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.
Way back in the day, when this Superman movie entered Development Hell, they had Kevin Smith working on a script. He is a comic book fanboy and he related a story about the project. He said that he talked with the person in charge at that time. This person told him that the studio really wanted to get Sean Penn for the role of Superman, because Sean could capture the rage and hatred of a caged animal, which was how the studio at that time saw Superman.
That said, this movie is an improvement, but still, I think I'll pass. "Click" looked cute though.
If you are coming to Vegas.. lol
It was a deal we got at the Palms hotel. We dont go into town too much but figured we might check this out.. not planning on it now.
The movie was fantastic. Who cares what Dracula says.
I'd have been surprised if they DID say "..and the American Way.."
Just ain't gonna happen in Hollywood Ver. 2.0
What gripes me is the insistence and determination of the Hollywood crowd to ram their agendas down our throats. It really detracts from the enjoyment of their product, and it's so unnecessary. I wish they'd just play it straight and stick to entertainment instead of preaching. They'd make more money that way, but they're too stupid and arrogant to see it.
With regard to Superman Returns, the flaws we've all pointed out and discussed on these threads are serious, but not fatal. It's still worth seeing.
I'll prolly see it, but not until it comes out on DVD. Redbox at McDonalds has DVD rentals for a $1.00.
Very well said. Thanks.
If you like Batman, "Batman Begins" was pretty good. Came out last year, with Christian Bale playing the lead. Pretty dark, very well done IMO.
Oh yeah, actually I saw that on pay per view. Yer right. It was pretty good.
You are right that a new 'Justice League of America" will be started soon, next month #0 comes out. Also, this fall a new 'Justice Society of America' will start replacing the JSA book.
The new 'Justice League of America' is replacing the 'JLA' book run that began in the 90's When that book was released one of the known reasons that America wasn't used was they didn't want to offend anyone, also they hoped to make the book new and fresher at the time. Another reason was that of the seven members, four were from, Krypton, Mars, Atlantis, and Paradise Island. The reason, 'Justice League' animated series on cable left America out of the title was for the same reason.
I want to know what the left pc crowd will do after we get hit again.And we will get hit again! I am very afraid it is going to be very bad. The enemy is just taking their time and counting on us to be forgetful and lazy. I ;pray we will be ready.
I'll bet that's why they cast an Aussie, when there are probably 1,246,892 unknown actors in Los Angeles who would have killed for the chance. That way their international press releases can emphasize the "international hero" talking point.
The reason, 'Justice League' animated series on cable left America out of the title was for the same reason.
Do you have any cites to back that up? I think it *could* be true but this is the first I've heard such a claim.
My red state intuition warned naggingly of a gathering foul stench with this stinker. Classic Hollyweird mythology predictably produces prodigious piles of steaming PC cr@p dubbing it "tentpole."
INTERVIEW: Dan Harris & Michael Dougherty Talk About Writing Superman Returns. . .
Is Superman more universal in your movie?
Michael Dougherty: When it comes to the "American Way", I think it's tricky.
Dan Harris: I don't think the American Way means what it meant in 1945.
Michael Dougherty: Yeah, it's not quite as defined these days.
Dan Harris: There was a concerted effort to make this an international Superman. Yes, he landed in Kansas. Yes, he was raised by Americans but he is an alien. He is from Krypton. He has come to the Earth to be kind of a savior for this world. Not for our country.
Was all the Christian imagery in the movie a conscious choice?
Michael Dougherty: It's existed as part of the character since he was created. Moreso in that he's a classic mythological actor. It's Judeo-Christian. Christianity has it's roots in the Jewish religion. These two guys created a character which is non-denominational. It embraces and uses elements from Greek mythology, Christian mythology... it cherry picks ideas.
Dan Harris: Superman shows up to the earth ala Moses. There's a great deal of discussion in the movie about Greek mythology... the nature of Gods and what Gods are. Then it kind of moves into Christian mythology.
Nope, he was birthed in the United States from his incubation-pod spaceship... He's an anchor baby!... But still a U.S. citizen.
Thanks for mentioning MiracleMan. I was reading up on the charcter in Wikipedia and he's pretty interesting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miracleman
Wasn't this the same attitude which caused Superman IV to tank at the box office?
Even the one with Richard Pryor did reasonably well at the box office.
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