SUPERMAN RETURNS

'''Superman Returns''' is a 2006 superhero film based on the fictional DC Comics character Superman. It was directed by Bryan Singer and stars Brandon Routh, Kate Bosworth and Kevin Spacey. The screenplay was written by Michael Dougherty & Dan Harris, based on a story by Bryan Singer, Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty.
A relaunch of the Superman franchise that took over a decade to get off the ground, and nearly twenty years since the release of the last Superman film, ''; the film revolves around Superman's return to Earth after a five-year absence. Director Bryan Singer has said that the continuity is "branching off from" elements of "the first two Superman films with Christopher Reeve,"^[2] which serve as, as he puts it, a "vague history."^[3]

Contents

Plot

Production

Budget

Filming

Visual effects

Promotion

Release

Reaction

Soundtrack

Sequel

Adaptations

References

External links

Plot

The film begins as we learn that Superman has been missing for five years. He has travelled to where astronomers believed they had discovered the remains of Krypton. Then Superman returns to Earth, crashing back into his adoptive mother's crop field in a craft like the one that delivered the baby Kal-El. He awakes the next morning reminiscing about his childhood. He returns to the The Daily Planet and his life as Clark Kent in Metropolis. He learns Lois Lane is now a mother and has won the Pulitzer Prize for her article ''"Why the World Doesn't Need Superman."''

During Superman's absence, Lex Luthor has been released. While he is gone Superman misses the trial to testify againt Lex, who, upon his release, tricks a rich widow into a sham wedding to get his hands on her money. Lex travels to the Fortress of Solitude and steals Kryptonian crystals and returns to Metropolis and experiments with a tiny fragment in a pool which grows to immense size. The growing crystal causes a blackout, interfering with the test flight of a new space shuttle tethered to a Boeing 777 — a plane which Lois Lane is aboard, covering the story. Clark flies into action as Superman and stops the plane from crashing into a baseball field.
The world rejoices in Superman's return, but Lois is more concerned with the blackout. Clark meets her fiancé Richard White, nephew of ''Daily Planet'' editor-in-chief Perry White, and their son, Jason. Superman is emotionally hurt when he overhears a conversation between Lois and Richard in which she says she never loved Superman. He buries himself in his work, including halting a bank heist and saving Kitty, Luthor's co-conspirator. While Kitty distracts Superman, Luthor steals kryptonite from a museum. Perry assigns Lois to interview Superman whilst Clark investigates the blackout. At night, Lois goes out for a smoke on top of the ''The Daily Planet'' and Superman takes her for a flight, during which he apologizes for leaving her.
After her latest Superman interview, Lois splits with Perry over her guilt of winning a Pulitzer for her controversial essay, and Kitty has a falling-out with Luthor about his plot to have baited her while the heist was in progress. Lois focuses her attention on the blackout again and ascertains its origin. Lois and Jason sneak onto Luthor's ship, not realizing who owns it, and are captured. Luthor reveals his grand scheme: using one of the stolen Kryptonian crystals to grow a new landmass, even though he is aware it will destroy already existing continents and kill billions. He also inquires as to who is the father of Jason after noticing Lois' reaction to the kryptonite being near her son. Luthor launches the crystal—now encased in green kryptonite—into the sea, causing a chain reaction resulting in its massive growth. Lois faxes their co-ordinates to ''The Daily Planet'' and is attacked by a henchman. The henchman is hit by a piano, appearing as though Jason threw it at him; afterward, Lois and Jason are imprisoned in a galley. Luthor hears of the incident and flees in a helicopter. The landmass' growth causes destruction in Metropolis, to which Superman attends, and Richard arrives in a sea plane to rescue Lois and Jason from the ship, which splits in half and sinks with them trapped inside. Superman rescues them and he then flies off to find Luthor, who has returned to the landmass.
Meeting Luthor, Superman discovers the landmass is filled with kryptonite, which allows Luthor and his henchmen to beat and torture him. Luthor stabs Superman with a shard of kryptonite, after which he falls into the ocean. Lois makes Richard turn back to rescue Superman, and she removes the kryptonite from his back. Superman regains consciousness, gathers more energy from the Sun, and lifts the landmass, by putting layers of earth between him and the kryptonite to protect him from it. Luthor and Kitty escape in their helicopter, but not before Kitty tosses away the crystals; she and Luthor are stranded on a desert island some time later. Superman throws the landmass into space, but, weakened by the kryptonite, crash-lands in Metropolis. The doctors cannot penetrate his body with their medical equipment but manage to remove the rest of the kryptonite from his wound. While Superman remains in a coma, Lois and Jason visit Superman at the hospital, where, careful not to let Jason overhear, Lois whispers a secret in Superman's ear. Superman later awakens and flies to see Jason, reciting his father's last speech to him as he sleeps. Lois also starts writing another article, entitled ''Why the World Needs Superman''.

