Is JJ Abrams Making DC’s Next Superman Movie? He Says Not
J.J. Abrams has denied that negotiations for him to make a new Supermanfilm have taken place. Created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, the character of Superman (aka Clark Kent/Kal-El) debuted on the pages of Action Comics #1 back in 1938. Alongside Batman and Wonder Woman, he ultimately became a core and hugely popular character within the world of DC Comics. As such, despite being occasionally deemed overpowered and notoriously difficult to translate to screen, he has been adapted numerous times across the decades - in both animation and live-action. He was most recently portrayed in three cinematic outings by Henry Cavill. Despite the underwhelming performance of Justice League, Cavill still insists he's still the DCEU's Superman.
Click the button below to start this article in quick view. Start nowAbrams, meanwhile, is a prolific writer, director, and producer. As well as helping to create such well-known (if often divisive) television shows like Lost, he has also helmed installments of numerous big-screen franchises. Abrams co-wrote and directed Mission: Impossible III before working on even more culturally beloved properties. He directed the 2009 reboot of Star Trek starring Chris Pine and Zachary Quinto. In 2013, he returned to direct the less popular sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness. Abrams has since departed that intergalactic playground, with Noah Hawley set to write and direct Star Trek 4. Instead, Abrams ventured to a galaxy far, far away, directing Star Wars: The Force Awakens before signing on to replace Colin Trevorrow and close out the new trilogy (and the entire Skywalker Saga) with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
Abrams recently spoke with Rolling Stone, in order to promote the highly anticipated Episode IX. In the process, he touched on a number of subjects - including the divisive nature of Rian Johnson's The Last Jedi and original creator George Lucas' criticisms regarding The Force Awakens. Away from the world of Star Wars, however, discussion briefly turned to the huge deal that been struck between Abrams and WarnerMedia. Worth over $500 million, the deal had many questioning the impact it might have on existing franchises. One idea that continually cropped up was that Abrams may finally direct a Superman film. Asked about it directly, Abrams had this to say: "We haven't had those discussions yet."
The outlet was quick to note that Abrams' answer didn't sound wholly convincing. They also noted the numerous Superman action figures that decorated his offices. Abrams was, of course, previously attached to direct a cinematic Superman outing. Tentatively titled Superman: Flyby, the project even had a script and was ready to go before it was ultimately scrapped. Based on previous comments, Superman: Flyby would have shared similarities with Man of Steel. Brandon Routh and Cavill were said to be in contention for the coveted role before both would go on to play Superman in separate outings. The former is set to reprise a version of the role in the coming months, with Routh playing Kingdom Come Superman in the Arrowverse.
In the two years since Justice League's troubled production, a campaign has raged to see director Zack Snyder's original vision released. It recently went to a whole new level, with even Justice League cast members lending their voices in support. Though Cavill wasn't among them, fans remain just as eager to see him once again don the cape. Whether or not Abrams has indeed had those discussions remains to be seen. Equally, it's unclear whether it'll see Cavill return or be a reboot similar to the one being experienced by Matt Reeves' upcoming film, The Batman. Whatever the case, fans will no doubt be divided between those wanting Abrams' no doubt nostalgic version of Superman realized and those who rage against it.
Source: Rolling Stone
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Source: screenrant.com