First Look at Movie Superman

USA Today has published the first photo of Brandon Routh in his Superman costume for next summer's Superman Returns.

In the accompanying article, director Bryan Singer talks about why the suit hearkens back to the roots of movie and TV Supermen past, rather than the leather and body armor costumes seen in many recent super-hero films.

"With X-Men, although they had extraordinary powers, they also had physical weaknesses," he says. "The suits were for protection as well as costume. Superman is the Man of Steel. Bullets bounce off him, not his suit."

The smaller, insignia is also meant to evoke the Superman of the '40s Fleischer cartoons.

Superman & Batman to Team Up on TV

On May 18, during the 90-minute season finale of Smallville, the WB will premiere eight minutes of footage from Batman Begins, which opens in theatres on June 17.

According to the press release, the Smallville season finale will be "packed with murder, betrayal and an unforgettable graduation day for all."

Read the full release here.

Star Wars: Episode III: A Lost Hope

Great parody of the less than stellar Star Wars prequels:

Star Wars Episode III: A Lost Hope