Routh Out of Superman Sequel, Too?

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Routh Out of Superman Sequel, Too?

January 4, 2008

Not long after we mentioned this article from Variety stating that Bryan Singer is highly unlikely to direct the Superman Returns sequel, Latino Review posted more possible bad news for the second film -- Brandon Routh may not return either as Clark Kent/Superman.

According to the site, the actor that lands the Superman role in George Miller's Justice League will go on to star in a separate Superman movie as well.

Again, none of this is official until the studio actually confirms or denies these rumors (about both Singer and Routh), so it will be a wait-and-see game for now.

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Posted by: andrew on March 6, 2008 at 09:28:54

Maybe I'm in the minority, but I thought Superman Returns was absolutley fantastic. Sure, it lacked a little action but it was well written, it fleshed out the characters well (despite some odd casting choices) and I really think that both Brandon Routh and Kevin Spacey were fantastic.

Hopefully Singer returns for this next one but he seems to be really great at starting things and then jumping ship. Who knows if another director will be able to work his mature kind of superhero magic. God knows that Ratner ***** couldn't direct his way out of a wet paper bag.

Posted by: jknabe on March 6, 2008 at 12:12:53

Superman was not bad,It could have been better I guess.If they are looking at someone else.I hope its Tom Welling.He is awsome in Smallville and I just think that he would make a good Superman for this generation.

Posted by: monupalar on March 6, 2008 at 12:24:58

I agree with Andrew. I thought Superman Returns was great! And I thought Routh & Spacey did a great job in their roles as Lex Luthor and Clark Kent/Superman. It was cleverly written and I'm not sure why anyone would want to replace either of those two. I'd like to see the next Superman pick up where Returns left off, maybe have someone from outer space find that hunk of rock with kryptonite in it and finding Superman's crystals. Maybe even introduce Green Lantern into the mix.

Posted by: Bob Marshall on March 6, 2008 at 13:07:46

I agree with Andrew and monupalar, I loved Superman Returns too. Routh and Spacey were brilliant in it. I love Routh as Superman and I dont want anyone else playing him whilst Routh is still around. Ya know monupalar Id have thought the idea of GL in a Supermna film silly but after seeing what Marvel are doing Id say its a damn good idea.

Posted by: jknabe on March 6, 2008 at 13:16:31

I didn't say Routh did a bad job.I thought he done a good job.I'm just saying that if they pick someone else,I hope it's Tom.

Posted by: Mister Snitch on March 6, 2008 at 14:36:02

Unfortunately, the Superman franchise is now a mess, just like the Batman franchise was when Schumacher and company were done with it. The dynamics between Lois and Superman were all wrong, reducing Superman to the role of a voyeur with X-ray vision and superhearing. He's also an absentee dad and a third wheel in Lois' love life. Where we go from there is - nowhere. It's an untenable premise.

The franchise is in the same place the Hulk was with Ang Lee. Did Lee do a bad job? No, not at all. But he missed some of what 'worked' with the Hulk, and it looks like the current 'reboot' with Norton is going to get it right. THIS Hulk acts out of conscience, in a way only he can. THIS Hulk has conflicts AND kicks butt. From all accounts, this looks promising.

Did Singer get it all wrong? Again, not at all. The airplane scene was a high-water mark for Superman action. The bullets bouncing off the chest was reminiscent of the best of the Fleischer series. New technology allowed for the best flying scenes ever. But the plot was a retread of Superman: The Movie, without the snappy Reeves-delivered humor. Lois is no longer a goofy, overreaching yet endearing character. She's flat. Jimmy, at least, was more interesting this time out, but Singer did little with him. Too bad.

The series needs a reboot, and some of the Singer plot elements need to disappear. They are dead ends. This is a tough pill to swallow, and will no doubt delay the next installment. But some things have got to happen:

1) The kid's gotta go. We liked the kid just fine, but the idea just does not work with the dynamic that made the first Donner Superman so great, and what worked in the comics for so many years. This is an 'Imaginary Story' folks. Gotta go.

