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Mark Millar's Godfather-Like Superman Pitch Probably Not Happening

by Alex Billington
March 25, 2009

Remember that awesome pitch for a Godfather-like trilogy of Superman movies from comic book author Mark Millar? Yea, it's probably not going to happen. Millar himself confirmed today on his forums at MillarWorld.tv (via The Playlist) that his pitch didn't get too far. "Warner's talked to us and a few other writer/director teams, but things seem to be in stasis right now. As far as I understand, nothing is happening with Superman at the moment and so the director and I are just working on another project. If it happens, great. If it doesn't, no biggie." Maybe there is some hope, but sadly, I doubt it'll happen.

There have been an excessive number of Superman-related rumors in the last six months, mainly because he's such a beloved character and there have been rumblings of a reboot at Warner Brothers. The response to Millar's idea had the most enthusiastic support, probably because true Superman fans would love to see a complete origin story. Let's hope that WB likes his idea enough to still consider it whenever they do move forward. And for some inspirational advice, let's turn to Millar again. "Kick-Ass taught me that creating your own stuff can be at least as much fun and you don't have to answer to anyone. It's the future, baby."

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Dave Lister, J.M.C.

Man... I don't know if I could take another origin story. Even though the Singer film wasn't an origin story, it stole the plot, from Donner's origin film. Warners is doing the right thing, by standing back and waiting a bit. They need to get a clear vision, a good writer and director and then they need to let that team do their job, a la Christopher Nolan and his brother on the Batman films. One of Singer's biggest mistakes was he didn't stick to his own vision; he coasted too hard on Donner's style. The result was a muddled film that came nowhere close to being the homage he was attempting.
Sandra

The previous generation still has Donner's origin story and for this generation, Smallville has covered it extensively. There is no need to revisit the origin again. People would be bored with that. It would feel repetitive. That was the only thing I didn't like about Millar's plans. He wanted to start off with a lot of the story set on Krypton pre-explosion. Hardcore fanboys may think that sounds fantastic, but that movie would bomb.
Ajax

I don't know if I would like Millar's idea. I mean, he's a great comic book writer, but A) I don't have the most trust in him movie-wise, and B) the Superman/Godfather idea sounds a little bloatted to me. Superman has this aura of wonder and a huge amount of mythology that it would be way too easy to wallow in. I think that the next film should be more like Spiderman 2 or The Dark Knight, with Superman trying to bear with the burden of being the world's greatest hero while trying to fight a huge menance (BTW, I would really like to see Darkseid or Braniac as the next villlian). I know it would be harder for a filmmaker to do, being Superman is much more powerful than them, but his burden to the world would be only that much greater. I don't want it to be dark and edgy like those films, but the themes should resemble them somewhat. Anyway, it's doubtful that we will see a Superman film soon, because these films are notorious for being in production hell.
zach

This is great news DC shouldnt ruin the good movie streak they have going personally i hate superman i mean a indestructible human thats only weakness is a green crystal on a planet that nobody but him can go to??? BORING!!!!
robert

Singer's film was good, but it wasn't the behemoth it should've been for one simple reason: Superman didn't fight anyone. There was no one for him to physically do battle against. Doomsday would be the obvious choice for the next villain; as to why they don't want to make that movie, no one knows. I do hope Singer sticks with the movie because he would do a kick-ass job with it. I still think of the movie that should've been made with X-3, even with the script Ratner used.
Hey Ya

I'm with you #4. I've never been a fan of Superman. Too boring. They tried to write something great about him but it's always so blah.
Kal-el

#4 and #6. If you two are not fans of Superman then why the f**k are you even here reading this article and leaving comments. I have said this once before if something does not peak your interest then move onto something that does. I am sick and tired of all you superman haters out there bagging him. If there was an article about harry potter I would not even read the article let alone leave a comment about it. Seriously what the ?. Now onto this whole debate about superman. Since Singer had made Superman Returns and made alot of Cinema goers and Superman Fans unhappy with his crappy remake, and yes let's just call it a remake because it had so much stuff that donner had already done, Warner Bros have been wrapping there heads around about what to do with this timeless character. I believe sitting back for a bit and looking at all options that they have will be well suited to the character in the long run. We don't need another origin. The reason Batman Begins worked so well was that Batman on film and even in the comicbooks never had an origin story done before. Superman's origin has been done so many times now and enough with Lex Luthor already. If he is going to be in the next film make it only a small part and focus on other sSuperman villians for a change.
supfan

Who the fuck can't stand toe 2 toe with the greatest super hero of all time. the only thing that i can think of is DooMsDay !!!
K

This is disappointing news! I think this is exactly what the Superman franchise needs. A huge kick in the nuts and something just over the top and epic. Not your typical studio driven, PG, cheezy flick. Perhaps down the road Millar and the studios will hook up and make this a reality. I realize a lot of people didn't care for Singers take on Superman, I enjoyed it. Could it have been better, darker, more intense, less cheezy... probably. I think Millar would be a great choice to direct this or Zach Synder. Someone other than your well known, typical director. Need a younger, fresh minded take of this.
NadaNuff

