It’s an odd time in the DC Extended Universe. Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman has made a huge amount of money, and became an example of how to bring a hero to the screen with style and substance. We’re awaiting Aquaman’s first movie and the new Justice League film, a long-held dream for DC fans, with a sense of quiet anticipation. The sequel to Suicide Squad is being fast-tracked, and there’s a Martin Scorsese-produced Joker movie on the way… Strange things are afoot at the circle DC…
Yet with a roster of the most recognisable (and profitable) comic book characters on its books DC appear to be having trouble finding their feet. We’re post-Logan, post-Deadpool and each new direction a comic book movie succeeds with could well become a template for all that follow.
So, all eyes are on DC for the foreseeable future. Today we received confirmation that Matthew Vaughn is in talks with DC about the sequel to Man of Steel, and it could be a whole new take on the cinematic Superman.
Commenting on his 2010 pitch, before Man of Steel went into production, Vaughn offered his opinion to MTV on what a new Superman film should be,
“I think that’s the one thing not to do with Superman, trying to do the serious The Dark Knight version. Superman is about color and fun, or it should be, for me.”
Speaking to us at the press junket for Kingsman: The Golden Circle, Vaughn confirmed to Scott Davis,
“I am planning another Kingman, I’ve written the treatment and some of the scenes…I don’t know what I’m going to do next but I have had chats about Superman, I love Superman.
“If somebody asks me to do Indiana Jones, most of the superheros or Star Wars the fanboy in me can’t help but be excited.”
See the interview below,
Matthew Vaughn on the new Superman film
Tone has been a very difficult element for the DCEU. Though it came in the shadow of The Avengers, Man of Steel, and the follow-up Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, were cast firmly in the, often mocked, ‘dark and gritty’ mould. At the time it was an understandable decision. Let the tone serve the story, and comparisons to the Marvel films would be moot. However the reaction to Batman v Superman gave the DCEU a stumble on its second step, and the trailers for Suicide Squad subsequently focused heavily on the film’s humour. There were dozens of news stories dedicated to how the Justice League film would be lighter and tone, and funnier.
If Vaughn, and his long time collaborative partner Jane Goldman, are on board for a new Superman film it could be a bold, stabilising step for the ongoing franchise. When the X-Men franchise from Bryan Singer (another Superman director) faltered with the execrable Last Stand, it was Vaughn and Goldman who reinvigorated the series with X-Men: First Class. They could well do the same with Superman.
Not sure he’s the right man for the job but anything has got to be better than the recent incarnations, they were the pits.
“DC appear to be having trouble finding their feet”? Over 3.1 billion for DCEU’s first 4 movies, Id say their footing is just fine. Try harder.
I’d rather J.A. Bayona directed MOS 2. The themes and aesthetics of his films would be a better fit for the DCEU, his love for Superman is pretty well known and, most importantly (at least for me), he wouldn’t sideline Lois, which Vaughn 100% would, if we’re judging by his past treatment of female characters that don’t fit in the action girl mold.
EXACTLY!
Emotionally cold..??..?? Yeah ok the latest meme with Ronald McDonald representing Marvel against Pennywise in DC probably gives weight to this sort of comment – and every movie will always have it’s divide with critics, but what the heck are you talking about??? Really? Some of the flashbacks with Ma & Pa Kent, some of that dialogue where he’s struggling with dealing with these powers, along that beautiful score of Zimmers, give me goosebumps even now. Let me guess, STILL comparing to Reeves Superman are we??? Emotionally cold, gimme a break please.
You could even argue that Marvel is clearly the camp that’s void of emotion – colour, character, fun, enjoyment, action, set pieces, wow factor, yeahhh course Marvel have all that. But are they emotional?? Compared to the depth of storytelling so far in the DCEU, not even close!!