2004 Movie News Archives
August 10, 2004: Director Searches for New 'Superman'
The Associate Press have published an indepth article looking at the search for an actor to play Superman, and delves into the history behind this casting decision. Here's an excerpt from the article...LOS ANGELES - A powerful father from beyond the heavens sends his son on a fateful journey to Earth to become a savior for humanity.
James Caviezel starred in the Biblical version of that story in Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ." Could he play out that premise again under different circumstances? Say, the comic-book version, with blue tights and a cape?
No superhero fits the literary Christ motif as neatly as Superman, so it's no surprise the soulful, buff and blue-eyed Caviezel is one of the fan favorites to answer a question that has perplexed Hollywood for decades: "Who can play Superman?"
Caviezel's manager, Beverly Dean, is familiar with the rumor, but calls it speculation.
"Would he like to do it? He loves Superman," she told The Associated Press. "But the truth is there has been no offer, the script isn't even finished - but absolutely he'd be interested."
Bryan Singer, who directed the "X-Men" movies, took over the "Superman" project last month, refueling the rumor machine. He is currently at work on a script, and Warner Bros. says he hasn't begun the casting process, although it must start soon to make the target 2006 release date.
From little-known soap opera stars to familiar leading men like Brendan Fraser, Jude Law and Josh Hartnett, it seems like nearly every actor between ages 20 and 40 has been draped with the cape at some point.
But playing someone bulletproof has many risks.
"He's got to have all the qualities you want in your president and your father - a toughness and a sensitivity at the same time," said Danny Fingeroth, author of the book "Superman on the Couch," about the mythical public image of superheroes.
"He has a square-jawed indominatability," Fingeroth added. "He can be tough with bad guys, yet he's got the ability to project sincerity and vulnerability that you want Superman to have."
Some, like Law and Hartnett, considered and then rejected the role, in part out of fear of sight-unseen sequel commitment. Other contenders like Fraser and former "Roswell" actor Jason Behr are still interested, but not holding their super-freezing breath waiting for "Superman" to finally come together.
"Everybody is aware of the fact that they've been trying to redo that for a long, long time," Behr told an audience two weeks ago at the Comic-Con International in San Diego. "So, you know, until things happen they happen."
"Brendan was always interested in the piece, and at this point, with a new director attached, it's in the hands of the film gods. Basically they're starting from scratch," said Fraser spokeswoman Ina Treciokas.
The Man of Steel hasn't starred in a feature film since 1987's "Superman IV: The Quest for Peace" with Christopher Reeve, despite aggressive efforts by Warner Bros. to resurrect the series.
The Reeve movies grossed a total of $318 million domestically, but each installment had steadily diminishing returns - from $134.2 million for the 1978 original to a pitiful $15.6 million for the last gasp in 1987.
Superman has had the most success lately as a TV show, "Smallville" on the WB, which chronicles the pre-superhero life of Clark Kent when he was just a farmboy with strange powers.
Tom Welling, who stars as young Kent, is another actor fans say they'd love to see in the movie "Superman" - but that's an extreme long shot.
There were at least three separate films in the works at various points at the studio over the past 10 years, including "Superman Lives" with Nicolas Cage as the lead and Tim Burton directing before it was aborted in pre-production in 1996 over its ballooning budget.
Warner Bros. considered mixing two popular franchises with "Superman Vs. Batman," which Wolfgang Peterson was directing before he dropped out to do "Troy."
The third and current "Superman" project has gone through three directors over the past year.
Last month, "Charlie's Angels" filmmaker McG dropped out of the movie, making way for Singer. Before that, Brett Ratner, the director of "Rush Hour" and "Red Dragon," was signed on to make "Superman" but quit last year, citing "the difficulty of casting the role of Superman."
Although it would seem to be a natural for any actor, some of the very things that make "Superman" an ideal role on the surface - massive worldwide exposure, guaranteed sequels and becoming the face of a pop-culture icon - can also be counted as potential drawbacks.
And if fans don't like the movie, you become their nemesis.
Hartnett was among the final contenders who passed on the role, in part because he would have been locked in to several as-yet-unscripted sequels. "A lot depends on the screenplay and the direction - if those things aren't good it will be hard for any actor to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear, or turn Kryptonite into gold," Fingeroth said.
Anyone who accepts the role can expect to spend the next six to 10 years - the prime of a young star's career - immersed in grueling special-effects work, dangling from wires and fighting invisible foes. After that, an actor might spend another 10 years trying to undo their screen image as a do-gooder alien muscleman.
Reeve, who was paralyzed from the neck down in a 1995 horse-riding accident, remains ingrained as the image of "Superman" for millions and leaves a big shadow for the next actor fill.
Reeve's spokesman said the actor, who has made several guest appearances on "Smallville," is not involved in any way with the new "Superman" movie, despite Internet rumors to the contrary. Reeve has not seen a screenplay or discussed the project with the studio, and had no comment on who could be his successor.
Matt Damon was mentioned as a potential Man of Steel when Peterson was developing "Superman Vs. Batman," but "The Bourne Supremacy" star was as surprised as anyone to hear that news. "That shocked me completely. I always thought of Superman looking like Christopher Reeve ... That's not me at all," Damon told The AP recently.
