Putting our mission in perspective
For those who are new, our intent here has always been to bring about a great Superman film. Three weeks or so after the website launched, I became part of the writing team that is working on a reboot script. In actuality, it is a full trilogy. It is being written as one long script and divided into three stories. The point of this is we feel it should be filmed continuously with one film released each year starting in 2010. The point of this thread is to give you the perspective we see things from by using recent examples so you can better understand our goals and why we believe this would be a success.
Our primary example is based on Lord of the Rings. All three films were done together. It marked the first time a complete trilogy had been made in such a way and proved to be an enormous success for multiple reasons.
- Cast retention. By filming three films together, there was no risk of losing anyone to another project. Thus, no risk of negative fan reaction to a main character being replaced.
- Lowered cost of production. Initial output of money stands to be greater than spread over several years, however this is offset by the faster returns. In addition, actors compensation would be worked out up front. Currently, in the case of Marvel's Iron Man, it has done extremely well and it's main star is not under contract yet for a second film. This could result in problems for the already announced sequel as he will most certainly require a bigger paycheck. With our proposal, this would never be an issue.
- No risk of loss of interest. With less wait in between films, the buzz and interest doesn't decline, requiring a new marketing strategy every few years. There would be no time for fans to forget.
Now, let's take a look at the financial cost / success of the Lord of the Rings trilogy as well as peak at Superman Returns vs Superman The Movie.
Source: www.BoxOfficeMojo.com
Fellowship of the Ring:
- Production cost = $93 million
- Domestic Box Office Gross = $314,776,170
- International Box Office Gross = $556,592,194
- Total Box Office Gross = $871,368,364
The Two Towers:
- Production cost = $94 million
- Domestic Box Office Gross = $341,786,758
- International Box Office Gross = $584,500,642
- Total Box Office Gross = $926,287,400
Return of the King:
- Production cost = $94 million
- Domestic Box Office Gross = $377,027,325
- International Box Office Gross = $742,235,981
- Total Box Office Gross = $1,119,263,306
Complete Trilogy:
- Total Production Cost = $281 million
- Total Box Office Gross = $2,916,919,070 (That's a hair shy of $3 billion folks!)
- Total Difference = $2.636 billion
Superman Returns (2006) released in 4,065 theaters on over 10,000 screens:
- Production Budget (incl. rumored $43mil from earlier attempts) = $270 million
- Domestic Box Office Gross = $200,081,192
- International Box Office Gross = $191,000,000
- Total Box Office Gross = $391,081,192
Superman The Movie (1978) released in 817 theaters on 1969 screens:
- Production Cost = $55 million (1978) / est $157 million (adjusted for inflation)
- Domestic Box Office Gross = $134,218,018 (1978) / est $394,623,916 (adjusted for inflation)
- International Box Office Gross = $166,000,000 (1978) / est $488,068,376 (adjusted for inflation)
- Total Box Office Gross = $300,218,018 (1978) / est $882,692,292 (adjusted for inflation)
The biggest question we have is what about Superman Returns cost $227 million? Iron Man cost $140 million, Transformers cost $150 million, and as you see above, the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy cost a tad more than bringing Superman back for one film. Why? How? It doesn't make any sense from a business standpoint. Did they not care about the money? Of course they did. Do they not know how to budget their money? They've done good with most other films.
Now, don't misunderstand me, I'm in no way claiming our trilogy would make $3 billion, but Superman is the most well known comic figure in history and should not be near the bottom of the pile when it comes to discussing the history of comic film box office results.
I realize that without reading our story and not knowing who we really are, it's not easy to believe we could be successful with our efforts or believe it when we say our story is just as epic as Lord of the Rings and would truly be the definitive Superman film franchise fans have been waiting to see. Richard Donner and Christopher Reeve did something that in the 1970's no one expected. It's time to bring things up to date. It's time for todays fans, todays generation, to get their own Superman. One that honors his creators, his spirit, and his iconic legacy in a way that generations to come will be talking about. One that will be remembered for its greatness and not its flaws.
