Superman Returns

As promised, I’m highlighting the 2006 movie Superman Returns. The first Superman film since 1987’s Superman: The Quest for Peace. Directed by Bryan Singer, who was known for The Usual Suspects and brought the X-Men to the big screen. The screenplay was written by Michael Dougherty and Dan Harris (who both worked with Singer on X2) and was based on an original story by Singer. The film was loosely based as a sequel to the original Superman and Superman II. Singer kept John Williams’ original Superman score, as well as the voice of Marlon Brando as Jor-El. Superman Returns grossed over $391 million worldwide.

Brandon Routh, a 24-year-old bartender from Iowa, was cast as the new Superman. Since the film adhered to the canon of the first two Superman films, Routh masterfully portrayed the bumbling Clark Kent, as first depicted by Christopher Reeve. Routh got the part after Singer viewed hundreds of auditions and casting calls.

Kate Bosworth, who made waves in the movies Blue Crush, Win a Date with Ted Hamilton!, and Beyond the Sea, was cast as Lois Lane. Of all the movies (so far), Bosworth is my favorite Lois Lane, despite her lack of on-screen chemistry with Brandon Routh.

Academy Award winner Kevin Spacey was cast as Lex Luthor, following the trend of casting big-name actors in the parts of iconic superhero villains (Gene Hackman as the original Lex Luthor and Jack Nicholson as the Joker).

A sequel was planned, but Warner Bros. and Singer had “creative differences,” which included the story Singer had in mind and the sequel’s budget, which Warner Bros. wanted to cut.

Even though the film paid homage to Christopher Reeve’s Superman, the film received mixed critical reviews. Some found it slow-paced, as well as the lack of chemistry between Routh and Bosworth.

Personally, I thought the film had too much Lex Luthor and not enough Superman. But that’s what you get when you cast (at the time) an “A-list” actor alongside a relative unknown. Still, the scene where Superman saves the airplane is one of the best Superman action sequences on film. It’s one of my favorites, and I’ve posted it above for your enjoyment.

Tune in next time, when I take a look at the next Superman reboot, 2013’s Man of Steel.