SDCC Day 3: Bryan Singer Talks Superman Returns

Possibly the biggest panel of this year’s convention was the Superman Returns panel featuring director Bryan Singer, who showed three minutes of well-received footage and answered a lot of fan’s questions.

You can read a description of the footage here. No word on if and when the footage will pop on the net, but I’ll post a link as soon as I find out.

The panel is covered here and here. You can also hear audio of a follow-up interview with Singer here, where among other things the notes that Noel Neill and Jack Larson (Lois and Jimmy from the 1950s series) cameo. It take a few minutes to download, but is well worht it. I listened as I typed this up.

Here are some highlights from the Q&A:

The main character: Superman is three people, according to Singer. Clark on the farm, raised by the Kents, the bumbling Metropolis reporter, and Kal El, Last Son of Krypton.

Story: Essentially, it’s a love story between Clark and Lois, what happens when old boyfriend returns

Influences: Singer noted that he didn’t have a favorite Superman comic or era, but his influences on the film include artist Alex Ross, the 40s Fleischer cartoons and the 50s TV series featuring George Reeves. And of course, the first Superman movie. The movie will evoke the 40s film era as well.

Relation to previous films: the new movie springs from the first Reeve film, with vague reference to the second, but ignores the third and fourth altogether.

Relation to Smallville: The producers of the movie and the series worked together not to step on each other’s toes in terms of plots and characters. There will be no direct contradiction, but nor will there be any references.

Casting: He wanted an unknown in the lead, like Richard Donner did with Christopher Reeve, so that viewers won’t have any preconceived notions, and can see Brandon Routh as Superman. Unused Marlon Brando as Jor-El footage shot by Donner will be used. Singer asked for some suspension of disbelief regarding the ages of the characters in relation to the previous movies, because they need young actors who can do a series of movies.

Luthor: Kevin Spacey’s Luthor will have some of the humor of Gene Hackman's version, but will also reflect some of the darker elements seen in Michael Rosenbaum’s portrayal in Smallville.

Music: John Ottman, who Singer has worked with on his previous films will be providing the score., although the classic John Williams theme will be used as well.

Today's USA Today also covered the panel.