I urge you all, even those who enjoyed Superman Returns, to think about how that film will be remembered or if it will even be remembered in 20 years and let that film be a fitting end to the Donner franchise. Let that film be what Singer intended as a tribute to the past. We should end the bickering and band together as our goals and desires are all the same. We ALL want to see Superman in the most amazing, creative, and visually stunning comic film epic ever made. That is our goal. That is our mission.
Thank you for your support.
- Steve
All I can say is Amen, you
All I can say is Amen, you got my support completely. I never wanted to see a rehash of a thirty year old continuity. That's what we got and the slow domestic box office return reflected the results.
I say rebboot and reinvigorate with a REAL Superman Movie EVERYONE can cheer over!
yea good post to help the
yea good post to help the new posters here on what is your mission. Hopefully with all the coverage the site is now getting hopefully it opens wb/dc eyes to go things in a better direction and not continue with singer, either someone else or even yours.
Have you considered throwing
Have you considered throwing some character designs, or a few storyboards up to give people something to talk about? Nothing too in-depth, but something to talk about nonetheless?Even if they don't end up being the "finished product", I think it could create some buzz.
Heck, why not throw up a scene description, and allow a few of the "artistic" members here an opportunity to have their stuff put on the site? Maybe a contest, offering up a bear or a t-shirt to the winners?
Just something to think about....
"The biggest question we
"The biggest question we have is what about Superman Returns cost $227 million? Iron Man cost $140 million, Transformers cost $150 million, and as you see above, the entire Lord of the Rings trilogy cost a tad more than bringing Superman back for one film. Why?"
Simply, none of those other films were directed by Bryan Singer. But we all know that. If you were at Fox Studios back then you could sense that the train was becoming a runaway wreck....Just like "Valkyrie" is shaping up to be. Funny 'bout that.
"Valkyrie"s cost blow and ultimate commercial failure is as certain as Kate Bosworth appearing in the next Kevin Spacey film.
Keep going Singer. In 10 years you'll be lucky to be making movies for the Hallmark Channel.
I are think the cost of
I are think the cost of Superman He Returns is overblown. Is crazy big budget, and i no see where for on screen. I (munketytunkety) are think the Singer should had spend more budgets on teaching the Brandon to acts, and on a bigger Ss.
I are welcome this reboots and i look to forward. Yes!
I'm excited about the reboot
I'm excited about the reboot you're working on, Steve. A lot of us are. Based on what you've said in this and other posts, it sounds like the project you're working on is going to be the result of craftsmanship and dedication, with reverence and respect to this legend. If for no other reason, that's why this project has my support.
I just hope you and your team get a break.
Hey all, I'm new here
Hey all, I'm new here (though not to this cause, as I'm a member of the countingdown.com boards under the same username). I enjoyed Superman Returns, despite it's flaws (and it had oh-so-many of them), but I'm not one of those whiny fanboys whose come here to throw out personal attacks, and condemn you all for having different view-points then me. Quite the contrary, actually. While I enjoyed SR, I didn't love it, and I have no particular attachment to that film. Steve, your plan makes a LOT of sense, and I hope you succeed in your endeavor to get these films made. I'd love nothing more than to see an awesome, epic Superman trilogy rather than just a "kinda cool, I guess" Superman movie. And while I absolutely refuse to take part in some of the personal attacks that I've seen floating around this site regarding Bryan Singer, I'll certainly criticize the way in which he works. Apparently he's VERY difficult to work with; I know someone who used to work for him, and he says that it was one of the most unpleasant experiences of his entire life. It's that kind of filmmaker, where stroking their ego becomes more important than making movies, that can ruin a film, and the entire process of filmmaking as a whole.
As I said, I support this movement whole-heartedly, and I'll spread the word wherever and to whomever I can.
Yea steve has a good plan
Yea steve has a good plan going, i hope wb opens their eyes and see a reboot would be better to go. Also to atless listen to what you steve have to say if not atless get someone else who would be better suited to work on superman and do the reboot.
