EXCLUSIVE: AN INTERVIEW WITH DC'S GREGORY NOVECK

Gregory Noveck, Senior Vice President Creative Affairs for DC Comics, is, among other things, the liaison between DC and Warner Bros., integral in the process of finding appropriate properties for the studio to adapt as features and television series. What follows is an excerpt from a recent interview Voices From Krypton conducted with him, which looks at the relationship between the two entities and moves into discussions of the idea of multiple actors playing characters like Superman and Batman simultaneously, and why Tom Welling won't be playing the Man of Steel in Justice League.

VOICES FROM KRYPTON: When one of these film or TV projects gets going, how strong is the connection between DC and the studio?
GREGORY NOVECK: As I’ve grown in the job, it’s gotten more and more. It’s not necessarily a testament to me, it’s more an understanding that we bring a lot to the table. It’s also on a case-by-case basis and it’s really driven by the filmmakers. In the case of Christopher Nolan and Bryan Singer, they really want to know what DC thinks. Zack Snyder on Watchmen has been phenomenal. So the studio kind of responds to the filmmaker. In the last several years, even with Al and Miles on Smallville, they’ve hired people who actually have a reverence for the material and it all kind of drives from there. On Watchmen they ask for any kind of material we have that they can use for reference, because they really want to match the look and feel of those characters. We’re very involved in all of this stuff. I’m not going to sit here and say, “Bryan took all of these tips from me,” because that’s not true. I think certainly we’re in a much different place than we were with Batman & Robin or Catwoman. The thing that needs to be kept in mind is that beyond the actual film or TV show, there’s a global brand to be managed here and DC is in the unique position of knowing where the vast majority of all of the moving parts are.
VOICES FROM KRYPTON: Do you guys ever throw up red flags when something doesn’t seem right? I’m not sure what your feeling was about Superman Returns. My feeling has been that it was good, but it should have been great.
GREGORY NOVECK: If they wanted to make Superman’s cape blue, for example, we’d say, “You can’t do that.” If they wanted it where Clark Kent never wears glasses, that’s an issue. If the relationship between Lois and Clark felt false, we could comment on that. It’s not that we can’t say, “Hey, could there be more action in this movie?” We can, but it’s not really our call, it’s up to the filmmaker. The thing about Superman Returns is that at the end of the day it’s a recognizable Superman and a recognizable Superman movie. There’s nothing in the movie except where maybe the strictest fans would say, “Superman would never do that.” If you’d seen the previous iterations of the script, from my standpoint we were really successful. Is it at the same level of movie that Batman Begins was? Probably not, but it’s a different animal, yet both of those are recognizable as those characters.
VOICES FROM KRYPTON: I’ve read some of those earlier versions of the Superman script – Tim Burton as director? Nicolas Cage as Superman? What were they thinking? Even earlier today, there was the Hollywood Reporter story where they’re saying that 19 and 20 years olds are auditioning for Justice League. Does that kind of thing concern you guys at all?
GREGORY NOVECK: Don’t believe everything you read. Some of it may be true, some of it may not be. But I can tell you they’re not casting a 19-year-old as Superman. Most of the actors they’re looking at are in their late ‘20s.
VOICES FROM KRYPTON: And then there are all of those Internet rumors about Tom Welling being cast as Superman…
GREGORY NOVECK: Not happening, if for no other reason than it would just confuse the issue.
VOICES FROM KRYPTON: And if that’s the case, I wonder why they wouldn’t just use Brandon Routh again.
GREGORY NOVECK: I think part of it is that the character is larger than the actor. If you look at Batman, Superman and Justice League as separate franchises, if all of a sudden you have Brandon in it but you don’t have Christian, then what movie is it? I think you have to have it stand on its own. I’m just speculating, but if I’m the director of this movie, I don’t want to have to be too careful of another director’s iteration of a character. If I use his actor, then I’m kind of beholden to it. What if George Miller hired Brandon and Christian, but he wanted Brandon to really play Superman tougher and wanted Christian to show more humanity, then all of a sudden you’re entering very strange creative territory. The same is true of using Tom Welling. I think ultimately it’s a better movie if you have different actors to keep the iterations of the characters distinct. The example I’ve been using is, is it the Mike Mignolia Batman versus the Frank Miller Batman? It’s still Batman, they’re just different versions of it. I think when we start to open up the films with that kind of lens, where you can say, “These are all Superman, but they’re different versions” – even from Tom Welling to Brandon Routh, right? – that’s pretty cool.
VOICES FROM KRYPTON: I guess Smallville fans imagined the show would end and that cast would make the leap to the big screen and Tom would become Superman. But then you get Brandon Routh on the big screen, so you make that separation. But now we have to accept a second movie version in Justice League…
GREGORY NOVECK: I don’t really see it as a conflict. And it’s better for the actors, frankly. If there are a couple of guys playing Batman or Superman, at least those guys don’t get pigeon-holed for the rest of their careers.

