CBR: Donner: Geoff Johns Superman Film Would Be "Smart Thing" To Do

[CBR News]

The hugely influential director of "Superman: The Movie," Richard Donner all but
defies the powers that be to hire superstar "Action Comics" writer Geoff Johns to
script the next Superman motion picture, saying it's a no-brainer.


Full article here (http://comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18443).

[kalorama]

Is Donner really "hugely influential" in the sense that anyone in a decision-making position at Warners actually cares what he thinks on the subject?

[ZT4]

Is Donner really "hugely influential" in the sense that anyone in a decision-making position at Warners actually cares what he thinks on the subject?

Considering he's been shut out of a possible fifth Lethal Weapon movie (itself a long since dry well), and isnt in too much demand these days, Warner really couldnt give a toss.

It's nice that Jones has got his foot in the door with Smallville, but that's like giving a degree of class to Power Rangers

[Ilash]

Regardless of Donners' weight in Hollywood and the fact that he has worked with Johns a whole lot, giving Johns a shot at the script for the next Superman would be a really good idea. Superman Returns suffered mainly for a weak script and I'd be gald to have Raimi back if he was working off a Geoff Johns Superman story.

[MikeK]

Geoff is more suited for a Green Lantern movie. I'd love to see them do multiple sequels and eventually show us the entire Corp. Perhaps building towards Sinestro Corps War? That would be sweet.

I can dream.

[Billy Parker]

Mark Millar would be the ideal screen writer.

Jones

Johns.

I'd be glad to have Raimi back

You're thinking of Singer. Raimi is the far superior director of the Spider-Man trilogy, and needs to stay on Spider-Man.

[howyadoin]

That's an interesting definition of "smart".

[jmyoung]

Mark Millar would be the ideal screen writer.



Johns.



You're thinking of Singer. Raimi is the far superior director of the Spider-Man trilogy, and needs to stay on Spider-Man.

The problem with Millar is that he is all style and no substance. I believe Geoff would create something that would include a fair amount of entertaining action as well as some character depth.

[J. Robb]

I'm not sure if we need another homage to Donner's film.

[Ontir]

Considering he's been shut out of a possible fifth Lethal Weapon movie (itself a long since dry well), and isnt in too much demand these days, Warner really couldnt give a toss.

It's nice that Jo[hn]s has got his foot in the door with Smallville, but that's like giving a degree of class to Power Rangers

Donner retired after the release of his cut of Superman II a few years ago. If he were interested in doing a 5th Lethal Weapon, I'm sure Warners would be glad to have him. Especially when you consider how lasting the influence of the first "Weapon" movie continues to be in the industry.

Geoff Johns (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0424315/) has a bit more than a foot in the door, already.

[Ilash]

Mark Millar would be the ideal screen writer.


If he approaches it the same way he did his Superman Adventures, sure. Otherwise forget it, I hate Millar's pathetic attempts to be "edgy" with most of the things he writes.


You're thinking of Singer. Raimi is the far superior director of the Spider-Man trilogy, and needs to stay on Spider-Man.

Doh! I can't believe I made that mistake. Though lets not kid Raimi's Spider-man 3 was a gigantic mess so even if he is better, I think very highly of both. And for what it's worth I think that in the direction department Superman Returns was pretty great - to the point that it almost made up for the very shaky script.

[kalorama]

Since neither Millar nor Johns has had a feature film produced and released based on a screenplay they've written, we really don't know how good or bad either would be on a Superman film. They may have some good ideas, but it takes more than ideas or even writing talent to make a workable screenplay. It also requires an understanding of the form and how what's on the page will translate to the big screen, boefore it actually happens. They may or may not have that, but there's really nothing to say that either of them would be perfect or ideal for this.

[howyadoin]

Having given this some more thought, I now think it could work.

As a chick flick, of course. "You will believe a man can cry."

[Sean Whitmore]

Having given this some more thought, I now think it could work.

As a chick flick, of course. "You will believe a man can cry."

That would certainly work as a thematic sequel to Returns.


SEAN

[Jared]

I want to see Doomsday in a movie just to justify the tag line "You will believe a man can die."

Anyway, I haven't read any of Johns Superman work, so no comment. It's a shame Mark Waid apparently has no screenwriting experience, I think he could come up with something worth a look.

[Ontir]

Doomsday is probably the one thing that could keep me away from a "Superman" film.

As to Raimi, he made a great first film, half of a good second film, and a third that is beyond execrable. I can't imagine why Sony would want to keep him on the Spider-franchise. I didn't pay to see the third and I doubt I'll sit through the fourth.

[Sean Whitmore]

I can't imagine why Sony would want to keep him on the Spider-franchise.

$?


SEAN

[Black Atom]

Doomsday is probably the one thing that could keep me away from a "Superman" film.

As to Raimi, he made a great first film, half of a good second film, and a third that is beyond execrable. I can't imagine why Sony would want to keep him on the Spider-franchise. I didn't pay to see the third and I doubt I'll sit through the fourth.