A "Superman" movie could be a surefire smash - akin to "Spider-Man" and "Spider-Man 2" - but Damon said that alone would not be enough to persuade him.
"I would not be interested just because it was a comic book or because I thought it would be a big hit. I would do it - I would do anything - if you told me there was a great director and a great script attached. If Kenny Lonergan (screenwriter of 2000's intimate sibling drama "You Can Count On Me") wrote the script and ("Traffic" Oscar-winner Steven) Soderberg were directing, and it was 'Superman,' yeah I'd do it.'"
But getting a big-name actor may not be necessary for the movie to draw an audience. Tobey Maguire was known, but not quite a household name, before "Spider-Man." And Reeve was a stranger to moviegoers before he starred in 1979's "Superman."
"I think it will need to be an unknown, a fresh face. A celebrity could be distracting," said J.J. Abrams, the creator of TV's "Alias" and author of the most recent "Superman" movie draft - which recently was abandoned when Singer came aboard.
A struggling actor also wouldn't have the typecasting worries of a Damon or Law.
"They may say to themselves, 'I'm an unknown and they want me to be Superman, but will I be Superman forever?'" Fingeroth said. "It still may seem better than waiting tables."
2004 Movie News
Listed below are all the Movie News items archived for 2004 organized into 5 categories:New Superman Movie News:
- January 14, 2004: Superman in Sydney? Selma Blair for Lois?
- January 17, 2004: Wolfgang Peterson Replacing McG?
- January 18, 2004: Ashton Kutcher Wants to be Superman?
- January 18, 2004: JJ Abrams Talks Superman Movie
- January 20, 2004: Superman Confirmed to Shoot in Sydney Australia?
- January 21, 2004: Martin Henderson Approached for Superman Movie
- January 28, 2004: Beyonce and Depp in New Superman Movie?
- January 29, 2004: Beyonce NOT Lois Lane
- February 4, 2004: Bruce Willis as Lex Luthor?
- February 7, 2004: Beyonce Wants to be Lois Lane
- February 18, 2004: Mark Millar Says McG Superman Movie Won't Happen
- March 7, 2004: Allison Mack Talks Superman Movie
- March 14, 2004: Jimmy Olsen Casting Rumor
- March 18, 2004: Tatopoulos Says Superman Movie Back On Again
- April 13, 2004: McG Makes Superman Movie Presentation to WB Execs
- May 10, 2004: AICN Rumors on Superman Movie
- May 19, 2004: Stan Winston to Create Superman Movie Costume?
- May 20, 2004: Special Effects Team Chosen for Superman Movie?
- May 20, 2004: Donner Against Making a New Superman Movie
- May 24, 2004: Superman Movie Special Effects and Costume Designer Rumors Confirmed
- May 25, 2004: Superman Movie Ready to Fly?
- May 26, 2004: More Superman Movie Rumors
- June 1, 2004: Superman Movie Tidbits
- June 2, 2004: Warning! False Tom Welling Report!
- June 9, 2004: Superman Homepage Staff on Superman Movie
- June 9, 2004: Superman in Sydney
- June 9, 2004: Tom Welling NOT Testing for Superman Movie
- June 15, 2004: McG's Uncertain Interview About Superman Movie
- June 17, 2004: Superman Movie Ready to Take Off
- June 18, 2004: Vin Diesel for Lex Luthor?
- June 23, 2004: The Many (Possible) Faces of Superman
- June 28, 2004: McG Out, Bay In?
- July 2, 2004: Michael Bay Not Directing Superman
- July 9, 2004: Singer on Superman? LaBeouf as Jimmy?
- July 12, 2004: McG Confirms His Departure
- July 18, 2004: X-Men Director to Take on Superman Franchise
- July 20, 2004: John Ottman to Edit and Score Superman Movie
- July 21, 2004: LA Times Explores History of New Superman Movie
- July 21, 2004: Donners and Reeve Producing Superman Movie?
- July 27, 2004: Jim Caviezel Wants to be Superman
- August 4, 2004: Battle For Superman/Superboy Rights Continues
- August 5, 2004: Singer Makes Offer to Welling?
- August 6, 2004: Bryan Singer Does Deal with WB
- August 9, 2004: Superman Movie Casting Call
- August 10, 2004: Director Searches for New 'Superman'
- August 11, 2004: Guy Dyas Joins Superman Movie
- August 12, 2004: Welling Signs on for New Movie... but which one?
- August 16, 2004: Conrad Coleby Tests for Superman
- August 17, 2004: NY Post on Casting for Superman
- August 18, 2004: No Super Deal for ESC
- August 21, 2004: No Meeting Between Welling & Singer
- August 30, 2004: Is Jim Caviezel Superman?
- August 30, 2004: Superman Auditions & Location Scouting
- August 30, 2004: Jeph Loeb Says Tom Welling is NOT Superman
- September 2, 2004: Charity War over Caviezel as Superman
- September 3, 2004: World's Finest Michael O'Hearn Auditions for Superman
- September 14, 2004: Superman Movie Script First Draft Completed?
