Superman - Christopher Nolan Reboot 2012

It is now very well known that Christopher Nolan, the man who brought us Batman back to the big screens in a way we all loved and respected is now helming a new Superman movie reboot. Nolan will be ‘godfathering’ the movie (no doubt producing) in what is expected to be his brother, Jonathan Nolan, first Directing debut.
While fans are elated that Superman will be getting the ‘Dark Knight treatment’, the main question that surrounds the reboot is just who will now play the Man Of Steel?



It was announced in March 2010 that the Nolan brothers will be bringing us a Superman reboot. The subject of the movie arose when Christopher Nolan was talking to writer David Goyer about ideas for their sequel to the Dark Knight when conversation drifted off to the idea of how to approach a new Superman movie.

Chris Nolan stated…. “[David] basically told me, ‘I have this thought about how you would approach Superman…I immediately got it, loved it and thought: That is a way of approaching the story I’ve never seen before that makes it incredibly exciting. I wanted to get Emma and I involved in shepherding the project right away and getting it to the studio and getting it going in an exciting way.”

In true Nolan fashion, not much about this film has been given away, however some details, although very little have been shared about how to bring the character back to true form on the big screen by the Nolan’s……‘Superman needs a powerful antagonist, a worthy opponent and that the idea of evoking Superman as an ‘angry god’ seems interesting‘. ….. I’d say!

The lack of details hasn’t stopped movie fans speculating all over the internet on just who…and who they think should take on the role of the Man Of Steel, and what they would like/expect to see of the movie.

THE 411.....

Who will/should take on the role?

Brandon Routh

We ‘almost’ saw the franchise resurrected from the Christopher Reeve days of Superman with Bryan Singers Superman returns in 2006. The movie saw Brandon Routh take on the mantel of the famous DC character, and although the movie was a financial success, fans were disappointed claiming that it was too much of a homage towards Christopher Reeve and Richard Donner which didn’t go anywhere new, also WB had expected it to do better and disappointed with box office takings. The whole Son of Superman sub plot also sunk like a lead balloon!!!!!!!!!
Brandon Routh has stated eagerly that he would love to reprise his role in the new reboot, and many fans that liked the Singer movie and liked him as the character would love to see him back in his blue tights and red cape.
However although Nolan has indeed confirmed he will offer Routh a screen-test as he certainly looks the part, Nolan is worried that people will see it as a direct sequel to Superman Returns which many fans share his opinion. Also the Nolan’s want to portray alter ego Clark Kent as a Dynamic reporter rather than a unassuming bumbling klutz of the Richard Donner interpretation that Singer carried on.
As much as I personally loved Brandon Routh as the role, I don’t think he will don the Superman suit for this movie, which is unfortunate and a little unfair. He played Superman brilliantly, especially a Superman that fans of the Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve days we all knew and loved but them days have moved on and we are wanting so much more from this reboot.

Tom Welling

You only have to search on the internet for fan favourite to play Superman and this guy turns up every time! Tom Welling has portrayed Clark Kent/Superman for 10 years now in the very successful TV series of Smallville. Now fans are protesting for Nolan to finally let Welling portray Supes on the big screen. Welling has expressed interest in the role but has stated this….."I've always been open to the idea but it's not as simple as everybody would like to think. It's not as simple as me wanting to do it or not wanting to do it.
"I know that a lot of people jump on me or jump on Warner Bros - it's just not that simple and so there's a lot of elements that have to come together. I've always been open to it."
Now I’m a huge fan of Smallville, and there are millions of us, even if there is thousands that despise the show. Weather you love or hate Smallville, Tom Welling’s portrayal of the ‘Last Son Of Krypton’ is nothing short of fantastic! If you have watched this guy act this character for as long as I and Smallville watchers have you can’t help but gun for him to play the role on the big screen, I know I would really welcome it. However, this presents many problems!
Nolan will not want (and has confirmed), as will many fans, a big presentation of Smallville, or a direct TV to movie monologue (think Sex and the City) with this reboot. And I have to say, even though a fan of Smallville, its not what I want either! The Nolan’s want their own interpretation of the Superman story, and that’s what I’m most looking forward too after what they have done with the Batman franchise. Casting Tom Welling for the role (and indeed any other actors/actresses from Smallville) might confuse fans in thinking is this a reboot, or a TV too movie transcript.
I would love to see Welling cast as I do think he would be brilliant for the role, especially deserving a shot, but the problems it may create in Nolan’s universe can’t be ignored.

