My fantasy and idea here are two ways. Use Smallville or don’t use Smallville. The way the show is going, some true Superman fans are bitching not just about the soap opera context, but also Lex as a good guy. I have this vision of Lex always being the bad guy but showing the good guy image that is up till the end where the truth is revealed. And if you think about it long and hard it makes perfect sense to extend from the Smallville series after its final season. A huge following is emerging, new fans are emerging, and as the series is progressing the Superman origins are re-emerging. The question remains, why not do it? Warner Brothers has got Batman flowing perfectly, so why can’t they do the same with Superman?

Smallville's Kristin Kreuk, Tom Welling, and Michael Rosenbaum.

Now, if (and this is a big if) there was no Smallville and or WB just refuses the idea of using the show as a device to reintroduce Superman I would adapt "The Death & Life of Superman" by Roger Stern into a worthy screenplay. The story WB is playing with right now is quite frankly a joke by any standard. It sort of makes the Lois and Clark soap opera series years ago into a Shakespearean-like play. For me, this is unacceptable and not a good option. Even Kevin Smith thought of a better story! But if WB uses the death/life story of Superman it would justify the whole “re-imagine/rebirth” concept.

However, what WB is doing now presents a question of ethics in filmmaking. It’s not the same with Batman where finding a perfect story, a perfect cast, and a perfect director will please both the fans and kick the competition comic book studio’s asses.  But that’s not the case with Superman. It sounds like they are cashing in on big stars with a somewhat pathetic casino way. I think WB should approach this in an X-Men kind of style. Gamble on no names and big/respected stars that are more than willing to do this not for the opportunity but for the love of the story and icon itself. But the chances of that happening are as slim as a film based on Smallville.

It’s quite funny to see how far this project has gone and still nothing is happening. Tim Burton, Kevin Smith, Brett Ratner, Wolfgang Peterson, and McG all were attached at one time to direct Superman. After many screenplays and casting rumors there is still no direct path to this project. And I don’t expect this to be worked up and all planned out anytime soon. The film might be in development hell like Freddy vs. Jason and Spider-Man for another few years. 

It’s exciting to see how this project will shape up in terms of new technology. Nowadays you’ll really believe a man can fly. However, effects don’t necessarily account for a great story and they still need a lot of work in that department. I’m not ruling out the project all together, I have high hopes it will reach its finest point before it’s said and done.

Moreover, rumor mills are really decreasing expectations and from the looks of it the studio still doesn’t know what the hell it wants to do. If that’s the case I strongly advise the studio people and producers to sit/wait/and watch how much Smallville progresses. Tom Welling is a perfect Superman and Michael Rosenbaum is a perfect Lex. Why fuck that up? It was noted that Tom Welling stated he doesn’t want to wear the “S” suit. If WB is willing to cash in on big names, I think they can convince Tommy Boy to wear the suit. But what do I know?! I’m just one of a zillion fans who has an idea in what direction a new Superman should go!

If anything else, will WB ever top the 1978 Superman movie directed by Richard Donner? Effects wise, yes. Cast wise, it’s “possible” (and that’s just hinting upon if WB goes along with the Smallville direction.) Script and storytelling wise, probably not. Mario Puzo, who also wrote “The Godfather” novel, gave a direct and crafted story and screenplay, which can probably never be topped. The script and story is as good as the comics themselves. No way in hell will writers today top Puzo’s script. And in terms of the score, it’s a big “hell no.” John Williams’ original score is a masterpiece and just brilliant. If anything, a new composer will use the old themes in a new fashion (like what Mark Snow is doing with the Smallville score.) There is no point of recreating a score if a great score is already there and usable.

Smallville deserves a separate column altogether, but this gives you a hint of what direction I would take the Superman film(s):

Name: Son of Jor-El

Directed by: Keith Helinski

Screenplay by: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar and Keith Helinski

Produced by: Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Keith Helinski, and Richard Donner

Cast: Dean Cain (Jor-El), Tom Welling (Clark Kent/Kal-El/ Superman), Michael Rosenbaum (Lex Luthor), Sam Jones III (Pete Ross), Annette O'Toole (Martha Kent), Michael McKean (Perry White), Allison Mack (Chloe Sullivan), Kristin Kreuk (Lana Lang), Alexis Bledel (Lois Lane), Eddie Cahill (Zod), Joseph Mazzello (Jimmy Olsen), John Glover (Lionel Luthor), John Schneider (Jonathan Kent), and Christopher Reeve as Dr. Swann

Plot: The continuing saga of “Smallville” as well as the remake of “Superman: The Movie” and “Superman II.” Clark Kent has to choose between destiny and what he believes is the American way of truth and justice. Torn between a sudden death of his earth father and a new found betrayal between himself and his best friend, Lex; Clark heads up north to find answers while his real father’s past comes back to create havoc. This is the end of the Clark Kent Smallville saga and the beginning of the Superman saga.

Surprise twists/climaxes/interesting stuff: We open up just like Superman: The Movie - on Krypton and how it exploded. Later Jonathan Kent dies, Lionel Luthor gets killed, Zod comes to earth and causes havoc, Clark Kent has to choose between Smallville and his destiny, and Lex takes charge of Luthorcorp and goes ahead with experiments of Kryptonite, which comes back to haunt him in the third film. Betrayal invades Clark and Lex’s friendship as Clark finds out how Lionel Lurthor died. Clark applies to Daily Planet - he wears small glasses (not the kind of glasses Clark Kent in the stories is known for) and a semi-nice looking suit. He falls for Lois Lane while he is in a semi-long distance relationship with Lana. Meanwhile, Chloe becomes jealous and quits Daily Planet for CNN. Lex at one point sides with Zod to defeat all the people who helped him kill his father for nothing will be leaked out. In the end Clark decides Lois over Lana, so Lana moves far way from Smallville. Pete becomes a police officer for the Metropolis police department and Clark becomes Superman at the end of the film as a result of Zod's unspeakable powers against mankind. Finally, Lex comes to find Clark's secret and as demented as he is tries to defeat Clark/Superman - he respects Clark enough not to give out the secret...which leads into…

Will it have sequels?: Yep, it’s a three part film series (Son of Jor-El, Kal-El, and Doomsday) plus a three season TV series titled "Metropolis" and one final film called "Superman." I believe this follows the same pattern of the comics of a somewhat never-ending story.

Studio: DreamWorks and Warner Bros.

Rating: PG-13