- September 26, 2004: Bryan Singer Talks at NYU about Superman
- September 26, 2004: Sam Heughan Meets with Bryan Singer
- September 27, 2004: Dan Harris Talks Superman Script
- October 3, 2004: More from Singer on Superman
- October 12, 2004: Bryan Singer Talks About Superman Movie
- October 17, 2004: Brandon Routh Cast as Superman?
- October 18, 2004: Casting Decision Close on Lois Lane
- October 19, 2004: Kevin Spacey to Play Lex Luthor?
- October 20, 2004: Bryan Singer Confirms Brandon Routh as Superman
- October 20, 2004: Dan Harris Talks Superman Movie
- October 20, 2004: Casting Lois Lane - Six in the Mix
- October 21, 2004: Official Announcement - Warner Bros. Pictures Casts Brandon Routh as Superman
- October 25, 2004: Mark Millar Admits $1000 Defeat Over Superman Casting
- October 26, 2004: Superman Movie Rumors and Reports
- October 28, 2004: Brandon Routh - A Little Perspective
- October 30, 2004: Imageworks to Create Superman Special Effects
- November 5, 2004: USA Today on New Superman Movie
- November 7, 2004: Ratner Approves of Superman Casting
- November 9, 2004: Previous Graphic Designer Talks about Superman Lives
- November 11, 2004: Bryan Singers Talks on Radio About Superman
- November 15, 2004: Building Superman Movie Sets in Australia
- November 21, 2004: Has Kevin Spacey Signed on as Lex Luthor?
- November 22, 2004: Bryan Singer on Casting Brandon Routh as Superman
- November 30, 2004: Lois Lane Rumors and Digital Character Advancements for Superman Movie
- December 1, 2004: Jack Larson Turns Down Perry White Role?
- December 3, 2004: Dan Harris Talks Superman Script
- December 7, 2004: Jimmy Olsen - Topher Out? Ashmore In?
- December 8, 2004: Dan Harris Says Superman Bigger Than X2
- December 14, 2004: Alec Gillis Talks Superman Movie
- December 22, 2004: Superman Heading for Queensland Australia
- January 19, 2004: Christopher Reeve Pass It On Billboard
- January 27, 2004: VH1 to Air Superhero Super Secret Movie Rules
- March 21, 2004: Fans Clamor for Superman II Donner Cut
- April 2, 2004: Superman: The Movie Costume For Sale!
- April 21, 2004: Superman Movie Prop on Auction
- May 4, 2004: Christopher Reeve to Direct 'Personal' Film
- May 5, 2004: Arclight Cinemas to Present Director Richard Donner Q&A Following Superman: The Movie
- June 8, 2004: Sarah Douglas to Star in New Theatre Production
- July 1, 2004: Warner Bros. Moves to Bring Extended Superman II to DVD
- July 2, 2004: Marlon Brando Dies at 80
- July 7, 2004: Superman Movie Animator Ronald Potter Dies
- July 9, 2004: Spider-Man 2 Copies Superman II
- August 19, 2004: Superman Movie Storyboards For Sale
- August 30, 2004: Lenny Luthor Remembers Superman IV
- September 16, 2004: John Williams to Receive Christmas Honor
- October 11, 2004: Comic Strips in Memory of Christopher Reeve
- October 11, 2004: Colleagues Remember Christopher Reeve
- October 11, 2004: Christopher Reeve Dies!
- October 12, 2004: Christopher Reeve Memorial Service
- October 12, 2004: More Tributes for Christopher Reeve
- October 12, 2004: Christopher Reeve's Film Project Lives On
- October 19, 2004: Christopher Reeve Private Memorial Service
- October 21, 2004: Christopher Reeve's Work Lives On
- October 25, 2004: Life Size Christopher Reeve Statue Unveiling
- October 25, 2004: Richard Donner Appearing at Screenwriting Expo
- October 29, 2004: Friends, family gather at Juilliard for Reeve memorial
- November 10, 2004: Minnie Driver to Host Christopher Reeve Gala
- November 11, 2004: Omaha Superman: The Movie Screening to Aid Reeve Charity
- December 6, 2004: A Look at Superman in Total Film Magazine
- December 20, 2004: Reeve Finalist in Most Inspiring Person of the Year Awards
- June 23, 2004: The Search for George Reeves Continues
- September 22, 2004: Adrien Brody Cast in Superman Biopic
- January 27, 2004: Supergirl Movie Update
- February 22, 2004: Supergirl 2 Casting Call
- October 10, 2004: An Aussie to Play Supergirl?
- December 21, 2004: Supergirl Movie Still a Few Years Away
- May 25, 2004: Dreamwatch Lists The Top 10 Comic-Book Movies of All Time
- July 1, 2004: A Look at the History of Superhero Movies
- July 22, 2004: Fan Film News
- July 22, 2004: Supergirl Composer Jerry Goldsmith Dies in L.A.
- July 25, 2004: More Superman Related Fan Film News
- December 20, 2004: Tomorrow's Memoir Filmmaker Interviewed
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