Kevin Costner Rumored for Superman

EXCLUSIVE: I'm told that there is heightened interest in Kevin Costner for a key role in the Superman reboot that is being directed by Zack Snyder for Warner Bros and Legendary Pictures. Henry Cavill was recently set in the Man of Steel role. I'm not exactly sure what role Costner is likely to play, but he has certainly been in good guy mode lately. Beyond his performance in the John Wells-directed The Company Men, Costner surfaced as an unlikely hero in aiding the cleanup in the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. British Petroleum purchased over 30 centrifuge machines which separate oil  from water, technology that was developed with a reported $24 million in funding by the actor over 15 years.

The Superman film is being produced by Chris Nolan, Charles Roven, Emma Thomas, and Deborah Snyder. The screenplay is being written by David S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers. The new Superman is targeted for release in December 2012.

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DVD Review: All Star Superman

Thanks for checking out our All Star Superman DVD Review

Genre: Animated Superhero Action
Directed by: Sam Liu
Staring: James Denton, Christina Hendricks, Matthew Gray Gubler and Linda Cardellini
Released: February 22, 2010

THE GENERAL IDEA

Based on Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s 12-issue “All-Star Superman” series, the animated movie will feature “Desperate Housewives” actor James Denton as the voice of the Man of Steel, “Mad Men” actress Christina Hendricks as Lois Lane, and “Without a Trace” leading man Anthony LaPaglia as Lex Luthor. In the story, Superman is faced with mortality and has to decide what is truly important to the last survivor of Krypton.

THE GOOD

This is a faithful adaptation of the 12 issue stand alone story arc written by Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Many scenes are ripped right from the pages right down to the unique style and framing. It is a unique contained Superman story which on the pages became an instant classic for its depth of character and storytelling despite picking up after decades of storyline, but with an obvious end in place.

The way they present the difference between Clark and Superman is genius, and I really enjoyed the Clark Kent moments in the movie. It is done rather well, and reminded me a lot of how Reeve looked so different as Kent and as Superman in those films. They don’t cheat when he is animated here, but he certainly has a different presence. This was a defining factor on how they wanted to present the secret identity in the comic arc, and its played out well in the movie.

There is a great featurette about the Original comic book source material from which this is all based on that is very insightful and well put together. Which leads me to…

THE BAD

Much like people worried if the incredible story on the pages of Watchmen could ever translate well to a feature film, this is an example of one that does not. While interesting to see Superman explore these familiar things from his past, and while it does sit very closely to much of the storylines presented in the 12 issue presentation, this does NOT translate well to a feature film.

Much of the story feels rushed, heartless and random. There is a whole bridge about Superman revealing his identity to Lois that jumps randomly into him creating a serum that grants her his powers for 24 hours. He even makes her a costume so she can fly in his tights for a day. So random.

And then the film attempts to hit on many of the contained stories presented in the 12 issues, and it feels like we hopped into another episode of a tv show without seeing credits roll. Its jarring and again, removes any of the depth of story presented from the comics.

The story drags and jumps, and their choices on which of the bits in the series to leave out in the adaptation leave you curious as well. The presence of Luthor’s Niece Nasthalthia Luthor might be adorably voiced by Linda Cardellini, but she is pointless in the movie.

OVERALL

All in all, I would give them an A for effort, as this unique non-canon storyline was very well recieved in print. It just doesn’t work well as a movie. Much of the depth and nuances of the Morrison/Quietly series is completely lost on this 75 minute feature, which is a shame.

I give All Star Superman a 3 out of 10

On a side note, in the special features, there is a sneak peek at an upcoming Green Lantern release called Green Lantern: Emerald Knights that will offer an anthology of vignette shorts featuring different characters across the Green Lantern franchise that looks AMAZING. Fans will get to see Nathan Fillion as Green Lantern at last… or at least hear him as he will be providing the voice of Hal Jordan.

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Henry Cavill Talks Superman

For fans of superhero movies, the next two years could bring the biggest and broadest array of films the genre has ever produced — and hopefully the very best, as well. Call it The Spandex Singularity — an unprecedented concentration of super-star superhero properties, resulting from the intensifying geek takeover of pop culture. This year gives Fox’s X-Men: First Class, a reboot (in prequel form) of the franchise that helped launch the modern era of superhero cinema back in 2000. Then come three new properties that will try to expand the category’s horizons: Thor and Captain America: The First Avenger, both from Marvel Studios and Paramount Pictures, and Warner Bros.’ Green Lantern starring Ryan Reynolds. Next year: The heavyweights. The Wolverine. The Amazing Spider-Man. The Avengers. The Dark Knight Rises. And then, capping the year, an as-yet-untitled movie that will try to restore the king of all the superheroes to his pop glory: Superman.