READ PART 2 OF OUR INTERVIEW WITH GREGORY NOVECK BY CLICKING HERE.

CHECK OUT OUR SISTER-SITE, JUSTICE LEAGUE ON FILM BY CLICKING HERE.

Comments

[Andrew Gancsos]

To the WB and anyone else who reads this: This is TERRIBLE. Casting Welling would "Confuse the issue" but casting a third Superman wouldn't? This is a contradiction and completely illogical. As much as I was looking forward to this movie, you guys just killed it for me. Miller as the Director? cool. Weta involved. cool. Casting a bunch of kids? bad idea. This isn't some Power Rangers movie, this is the Justice League of America! They are collaboration of DC Comic's most epic and power superheroes. I am beyond irritated with this news. This movie had so much potential, and now not only have you just alienated millions of Smallville fans, you're about to alienate millions and millions more of your basic comic fans. These characters are essentially middle-aged adults, not a bunch of early aged adults. I just cannot express how unbelievably saddening this is. I wish you good luck with your film, but don't expect the fans to back your choices because I for one am not going to spend money on a film that at its very core against one of the many building blocks of this union of characters. You guys gave this generation two Supermen, Tom Welling and Brandon Routh. One of them should have been in this film and by not casting one of them to the role you will have alienated millions of countless Superman fans. The JLA deserves better than this. Every one of these characters deserve better. This is in all honesty, very disappointing.

[SueB]

Tom Welling was the right guy for the role. This argument about Smallville versus JLA makes no sense to me as the two are at different times. Further, Smallville is slated to end no later than an 8th season, which is before the movie comes out. This interview looks like a move to provide a smoke screen on what really happened to the casting. No matter what Gough says, I'm still blaming him. Gough was very quick to try and squelch the rumor (perhaps he felt S8 of Smallville was in jeopardy).

In any case, no matter what the real reason behind the decision to find yet a third Superman, it's the wrong call.

[Mike Dotson]

This is a HUGE mistake. The audience will just get confused if not have a "Why are there different supermen?" attitude, which is what happend with the batman franchise. The general audience will confuse the continuity of all the films. Tom Welling should have been cast as Superman, and older actors for the rest of the parts. This isnt "Teen Titans", this is "Justice Leauge of America".

[Pat]

Is *anybody* thinking at Warner Bros? I mean seriously? You've got a goose that's been laying golden eggs for Warner Entertainment that's nearing the end of its life, you've got a star with a demonstrated appeal that crosses all ages, genders and ethnicities, you've got polls indicating the general public sees logic in casting him as Superman - never mind the millions of fans that have been begging for that - and you guys pass on him because you think it'll be too confusing? Are you people for real? No wonder Marvel keeps wiping the floors with you guys.

I thought Warners was in business to *make* money, but apparently you'd rather ignore the very people that want to fork it over to you. Instead, you guys are in business to fund your director's "visions" with pay or play deals, spend marketing dollars like drunken sailors, and then wonder why it takes three months to crawl to a $200 million dollar box office when your competition are putting out crowd pleasers that do it in ten days. Sony, Disney, Dreamworks, Fox? They actually listen to their audience. But Warners? Nope. That sound you hear? That's everybody laughing at you.

