Christopher Nolan, who revived Batman, teamed up with screenwriter David Goyer for the Superman reboot. Despite grossing $200 million in the U.S, the previous installment, Superman Returns [2006] was largely considered a failure and an expected franchise reboot never took off. Part of the problem stems from Superman’s classic comic
book characteristics: The character for decades was a beacon for positive
characteristics and his stories usually painted in black and white, so from a
point of view of a certain segment, he was not hip enough for a time that
prefers its heroes more morally ambiguous and drawn with tones of gray.
Goyer is writing the script, which is rumored to have,
like Superman Returns, a Richard Donner Superman connection. In the movie’s
case, it’s a villain connection: General Zod.
Nolan is producing with his wife and producing partner
Emma Thomas, along with Charles Roven, and Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder’s wife
and partner.
Because Nolan was godfathering “Superman,” it initially
was though that any filmmaker coming on baord would be someone who would be
more of a mentee in a mentor-style relationship. Snyder, however, brings not
only box-office clout but also, like Nolan, a reputation for being a visionary. Snyder, who told Heat Vision that he was “psyched” about
the gig, played down potential class differences.
“In the initial meetings, he’s been super amzaingly smart
and also amazingly kind, filmmaker-to-filmmaker,” he said of Nolan. “I have
great respect for him. The process has been amazing so far, and it looks like
nothing but pluses.”
Snyder first met with Nolan about a month ago, and while
he didn’t do any dog-and-pony show, “I defintely expressed my love for the
character and interest in seeing him treated right.”
Added Snyder: “The character deserves to be loved. It’s
his time”