New Superman / Secret Origin Review

Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures announced today that Henry Cavill (a.k.a. Showtime's 1st Duke of Suffolk Charles Brandon on The Tudors) has won the coveted role of Superman, the iconic superhero for the planned 2012 cinematic Superman reboot.

Like his fellow English actor Christian "Batman" Bale, he's a beefy dude with a strong jawline and powerful chest hair and beard-growing abilities. Naturally, I hope Snyder capitalizes on these attributes for at least one super burly scene where Superman clears, then quickly replants an entire forest (in order to rebuild an orphanage or something rad). That's regrettably unlikely, but with Christopher Nolan producing the film, at least we can trust Cavill's Superman will probably punch something onscreen.

The film will be directed by Zack Snyder, who stated, “In the pantheon of superheroes, Superman is the most recognized and revered character of all time, and I am honored to be a part of his return to the big screen. I also join Warner Bros., Legendary and the producers in saying how excited we are about the casting of Henry. He is the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield.”

Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are the producers of the film. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.

Cavill recently wrapped production on “The Cold Light of Day” and stars in the upcoming “Immortals,” opening this fall. Targeted for release in December 2012, the new Superman movie will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Wow this is great news, he looks the part, I can really see him as Superman. I'm hoping this new movie will be very action packed, with a worthwhile blockbuster story and a very threatening villain. My personal vote for the bad guy is Brainiac, both a mental and physical opponent, but a December 2012 release date?, man that's so far away to finally see a new Superman movie.

If you wondering who I think make a great Lex Luthor, John Hamm is that answer. Just watch this hilarious video, and you'll see why.

 

  

Just finished reading Supe's latest origin reboot "Superman: Secret Origin", and wow was it awesome. A modern retelling of Clark Kent's beginnings and he's journey to becoming The Man of Steel, written by one my new favorite comic book writers Geoff Johns, mind-blowingly beautiful art by Gary Frank, and perfectly inked by Jon Sibal.  This team is dead even with Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely as my favorite writer/artist team, I'm definitely on a quest now to posses all of Johns and Frank Superman work.

Gary Frank draws Clark and Superman to very closely resemble Christoper Reeve, and I love how he draws both portrayals as almost two totally different people like the original movies, unlike most artist I've seen with "Clark in costume" or "Superman wearing glasses" renditions. He's Clark is perfectly mild-mannered with just the right speck of geekiness, while he's Superman is very how can I say "visually determined" to be the symbol of truth and jusitce he wants to be. As to other characters, Lois Lane has the best body I have ever seen her with by any artist.

The story as I said is a modern retelling the famous origin, but not a forced "Look it's the 21st century!" modernization like Superman: Earth One. Everything Geoff Johns writes is gold, he just knows what makes a great Superhero story, nicely paced action, and drama with just the right amount of new direction. He perfectly fits the genesis of Lex Luthor's hatred for Superman and the creation of two other classic villians Metallo and Parasite in to this seamless story.

The Deluxe Hardcover Edition is the only format it is currently collected it, but I personally recommend it for it's bigger pages of Gary Frank's wonderful art. If your a Superman fan you need to own this.