Jon Hamm

The most recent rumours and sources point towards Mad Men’s Jon Hamm considered for the title role by Warner Brothers. TMT’s sources state that Hamm is being ‘seriously considered’ for the role. Hamm had previously played arch nemesis Lex Luthor which had proven very popular in the Funny-or-die skit’. He was also considered for the role of Green Lantern in the upcoming movie of the same title now being played by Ryan Renolds.
A huge problem is that he is 39 years of age, and if WB want to make this a popular franchise again, which they obviously do, will this work?
My answer is NO, and I mean NOOOOO!…… HAVE A WORD WITH YOURSELF WB! As much as he may look the part now, by the time the release date of this movie, 2012, and its sequels being a few years in-between each other do we really think a grey haired…old-enough-to-be a-Grandad Superman will work? No disrespect to Jon Hamm, I like his work, but this is my least favourite choice and am hoping the rumours disperse faster than a speeding bullet!

Joe Manganiello

True Blood star Joe Manganiello has also been said to be campaigning for the role. The actor is 33 years of age, and although early 30’s rather than knocking on 40, it may present the same problems as what was previously stated with Jon Hamm. However this choice is interesting. The guy, if your not a follower of True Blood, isn’t that well known amongst many movie goers which proves popular for casting in this such role (both Reeve and Routh were both relatively unknown before Superman), and his physique as you can see pictured above, is quite ‘super’. Not knowing much of his acting abilities I did check him out on a few episodes of True Blood, and I must say I could really see him in the Superman role. He looks like he could leap a building in a single bound, and he can act…….so I’ll say again, the choice is interesting!




What do we expect from a Superman reboot?

I for one have complete faith in the Nolan’s for this reboot! Their movie projects are un-deniably brilliant and they know just how to tap into stories right. The now Batman franchise proves just how they can revive an iconic DC character, and for me this is my most anticipated movie in the next few years.

The Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve movies especially the original movie and its first sequel ( I won’t mention the disastrous Supes 3&4) are still loved and respected by me and many fans. But now we want Superman back and done right which is what Bryan Singer was unfortunately unable to do (although I will still state, minus the ‘Superboy’ element, really liked).
The problem with Superman Returns, is that they give, yet again the most powerful superhero the same villain, Lex Luthor. Now although Lex is a much loved villain, we kind of get bored really quick, he doesn’t evoke enough of a threat to show off all of Superman’s strength and powers, and seems sometimes easy too overcome. We want someone who could give the Man of Steel a run for his money!
Superman has a huge rogue gallery of villains which the big screen visions have never properly used other than Superman 2 with General Zod which is my favourite Superman movie. If Singer had used for instance Braniac along with Lex Luthor in Superman returns, or even Bizarro, maybe he would be back in the directing chair now. I also like fan and Smallville concept of making Lex Luthor friend at first rather than foe.
What we want is more action, this dude can fly and beam lasers from his eyes! So lets bring it on! And give us a superhero action epic! We demand a great villain, a great story, and the mythology of Superman done right and make us believe a man can really fly again! And on a personal note, please please no Superboy sub plot.

The expected release date for this movie is sometime in December 2012, although as it is early days that may and probably will change. The tentative title for this movie is at the moment ‘Superman: Man Of Steel’.
I will be continuously updating this story with any recent news on the movie as soon as it comes in!

Who would you like to see take the title role of Superman? What would you like to see in this reboot? Please leave your comments below!