Last week, Warner Bros. released the first official picture of Henry Cavill as Superman in Zack Snyder’s franchise reboot Man of Steel. After looking at it a few times, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m just as underwhelmed with this reboot of the Last Son of Krypton as I was of Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns in 2006 (although Brandon Routh at least resembled Christopher Reeve). Unfortunately, Snyder, like Singer before him, is fighting an uphill battle on this movie. Christopher Reeve’s interpretation of Superman will forever be the benchmark for excellence. Richard Donner did an amazing job with Reeve and Superman: The Movie. I’m just not sure if anyone will be able to equal to their work on the franchise.
Henry Cavill as Superman in “Man of Steel.” © 2011 – Warner Bros. Pictures.
For one thing, look at the costume itself. Superman was created to embody the characteristics of a classic superhero – incorruptible, fighting against evil, and protecting the innocent. Someone who trumpets those ideals needs to trumpet them loudly. That’s why the costume was designed to be so bright and colorful. Jerry Siegel was even quoted as saying “[let’s] make him as colorful as we can and as distinctive as we can,” with regards to the costume. With that in mind, looking at Singer, and now Snyder’s interpretations of Superman, you can already deem them both failures. Sure, some may say clothes don’t make the man, but with someone as iconic as Superman, there’s just no room for artistic interpretation.
Christopher Reeve as Superman in “Superman: The Movie.”
We live in an age where Hollywood wants their reboots gritty and realistic. Rumor is they’re already looking to reboot Green Lantern as a more edgy property. This should work wonders. Nothing says dark and edgy like a character who gets his power from a ring that can transform willpower…I digress though, we’re talking about Superman, not Green Lantern. Superman is arguably the most iconic superhero ever created (which pains me to say since I’m a die-hard Batman fan), which means messing with the canon and tradition of that character should be scrutinized like nothing has ever been scrutinized before. Superman is not Batman. Superman’s story and the ideals he embodies do not translate to a dark, edgy reinterpretation. I want to see Superman in all his glory, not a darker, seedier side. Henry Cavill’s costume looks closer to Superman villain Bizarro than he does the Man of Steel. Also, what’s up with the latex?
Ultimately, I’m currently judging an entire movie that is still in the process of being filmed on the basis of one measly photograph. That could be pretty short-sided on my part, but I don’t think so. Just look at Snyder’s track record of late: Sucker Punch was atrocious, and Watchmen should have been reason enough for DC to put the brakes on Snyder helming a reboot of their most iconic character (regardless of Christopher Nolan’s involvement). Man of Steel, as you know, is set for release June 14, 2013.
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