"Confusing" my butt. You guys think too much. Learn from your mistakes for once and listen to the public; they don't sound "confused." In fact, most people seem to know exactly what they DO and DON'T want to see. The evidence is there; open your eyes. Please?

[DeAndre]

I'm glad Tom Welling won't be Superman. I just don't think he looks like him. However, this Justice League movie sounds like a joke. They should just wait a few years and do it with Brandon Routh and Christian Bale.

[Rogzilla]

Am I the only person who understands what he is saying? I got it and I agree!

1-By casting Welling as Superman, you have to accept Smallville as your origin for the character. I enjoy the show but it isn't my Superman origin. If you don't accept it as your canon...well you will confuse the issue.

2-You limit the options of the director who may or may not have casted Welling in the first place. Smallville casting had certain requirements for Clark Kent. Miller may have a different idea. Should the story he wants to tell (wether it is good or bad when released) be limited by other's casting?

3-In an ensemble cast, you don't want one lead like that. Every other character would get lost in Welling's shadow. It would turn into HIS movie, and if it wasn't, people would complain.

Pretty much, you cast Tom, you get "Smallville the movie" no matter what. Some people may want that...but I don't think that should be THIS movie.

The same goes to casting Routh! It becomes Superman Returns 2. Does Miller want to do that? No! He wants to do Justice League. This would be like saying Nolan should have done a Batman sequel/prequel instead of a reboot. Oh well, I guess people don't like originality.

Come, join me in the optimistic corner. We have punch and pie!

[Rogzilla]

Am I the only person who understands what he is saying? I got it and I agree!

1-By casting Welling as Superman, you have to accept Smallville as your origin for the character. I enjoy the show but it isn't my Superman origin. If you don't accept it as your canon...well you will confuse the issue.

2-You limit the options of the director who may or may not have casted Welling in the first place. Smallville casting had certain requirements for Clark Kent. Miller may have a different idea. Should the story he wants to tell (wether it is good or bad when released) be limited by other's casting?

3-In an ensemble cast, you don't want one lead like that. Every other character would get lost in Welling's shadow. It would turn into HIS movie, and if it wasn't, people would complain.

Pretty much, you cast Tom, you get "Smallville the movie" no matter what. Some people may want that...but I don't think that should be THIS movie.

The same goes to casting Routh! It becomes Superman Returns 2. Does Miller want to do that? No! He wants to do Justice League. This would be like saying Nolan should have done a Batman sequel/prequel instead of a reboot. Oh well, I guess people don't like originality.

Come, join me in the optimistic corner. We have punch and pie!

[Van Banoovong]

They are taking the similar approach that DC Comics is using when they're now putting out original animated movies based on their stories with different interpretations of the DC superheroes like Superman. For example, the Superman from the Doomsday movie is not the same character from the Justice League New Frontier movie. It's variety here.

By the time the Justice League movie comes out, Smallville would have ended by then provided if it gets an 8th season. We'll still have two live-action Superman in 2009.

If Tom Welling got casted as Superman for the Justice League movie, then Smallville would have to lead up to the Justice League movie instead of the Superman solo movies.

[Janice]

1 - Flinging crap at a wall is original. That doesn't make it wise.

2 - Miller doesn't want to make Justice League. He wants to make Teen Titans.

You fail DC. Over and over again. Has any corporation ever hated their fans so much?

[Paul]

Not casting Welling doesn't make the least bit of sense. You confused the audience enough by casting another actor for Superman Returns, its just going to get worse with Justice League. Plus Smallville is still on the air!

Cast Welling already. Noveck you are an idiot.

[Justin]

I have seen some comments on here and I agree that Welling should be cast as Superman. I remember hearing a number of my female friends saying "That's not Superman!" after seeing a commercial for Superman Returns. Whether they watched the show or not, Tom Welling was attached to the character.

Now if Smallville had ended in its fourth season, maybe people would have warmed up to another Superman. But since Smallville has lasted more than it intended to, you are going to have Smallville conflicting with headlines for the Justice League film. People are going to see Tom Welling in their TV Guide for Superman and then this other individual on Entertainment Weekly...and it will confuse the heck out of them.