Brava. www.google.com
Brava.
www.google.com
Welcome drwcomics, it's nice
Welcome drwcomics, it's nice to see a level headed Sr fan. You seem like a nice person. But there are a couple other new people who think we were all born yesterday. IMO I think these people are trying make it look like the members here shouldn't be taken seriously by outsiders who check this place out. It's amazing the level people stoop to on the internet. They actually email each other with their little acts of revenge for some strange reason. I can't believe how much of a stupid game this whole thing has become.
I can't wait for the day we don't even have to mention SR to be honest. I would like nothing more to just move on from that mess and act like a group of fans and not enemies. But when SR fans stoop to the level of some kind of silly revenge it makes it hard.
Hopefully once we get word that SR will never move on the so called fans will go back to just being fans of the character, look in the mirror and just grow up. It's amazing what SR ended up doing to the fan base.
Thanks Phil, speaking for
Thanks Phil, speaking for myself
Of course you do, we go way
Of course you do, we go way back don't we ;)
Phil you are person i know?
Phil you are person i know? I no are recognise?
You could include the Harry
You could include the Harry Potter franchise to the list above. Never read the books, but I'm sure they didn't change Potter's outfit, or made him peep on that one girl while she changes. Guess what happened?
It is a SUCCESSFUL film franchise.
I just got done watching Superman II on TV, and it just keeps hitting home how perfect Christopher Reeve was, and how utterly, utterly WRONG BJ Routh was. Even with that muscle suit, Chris' Superman looks like he could mop the floor with ol' Singerman.
In fact, his CLARK KENT looks like he can, especially the scene in the diner. Tell me that pissed-off look he gives after the guy sucker-punched him wouldn't have made Singerman fall on the floor wailing?
Steve, Have there been any
Steve,
Have there been any "rumblings" at WB since IRONMAN came out?
It would show them for COMPLETE idiots if they didn't see what could have been done with a more passionate, at least about what he's filming and NOT his personal "interests", director and smaller budget. And I'm going to laugh if ALL they got out of it is:
"Hey, let's just throw a smaller budget but keep EVERYTHING ELSE THE SAME"
Except of course, for BS. Valkyrie is going to be a career-killer for him.
I don't know if Valkyrie
I don't know if Valkyrie will be a career killer, but it sure will create an egde for studios to use when negotiating a contract/budget with him in the future.
As for WB and Iron Man, I'm sure they notice things but they won't go out of their way to discuss it.
I'm just looking forward to some more media coverage and hoping WB sees the potential of a Superman trilogy being filmed all at once vs going with Singer again.
- Steve
wrong thread, sorry guys
wrong thread, sorry guys
Just a quick update since
Just a quick update since I've mentioned Iron Man's success as a catalyst for why WB should reboot Superman...
Iron Man passed $200mil domestic at the box office 112 days faster than Superman Returns. A lessor known comic figure who many thought would be no more successful than Ghost Rider or Daredevil has blown away the most iconic character in comic book history thanks to Bryan Singer. When international numbers come out tomorrow, we will see it took less than 2 weeks to pass SR's total box office gross from 4+ months in release.
- Steve
There is no reason the WB
There is no reason the WB shouldn't be thinking of a reboot with those numbers!
^ Couldn't agree more but it
^ Couldn't agree more but it wouldn't surprise me at this point if Singer is welcomed back as a favorite son.
Hello all, I joined this
Hello all,
I joined this site a few days ago, but this is my first post. I wondered where all the levelheaded Superman fans went. I can't stomach bluetights anymore.
Like a lot of people I guess, I anticipated the release of SR and was quickly let down as soon as I saw it. I have to admit though, I was never a fan of BS, Kevin Spacey, or even Frank Langella, but I was willing to look past all of that because, hey, it's Superman. I bought into all the hype potraying BJRouth as this dorky, humble guy who was more Clark Kent than Superman but perfect to pick up Christopher Reeve's mantle. I can only shake my head at how naive I was two years ago.