2) Lois Lane has got to better resemble what Margot Kidder was doing back in the day. Lois is too ambitious for her own good. She craves Superman, for lots of the wrong reasons (but a few good ones as well). She disdains Clark, who treats her well. If she respected Clark, who is Superman's human side, she could attain her goal of nabbing Superman. But she can't, so she doesn't. She's her own worst enemy in many ways. Clark gets to see all her faults - without the use of his X-ray vision I might add - and loves her anyway. This compassion and patience, and his humor, is what makes him great. Not his powers. All that was missing from Singer's 'Returns', and that's a shame.

3) Luthor needs to come into focus. Come on, Luthor becoming a gigolo for money? That's lame, and beneath his dignity. His ego would not have allowed it, and besides he is supposedly all about brain power. He should (and could) have become wealthy overnight from some invention or innovation. That would have been much more satisfying on so many levels.

Luthor needs to be the inventor-turned-business-tycoon that has done so well in the comics and animated treatments. That is a Luthor who can be the really hissable villain that Superman needs and deserves. The only really memorable bad guy in all the live-action Superman films so far has been General Zod. Luthor can fill that role, and Spacey can handle it. But the writers have to grok the concept.

4) Bring on the big guns. There are actually quite a number of respectable bad guys in the Superman mythos that the movies have been afraid to touch. Chances are, the writers have not been up to the task, staying on what they felt to be safer ground.

Many of the baddies in Superman's universe lend themselves nicely to the 'guide' relationship with Luthor that he had with Zod. A more powerful, poised Luthor could manipulate any number of Superman's enemies to his own purpose. Metallo, Myxptylk (don't hate me if that spelling's wrong), Parasite and a number of other could be treated in this manner quite successfully. (Scarecrow and Ras Al Ghul had a similar relationship in Batman Begins.)

5) Make better use of the secondary characters. Chris Nolan made great use of Jim Gordon, for the first time, in Begins.J. Jonah Jameison is a treat to watch in the Spiderman flicks. It appears that Iron Man also is going to use Pepper Potts, et al, well. Jimmy Olsen, Perry White and others deserve better play, and if used properly they will enhance the franchise. So far, aside from Lois, their use has seemed little more than obligatory.

Posted by: Drew217 on March 6, 2008 at 14:53:59

Singer DID have Zod in the script for Superman Returns. He wrote it for Jude Law it was his or no ones. Jude didn't do it, so Zod wasn't in the movie.

The kid was great and an awesome ending to a great movie with Routh giving the same speach Brando gave in Donner's film.

Singer flat out made a fantastic film with a fantastic cast and a great story!! What I love most about his Superman film is his use of perespective to get the size difference of the things Superman lifts.

And Hulk was and excelent film.

I say this about both films as a life long fan. Just cause these films don't make good box office, don't mean these are bad films.

Posted by: Paul on March 6, 2008 at 14:59:54

Routh can not hold a candle to Christopher Reeve.

Posted by: jknabe on March 6, 2008 at 15:06:11

Christopher Reeve was the best Superman,but man is dead,God Rest His Soul.We have to live with that and move on.

Posted by: Jay-Man on March 6, 2008 at 19:24:32

To both points above, I can certainly see the why the Singer "Superman" and the Lee "Hulk" didn't work on certain levels, but both films were pretty impressive. The biggest problem I have with Lee's "Hulk" critics is the notion that a bodybuilder in green paint should have been the Hulk versus the CGI Lee used. From his original comic inception, the Hulk was always more massive than Ferrigno, and at least visually, he was dead on. Betty Ross and Thunderbolt were also dead on, and straight from the comics; yet people who watched the TV show (which I also loved) seemed to forget it was inaccurate on lots of levels from the comic. Even the name David Bruce Banner was changed from Robert Bruce Banner, because David sounded more "hip" at the time. But I digress...

Routh and Spacey were great in the Singer film; Bosworth pretty much sucked (let's just be real about that). But Routh would be the obvious choice to portray Superman in the Justice League flick. If he can't (or is unwilling to do it), then Tom Welling gets the part...no questions asked. Hell I don't even like it when the voice actors change on the animated series much less on live action!

Continuity is the key, and three different Superman's doesn't work for me. Routh has to be the choice if the goal is to do a young Justice League. Everyone is already under the WB umbrella, and if they were smart, they would have made JLA an extension of "Smallville" and let that be the vehicle which moves Welling officially in the Superman suit.