Greg Noveck, you work for DC, you have an understanding of how comic book readers think. The average movie goer does not look at it the same way...and doing this will have the opposite effect of what you guys think.

[muscles4soupes]

THIS IS THE WORST MISTAKE IN THE WORLD, THE WB COULD CARELESS ABOUT US FANS. I DONT BY WHAT THIS GUY IS SAYING EITHER, THE RIGHTS TO SUPERMAN SHOULD BE GIVEN TO ANOTHER STUDIO. WELLING WAS THE BEST CHOICE! THIS MOVIE WILL SUCK! ITS BEING RUSHED AND ITS TURNING INTO HEROES ANOTHER CRAPPY SHOW. GIVE ME A BREAK ADAM BRODY OR TOM WELLING, WB YOU ARE SO STUPID!

[Phil]

THIS IS GREAT NEWS.

You guys made the RIGHT decision.

This way WB profits and fans get what everyone wants.

We get Batman: TDK with Bale and Superman: Man of Steel with Brandon.

and we get JLA with a brand spankin new cast!

Keep on track guys.

Looking forward to the Superman, Batman, and JLA franchaises.

[JM]

It's pretty obvious that there will be no sequel to Singer's Superman, and that Routh is done with the role. Novack's comments here are the continuation of a gentle disavowal of the muddled reception that surrounded SR.

WB is brushing them under the rug politely.

If anyone seriously thinks WB would be pursuing Justice League at all if they definitely wanted a Singer Superman sequel, then you are not in tune with how the industry works.

As for Welling, well, let's just say that there are two (and sometimes three or four) sides to every story...

[Dan]

Brandon Routh is Superman in the Justice League movie. If you read the quote below it makes no sense. All people conduct themselves differently at times depending on the people they are around and the situation they happen to be in.

We all know Superman will have to act tougher around Batman to keep him in line.

Gregory Noveck:"I’m just speculating, but if I’m the director of this movie, I don’t want to have to be too careful of another director’s iteration of a character. What if George Miller hired Brandon and Christian, but he wanted Brandon to really play Superman tougher and wanted Christian to show more humanity, then all of a sudden you’re entering very strange creative territory".

[Philsux]

I hate d-bags like Phil who are super smug and think they have all the answers. Shut up douche.

[Sean]

Wow! Talk about messed up news and WB missing the point. This movie is rushed! The only reason this movie is being made cuase Marvel is doing the Avengers movie and WB is trying to beat them to the punch, but they are going all about this the wrong way!.................as usual! You would think that with BB, WB learned but they hit us with SR(which wasn't to bad) and now this crap here. The casting is horrible and not to cast Welling in the role that the general population has seen him grow into, heck, even Reeve gave him his blessing before he passed, is idiotic but typical WB. Congrads WB! You just f-ed up another project.

[cari]

I agree. They are making a mistake not going with Welling. He is Superman. And they introduced their own version of JL last season on Smallville. Judging by the casting call they had, they are not going to top the cast Smallville assembled. Warner Bros. should just give the movie to Smallville's creative team. They have proven themselves to be very popular with fans, and each episode is produced at a higher level of quality than Superman Returns was.
Secondly, DONT include Batman. Fans will not buy it. Bale is Batman. The WB got very lucky with Chris Nolan, David Goyer and Jonathan Nolan. And then to get Bale as Batman, the greatest actor out there right now. They're only going to piss off alot of fans, and embarass themselves in the long run. Marvel will start to look good in comparison! So, go ahead make that movie WB. Maybe call it JL:We're Just Throwing Crap at The Wall.

[Matie]

It's incredible they're not casting the people's choice: Tom Welling.

Well, it's too easy for me. I won't see this movie, not even bother to download it.

F$CK YOU WB, MILLER and the GOUGHLAR!!!!! YOU HAVE RUINED SUPERMAN!!!!

[jeff]

What this guy says makes perfect sense. All the individual actors so far have been great but theres plenty of room for expansion.