Production

''X-Men'' director Bryan Singer turned down directing '' to direct ''Superman Returns''. Because of his Academy Award-winning performance in Singer's film ''The Usual Suspects'' and friendship with the director, Kevin Spacey was immediately cast as Luthor.^[4] He in turn suggested Kate Bosworth, who played his wife, Sandra Dee, in the film ''Beyond the Sea'', for Lois Lane, and she was hired after Singer saw her screen-test.^[5] Singer, unlike previous directors, stated his Superman, like Christopher Reeve, should be an unknown. After viewing hundreds of auditions and casting calls from the previous directors who were attached, he found a 24-year-old bartender from Iowa named Brandon Routh, whose mid-western roots and meekness seemed to fit Clark Kent's bumbling persona and his frame and charisma suited the role of Superman. Routh got the part after a meeting with Singer, spilling a drink on the director in the process, which a panicked Routh believed to have cost him the part. Nevertheless, the misfortune, Singer admitted, is what helped him choose Routh because he saw Clark's clumsiness in the young actor. In 2005, Brandon Routh was introduced for the first time to the media as the new Man of Steel.^[6] Hugh Laurie was cast as Perry White, but had to quit due to his role in the series ''House'', being replaced by Frank Langella. ^[7]

Rather than adapting an existing storyline, Singer chose to write a draft of an original story. Singer didn't want to do an origin movie, as he considers ''Superman'' to be a classic (as he had seen the film many times while filming ''X-Men''), so he decided to do a return storyline. With his previous writers from ''X2'', Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty, Singer created a script that was a semi-sequel to the original film with very little ties to ''Superman II''. His first draft included the character of General Zod, whom he wanted to be played by Jude Law, his first and only choice for the role. When Law turned down the part three times, Singer eliminated the character from the script. The most difficult challenge, he admits, was finding the obstacle that would be impossible for Superman to overcome: the passage of time and change. According to Singer, Lois' son Jason is a permanent reminder of this.
While Superman's costume has undergone a variety of changes over the decades, the costume in this movie has been updated for the 21st century and clearly has modern and retro influences. The color scheme is darkened several shades so that bright primary colors are less visible and the material has a deep, webbed texture that is visible on close-up shots. The Superman chest emblem is now a much smaller raised 3D-piece. At San Diego Comic Con 2005, Bryan Singer stated that the original silk-screened emblem looks like a billboard, while the new shield has an advanced alien look. The emblem itself is embossed with hundreds of smaller emblems.
The cape does not sport the large yellow and black emblem, and it now has a visible liner of a different material. The neck-line of Superman's top has been changed from a wide scoop-neck to a crew-neck cut. The boots have also been changed, they are now a shorter, mid-calf length with a slightly rubbery appearance for the sole as well as the Superman emblem in varying sizes on the bottom. Finally, the belt and buckle are changed to include the addition of the Superman emblem. Several of these changes were inspired by the Superman costume from Superman cartoons produced by Fleischer Studios in the 1940s, that was inspired by the original Golden Age comics Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster.

