How’s that for an SEO-baiting headline? You’ll find them everywhere today.
And the thing is, I strangely have little to no comment on the matter. Snyder is a good guy. He’s done well by Warner Bros. It makes sense for a lot of people involved but there’s still something insular and unimaginative about it all. And moving in a direction I don’t see as a fan, but what do I matter? (The villain will be General Zod, by the way.)
Anyway, I had my say on all of this once — no, twice, actually. I wish the production well. Why don’t you just tell me what you think already?
Oh, speaking of Nolan, nifty “Inception” trailer, re-imagined for the 1950s, after the jump.
[Photo: DC Comics]
Comments
33 responses to “Zack Snyder tapped for Nolan-produced ‘Superman’”
I gave my two cents on the previous Superman article. I would have preferred Bay BUT Snyder has a long relationship with Warner and Legendary Pictures and he has a great visual style. With Nolan in charge of the script and Snyder behind the camera, I think something quite special will come out of this.
And if we’re talking Justice League as DC Entertainment and Warner undoubtedly are, Nolan’s Batman, Synder’s Superman, and Campbell’s Green Lantern all fit together IMO.
The first word that entered my mind was Meh. I can see why people like 300 and Watchmen, but they both strike me as style over substance. I’ll see this because of Nolan, but I fear a letdown similar to Superman Returns.
Snyder’s films are not something i like but this could turn into a train wreak or something amazing. But I have faith in nolan, so i’m going to be optimistic about this. And I’m actually excited!!!
why not??
His previous movies did have a pretty good visual style, but their weaknesses were in the scripts, and he didn’t write this one so that’s good. It could be bad because I don’t think the way he films fits Superman all to well, but maybe he can do it.
What does SEO baiting mean/stand for?
Snyder is a very capable director and no doubt something more than interesting will result out of this collaboration with Nolan. Still, it feels kind of disappointing that WB didn’t take a riskier choice, it just feels uninspired… I think the cast will be key to make this movie really appealing and the series fresh again.
Meh. Slightly disappointing. I can only trust that Nolan knows what he is doing and will have plenty of creative control.
Synder has a distinctive style. Its not one I care for. Its too much without giving anything to narrative. Edgar Wright’s Scott Pilgrim visual style gets numbing towards the end, but Synder’s losses my interest quickly.
Damn I wanted Aronofsky to direct the film. I would just find it interesting considering films like The Fountain where one of the ideas we deal with is mortality and then someone like our beaten up Randy in The Wrestler and his vulnerability even if its not shown to his fans. I just think what Superman is physically, Aronofsky could do interesting things with. I also like his visual style far more.
Search Engine Optimization. As in, people will be searching the hell out of terms like “Zack Snyder,” “Superman” and “Nolan” and posts with those in the headline will pop up often.
Since Jon Hamm is in Sucker Punch, maybe we’ll see him play Supes?
Other sites are also reporting that General Zod is the villain. I would have preferred Darkseid or Brainiac.
Me too, Loyal.
I don’t understand the “I’ll see this because of Nolan!” sentiment.
You’re getting Zack Snyder’s Superman penned by David Goyer. Tapley said it best. Insular. Unimaginative.
The story is and script are Goyer’s. Snyder is in WB’s stable. What function is Christopher Nolan serving, in this equation? Besides the credibility his name brings with it?
Oh. The credibility his name brings with it.
At least it’s working on some people.
What a boring choice. I haven’t been able to get the bad taste of Watchmen out of my mouth when I hear Zack Snyder’s name anywhere. Blah.
I’m sure it’s a financial decision and not a creative one. Zod’s cheaper and if the film works, they’ll be able to justify villains that are more epic in scope.
Still, considering how Nolan has chosen to approach Batman’s cinematic rouges gallery, it is odd to see this Superman film going back to a previous villain. That was one of the main issues with Superman Returns, it was mired in the previous films (the other issue being it was boring).
