Millar Talks ‘Superman’ Pitch
It’s no secret that Mark Millar wants in on Warner Bros.’ announced Superman relaunch. He’d hoped to write what ended up being Superman Returns, but was held back due to an exclusive contract with Marvel Comics. Recently, Millar put himself back in the mix for Kal El’s next adventure, alleging the attachment of a "big Hollywood action director" to his vision.
Empire Online has an interview with the Superman: Red Son writer about his take on the character’s film future. Millar hopes to film an eight hour saga, split over three years ala Lord of the Rings.
He unveils details of the would-be film, describing it thusly:
"I want to start on Krypton, a thousand years ago, and end with Superman alone on Planet Earth, the last being left on the planet, as the yellow sun turns red and starts to supernova, and he loses his powers.
"It’s gonna be like Michael Corleone in the Godfather films, the entire story from beginning to end," Millar continues. "You see where he starts, how he becomes who he becomes, and where that takes him. The Dark Knight showed you can take a comic book property and make a serious film, and I think the studios are ready to listen to bigger ideas now."
Millar says he understands what Bryan Singer went for with Superman Returns. "[Singer was going for an] homage to Richard Donner’s original vision," he says, "but I think you should pay homage by doing something completely different."
Unsurprisingly, Donner was tickled pink at Singer’s tribute to the 1978 Superman. However, in the face of an inevitable reboot, Donner agrees that a comic book writer should tackle the character… just not Mark Millar.
"I’d like to see Geoff Johns take a crack at Superman," Donner told the L.A. Times earlier this month. "I think he would be startling. Did you read his comics? There it is. It’s there on paper."
Johns, who previously worked as an assistant to Donner, collaborated with the filmmaker on a string of Superman comic book arcs, including "Last Son" and "Escape From Bizarro World." Clearly, then, he’s biased on the situation, but can he be blamed? Johns has written some truly excellent stories in Action Comics, most notably his recent "Brainiac" five parter that re-killed John Kent and leads into the current "New Krypton" arc.
Maybe it is Johns who should tackle the Man of Steel, but by all accounts, it sounds like Millar’s first on line. Who do you think would be the better man for the project? Sound off below!
I'd prefer no reboot at all, but if there has to be one, I hope it's not Millar. I don't need another Superman origins story. Just a Cyborg Superman, a Darkseid or a Doomsday. Anything but Krypton blowing up and Clark Kent running through wheat fields… the latter can be had every week on television!
I don't think his ending, although dramatic, makes any sense.Not exactly any place things can go from there.Why 'paint yourself into a corner'?
Please keep Mark Millar the hell away from the Superman movie franchise. Geoff Johns? Go right on in.
I just feel like the Superman Returns took the character plans we've already been and other places we didn't need to go.The Man of Steel is a much more positive character than that.A story that ends on a down note does not seem appropriate.
I think as a viable option, Johns is the safer route. WB/DC as movie makers should think long term, and that includes a Justice League maybe sometime after Avengers… Millar's take sounds fantastic, but showing the end of civilization might be a "little" over the edge for commercial franchises. I could be wrong, I do think Johns has the ability to distill characters (even with a huge history) while engraining them in really fun stories. Millar is a pro at "wide screen" comics, but as a proposed trilogy it sounds less like a franchise to me. Just my take.
Agreed.These films need to 'hang together' as a franchise.Uh…like the silver age comics did.
The problem I have with Superman (the character) is that in the 70+ years since he's shown up, we've lost perspective on what it means to have someone with his powers on a world full of humans. I think any Superman reboot should tie-in to the current Batman franchise.