ROTTEN TOMATOES: Spacey Back in "Man Of Steel"; Project Still A Ways Off?

Spacey Back in "Man Of Steel"; Project Still A Ways Off?

by Jeff Giles | July 11, 2007

Hey, it's been a few days since we took a look at the various goings-on surrounding the upcoming "Superman Returns" sequel -- but not to worry, Man of Steel fans, your news drought endeth today: Kevin Spacey will indeed be returning as non-coifed supervillain Lex Luthor. Plus, have we got new hints about Bryan Singer's busy slate?

Spacey is currently starring in a production of David Mamet's "Speed-the-Plow" at London's Old Vic Theater (where he's also the artistic director), as well as filming "Telstar," a film adaptation of Nick Moran and James Hicks' play about the life of songwriter/producer Joe Meek.

The actor has a number of other projects in the pipeline, including roles in this fall's "Fred Claus," with Vince Vaughn and Paul Giamatti, next spring's Robert Luketic-directed "21," and a pair of tracks on a Dean Martin tribute album.

However, Spacey's stage commitments and other projects won't conflict with the "Superman" sequel, because -- as you read right here on RT ten days ago -- director Bryan Singer won't be getting started on it until he's finished with "Valkyrie" and "The Mayor of Castro Street."

At least, that's what producers of the Harvey Milk biopic say. They've been pushing their project for years, so one might sympathize with their struggle to keep the project on Singer's front burner -- which proves difficult when folks in the "Superman" camp are also trying to get their sequel launched.

But the Spacey announcement seems to confirm that Singer will do his Harvey Milk pic before starting "Man Of Steel." From Variety:

"After Singer completes "Valkyrie" and "The Mayor of Castro Street," he plans to start production on "Man of Steel" next year for a 2009 release."

"Man of Steel" is tentatively scheduled for a June 2009 release; our friends at IESB recall Singer hoping to start shooting in summer of '08 -- just enough time to make that release date.

Then again, you can't start a film without a script. Or without the official go-ahead from the folks who foot the bill.

Source: Variety

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(1-20 of 36 posts) | Reply

Merlin235 writes:
on Jul 11 2007 07:08 AM

Interesting. Not the direction I thought they'd take, but Spacey did a good enough job with the material he was given in the first one.

(Reply to this)

TombstoneLawDog writes:
on Jul 11 2007 07:23 AM

..part of me is just psyched to be among the first to write a string-- I always get here around page 2...

I thought Spacey had serious potential, but they didn't do nearly enough with him. They have to find a more direct way for him to physically mix it up with superman while still incorporating the 'I'm soooo much F'ng smarter than you' element that makes Lex a fun character.

Spacey's definitely got the chops for it, and Singer's got the eye for it. Just make this an X2-style blowout ('cause if you remember, people also complained about Singer's first Xmen movie as being a little slow and under-powered, only to have him ROCK it out on #2).

(Reply to this)

Bigbrother writes:
on Jul 11 2007 07:47 AM

Wait wait wait, I thought this site refuted the rumor that Singer was going to do Mayor of Castro Street first? Is that not correct anymore. I have no problem with Spacey as Luthor. I'm just sick of Lex being the only villain who gets any screen time. Hopefully they'll put Lex in the background this time and let someone else take a shot at being the big bad.

(Reply to this)

BUCK69 writes:
on Jul 11 2007 07:53 AM

In reply to this comment (#919865)
I agree. I thought Spacey's Luthor was much more threatening and evil than was Hackman's. Hopefully, they'll use Luthor in conjunction with another villain.

(Reply to this)

Product_of_You writes:
on Jul 11 2007 07:54 AM

I too would like to see a new villain.

(Reply to this)

mojodaddy writes:
on Jul 11 2007 08:49 AM

[b]God Almighty[/b]
Haven't they realized that Luthor has already been done to death? There has to be a more original script out there. The only way this could work is if luthor created Bizarro and then Bizarro is the main villain.

(Reply to this)

the train writes:
on Jul 11 2007 09:44 AM

In reply to this comment (#919869)
[b]definitely[/b]
let's have superman fright brainiac... and a polar bear...

(Reply to this)

Jen Yamato writes:
on Jul 11 2007 10:49 AM

In reply to this comment (#919866)
We've clarified this post: we'd originally got the exclusive from the Harvey Milk producers that their project was first, then reported on IESB's sources who rather rudely called it "horseshit" and claimed Superman was still top priority. Now it looks like Mayor of Castro Street will be first.

Then again, who really knows?? Neither film seems to have a completed (or any) script, Singer's still got a whole other movie to shoot first.

(Reply to this)

cgcbooks writes:
on Jul 11 2007 11:24 AM

Lets have a movie where Superman kills every single Marvel Comics Superhero except Spider-man and the X-men. That way, we won't have to be subjected to any more crap films.