Budget

The film initially was speculated as having a budget as high as US$ 260,000,000,^[8] which would have made it the 2nd most expensive film ever (as of August 2006). According to various articles, the development process had utilized "pay or play" contracts, meaning that those involved were paid even if production did not commence as planned. According to Variety, these development costs exceeded $40 million before Bryan Singer came aboard.^[9] On the site TheNumbers.com, Bryan Singer was quoted as saying the budget for ''Superman Returns'' was $250 million in late 2004.^[10] He later denied that figure.^[11] In February 2006, Warner Bros. had unofficially put the budget at $184 million, "factoring in tax breaks offered in Australia."^[12] In a July 2006 interview with ''Newsweek'', Bryan Singer quoted the final production budget number as $204 million.^[13] On October 30, Variety reported that studio placed the cost at $209 million after factoring in tax rebates and incentives.^[14]

Filming

Shooting of ''Superman Returns'' began during February 2005 in Australia, on locations that included a farm outside of the regional town of Gunnedah in North West NSW and Sydney. Other scenes were shot in various parts of the United States. The film was shot entirely on high-definition video using Panavision Genesis cameras. Singer said the first cut of the movie was 2 hours and 45 minutes.^[15]

Visual effects

Using footage from the original ''Superman'' film as a reference point, Marlon Brando was re-created using computer technology. In addition to the footage, photography was also scanned using a cyberscan and a lumispheric scan to re-create Brando's appearance.^[16] In June 2006, Rhythm and Hues, the studio that created the special effect, released a video detailing the process.^[17] The video is available on the 2-Disc special edition DVD release of the film, but different music plays and the video ends with credits.
The opening credits for ''Superman Returns'' are presented in a deliberate recreation of the style used for ''Superman'', again to the accompaniment of John Williams' theme music. However, the new graphics differ in several respects. They are of a duller shade of blue (changing to red for Brandon Routh's and Kate Bosworth's credits) and lack the 'soaring' sound effect that accompanies their predecessors. They are also of a taller font, with some letters visibly conjoined. In addition, whereas the originals change direction (zooming away from the viewer after the appearance of the 'S' symbol), the new ones consistently travel towards the audience. Because of the number of co-production credits that precede it, the 'S' symbol arrives slightly later on screen. The camera flies through space at breakneck speed throughout the entire sequence, following the path of Superman's return to Earth from Krypton. (in the 1978 film the flying sequence was just the opposite- flying to Krypton from the Earth) The sequence for ''Superman Returns'' was designed by Kyle Cooper.

Promotion

Warner Brothers promoted ''Superman Returns'' very heavily prior to its cinematic release. During production, Singer released a series of 'video diaries' on the internet at BlueTights.net, giving almost unprecedented up-to-date insight into the behind-the-scenes work being done on what would normally be a very secretive production. However, after 27 installments, the video diaries stopped for a while shortly before the teaser trailer debuted. On November 17, 2005, Warner Bros. released the teaser trailer,^[18] containing John Williams' music and Marlon Brando's dialogue from ''Superman''. The main theatrical trailer premiered online on May 2, 2006.^[19] It appeared in theatres on May 5, 2006, along with prints of ''. On May 19, 2006 with UK prints of ''The Da Vinci Code'', the studio released the film's international trailer. A second full version was issued with some prints of '' on May 26, 2006. A third trailer appeared on the film's new official website in June, 2006.^[20] It also appeared online before the new site came on in the end of May.
Warner Bros rolled out an immense list of tie in products and companies which included General Mills, Burger King, Duracell, Pepsi, Doritos, Papa John's, 7/11, and Colgate. Warner Bros advertised the movie on the Red Bull Racing Formula One cars for the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix; David Coulthard managed to get the team's first podium that day as well. On the podium, Coulthard also wore a Superman cape in celebration of his achievement.^[21] NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon also sported the "Man of Steel" look by promoting the movie on his #24 Chevrolet Monte Carlo in the 2006 Pepsi 400 at Daytona International Speedway.
Along similar lines, Troy Bayliss appeared in promotional 'Superman' leathers and sported a cape on the podium following a win and a 2nd place at the British World Superbike round at Brands Hatch on his way to winning that year's championship.^[22]
On May 11, 2006 Warner Bros began a campaign of nine different television commercials, and released eleven clips of ''Superman Returns'' through various websites midway through June. The iTunes Music Store also released an exclusive premiere scene, and was first made available on June 20, 2006.^[23]
'', a documentary covering the history of the Superman franchise, was released just prior to the film. Along with input from Bryan Singer, the documentary contains commentary from other past and present actors, directors, writers, artists, and fans, and was narrated by Kevin Spacey.

