Posted on 06/30/2006 8:01:53 AM PDT by Roberts
Nevermind Superman's sexual orientation. Here's another identity-related question that is likely to spark controversy as the Man of Steel soars into theaters nationwide this Fourth of July weekend in Warner Bros. Pictures' "Superman Returns": Is Superman still American?
Ever since artist Joe Shuster and writer Jerry Siegel created the granddaddy of all comic book icons in 1932, Superman has fought valiantly to preserve "truth, justice and the American way." Whether kicking Nazi ass on the radio in the '40s or wrapping himself in the Stars and Stripes on TV during the Cold War or even rescuing the White House's flag as his final feat in "Superman II," the Krypton-born, Smallville-raised Ubermensch always has been steeped in unmistakable U.S. symbolism.
But in the latest film incarnation, scribes Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris sought to downplay Superman's long-standing patriot act. With one brief line uttered by actor Frank Langella, the caped superhero's mission transformed from "truth, justice and the American way" to "truth, justice and all that stuff."
"The world has changed. The world is a different place," Pennsylvania native Harris says. "The truth is he's an alien. He was sent from another planet. He has landed on the planet Earth, and he is here for everybody. He's an international superhero."
In fact, Dougherty and Harris never even considered including "the American way" in their screenplay. After the wunderkind writing duo ("X2: X-Men United") conceived "Superman's" story with director Bryan Singer during a Hawaiian vacation, they penned their first draft together and intentionally omitted what they considered to be a loaded and antiquated expression. That decision stood throughout the 140-day shoot in Australia, where the pair remained on-set to provide revisions and tweaks.
"We were always hesitant to include the term 'American way' because the meaning of that today is somewhat uncertain," Ohio native Dougherty explains. "The ideal hasn't changed. I think when people say 'American way,' they're actually talking about what the 'American way' meant back in the '40s and '50s, which was something more noble and idealistic."
While audiences in Dubuque might bristle at Superman's newfound global agenda, patrons in Dubai likely will find the DC Comics protagonist more palatable. And with the increasing importance of the overseas boxoffice -- as evidenced by summer tentpoles like "The Da Vinci Code" -- foreign sensibilities can no longer be ignored.
"So, you play the movie in a foreign country, and you say, 'What does he stand for? -- truth, justice and the American way.' I think a lot of people's opinions of what the American way means outside of this country are different from what the line actually means (in Superman lore) because they are not the same anymore," Harris says. "And (using that line) would taint the meaning of what he is saying."
But for Superman purists looking for a nod to the big blue Boy Scout's nationalistic loyalties, he is still saving Americans, albeit many with suspiciously Aussie accents. He foils Lex Luthor's nefarious plan to send millions from the nation's heartland to a watery death. And in his most impressive scene, the hero saves the day while a plane hurtles toward a baseball stadium full of fans enjoying America's pastime. Although there is no indication that it is an American baseball game depicted, the scene was one of the few shot on U.S. soil, at Dodger Stadium.
Nevertheless, the long-standing member of the Justice League of America seems to have traded in his allegiance to the flag for an international passport.
"He's here for humanity," Dougherty says.
And Hollywood wonders why they are losing touch with middle-America. What a load of PC crap.
Hollywood has no doubts about why they are losing touch with middle-America. The fact of the matter is, middle-America doesn't count. Beyond the seven or eight major markets in the U.S., all they care about is the global market.
Why don't these effers try rooting for the home team...just once. Nope. Can't do that. That would actually mean they loved their country.
What a bunch of self-inflated, supercilious SOBs.
"Nope. Action Comics #1 was published in 1938.."
Yep. Superman was created years before Action Comics #1. They were just not having any luck getting him published. I believe he was "created" in 1932.
>>meant back in the '40s and '50s, which was something more noble and idealistic."
Uh, no. It still means that for a majority of americans - See Bush/Kerry 2004
Yep. Rose instantly to the top of the: "Oh, well. Not seeing THAT one" list.
Interesting that they release it on 4th of July Weekend, isn't it? Guess Independence Day is good for selling a movie.....
Besides, he grows up on a farm in small town in a red state by two norman rockwell parents. He could have been born in Tazhikistan but that upbringing would make anyone a red-blooded, patriotic, American.
You make an excellent point. Folks like this need to come face to face with evil more often instead hiding in their coffee shops sipping lattes.
I'm beginning to wish this "Superman" would bomb. I don't like what I've read of what they've done to Lois Lane. Sounds like Terry Hatcher and Margot Kidder were the last good LL's.
My statement was, I thought, a bit harsher. It also pained me to make it because the implications are far reaching.
American pop culture continues to dominate the world market. Wherever there are teenagers eager to offend their parents, you'll find American rap music.
Is Superman still American?
Superman never WAS American. He's Kryptonian.
Illegal immigrant!!!!
Translation: foreign box office receipts are a lot more important to the writers/producers than "the American way." To non-liberals the American way's meaning hasn't changed a bit.
Which means Clark Kent is an illegal immigrant too. And must have forged documents to gain employment at The Daily Planet. I'm no longer so sure about this Superman guy.....
"The world has changed. The world is a different place," Pennsylvania native Harris says. "The truth is he's an alien. He was sent from another planet. He has landed on the planet Earth, and he is here for everybody. He's an international superhero."
No, he's an illegal alien. Where are his papers? Maybe he has a UN Global Passport™ ?
Ok, so who is going to demand that Superman leave this planet..
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