The characters are larger then the actors. Case in point: Indiana Jones cannot happen without Ford. There was no Indy before Ford and there can be no Indy without Ford. Ford is Indy. Period. These superhero characters were around long before any of the actors who played them. Creatively, in my opinion, this guys statements make perfect sense. I totally love Smallville. Batman Begins is my all-time favorite but why not leave room for other ideas?

[Marveling]

DC does it again.

http://www.aintitcool.com/node/34438

[Marveling]

http://imdb.com/title/tt0974015/board/flat/87526719?p=1

I'm seriously laughing now.

[matt]

I think this makes total sense. Why not use a cast in their late 20's if it takes place fairly early in this worlds superhero "outbreak". Look at the comics. In batman year one, batman was 26 or 27. So if JLA movie takes place before Robin, how olds Batman? In Byrne's Man of Steel Superman relaunch, Supes was just out of college when his careere started and was 25 in Birthright. Whose the oldest member? John Sterwart? He's what, early thirties? And Wonder Woman is basically immortal and won't ag out of her prime. What is a woman's atheletic prime? My wife is 24 and not in nearlly as good of shape as she was at 21 and works out now instead of being a just 21 year old chick who hung out at bars with me.

As far as Tom Welling goes, let's face it. The guy won't be up for any emmy's and didn't win an Oscar for the Fog. He's the perfect Superman just as long as he doesn't have to walk, talk and always has props in his hands.

And why does every one think people will be confused by different actors. The Batman movies may sucked but no one was sitting in the theaters going "Who is Val Kilmer suppose to be? I don't get it." Look at the comics. Carlo's poncheco Supes looks nothing like Adam Kubert's who looks nothing like Tim Sale's.

[LOL]

Is this movie going to be:
1. Garbage
or
2. Filled with Emmy-winning and Oscar-winning actors?

LOL

Ah, young intern, you have much to learn in the ways of PR.

[Simon]

Any talk of a live-action JLA movie fills me with dread, Its just not the right time for one with both Bats and Supes successfully re-imagined and at the beginning of what will hopefully be a trilogy of each. Why on earth would you want to detract from the licences just as they are getting off the ground again, it is not going to add anything to the characters story, it is just going to be a confusing muddle and all-round botch-job if they go anywhere near live-action with all this talk of who should play them.
Motion-Capture is most definately the way to go with a JLA film, Not only because you don't have to worry about how an actor is portraying them well- enough and you can have the classic look of Bats and Supes on-screen, also,...how on earth are you going to do Justice (no pun intended) to a JLA film with the shrinking budget restraints based on performance that are applied to all the franchises now. You've heard all about the rumours of the proposed 'Man of Steel' budget restraints WB are laying down for the sequel, and how its going to have to be done for less money. JLA has to be epic, this is do-able with CGI the quality they are now (see Beowulf), as a live action project this will suck horribly in my opinion.

[dan]

why do i get the feeling that in 10 years time, people are gonna look abck on this film and say, they shouldnever have done it! its going to suck. you need the current batman and superman. without them... ALIENATION. the avg movie goer will say: who the hell are these guys! then get confused and shun the whole experience. Unless these idiots at warner wake up, this movie WILL not succeed at the level they want. 5 years down the track, maybe they will ahve learned from their mistake and give us a property in oine with what the fans what. see you then! till then, its comics, the man of steel movie & dark knight.... that is it.

[Jonathan]

Well, I'm glad their definitely not using Tom Welling as Superman.. Nothing against him, but hes not Superman, hes Smallville Clark Kent.. which is ehhh lol

But man I wish they would use Brandon Routh and Christian Bale as leads for this movie.. Brandon Routh IS Superman as Christian Bale IS Batman.

They definitely should have waited with this movie, or filmed it after the major Batman and Superman movies came out..

[lol]

Nobody earning over minimum wage will be in this movie. No Bale, no Welling, no Reynolds, no Biel, not even the cheapest of them all Routh.

This slapped together film is leaking ominously.

