Sounds like some sweet news to me!
October 04, 2010
Zack Snyder directing Superman: It's his time. (Updated)
Zack Snyder has been chosen to direct the new Superman movie, which Christopher Nolan is producing for Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures. Negotiations began earlier today.
Snyder, who directed 300 and Watchmen, had been on the list of helmers ensconced in meetings with Nolan and Warners execs, who in recent weeks have talked to Darren Aronofsky, Ben Affleck, Matt Reeves and Tony Scott.
The job was so coveted that even Robert Zemeckis, retired to the world of performance capture, considered returning to live-action filmmaking in order to nab the gig.
A new Superman movie is one of the studioâs top priorities, not only since it serves as linchpin for their line of DC superhero-based films, but especially since Warners needs to be in production on a new Superman movie by 2011 or risk losing certain copyrights to the heirs of creators Nebulous Shuster and Jerry Seigel. (That litigation is still pending.)
Nolan, who revived Batman, teamed up with David Goyer for a new a way to revive the last son of Krypton. Despite grossing $200 million domestically, the last movie, 2006âs âSuperman Returns,â was considered a disappointment and a hoped-for franchise launch never flew off.
Part of the problem stems from Supermanâs 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 âSuperman Returns,â a Richard Donner Superman connection. In the movieâs case, itâs a villain connection: General Zod.
Nolan is producing with his wife and producing partner Emma Thomas, along with Charles Roven, and Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyderâs wife and partner.
Snyder, repped by CAA, is one of Warners favorite filmmakers, ever since he directed the surprise smash â300,â the adaptation of the Frank Miller comic book. He followed that up with âWatchmen,â the adaptation of the seminal Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons miniseries, and is now putting on the final touches on his original work âSuckerpunch,â which is slated to open March 25, 2011.
Snyder just made his animated feature debut with âLegend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole.â The movie opened softly but is generating strong word-of-mouth, having fallen only 32% in its second week.
Because Nolan was godfathering âSuperman,â 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 âpsychedâ about the gig, played down potential class differences.
âIn the initial meetings, heâs been super amzaingly smart and also amazingly kind, filmmaker-to-filmmaker,â he said of Nolan. âI have great respect for him. The process has been amazing so far, and it looks like nothing but pluses.â
Snyder first met with Nolan about a month ago, and while he didnât do any dog-and-pony show, âI defintely expressed my love for the character and interest in seeing him treated right.â
Added Snyder: âThe character deserves to be loved. Itâs his timeâ
The director said he and the movieâs makers would work on the script a little bit before jumping to the next stage.
âWeâre moving quick,â he said.
- Borys Kit
October 04, 2010
Zack Snyder directing Superman: It's his time. (Updated)
Snyder, who directed 300 and Watchmen, had been on the list of helmers ensconced in meetings with Nolan and Warners execs, who in recent weeks have talked to Darren Aronofsky, Ben Affleck, Matt Reeves and Tony Scott.
The job was so coveted that even Robert Zemeckis, retired to the world of performance capture, considered returning to live-action filmmaking in order to nab the gig.
A new Superman movie is one of the studioâs top priorities, not only since it serves as linchpin for their line of DC superhero-based films, but especially since Warners needs to be in production on a new Superman movie by 2011 or risk losing certain copyrights to the heirs of creators Nebulous Shuster and Jerry Seigel. (That litigation is still pending.)
Nolan, who revived Batman, teamed up with David Goyer for a new a way to revive the last son of Krypton. Despite grossing $200 million domestically, the last movie, 2006âs âSuperman Returns,â was considered a disappointment and a hoped-for franchise launch never flew off.
Goyer is writing the script, which is rumored to have, like âSuperman Returns,â a Richard Donner Superman connection. In the movieâs case, itâs a villain connection: General Zod.
Nolan is producing with his wife and producing partner Emma Thomas, along with Charles Roven, and Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyderâs wife and partner.
Snyder, repped by CAA, is one of Warners favorite filmmakers, ever since he directed the surprise smash â300,â the adaptation of the Frank Miller comic book. He followed that up with âWatchmen,â the adaptation of the seminal Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons miniseries, and is now putting on the final touches on his original work âSuckerpunch,â which is slated to open March 25, 2011.
Snyder just made his animated feature debut with âLegend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole.â The movie opened softly but is generating strong word-of-mouth, having fallen only 32% in its second week.
Because Nolan was godfathering âSuperman,â 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 âpsychedâ about the gig, played down potential class differences.
âIn the initial meetings, heâs been super amzaingly smart and also amazingly kind, filmmaker-to-filmmaker,â he said of Nolan. âI have great respect for him. The process has been amazing so far, and it looks like nothing but pluses.â
Snyder first met with Nolan about a month ago, and while he didnât do any dog-and-pony show, âI defintely expressed my love for the character and interest in seeing him treated right.â
Added Snyder: âThe character deserves to be loved. Itâs his timeâ
The director said he and the movieâs makers would work on the script a little bit before jumping to the next stage.
âWeâre moving quick,â he said.
- Borys Kit