Loyal,
How is Zod cheaper? Does he, like… Fetch a lower salary than Lex Luthor does?
Love,
Michael
I was interested in where a Affleck/Reeves Superman would have gone. Snyder is capable though.
Dear Michael,
While Zod is an alien, he’s human in design. It’s only his abilities that mirror Superman’s as a Kryptonian on Earth that make him special.
Brainiac’s look varies from comic to comic but let’s just call him an android. Darkseid is a massive bulky New God from Apokolips, most certainly a CGI/Mo-Cap type of creation.
So on paper, Zod is the easiest/cheapest to bring to the screen out of the three.
Yours,
Loyal
Ah, now I understand.
I was speaking with a friend about this. I told him the only aspect of this movie that excites me is “Who will play General Zod?”
And then my friend said, “Gerard Butler.”
…
Now that the whole question of “who is directing” is out of the way, can we talk about who could be cast in this?
For Superman, I think the obvious choice is Jon Hamm. The guy just has the build, the look and the feel of a superhero. If not him, them Matthew Bomer or Ian Somerhalder. Funny how I’d choose between actors mostly known for television work. If they are going for younger though, I’d say Armie Hamm (a good follow-up to Social Network, wouldn’t you say? Get Jesse Eisenberg to play The Ant Man and the super hero trifecta is complete!) or even a buffed up Emile Hirsch.
Jude Law once expressed interest in playing General Zod. Daniel Craig would be an inspired choice for a villain, me thinks, and if James McAvoy wasn’t commited with X-Men:First Class, I’d certainly cast him in a heartbeat. And can anyone think “reunion”? I certainly can, if Snyder calls on buddy Gerard Butler for the role. I wouldn’t mind.
Incidentally, 2012 will be the year Christopher Nolan becomes richer than God.
I think a more unconventional choice for Superman would be Cillian Murphy. Google him. Bulk him up in your imagination. And he has a somewhat alien look about him.
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If Nolan chose Snyder to direct the film then Nolan is not nearly as good a producer as he is a director.
Snyder is one of the good guys. He has a lot of passion for filmmaking and brings something new to the table, at the very least on a visual level. To me, Nolan has made some excellent unconventional, left field choices before. He did it with Heath Ledger, and look how that turned out. He obviously sees something in Snyder, and they must share a similar vision for the franchise, or he wouldn’t have picked him. In Nolan and Snyder I trust.
I like Snyder’s films a lot, but there are a lot of things he does that annoy the hell out of me. First, he uses slow-motion during fight scenes to compensate for boring fighting choreography. I great example of this is the scene in Watchmen when the two heroes break into the prison. 300’s action is kinda the same when you re-watch it. Another thing is his choice of composer. Tyler Bates can’t right a decent score to save his life, specializing in the “wall of sound” approach that would not fit with Superman. I’m hoping Snyder can fix both of these problems, but I have a feeling that they will pop up in this film too
Snyder has done nothing of interest in his career. I guess I can pass.
Hopefully he has the balls to use Brandon Routh.
How about Andrew Garfield to star?
PLEASE NO BRANDON ROUTH. Routh is actually much better as a scumbag that as a cleancut hero.
benway,
Jonah Nolan is co-writing the script with Goyer, so it’s not just Goyer’s script. With Jonah involved, my guess is that means Chris will be involved with the script as well.
Jonah Nolan is not co-writing the script.
It is Goyer’s script and, as one would expect from a David Goyer script, reportedly a mess.
My theory about Nolan’s involvement as “smokescreen” I think has gained a bit of validity in light of today’s news.
The Nolan Chronicles: Superman.
Good choice, since he’ll bring some action experience to the Man of Steel. I just wish a villain other than Zod was being used.
[…] is one of the biggest movies of the year, but what if it were one of the 1950s biggest movies? In Contention discovered a brand new trailer for Inception, but done in the wonderful 1950s, black-and-white […]