The funny thing is any body believed those losers a WB would ever do it differently.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/paramount/ironman/

[Ross]

Brandon Routh isn't Superman. He's Christopher Reeves.
Having Welling as Superman will allow the fans to have our cake and eat it too. With the right story, the Smallville actors can do a heck of a job and really add to a great ensemble JLA cast.
I'd love to see Bale in this movie, but I've accepted that they won't be able to afford him and that, for some reason, his Batman just wouldn't fit in the sci-fi world of JLA. He's black and white, Justice League is color. It's just two different worlds.
WB just sucks. They have never thought out a single idea in their lives when regarding a movie (with the exception of Batman Begins)in the past 10 years. Imagine - spend the last season of Smallville prepping for Superman joining the Justice League. Tie it into a movie that, even without Smallville, can stand on its own, but also draw in Smallville viewers.
But no. Let's rush a movie into the screen with an average cast, a villain that most people won't know about (OMACS? REALLY? Come on!) or care about, get panned by critics, piss off fans, and fail miserably at the box office.
I want to like this movie so badly... I really do. It's too bad Time Warner/DC Comics is run by a group of dunderheads.

[Art]

Warner Bros. is making yet another mistake!!! Another Superman and Batman??!! I'm a fan of Superman Returns and Batman Begins, but now Warner won't be getting my money for such a dumb idea. If you ask all of us who have watched the two films, you'd see that we CAN'T WAIT to see Brandon and Christian together! Warner Bros., please don't be stupid! It's never too late to make the right decision. Listen to us paying patrons and maybe this won't be as stupid as Batman and Robin!

[jan]

It's really intelligent what Mr.Gregory thinks about not casting Routh or Welling as Superman. Superman is far far bigger than these actors. And moreover Routh kinda displayed the sentimental side of Superman too much in SR and i don't think he can really play the tough Superman which we all want to see. However i would like Routh to be a part of Singer's Superman sequels which should definitely be made. DC should not underestimate the poswer of Supeman even though SR couldn't do big magic at BO. With kick ass super villains( A.I Brainiac, Bizarro, Cyborg, Darkseid) and a good story Superman will definitely bring the fire at box-office and make enough money than any other superhero out there. I think Singer should say good bye to Donner now and start a new era for Superman franchise which should be inspired from post Byrne crisis mythology. We love you DC for giving us Superman and the greatest heroes of this era.

[Brian]

Why not take the Justice League already assembled in Smallville and have them jump to the big screen. Tom is the best character for the rols of Superman...just wait unitl the season is over. I don't know anyone better than Lex from Smallville to play the part if Lex is in JL. Why all the casting calls? Waste of time....we have the team in Smallville. Use them. THey are perfect. JL will fall flat since having multiple villians in the pervious Batman films was the reason they failed miserably. Remember George Clooney had a 3 pic deal for Batman? After his "Batman & Robin" he didn't want to be aprt of it. They had good roles but too many villians and too many sub-plots destoyed that series until "Batman Begins". I agree Tom and Chis Nolan are the best for the roles. As for Roth....not. I find him a good Superman but lets face it Smallville has all the ingredients for sucess. Why is it still on TV? Its one of the successful shows on CW. JL won't be just a stanfd alone movie. It will be a stand alone JOKE

[Australian]

Dear Bryan/ Warner Bros,
I loved 'Superman Returns'.May God bless you for your noble intention. But despite its brilliance (and touches of genius and insight) you have not fullfilled (even close too) the characters potential.
This is nothing more than the personal feelings of a fan who has taken Superman to (a very deep and sincere) heart. I know that you love Donners version of Superman. All of the brilliant moments of 'Superman Returns' (and they are considerable) pay tribute too that. But please, take this to heart, Superman is far bigger than the universe that Donner tapped into.
First, I don't want this to be a critique of 'Superman Returns'. Compared to every other recent superhero incarnation, the great moments in 'Superman Returns' (and this includes 'Batman Begins') outstrips them all. No recent superhero incarnation from 'Spiderman' to 'Batman Begins' to 'X-Men 2' even comes close to the glorious moments you gave us. Superman rescuing the plane, Supermans melancholic/nostalgic flight with Lois, the Messianic stabbing, regeneration and sacrificial renunciation of 'Home'. This is more a matter of where to take it (the property) in the future.

