Superman Returns. After the death of Superman in the prequel Superman: Quest for Peace, Warner Brothers Studios desired to bring the hero back to life. Sadly, The Quest for Peace was both a financial and theatrical disaster for the studio, with a world disappointed by a Superman who only showed off his cape. Poor in action, a senseless story, and a careless plot, doomed the man of steel to the back burner.
The studio had to decide on a major strategy to resurrect the most famous action hero.
The Resurrection Dance of Superman Returns
When Warner Brothers decided on a master plan, they hired Bryan Singer to choreograph Superman’s resurrection dance. The plan included six other studios, including Fox, and brought in some of the best actors and screenplay geniuses.
In 2004, the project rolled out and set the world ablaze with anticipation as their beloved hero planned to dub the cape once more. Warner Brothers could not have done a better job, actors such as Kevin Spacey and Brandon Routh, lined the story written by Singer. Dan Harris and Michael Dougherty.
Roving a bit in the past, the man of steel spent five years in space trying to confirm a news lead from scientists who believed that they had found Krypton. At the end of his wild goose chase, Superman returns to a new and technologically advanced Earth. This is sidetracked by his former love, Lois Lane, who is now a Nobel prize winner, for the article ‘The World Does Not Need Superman’.
The plot is complicated by his nemesis who continues his lifelong quest to destroy Superman. Besides all that, he is now destroying the world with isotopes from Krypton. The conflict is beautiful and the stage is set for our hero’s return.
Success and Dismay
The Warner Brother Studio wanted to make history at the box office, and history in design and visuals. The movie got both and Superman came to life. The crowd loved it, except for wanting a little more action, but they were satisfied and flooded the box office.
The studio was dismayed and even canceled a planned sequel in 2009. The box office ranked Superman Returns as the sixth best-paying movie that year, 2006.
But critics and fans did not share Warner Brothers Studio’s disappointment, Collider had this to say of the film.
“It is, by most accounts, a swell film, and while it’s held in high esteem as one of the best superhero movies ever made, I’d argue there’s another Superman film that exceeds Superman both in terms of quality and fidelity to the character: Bryan Singer’s 2006″
Jumping for Greatness
Superman Returns ‘is the sixth and final installment in the original Superman film series and serves as an homage sequel to Superman (1978) and Superman II (1980), while ignoring the events of Superman III (1983), Supergirl (1984), and Superman IV: The Quest for Peace (1987)’. Wikipedia
The cape belongs to Superman and even though the studio may not have gotten all the funds it was hoping for, the audience will always look for their hero. Just waiting for the Warner Brothers Studio to find that moment when the world’s hero modernizes.
I just love this two movies