(Reply to this)

jmo2ski writes:
on Jul 11 2007 12:28 PM

[b]I think that this would help the box-office[/b]
Well the last superman movie flopped big time, but lets just say they add different cast members. It was a rumor at one time about Johnny Depp and Beyounce playing the roll's of Lex Luthor and Lois Lane. I think that would have been a great idea, but except for Beyounce playing Lois Lane, put Cameron Diaz in her spot. Think, a blonde haired bright eyed woman is the perfect choice for Lois Lane, which Beyounce is just about the same. But i just think it would help the box-office this time around because they are very popular stars and they all are talented, well Beyounce is a little blande, but what actress that plays the heroes love interest isn't.

Then Johnny Depp is so flexible, he can handle anything at this point.

(Reply to this)

Jexy writes:
on Jul 11 2007 12:58 PM

In reply to this comment (#919872)
[b]haha[/b]
oh man, i could agree to that. marvel is killing the super hero vibe right now with garbage movies. im not talking about spider-man 3 either, it was entertaining... but enough with the F4 and hulk and offbeat heroes.... BAD movies.

anyway, as for this, the only source saying that superman will be done after the mayor movie, is variety, known for screwing up before, but irregardless to their sometimes shoddy reporting, only they are saying this. yet singer has said in interviews and on tape that superman will be started right after his tom cruise flick. also agreeing are more of singer's guys. so until singer himself says that is is not the case, i'm still thinking superman over this other movie.

(Reply to this)

lockdicer writes:
on Jul 11 2007 01:29 PM

[b]NO ACTION[/b]
the last movie was so devoid of action it was laughable, there was more action in one episode of the WB show. there was a budget of like 250 million - ON WHAT? 100 superman suits, a kryptonite continent, superboy salary? if luther is in this one again it means one thing - no battle scenes.

(Reply to this)

dwaltonk writes:
on Jul 11 2007 01:34 PM

[b]Too Early to Tell?[/b]
Even with Luthor in the movie, it doesn't necessarily mean he's the main villain. In fact, for all we know it could even (unlikely) be a bit part. With no script announced it's definately hard to even predict how he will be used in the final product.

(Reply to this)

BUCK69 writes:
on Jul 11 2007 01:41 PM

In reply to this comment (#919873)
I'm a little hesitant to dignify your comment with a response, but what the hell: Are you f#*king serious??? Johnny Depp as Lex Luthor and Beyonce as Lois Lane? Cameron Diaz isn't much better. Thank God you're not a casting director. By the way, Superman Returns did NOT "flop big time."

(Reply to this)

Bigbrother writes:
on Jul 11 2007 02:09 PM

In reply to this comment (#919871)
Thanks J-Yam...that's right I've given you a hiphop name, don't ask me why :)

(Reply to this)

Conehead2187 writes:
on Jul 11 2007 02:46 PM

In reply to this comment (#919869)
[b]Didn't they do that already?[/b]
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/superman_iv_the_quest_for_peace/

(Reply to this)

reedmi1 writes:
on Jul 11 2007 04:02 PM

In reply to this comment (#919870)
Don't for get the giant spider!!

(Reply to this)

See-Jay writes:
on Jul 11 2007 05:09 PM

This is good news. Kevin Spacey was awesome as Lex and I felt like he was underused so maybe this will make up for that. Although I have to agree with some of the other posters that the sequel will need more action. Superman Returns was excellent, but not as action-packed as one would hope.

(Reply to this)

dylan21484nj writes:
on Jul 11 2007 05:34 PM

[b]THE FIVE WAYS TO MAKE MAN OF STEEL (MUCH) BETTER[/b]
1. give Supes a bigger threat that doesn't need Kryptonite to kick his ass. Darkseid, Doomsday, Brainiac, anyone but Lex and Zod. Lex is tired, Zod is dead. move on, Mr. Singer.

2. make Lex an underlying threat, not the main baddie. and have him use that inheritance he got from the old lady to buy a failing company so be can make it LexCorp.

3. introduce a new love interest, hopefully Lana Lang played by Isla Fisher. have Lana know that Clark is Supes so he has to choose between the unattainable woman he truly loves that doesn't know his secret and the attainable woman he used to love that does know his secret.

4. give Supes more lines! i think he spoke all of five times in SR.

5. dump Bosworth and recast Lois. Bosworth's Lois was dull. Lois needs that certain spark. Margot Kidder had that spark, Smallville's Erica Durance has it too, but Bosworth's Lois is just dull and boring. but if they must use Bosworth again, give her a better wig with straight hair and bangs to cover her beluga whale forehead. i swear you could land a plane on that thing.

(Reply to this)

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