2. Read the comics.
From 'Superman: For Tomorrow' (his differentiation from "Batman" class) to 'Superman: For all Seasons' (his depth of history) to 'Birthright' (his contemporary ('Smallville'/comics)relevance), Superman is a completely relevant and powerful character in todays society. We feel, and have a complete need for the Superman that was merely hinted at in your beautiful and elegant film. Feel it in your heart Brian. FEEL it as opposed to thinking it. Superman is more than the dated 70's/80's universe/Donner version that you set him in (all be it beautifully). I know you loved that film (i do too), but please realise this characters FULL potential before it moves past you.
3. Watch 'Superman:'Doomsday'. As much as it drifted from the comics (which should never be underestimated in their power of storytelling AND cultural estimation), this was a fantastic example of the cinematic potential for this character. The action sequence for the Superman/Doomsday fight alone is worth the admission and outstripped any (far more expensive) action sequence in 'Superman Returns'.
4. Watch the 'Death of Superman ' documentary on that same disk. What does Superman mean to the Western culture? He is really something special and unique, unmatched from ANY other hero from Batman to Spiderman to anyone. Superman is a character who really touches that deep part of you that makes you a culturally unique, proponent of Democracy and freedom. I'm not even American (I'm Australian) and the character of Superman is something really special too me. What are the ideals of Superman? What are the ideals of Democracy? i suggest you read 'Superman :Red Son" Before undertaking 'Superman: The Man of Steel." He is the ULTIMATE example of SUPERHERO, a genre that is unique to the last two centuries (including a century that is only 7 years old) and that will outlive us all. Really take into account the gravity of the oppurtunity you are given. You will never make a more important conbribution to society Brian (or Warner's for that matter) than this series of films ( and that includes 'Harry Potter'). Please understand their importance beyond commercial revenue (which should be considerable anyhow if done right).
5.Every Superman fan (and there are millions) has a Superman film inside his/her head. You are so lucky to be able to fulfill that vision. Don't let us down. Please, hear us. Give us the Superman that has the potential to be the most important cinematic vision of the 21st century. DON'T LET US DOWN BRIAN.
Sincerely.
A boy who has grown up on Superman being the best there is.

[AJ]

This is an issue that is going to raise some serious problems with the fans. Yes while Routh and Bale ARE Batman and Superman, I don't think the way they portray the characters will come off well in the JLA movie.

Look at Bale as Batman. One of the reasons we all loved the movie (or at least I did) was because it brought realism to the screen. The other Batman movies were campy cheesy and over the top. The realism brought from Bale's portrayal will get lost in the sea of JL's multi hero story.

Routh as Superman {while good) has issues because he seemed like an emo kid with a pretty cape.

If you want to see Bale and Routh together as Batman and Superman in a movie than they should make World's Finest like they were supposed to.

Now imagine Bale's Batman next to Welling as Superman. Do you actually see that as working?

Yes I think Welling should be Superman in the JLA movie. He spent 8 years on a tv series growing and nurturing that character in hopes that someday he will put on the tights. We as fans have spent 8 years watching it and hopeing it will happen. Put Welling in as Superman in the JLA movie. But if Bale is in as Batman then you will have to recast for it.

Hell if you put Bale and Routh/Welling in the movie then you will have to cast the entire movie and cast around their portrayal.

And make no mistake. The only reason this movie is getting made so fast is not to appease the fans or compete with marvel. It is to get a movie made before the strike.

[marveling]

"Greatest script ever!???" LOL!

http://www.movieweb.com/news/14/23614.php

[azim]

i think in my opinion, it's better to start fresh wif new actors and actresses easily. for me it's ok if brandon routh or christian bale or tom welling is not involved. if u start it with new actors that u dont know who but have great talents, then it'll be easy for us to concentrate on the actor's acting rather than the actors themselves.

