Routh in the part of SUPERMAN. Also contained in the statement were comments by SUPERMAN director Bryan Singer about the casting of Routh as well as the interesting fact that the movie (which many have been calling SUPERMAN RETURNS) remains untitled by the studio.

Here's the full WB press release:

SUPERMAN

ONE LIFE TO LIVE

GILMOUR GIRLS

WILL & GRACE

COLD CASE

DEADLY

[Warner Bros. Pictures.]

October 29, 2004... Sony Picture Imageworks has landed the job of providing the special effects for Bryan Singer's SUPERMAN RETURNS. Mark Stetson (PETER PAN, CHARLIE'S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE) will act as the film's visual effects supervisor. The Hollywood Reporter states the picture has a need for about 800 effect shots, about the same number that SPIDER-MAN 2 had.

Filming is still scheduled to begin on SUPERMAN RETURNS early next year in Australia, with Brandon Routh slated to play the Man of Steel. [The Hollywood Reporter.]

December 1, 2004... While speaking with Sci Fi Wire, actor Kevin Spacey confirmed reports that he has been asked to play the role of Lex Luthor in Bryan Singer's new SUPERMAN movie. "They want me to do it," Spacey told the website. "It's all a matter of scheduling."

Spacey has two reasons why he's mulling over the decision to go bald or not. First, he'd again have the opportunity to work with Singer, the director of one of the actor's most memorable roles in THE USUAL SUSPECTS. Second, since SUPERMAN is a big-budget, high-profile tentpole film it would give Spacey more opportunities in the future to do smaller scale pictures or theater projects without having to worry about money matters.

"You get paid more money when you do those kind of movies," Spacey added. "I do more independent movies and I certainly produce more independent movies than big studio films. I want to be in the game, and being in the game allows me to do the other stuff that I want to do. So I'll always try to balance that. SUPERMAN is a big franchise; there's no doubt about it."

[Sci Fi Wire.]

January 7, 2005... Both The Hollywood Reporter and Variety are running stories that Kate Bosworth (BLUE CRUSH) and Kevin Spacey (BEYOND THE SEA) are close to signing onboard Bryan Singer's SUPERMAN. Bosworth would play fiesty Daily Planet star reporter Lois Lane while Spacey would play Superman's arch-nemesis Lex Luthor.

As online readers will know, the Spacey as Lex story had been confirmed a couple of weeks ago. When journalists asked if Spacey was up for the part during interviews for BEYOND THE SEA, the actor confirmed that he was considering whether to play Luthor or not.

Additionally, the place that deserves the credit for being the first to break the Bosworth casting story should be the Superman-V website; they broke the news first on December 31, a full week before it hit the trades.

What is new is this quote about the storyline for the new SUPERMAN, attributed to Singer and from Variety: "It's not an origin story; I didn't want to remake what Richard Donner did so well in the original, and didn't want to tread on the great work they're doing on SMALLVILLE. He's already part of the culture; he has left the planet. This is the story of his return."

[Superman V, The Hollywood Reporter, Variety.]

January 13, 2005... Hugh Laurie and James Marsden have joined the cast of Bryan Singer's SUPERMAN movie, with the first actor ending speculation as to who will get to play Clark Kent's boss in the film.

Laurie, who can currently be seen headlining the Fox drama series HOUSE (which is also executive produced by Singer), is in final discussions to play Daily Planet Editor-in-Chief Perry White. Marsden, who worked for Singer before playing Cyclops in the two X-MEN films, has been cast as the love interest for Lois Lane, a fellow named Richard White. Did you notice that both Laurie and Marsden's characters share the same last name? According to The Hollywood Reporter, the two Whites are indeed blood relations but Warner Bros. isn't talking as to their exact family connection with each other.

With the addition of these two gentlemen to the game, and Brandon Routh (Superman/Clark Kent), Kevin Spacey (Lex Luthor) and Kate Bosworth (Lois Lane) to the team, all the major roles seem to be filled -- except for the rumored parts of General Zod and Superman's father, Jor-El. [The Hollywood Reporter.]

February 3, 2005... Eva Marie Saint has been cast as Martha Kent, Superman's adoptive mother.

March 4, 2005... Superman-V.com recently talked with composer John Ottman about some of his upcoming projects, including SUPERMAN RETURNS directed by Bryan Singer.

Rumors are swirling about in terms of John Williams score for SUPERMAN being used in some form. Ottman said, "Well, the intent right now is to use at least a version of the main theme or make a very respectable nod to it. But it's so early in the game. Films tend to evolve in ways one would never expect." He also added that, "There's no ego here, especially in the shadow of The Master!"

March 18, 2005... Warner Bros. Pictures and Bryan Singer have hired Park Posey to play Kitty Koslowski, Lex Luthor's villainous henchwoman. [The Hollywood Reporter.]

April 5, 2005... Warner Bros. Pictures and Bryan Singer have cast Frank Langella as newspaper editor Perry White in SUPERMAN RETURNS. Hugh Laurie originally was cast in the role but had to exit due to a scheduling conflict with his Fox TV series on which he stars, "House." [Variety and The Hollywood Reporter.]

April 6, 2005... Warning: This news update contains some spoiler information about "Superman Returns". Australia's Channel 7 TV breakfast show "Sunrise" aired a world exclusive on-set interview with Bryan Singer this morning. The young Channel 7 reporter managed to gain access to the Smallville set up in Breeza (near Tamworth) and spoke to Bryan Singer, who took him on a short tour of the set. Most of what was shown has already been seen by Superman fans thanks to Bryan Singer's own Video Diaries at BlueTights.net. However, when asked about the crashed spaceship, Bryan Singer confirmed that it is NOT his childhood spacecraft, but rather his adult spacecraft... the space vehicle he returns in after being away in a self-enforced exile from earth. [Superman Homepage.]

April 22, 2005...BrandonRouth.com and USA Today released pictures of the new Superman suit. Per USA Today, the suit has a few "subtle changes": 1) The S insignia is slightly smaller and higher on his chest, and instead of being painted on, it's more of a three-dimensional plate. 2)An insignia has been added to the belt buckle. 3) The shades of the suit are slightly darker. The belt is more golden, and the cape is a deep scarlet. [USA Today.]

Superman Returns

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