Release

''Superman Returns: An IMAX 3D Experience'' was released simultaneously in 111 IMAX format theatres world-wide, which (in some theaters) included approximately 26 minutes of specially converted 3D material. It is the first Hollywood live-action film to be released in this combined format.^[24][25]
The DVD release of ''Superman Returns'' was released on November 28, 2006. There are three versions available: a single-disc version, a 2-disc Special Edition, and an exclusive 3-Disc version available only through Circuit City. The third disc features the documentary "The Science of Superman."
The single-disc edition has no extra features, while the 2-disc edition has over 3 hours of bonus material, including deleted scenes and a behind-the-scenes documentary titled '''Requiem for Krypton:'' Making Superman Returns', created by Ludovico Technique.^[26][27] ''Requiem for Krypton'', which accounts for nearly all of the three hours of bonus features (thereby making it actually longer than the film being profiled), ends with a blooper reel from the film, including outtakes from scenes not in the theatrical release of the film, culminating in a rare outtake featuring Marlon Brando.
Also released on that day was the 13-disc ''Ultimate Superman Collection''. Alongside the four original Christopher Reeve films, it features '' as well as '' and other documentaries. The Region 1 release of the ''Ultimate Collection'' set contains a 14th disc consisting of Singer's Internet video blog entries. All of those features were released individually the same day, as was ''Supergirl''.
''Superman Returns'' was also released on HD DVD (which features standard-def on the disc's opposite side) and Blu-ray Disc. The film became the best-selling DVD of 2006 on amazon.com in both the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc formats.^[28]

Reaction

''Superman Returns'' grossed $200,081,192 in the United States and an estimated $191 million internationally, taking in about $391 million worldwide by the time its theatrical run officially closed on November 2, 2006. This makes it the 71st top-grossing movie of all time in domestic totals, the 84th of all time in worldwide totals, the 6th top-grossing movie of 2006 in domestic totals ^[29],and the 9th of 2006 in worldwide totals .^[30]
''Superman Returns'' grossed $21,037,277 from its June 27, 2006 and June 28, 2006 screenings.^[31] The 10 p.m. showings on Tuesday, June 27 were counted as part of the Wednesday gross as the film lasts slightly longer than two hours, causing it to end early the next day. The movie's debut in 4,065 theaters ranked 11th on the all-time list of biggest Wednesday movie openings, the 7th biggest June opening weekend release, and the 21st fastest to $100 million. ''Superman Returns: An IMAX 3D Experience'' grossed over $30 million as of September 2006 from IMAX theatres worldwide, a record for the format.^[32]
Director Bryan Singer has stated that he and the studio are surprised with the relatively high international gross of ''Superman Returns'', as Superman is considered more of an American icon.^[33] The phased international release of ''Superman Returns'' contrasts with the Marvel franchises such as X-Men and other franchises such as the ''Star Wars'' prequels, which were simultaneously released in the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Disney also chose to release '' in and outside the U.S. on the same dates, premiering before ''Superman Returns'' in many foreign territories.
The movie has been well reviewed by most critics. It has been a "Certified Fresh" film on Rotten Tomatoes, with 77% overall approval from critics, and a 73% from the "Cream of the Crop."^[34] The film also received a 72% on Metacritic.^[35]
Some critics gave the film particularly high praise. ''Empire'' gave the film five stars (out of five), and described it as "the finest popular entertainment since the ''Rings'' trilogy closed."^[36] David Ansen of Newsweek said, "Next to Singer's champagne, most recent superhero adventure movies are barely-sparkling cider."^[37] Other reviews said that Singer had done the Superman character proud, and that the whole cast had succeeded.^[38][39] Renowned movie critic Leonard Maltin commented on his website, "Bryan Singer has brought us a brand-new movie that celebrates the traditions of Superman in a movie that somehow still seems fresh. ''Superman Returns'' is completely absorbing and highly entertaining."^[40]
In contrast, Roger Ebert's reaction to the movie was very negative, saying, "This is a glum, lackluster movie in which even the big effects sequences seem dutiful instead of exhilarating."^[41] The ''New York Times'' labelled the movie "leaden,"^[42] while the ''San Francisco Chronicle'' observed that "''Superman Returns'' finds no reason for being, other than that it's summer, and computer graphics have improved since the superhero days of Christopher Reeve."^[43]
''Superman Returns'' was nominated for Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards and BAFTA, losing both to ''. Awards won by the film include Best Fantasy Film, Best Actor, Best Director, Best Writing and Best Music at the Saturn Awards,^[44] 'Best Superhero' on Spike TV's Scream Awards, ^[45]
and 'Best Male Newcomer' at the 2007 Empire Awards for Brandon Routh.^[46]