Posted by: This Just In on March 6, 2008 at 20:45:40

I agree with J-Man...Tom Welling is the best fit..Yeah he is on smallville, but alot of people want to see what he would look like as the man of steel. If there is a fan base, build on, don't ignore it. Welling as Superman and a good script would make the WB millions of dollars

Posted by: Apexx on March 6, 2008 at 22:10:38

I used to try and convince myself and others that Superman Returns was a good movie but as time goes by the more unwatchable it becomes--yeah, it's well-written, beautiful, thoughtful, so on and so forth, but it's boring as hell. Routh was one of the best things about this movie. Besides him, the shuttle rescue, the opening credit sequence, and James Marsden this movie is an f-ing snooze-fest. I want to see Superman doing what Iron Man is doing in his trailer: kicking ass, getting smacked around, looking like a hard-ass. Without a super-powered humanoid villain to fight, any Superman movie is going to suck. Blaming Routh for SR is like blaming Clooney for Batman and Robin.

Posted by: RJ on March 7, 2008 at 01:23:17

I agree. I thought Superman Returns was lacking in a bit of action, but it was a fantastic movie. Very well done. Great casting, directing, look, etc. I think they're screwing up using different Batman and Superman actors in the Justice League movies and I think it's a mistake to attempt to do a Superman sequel without Routh and Singer. They should have just used Mark Millar's story, who cares that he's worked for Marvel? Stupid DC/Warner.

Why do these numbskulls running the show always manage to louse it up somehow? How is there not enough people running these studios that know what a good movie is and how to make it? Why is it so easy for us fans to know exactly how and why they ****ed up but they just keep pumping out the same half-baked crap again and again? Don't they realize that they'd make more money by making better movies? Are they REALLY that stupid? Take Ghostrider for example. How on EARTH did that movie get made the way it was. How did everyone involved not realize they were making a steaming pile of crap? Same with Spider-Man 3 and X-Men 3. Unbelievable.

Posted by: Tony on March 7, 2008 at 02:58:59

In my mind, a justice league movie consists of an older batman (age 40 & up), a older superman (age 30 & up) and a team of 22-28 year olds making up the rest of JLA. In that way they could tie the movie in with batman begins n' Brandon Routh's Superman. Just an opinionated idea.

Posted by: Sefy on March 9, 2008 at 06:35:00

If you guys loved "Superman" returns, then you obviously have no idea what the character of Superman even stands for. The movie was so BADLY written that it's amazing it was allowed to be filmed!

You wanna have some plot holes? this movie is worse then swiss cheese, acting? for god sake, 99% of the lines in the movie are taken from previous movies. As for character, well, that was NOT superman!

Superman would NEVER stand for an ovation, will NEVER spy on someone! they made him into a supergeek stalker and that outfit? excuse me, but Superman's creators specifically mentioned PRIMARY colors. This is more of a Batman on Drugs.

Superboy right? how could the boy have any powers, if Clark gave up his powers BEFORE sleeping with Lois? or are you going by Donner's Cut? no problem, he turned back time! she couldn't be pregnant.

Not to mention the actress, what is she? 26? and she's supposed to be with a 5 year old that looks 10 years old? so she was 21 at already top notch writer? if you even let that thought cross your mind and you still in some universe think that movie was fantastic, then you have no idea what Superman is about.

Go read "Superman Reborn" script!
This movie was a DISASTER! even KIDS left the cinema!

Posted by: Alfonso on March 9, 2008 at 12:24:42

Keep Bryan Singer and keep Brandon Routh. The only thing i'd like to see change is Kate Bosworth as Lois Lane. She doesn't do the character any justice. Hell, Erica Durance from Smallville is a lot better Lois. . .and hotter.

Posted by: Josh Lanphear on March 9, 2008 at 14:26:49

Make the next Superman movie, Smallville the Movie! :D

I would go see a movie with Tom Welling as Superman, and Erica Durance as Lois Lane... no doubt. The casting in Smallville is as perfect as it's gonna get. And the chemistry between Tom and Erica is CLEARLY there. It would be perfect. (just get Lana the hell out of the picture)

Posted by: Batanator on March 18, 2008 at 16:24:40

Superman Returns blew goats!!! It was one of the worst blatant rip offs in cinematic history. The characters were all WRONG and couldnt act. Spacey was the only saving grace and he was subdued on valium. Routh is NOT the man of steel. If they decide to make a real Superman movie - get someone who looks more like a corn-fed farmboy - ala Alex Ross' rendition - and not an underwear model from a Soap Opera. The movie ripped off scenes and lines from the original 1970s movie and did it horribly. I loved Synger's work on Xmen 1 and 2 and had hoped he would have stuck with the remake of Logans Run - now I dont want him to touch that!