just imagine if they hire famous celebrity like tom cruise act as batman or something, then people will start jugding even before the movie comes out. but if they hire new actors, then they wont know how good it is but they know it'll be interesting to see how the movie is going to be. As long as the new actors look the part and the casting and directors know that they can bring the characters to live, i'm down wif that.. :D

but pls try to find the actors that match wif the look and the age as well cos u dont wanna find an actor for superman thats too young. anyways, hopefully WB can try to find good actors whoever it may be that can bring the characters to life ok? dont really need the current actors like tom welling or brandon routh and so forth to create a JLA movie because JLA movie is a one team show. those actors can still continue wif their own franchise respectively. if u bring a famous actor against other unknown actors in a movie, the famous actor might steal the limelight because of their status and not their acting. take x-men for example, hugh jackman wasnt famous at the time but he played a role that everyone loved which was wolverine. and he nailed it beautifully. partly bcos no one knows who he is yet but he does look the part and therefore forget whoever that actor was and just enjoyed his performance.

anyways, good luck to them for the movie! laters!

[Scooby Doo In Tights]

"BATMAN IN SPACE!" lol
CRIME SYNDICATE! rotflmao

http://p088.ezboard.com/The-JL-intro-script-pages-via-MOVIEHOLE/fbatmanonfilm81780frm32.showMessage?topicID=94.topic

[BringJustice2theFilm]

I dont get it, having Tom Welling in the JL film would be the ultimate achievement for the creators of Smallville, since it means people really captured their interpretation of the character. If Smallville ends at season 7/8 people will only remember the show as a past TV adaptation of Superman (like Lois&Clark) but if they continue the character into the JL films and more then the show would become a classic! It would stand as the lead into the character.

Truthfully I feel that the Clark Kent in Smallville was the only CK i saw have any humanity in him. The other interpretations use CK as a disguise where as Clark was raised as a human and thats where his morality comes from. Having another actor as Superman would just reverse all that Smallville had tried to do and make the larger audience see Superman as nothing but that costume.

[wintersfall]

this is just so wrong!! right now i am in a emotional mess.
i don't care what anybody says tom welling is and is the perfect man for the job. It have been way for smallville to end!!1

[TomforSuperman]

Isn't it true, Tom Welling is playing Clark Kent and not Superman on Smallville? So what's so confusing? The only reason in my mind why Tom Welling should not play Superman is if he doesn't want to, even then, they should throw a lot of money at him to get him to do it. We as fans, as people, need to believe in Superman again! The economy is tanking, the housing market stinks, and the war on terror is forever on going. Give us this little morsel of hope to cling to and give us what we want; Tom Welling as Superman!

[Norway]

This is just sad. Truly. This is probably the worst news ever. You know, you're not just letting millions of fans down in America, but in the whole world.
I'm from Norway, and I'm a huge smallville fan. I can agree on the fact that casting Routh would be a bad idea, because then again you would have to get Bale as Batman, but Tom Welling would be nothing less then perfect. To see him not just as Clark Kent, but as Superman, and on the big screen would just be a dream come true.
I truly hope you change your mind and cast Welling. Without him as Superman, this movie wont be worth shit...

[Kevin]

I am a long time Superman fan and I must say that I am disgusted at Mr. Noveck's comments about why they are not using Tom Welling for the role of Superman in Justice League. I don't think Mr. Welling is worried about getting pigeoned holed as Superman. If he was going to I think he would have quit Smallville by now. I for one will not see this movie in theaters or DVD. I think all of you involved in the production of this movie need to rethink it. If you are thinking about gearing this movie towards young kids this thing will flop like a fish out of water. I can understand not using Brandon Routh he is busy with other projects now. Thank God for the writers strike this will give you all some time to pull your head out. So far I smell a Batman and Robin film and we all know how not so great that was! Tom Welling the perfect Superman no I don't think so, Brandon Routh the perfect Superman, that's a no too. These guys are great in the role though because no one can replace Mr. Reeves and that's the only reason. Listen to the fans and you cant go wrong.

[Mominul Nayem]

This is a huge commercial blunder! Well done DC Comics. You can look forward to another flop.

Tom Welling is what the fans have been waiting for. We have followed him on nearly a decade long journey as he paves the way to becomming Superman.

Way to go to ruin what would have been a great movie. I will definately not be watching this.

This movie will be less of a success than the "unsuccessfull" Superman Returns.

DC- you losers. Get Tom while you still can.