Soundtrack

Main articles: Superman Returns (soundtrack)

A soundtrack album assembled by composer John Ottman was released June 27 2006 by Warner Sunset Records / Rhino Entertainment. It contained over 55 minutes of the original score as well as some Enhanced CD multimedia content, including two trailers and a "Behind the Scenes" piece on the recording of the score, which includes the film take on the main titles which is edited on this album with the end credits to create the "Superman March," which does not appear in its entirety in the film.

Sequel

Prior to the debut of ''Superman Returns'' in the United Kingdom, Brandon Routh hinted at the possibility of the sequel at a press conference, saying "At the end of this film we see that there is so much more to explore." Newsarama reported from the 2006 San Diego Comic-Con that director Bryan Singer had been in talks to direct a sequel for 2009.^[47] According to the article, Singer said that while ''Superman Returns'' allowed him to introduce the cast, the sequel would allow him to 'go '' on it.' He added that there would be an alien villain. In another interview on Superherohype.com, Singer indicated a possible return of the New Krypton island.^[48]
On August 18 2006, the Los Angeles Times reported that Warner president Alan Horn thought that ''Superman Returns'' "was a very successful movie" and that he was planning on a sequel for 2009.^[49] It had been thought that a ''Superman Returns'' sequel hinged on the film's domestic box office performance, with some media outlets suggesting that Warner Bros. wanted it to take in at least $200 million in the United States for a sequel to get the green light. The film officially passed the $200 million domestic mark on October 22, 2006.³¹ On October 25, 2006, IESB.net reported that a deal between director Bryan Singer and Warner Bros had been finalized for a sequel. The budget will reportedly be reduced; however, the existing sets would contribute to lower costs across the board for the upcoming movie. The sequel is expected to be more action-focused than its predecessor.^[50]
The working title for the sequel was reported as ''Superman: The Man of Steel''.^[51] The focus will be on a tighter story with more villains and bigger action sequences. On July 10, 2007, ''Variety'' reported Kevin Spacey will return for the sequel. They also referred to the sequel as ''Man of Steel'' and reported Singer was about to pitch the sequel to Warner Bros. with Michael Dougherty now writing the screenplay. He plans to start production next year for a 2009 release.^[52]
In regards to a Justice League film, Brandon Routh stated, "If they come at me about it, I would definitely be intrigued to work with Christian and whoever else wants to be a part of it...they are apparently writing a script." ^[53]

