Two Villains For The Man Of Steel? So says Michael Dougherty. Apparently. Source: Bluetights.net
Now, you know that we valiant types at Empire never stoop to reporting gossip and hearsay as cold, hard movie fact – especially when the source for said gossip and hearsay is as spurious as ‘I bumped into a top film bod at a premiere, no really, and he told me this about his new movie, no honestly, he did!’
However, when the movie in question is Bryan Singer’s Superman: The Man Of Steel, we thought we’d make an exception every now and again. So here goes: Comingsoon.net are reporting that a user of the The Planet Forum over at Superman Supersite, bluetights.net, bumped into Man Of Steel co-scribe, Michael Dougherty at the US Capitol building and, instead of leaving him alone, hit him with a barrage of questions.
First up was: is Dougherty, whose directorial debut, Trick’r’Treat (think Pulp Fiction for horror fans) is coming out later this year, co-writing the film with Singer and Dan Harris? “He confirmed that he is writing it with the two just like the last picture,” wrote the poster, codenamed ‘Brain’.
Secondly: is The Man Of Steel still on track for 2009, what with Singer being slightly busy on Rubicon (aka Valkyrie)? “The goal is still to have the movie out in the Summer of 2009. He seemed a little hesitant about it but did his best to try and reassure that it will get done by then,” added Brain.
And now for the biggie. “I asked if he could give any more info on the film,” continued our intrepid Brain, like a dog with a bone. “He responded, "There are TWO villains," and he smiled.”
Well, folks, if that didn’t blow your mind into the outer reaches of our solar system, with its yellow sun, then we don’t know what will, quite frankly.
Only kidding – in case you’re as sceptical as we were, check out the thread over at Bluetights where Brain talks about his encounter with Dougherty. Sadly, his comments and a photo have been removed by the author due to ‘excessive negativity’, but the thread itself is still quite a laugh. And it does at least point us towards a possible plot direction for Singer’s Superman Returns sequel.
It’s been known for a few weeks now that Kevin Spacey would be reprising his role as Lex Luthor (last seen stranded on a desert island with no sunscreen), alongside Brandon Routh’s Superman. And a second villain has been strongly rumoured – and this would seem to confirm it. But who could it be? Singer’s love for the Donnerverse of the original Superman movies had led to talk of a return for General Zod, the megalomaniacal Kryptonian, but that seems unlikely. Instead, we’d lay money on Brainiac, the bio-mechanical alien computer smarty pants who was the main bad guy in Kevin Smith’s Superman Lives script.
Of course, official confirmation is still some way away, but thanks to the intrepid Brain and the loose tongue of Mike Dougherty, let the idle speculation intensify!
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Let's face it, the villains in from Superman are all dated and tbh lame. They need a new villain of today without a silly name.
Maybe another Kryptonian that has never before been seen as Zod was too melodramatic. Maybe even an evil clone of the man of steel himself.
Far fetched I know but so is Lex Luthor. If he can nearly kill Superman, then so can anyone of us,lol. ... Read More
They wont, and probably shouldnt bring back Zod as he is DEAD. Superman Returns was set after Superman 2 so they cant ignore Zod's original run. It would be foolish to even consider DOOMSDAY as the main villain as he has no character or personality. My money is on either BRAINIAC which would give good story oppotunities as he is a intelligent villain, although I dont know what his combat strengths would be as I dont know the character well. My other bet would be BIZARRO as he really does give gr... Read More
Why all the campaigning for Zod and Non. Is there not a red blooded male here who wouldnt die to see Sarah Douglas get back into ] suit as Ursa?
R
... Read More
Jude Law as Zod? How about Zod off!
As long as nuclear man is in no way involved I'll be happy.
Superman gets back from his search for Krypton and is flying over Metropolis when he spots Wonder Woman sunbathing nude on top of a skyscaper all legs akimbo like.
He's been away and has the super horn and thinks to himself
"With my super powers I can nip down there, have a super quicky and be away without her even knowing" So he flys down, gets his super rocks off and i... Read More
L: Camilleri
I hope General Zod returns. If only Jude Law can play him. He declined the offer in Super,man returns hopefully he will come around. - Justin
sp;
Where is all this Jude Law for Zod campaign coming from?
It would be awful, seriously, Dreadful. ... Read More
I hope Singer takes a good hard look at Returns and is smart enough to say ''ok,i guess i fucked this movie up big time''.Please Singer,get over your Donneruniverse obsession and look to the history of the comics for your choice of baddie.My suggestion...DARKSEID! ... Read More
The biggest issue I had with Superman Returns was that the entire movie was seemingly built as a tribute to the 1979 Richard Donner Superman movie. Certainly, I won't begrudge a filmmaker his choice of sources, but Superman is a character with yearsof material to draw from, spanning several different forms of media.
Batman Begins succeeded because it drew heavily and respectfully from any relevant source that Nolan and Goyer could find... Superman Returns didn't fail, but was still lackin... Read More