Christopher Reeve in SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE Celebrating the arrival of the new SUPERMAN Blu-ray box set, this week’s Cinefantastique Laserblast Home Video Podcast takes a look back at the five Warner Brothers films: SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE; SUPERMAN II; SUPERMAN III; SUPERMAN IV: THE QUEST FOR PEACE; and SUPERMAN RETURNS. Guest Orenthal V. Hawkins joins CFQ stalwarts Dan Persons, Lawrence French, and Steve Biodrowski for a wide-ranging discussion of what made the films good, bad, or indifferent – and just what can we expect from Zack Snyder’s upcoming SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL? Also up for discussion: GREEN LANTERN: EMERALD KNIGHTS on DVD and Blu-ray; CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: JOURNEY OF MAN on 3D Blu-ray; and the distinction between the DEEP RED BLu-ray disc and the “Uncensored English Language” DVD. Plus, the announcement that Tim Burton’s THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS will arrive in a 3D Blu-ray version this August. Listen in for all the details…
The explosive train wreck from the teaser for SUPER 8
Get a sneak peak at SUPER 8, the upcoming science fiction film from J.J. Abrams, on this edition of the Cinefantastique Round Table Podcast, the weekly round-up of news and views focusing on horror, fantasy & science fiction films. Also on the menu this week: Dan Persons and Steve Biodrowski explore the questions of whether THE TWILIGHT SAGA: BREAKING DAWN will be an R-rated horror film as opposed to a PG-13 romantic fantasy and whether it’s a good idea for director Zack Snyder to bring his patented CGI slow-mo action stylings to the upcoming SUPERMAN: MAN OF STEEL. Plus, Steve Biodrowski reviews the SKYLINE Blu-ray disc, which has not only gorgeous picture and sound but also interesting extras, including audio commentary explanations for all the exposition missing from the slam-bang-action-packed alien invasion film’s actual screenplay.
Henry Cavill, Entertainment Weekly Interviewed by the L.A. Times, director Zack Synder confirmed that the new Superman movie —likely to be called THE MAN OF STEEL— will be a true reboot, ignoring SUPERMAN RETURNS and the Richard Donner/Christopher Reeve films.
“Literally, the one thing that everyone can start to think about is that we’re making a movie that finally goes with the approach that there’s been no other Superman movies.
If you look at BATMAN BEGINS there’s that structure: there’s the canon that we know about and respect, but on other hand there’s this approach that pre-supposes that there haven’t been any other movies. In every aspect of design and of story, the whole thing is very much from that perspective of ‘Respect the canon, but don’t be a slave to the movies.’”
“Superman is the one constant in the universe. You know that if you do Superman right — or at least if you do him with respect — you know you end up with something great. … in some ways that is virgin territory. No one knows what that is. In some ways Superman is the most recognizable superhero on the planet, but also the most unknown. Just what he can be? People have preconceived ideas about him, but probably all of them are wrong.”
In addition to Henry Cavill as Clark Kent/Superman, the cast thus far includes Diane Lane as Martha Kient, and the now confirmed Kevin Costner
as Jonathan Kent.
Synder declined to comment on the design for the Man of Steel’s costume, but implied the public will see it relatively soon.
“We’re going to have to show it before we shoot, probably a while before that, because someone will be on the set and get a picture of it.”
I asked if Snyder had anything he could share about the costume that Cavill will wear. ”I can’t say — although I appreciate the question. I’d love to talk about it. We’re going to have to show it before we shoot, probably a while before that because [otherwise] someone will be on the set and get a picture of it.”
According to Deadline, Zack Synder and Warner Brothers are interested in casting Kevin Costner (WATERWORLD) in a “key role” in the Superman reboot.
Could he be under consideration to play Jonathan Kent or Daily Planet editor Perry White to Henry Cavill’s Clark Kent? Or might he be cast against type as a villain?
The screenplay by David S, Goyer ( and some participation by Jonathan and producer Christopher Nolan [THE DARK KNIGHT]) is still very much under wraps, though there have been hints that it will feature Clark Kent’s journey towards accepting his future as a superhuman champion of justice.
There have also been some rumors that the Kryptonian villainess Ursa may be invovled, leading fans to suspect that General Zod might also play a role.
Personally, I hope no antagonists used in previous Superman live-action feature films will be in the movie in any significant way.
More on this as it develops.
Entertainment Weekly is featuring the first pic of Henry Cavill for the new Superman film.
He’s not in actual costume, but very much in character, with a S-Sheild t-shirt beneath a black leather jacket.
The latest issue will feature inteview with the British actor and director Zack Snyder (WATCHMEN).
Disscusing Henry Cavill’s audition and screen test wearing a costume based on Christopher Reeve’s movie uniform, Cavill claims he was neverous about the test, as it came during the period he had to loose the musclar build he developed for THE IMMORTALS, and slim down for THE COLD LIGHT OF DAY.
“All I could think was: Oh, god. They’re going to look at me and go ‘He’s not Superman. Not a chance.’
The actor inside me was going: You’re not ready! You’re not ready!”
Fortunately, Zack Snyder Synder didn’t share his qualms.
“If you can put on that suit and pull it off, that’s an awesome achievement. He walked out, and no one laughed. Other actors put that suit on, and it’s a joke, even if they’re great actors.
Henry put it on, and he exuded this kind of crazy-calm confidence that just made me go ‘Wow.’ Okay: This was Superman.’ ”