Adaptations

DC Comics, Superman's publisher, released four prequel titles throughout June 2006 to tie in with the movie. The four 40-page editions served to explain the backstory to ''Superman Returns'' and are entitled ''Krypton to Earth'' (which reintroduces the origin from the , with Jor-El as the main protagonist), ''Ma Kent'' (in which Martha Kent recalls finding her son, his life growing up, and contemplates if she'll ever see him again), ''Lex Luthor'' (discussing Lex Luthor's time in jail, how he met Kitty and Gertrude Vanderworth (the old rich woman) and ''Lois Lane'' (going over Lois' heartbreaking loss of the Man of Steel, her first meeting with Richard, and the birth of Jason).^[54]
DC Comics also released a comic adaptation of the movie written by Martin Pasko and illustrated by Matt Haley. The story in the adaptation only focuses on the core story, and does not have any mention of the possibility that Jason is the son of Superman. Nevertheless, the comic does include scenes from Superman's journey in Krypton, unrealized scenes shot for the movie. The novelization by Marv Wolfman was published by Warner Books on 1 June, 2006.^[55] The novelization does not link Jason to Superman. Brutus is killed by Lois by pulling a bookcase down onto his head, snapping his neck; however, just like in the movie, Jason finds Superman near-drowning.

References

1. A Flying Leap Sean Smith
2. Superman Returns - Comments from Bryan Singer and Staff:
3. Capone interviews Bryan Singer
4. Kevin Spacey cast as Lex Luthor in 'Superman'
5. Kate Bosworth is the New Lois Lane in "Superman Returns
6. Word of Routh
7. Former Dracula to Play Superman's Boss
8. Superman Returns : Business
9. Singer's zinger: another 'Superman'
10. Superman Returns
11. Superman Returns
12. Warner's men in tights Pamela McClintock
13. A Flying Leap Sean Smith
14. Singer's zinger: another 'Superman'
15. Superman Returns Director Bryan Singer
16. Bryan Singer on The Triangle, X-Men and Superman Anthony Layser
17. Production video
18. Superman Returns : Trailer 1
19. Superman Returns
20. Superman Returns
21. Coulthard is Red Bull's superman
22. SUPERMAN BAYLISS TAKES DUCATI'S 25OTH WORLD SUPERBIKE WIN AT BRANDS HATCH
23. Superman Returns
24. Movieweb.com: 20 Minutes of ''Superman Returns'' Converted to 3D for IMAX
25. Superman Returns in 3D
26. "Superman Returns" DVDs Announced
27. "Superman Returns" DVD News
28. SupermanHomepage 2006-12-26.
29. 2006 Yearly Box Office Results
30. 2006 Worldwide Box Office
31. Superman Returns: Daily Box Office
32. ''Superman Returns Grosses M in IMAX
33. 4:11 with Bryan Singer
34. Rotten Tomatoes certified
35. Metacritic review
36. Superman Returns, , Ian, Nathan, Empire, 2006
37. 'Superman Returns' Soars David Ansen
38. BostonHerald.com: "Superman": A Magisterial Return
39. Comicbookresources.com: Spoiler-free mini-review
40. Superman Returns Leonard Maltin
41. Roger Ebert reviews Superman Returns''
42. 'Superman Returns' to Save Mankind From Its Sins
43. 'Superman Returns' gets the Man of Steel right.
44. 'Superman' tops Saturns
45. Spike TV Announces SCREAM AWARDS 2006 Winners!!!
46. Empire Readers Awards 2007
47. SDCC '06: Singer plans to direct Superman Returns sequel
48. Exclusive: Singer on Superman Sequel & DVD
49. Horn Planning Superman Sequel for 2009
50. Superman Sequel is Up and Away
51. Superman Sequel Has A Working Title
52. Spacey set for 'Superman' sequel
53. Brandon Routh Talks "Justice League"
54. Newsarama.com: DC official press release on ''Superman Returns'' prequels
55. Superman Returns, Marv Wolfman, , , Warner, , ISBN 0-446-60652-9

External links

★ Official website (including trailers)

★

★

★ Interview: Brandon Routh ''Superman Returns''

★ Kate Bosworth interview

★ A Hollywood Reporter article on the twist of the classic Superman phrase "Truth, Justice and the American Way" as spoken in ''Returns''.

★ Superman Returns / Cast & Crew