Why don't I like BS? To put it in a nutshell and to agree with drwcomics comment, to me, BS has always acted like he's God's gift to filmmaking and the studios and his fans are perfectly happy to let him think that. With SR, he strikes me as the guy on the playground who gets the only ball and stands there saying "It's mine now, and you have to play with it the way I say!" and sticks his tongue out. Only this time, the ball was our beloved Superman.
I have this image in my head similar to an old comic book cover I once saw. A shrunken Superman hanging in a cage between his much larger captors, his head down, looking despondent, wondering who was going to save HIM. Steve, your idea of a complete reboot is the only way to save this icon and preserve him the way we know and love him- the way Siegel and Schuster created him - for the current generation. As a Superman fan for as long as I can remember, I'll do what I can spread the word.
Which brings me to why I posted here. Has anyone heard about the numbers for "Speed Racer"? According to articles I read on us.imdb.com and The Defamer, "Speed" did not do nearly as well as WB expected opening weekend (sound familiar?) and they are rethinking some of their strategies. I guess they gave the makers of "Speed" the same open hand they gave BS and are regretting it. Think this will make them finally learn their lesson? I'm afraid, as thecolorsblend said, BS will be welcomed back as a favorite son. After all, it's Bryan Singer... Bryan Singer! He's a great filmmaker! He's the best we have right now. *rolls eyes and sighs*
Welcome
Welcome SupermanFanSinc,,,
We are glad that you like the site. We are all devoted here to preserving our beloved hero as he was created 70 years ago. We would be glad of any assistance you might provide in helping spread the word about SaveSuperman.com
We hope that you enjoy every moment you spend with us, helping our site grow and seeing to it that a proper Superman film gets made.
Once again welcome aboard.
Sincerely,
sharpermom
Thanks for the warm welcome!
Thanks for the warm welcome! I'm sure I will enjoy it. I'll help out any way I can!
"Look to your dreams and tomorrow may be better for you and me. The Future may say, 'Blame blind Yesterday for taking dreams away... They could mean more than they seem.' " Lyrics from "Look to Your Dreams" recorded by Carpenters
Welcome to the board
Welcome to the board SupermanFanSinc.
Steve, I was wondering if anything new has popped up at the WB due to the success of Iron Man?
Because when a movie about a basically unknown superhero from Marvel is kicking supermans ass left and right, then I really thing they ought to get a damn clue and start rethinking their strategy when it comes to superman.
Are they still considering Singer, are they waiting to see how the Hulk performs or are they simply to busy with the superman rights thing?
Welcome SupermanFanSinc,,,
Welcome SupermanFanSinc,,,
I just want to echo sharpermom's sentiments. Always glad to have Superman fans aboard.
Yea welcome supermanfansinc
Yea welcome supermanfansinc to the site, Hopefully wb wises up and they do officially drop singer from the project and dont let him touch superman again. But since they probably would not want to scrape everything and start over and go with someone they dont know and dont know how it will end up they would most likely end up gambling with singer again to make a quick buck. Yes singer could probably make a bit more decent film but yea a reboot would be the much nicer thing to do.
I don't know why everybody
I don't know why everybody bags on Speed Racer. Yeah, it could've used a little bit of editing in some places, but overall I thought it was lots of fun.
I hold the same sentiment
I hold the same sentiment about Speed, Colors. I grew up on the old tv show and I think the movie was a good version of my memories at least.
In regards to Supes, I truly hope WB sees the light about Singer, Welling, Routh, SReturns and does the right thing for the character and the fans. Truthfully, though, I'm getting really worried that its going to be more of the same from a studio that doesn't realize what it has with all of its characters. More than Batman could do well in theaters.
After anything said, I can't
After anything said, I can't imagine the WB not seeing IronMan for what it is especially with the divided fan base all agreeing that the movie kicked ass. I hope they turn things around, they must know how bad it will look if they ignore something the whole world can clearly see (those who will admit it anyway).
Hopefully they will make us proud to be fans once again. I would like nothing more to be on the same page with the people in charge of our favorite live action heros. I would much rather praise them instead of badmouth them.
Welcome SupermanFan, If this
Welcome SupermanFan,
If this site accomplishes what it set out to do there will be a lot of happy people for years to come.