Posted by: randocomando on April 14, 2008 at 00:48:37

I thought Superman returns was good,..at first. I don't think that the chemistry between superman/clark and lois was very good. It wasn't very believable I thought. I think the Brandon Routh was trying to hard to act, but should have acted natural. He didn't have that naturalness Christopher Reeve had nor the Chemistry that he and Margot Kidder had. But the realationship between Perry White and Lois was believable. I think they casted the characters of Superman/Clark Kent and Lois to young. Lois seemed to be a whiney teenager and Clark seemed to be emotionally shut down. Don't get me wrong, I have everyseason of Smallville, Movie of Superman, and the Animated Series. I'm a Superman freak. I just thought Superman returns could have been better. Above all I think Superman Returns was a great attempt to bring Superman back. Loved the special effects, flying scenes, but I wanted more. Hopefully there will be a better one someday. Peace to all you Superfans.

Posted by: Steven The Comic Book Artist ! on April 14, 2008 at 03:03:31

ERICA DURANCE IS ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!!!!!!!!!!
TOTALLY, INSANELY BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kate Bosworth?

...cute, I guess...kinda' stick like in regard to both her build as well as her acting.

For the movie, I would've cast Selma Blair.

Posted by: Marcos on April 14, 2008 at 04:30:20

oh and i saw a comment on hulk being a great film.......drew what are we gonna do with you man. the hulk was a disaster!! it wa horrible. and the worst WORST WORST PART OF THE MOVIE WAS ABOUT THE SON OF SUPERMAN. I WAS LIKE WHY DID THEY DO THIS NOOOOOO!!!.....HE MESSED UP THE SUPERMAN FRANCHISE!! DOESNT ANYONE AGREE THAT THIS WAS LIKE XMEN 3, SPIDERMAN 3???? THEY WERE TRAGEDIES!!!

Posted by: Captain Villa on April 14, 2008 at 06:44:47

If Routh went, he would be a victim of character mythos bastardisation.

Had the kid element not been brought in, then the slate neednt have been wiped clean but it has. for this , Superman Returns needs "in areas" to be forgotten.

Such a shame, as elements of action were perfectly executed.

However one final thing. Routh's Superman always seemed that he was seeking permission and acceptance, where as with Reeve, you knew his superman was authorititive and in charge.

Posted by: Bryan Singer on April 14, 2008 at 09:38:33

They should have kept in that love scene where Superman tears up Lois's snatch with his steel cock; he totally owns that ******.

Posted by: Anicent Fanboy on April 14, 2008 at 13:49:57

While I loved Superman Returns,I will say its three main weaknesses were being too stuck in the past,the super baby-boy,and Luthor's plot.
More action would have helped to,but Lois being a single mother with a love child was too out of line.
Routh was decent in the role but still looks like Superboy from the Legion of Superheroes to me. There still plenty of story ideas to chose from,if you consider Jack Kirby's fourth world.
Metropolis was a key story element in those stories.
And the characters and visual eye candy of that subject matter would have kept writers busy for several Superman movies.
But paying too much of an homage to Richard Donner got to be too heavy handed in the film. And Singer should have moved away from Real estate scheme retread.
So right now there's no telling what will happen next,but I'm afraid it might get worse.

Posted by: vikingrawk on April 14, 2008 at 16:04:01

I don't really see the point of doing any more Superman movies unless they are going to really try something new and fresh. Superman Returns seemed weak and stiff. It seems like they just keep farting out Batman and Superman movies, when DC has a whole slew of other characters that could make for good superhero flicks. Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Green Arrow, Blue Beetle, etc. Hell, I'd even prefer a Nightwing movie (if done right) to another umpteenth Batman movie! Don't get me wrong, I'm looking forward to The Dark Knight, but still. I'm just trying to prove a point. Take a cue from Marvel, and try something new! Iron Man and Ed Norton's Hulk are gonna rule.

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