I'm pretty sure all three made ass loads of money, for good or ill.

[Ontir]

At some point you have to look at something beyond just a dollar sign. The first film was a good solid start, even with the mistake of having Kirsten Dunst play "MJ" instead of "Gwen Stacey." The second film got off to a good start, but went off the rails halfway through. The third, I don't even know how to transmit what was so wrong with that one. Raimi got Sandman perfect, then screwed up absolutely everything else. Even his casting of Bryce Dallas Howard only served to showcase the mistake of "MJ"/"Gwen" from the first film. Dunst should've had her arc as "Gwen," then died tragically as "MJ" played by Howard re-entered Peter's life. It's such a mess right now that I'm not ever sure where you pick up from there. Raimi had his run, let someone else have a shot.

[Sean Whitmore]

At some point you have to look at something beyond just a dollar sign.

Wait, who does? The studios? Cause I don't think they'd agree.


SEAN

[kalorama]

The movie industry is a business. Businesses exist to make money. As long as the movies turn a profit, there's no particular incentive for the studios to change anything.

That being said, I'd love it if another filmmaker (and another cast) got a shot at Spider-Man, preferably a director whose work has some weight to it.

[pparker]

i think johns is an excellent writer, but a great writer doesn't make a great director. Goyer, anyone? anyone?

[Ilash]

What's this about Spider-man being better than Spider-man 2? You're all nuts!

[HomerJay]

Can WB please just write Brad Bird a blank check to at least do the script?

[StoneGold]

Don't know about Dick, but his wife Lauren has got some serious pull.

[Black Atom]

The movie industry is a business. Businesses exist to make money. As long as the movies turn a profit, there's no particular incentive for the studios to change anything.

That being said, I'd love it if another filmmaker (and another cast) got a shot at Spider-Man, preferably a director whose work has some weight to it.

I'm crossing my fingers for Oliver Stone on Spider-Man 4. Or possibly that woman who did the documentary Born Into Brothels. I figure she might be able to deliver the sort of gravity a Spider-Man film deserves.

[HomerJay]

I'm crossing my fingers for Oliver Stone on Spider-Man 4. Or possibly that woman who did the documentary Born Into Brothels. I figure she might be able to deliver the sort of gravity a Spider-Man film deserves.
Supposedly Raimi, Maguire and Dunst have all been signed to both 4 AND 5. There's a rumor that they're going to be shot back to back with the villains being Lizard & Kraven.

[jessecuster3]

Supposedly Raimi, Maguire and Dunst have all been signed to both 4 AND 5. There's a rumor that they're going to be shot back to back with the villains being Lizard & Kraven.

Oh I would love a Kraven movie.

[howyadoin]

Supposedly Raimi, Maguire and Dunst have all been signed to both 4 AND 5. There's a rumor that they're going to be shot back to back with the villains being Lizard & Kraven.Hollywood should do more superhero movies that only have one villain. I've never understood this obsession with shoehorning two or more in.

[HomerJay]

Hollywood should do more superhero movies that only have one villain. I've never understood this obsession with shoehorning two or more in.
At least I think the villains would be stretched over two movies.

[HomerJay]

Oh I would love a Kraven movie.
There are so many actors that could be a GREAT Kraven. Depending on how he's portrayed, my short list would be as diverse as Ian McShane, Ron Perlman or Javier Bardem. The producer (her name escapes me) all but confirmed the Lizard by saying that as soon as it's announced who's playing the villain, you'll know who the villain is and we obviously already have a Dr. Curt Connors. Either that or John Jameson as Man-Wolf.

[J. Robb]

Hollywood should do more superhero movies that only have one villain. I've never understood this obsession with shoehorning two or more in.
I assume it has to do with merchandising. More villains = more toys.

[Black Atom]

I assume it has to do with merchandising. More villains = more toys.

Perhaps that and the general idea that sequels have to "up the ante" to stay interesting. The last one had three guys sword-fighting on a giant wheel, so this one has to have two guys sword-fighting on the mast of a ship, that's fighting with another ship. In a giant maelstrom. I think that also explains the unfortunately hesitance to re-use villains.

[Frank]

There are so many actors that could be a GREAT Kraven. Depending on how he's portrayed, my short list would be as diverse as Ian McShane, Ron Perlman or Javier Bardem.

Those would be three great choices, indeed. My first pick would be McShane but if we have to go physical I would go for Barden given McShane is in his 50s now.

The producer (her name escapes me) all but confirmed the Lizard by saying that as soon as it's announced who's playing the villain, you'll know who the villain is and we obviously already have a Dr. Curt Connors. Either that or John Jameson as Man-Wolf.

Do Kraven's Last Hunt but replace Vermin by The Lizard.

[coy_dog0]

Are any of you actual Superman fans? Why hasn't a single poster mentioned the writer of the best Superman story in 20 years: All-Star Superman?

Geof Johns is *okay* but...let's be serious. Writers like Morrison come along once in a generation. I'm surprised a talent like Donner is so callous with his choice of writers.