The new issue of Entertainment Weekly previews the onslaught of box office super-friends about to descend upon us — and it also brings you the first interview with British actor Henry Cavill (The Tudors) since director Zack Snyder (300, Watchmen) and producer Christopher Nolan (The Dark Knight) tapped him to become Hollywood’s newest Man of Steel. Among the topics of discussion: Cavill’s audition, which included shooting a screen test wearing a replica of Christopher Reeve’s once impressive, now dated Superman suit. “If you can put on that suit and pull it off,” says Snyder, ‘that’s an awesome achievement.” Cavill was feeling less than super in the moment, at least about his ability to fill out the costume: He had just finished shooting a film with Bruce Willis called The Cold Light Of Day, and the part required to him to shed the impressive abs of steel and muscle tone he had put on for the movie he made right before that, the forthcoming mythic fantasy Immortals. As an assistant helped to him put on the Super-suit, Cavill recalls: “All I could think was: Oh, god. They’re going to look at me and go ‘He’s not Superman. Not a chance.’ The actor inside me was going: You’re not ready! You’re not ready!” Snyder saw something — or rather someone — different. “He walked out, and no one laughed,” says the director. “Other actors put that suit on, and it’s a joke, even if they’re great actors. Henry put it on, and he exuded this kind of crazy-calm confidence that just made me go ‘Wow.’ Okay: This was Superman.’”

You can find out more about the new Superman movie and its star — and get scoop on the slew of upcoming superhero movies — in the new issue of Entertainment Weekly, on sale now.

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Henry Cavill Superman Interview in EW

Posted by Rodneyon 17. 02. 2011in Headlines, News Chat

Entertainment Weekly has an interview with the new Superman Henry Cavill talking about the final test that decided how he got to be the Last Son of Krypton.

Entertainment Weekly

To become Hollywood’s new Man of Steel, Henry Cavill had to pass the Laugh Test. To wit: Could he wear the Superman suit without anyone giggling? And not just any Superman suit. To shoot his screen test last month, the 27-year-old British actor donned a replica of the costume Christopher Reeve wore in director Richard Donner’s classic 1978 film. By today’s standards, those sky blue spandex threads with the iconic S shield on the chest look dated—and hence an effective yardstick for the team now charged with making Superman fly for 21st-century moviegoers. “If you can put on that suit and pull it off,” says director Zack Snyder, “that’s an awesome achievement.”

As an assistant helped him into the suit, Cavill was feeling less than super. He certainly has the face for Superman—solid chin, defined cheekbones, piercing eyes, dark hair. He’s also 6? 1? and radiates intelligence, maturity, and all around good-guyness, though he’s too humble to say so himself. But Cavill worried that the rest of him wasn’t up to snuff. He had recently lost the muscle tone he gained to play a loincloth warrior in the mythic fantasy Immortals, due this November. “All I could think was, Oh, God, they’re going to look at me and go, ‘He’s not Superman. Not a chance,’ ” recalls Cavill, best known for playing Henry VIII’s buddy Charles Brandon on Showtime’s The Tudors. “The actor inside me was going, ‘You’re not ready! You’re not ready!’ ” Snyder saw something different. “He walked out and no one laughed,” says the director, a geek pop idol for his work on Dawn of the Dead, 300, and Watchmen. “Other actors put that suit on and it’s a joke, even if they’re great actors. Henry put it on, and he exuded this kind of crazy-calm confidence that just made me go, ‘Wow. Okay, this is Superman.’ ”

I would have to say that suit would be the most intimidating part of the role. Who wants to be running around in spandex tights with nothing but a cape to hide your dignity?

That’s a man of steel.

They had no doubts about his acting chops, but that final litmus test has it sold. I can’t wait to see how they play this off so that the suit doesn’t feel hokey.

In Returns, we were introduced to a world already familiar with Superman – so the suit was not as distracting, but now we are to experience the origin of the character who will be showing his persona to the world for the first time in that suit. There is a difference to be had there.

I hope they make some subtle changes to the costume, but still keep it in that style at its core.

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