"...probably because true Superman fans would love to see a complete origin story." I don't think so. Name 2 people who don't know Superman's origin. Reduce Lex and Lois to supporting characters, have Superman fight a villain who is actually a threat and can go toe-to-toe (nothing wrong with creating an original villain, either) and you've got potential.
Del

I totaly agree with you Kal-el, #4 & 6 shouldnt even leave comments about this if they dont like Superman.
ureyesonly

i can already see superman sitting on a meteoroid together with doomsday watching the universe go bust. i loved the tragedy in batman bring something like that on for superman, break the iconic figure down to human standards and don't do it like in superman 2(?). that would be great. ps when will that smallville show finally get cancelled. haven't seen crap like that in decades!
S

I'd like to see something epic. Like a Superman trilogy that spans decades. Maybe throw in a quick origin montage during the opening credits of the first one but don't rehash it. I think you could show Superman's ultimate lonelyness as you span such a long timeframe. Throw in a few huge battles with some main villains (i.e. Doomsday, Brainiac, maybe even Darkseid). By the third movie everyone he knew and cared about has passed on or been killed and I think you could maybe borrow a little bit from the The Dark Knight Returns graphic novel where superman is just doing the bidding of the government and the world is on the brink of war (might be an awesome opportunity to show Superman fighting against a whole army!) and he finally just says "fuck it" and lets the world go to hell. You could have Superman leaving earth at the end of the third movie with the realization that no matter how hard he tries he can never truelly save humanity from itself. While Superman is indeed invincible I think there is ultimately a tragedy to his character. He will always be alone because there is no other person who can understand what it's like and that no matter how hard he tries he will never be able to change people.
Josh

"...No biggie." Didn't this guy mention that his whole life's intention as a writer was to some day write the script for a Superman film? I'm sure glad he wasn't hired.
zetsu

fucking hell warner brother/dc comics its fucking easy 1. three movies,2.any of these fucking villains(bizzaro,brainaic,darkseid & doomsday take your pick spread them over three movies no fucking lex luthor.)3.lois lane(i want a hot lois,like the one in smallville.)4.keep the fuck away from super kid story (it was shit in superman returns)5.get an awesome director (michael bay,james cameron,ridley scott,j j abrahams,zack snyder.)6.great special effects(the type that will blow you the fuck away like they did back 70s with the original superman movies,but wih the advances in special effects tech of today.)
splat

^^ That reminds me. NO Sony Imageworks in the reboot. The effects in 'Returns' was god awful. In all the flying scenes he looked like a rubber doll.
SlashBeast

I didn't think Millar's idea was really that great to begin with. Many were complaining that they didn't want an origin story for Superman AGAIN and Millar comes out with a 9 hour trilogy which is almost entirely an origin story. Superman can be done right and still thrill audiences, they WB just needs to get their priorities in order before they attempt to move forward.
Kal-el

#15. If Warner Bros would only just listen to what you're saying, then we would have the best Superman film ever. And it's great to see that someone out there still appriciates the original Superman. Too many people especially from this site have been bagging the original Donner film. When if they just sit back and think for a bit, they'd realize that if it wasn't for Superman The Movie that other comic book films would not have made without it's success.
phil

GREAT IDEA. SUPERMAN TRILOGY WOULD BE AMAZING!!!!!
Fisherr

I would love to see Superman's trilogy, i wished the Watchowski brothers rumors was right.
http://letsbefriendsagain.com/ chrishaley

I love Mark Millar, and I even think some of the best pure Superman comics in the last 10-15 years were written by him (back when he was writing "Superman Adventures" before anyone knew he was), but since he's become a superstar he's had some great ideas that were crippled by hacky execution. As much as I'd love to see a huge, epic Superman trilogy, what Millar told us of his ideas sounded terribly un-Superman. And as much as I appreciate his enthusiasm, his constant overselling of plans and projects gets a bit tiresome. Two words on how to do Superman well : Grant. Morrison. We know he's one of the writers WB had come in and pitch to them. If they were smart, they'd lock him and Mark Waid in a room and let them write the greatest Superman movie ever.
Peter Glass

You can't make the rebooted Superman series eight hours that's far too long. Have it more like the first four classic movies that starred Christopher Reeve who died in 2004. Hire Tim Burton to direct it with the story and screenplay written by Steven Speilberg Martin Scorsesse Tony Scott and Quentin Tarantino who should make it a family friendly PG-13 movie with Josh Hartnett wearing an exact replica of Chris Reeve's classic Superman costume as well as the huge square glasses with Courtney Cox Arquette portraying Lois Lane Bryce Dallas Howard as Lana Lang Christopher Walken as Jor-El Matt Damon as Jimmy Olsen John Malkovitch as Lex Luthor Matthew Perry as Braniac and Vinnie Jones as Doomsday.