The superhero boom: 'Spider-Man 3,' Batman, Aquaman

dee Wed, Jul 26, 2006 at 11:41 AM EST

it's sad that superman returns is the better movie qualitatively as compared 2 most summer movies but yet it is catching so much grief. though the b.o. is not explosive it's not a poseidon-like bomb. it feels like an early spring or fall movie. summer crowds expect less thinking and more action. another problem was marketing. by chick flick standards, this movie did exceptionally well w/o considering the budget. Supes lore is complicated in appealing to hard core comic readers and romantics. This movie was more of the latter.

Josh Wed, Jul 26, 2006 at 09:41 AM EST

If Franco/Harry doesn't go Green Goblin, but there is a goblin, it likely means one of two things:

1) It could mean Franco/Harry uses his inherited wealth to hire a goon to use the items found at the end of 2 -- creating the Hobgoblin

2) Harry has nightmares about the Green Goblin, driving him crazy and leading for him to become the Green Goblin in four, but not in this film.

Ryan Wed, Jul 26, 2006 at 09:26 AM EST

Please tell me that Joker song from the Batman musical was fake. Batman finally got some respect back.

It would really be a shame if Superman doesn't get a sequel. I loved it.

I heard the JLA movie would be based on Darwyn Cooke's DC: The New Frontier. That would be cool because it's a very good story.

brandonk Tue, Jul 25, 2006 at 09:49 PM EST

Oooh, a Justice League movie?! I really liked the Justice League cartoon show they've had on Cartoon Network the last few years, but I gather this will be a different initiative. Still, should be interesting. I wouldn't want a live action version unless all the regular actors could be brought together.

Kate Tue, Jul 25, 2006 at 06:56 PM EST

Fantastic Four's getting a sequel? I was really excited about the movie when it first came out, but after seeing bits and pieces of it on a plane ride, I'm glad I didn;t shell out any money for it. It'll be sad if this movie gets a sequel and Superman Returns does not. I hear the movie (Superman) is doing pretty well overseas (delayed reaction due to the World Cup) so maybe it'll make more money that way.

Rob Tue, Jul 25, 2006 at 05:31 PM EST

I personally adored "Superman Returns"...gone to see it 3 times already. I wish it were doing better.

Mariane Tue, Jul 25, 2006 at 04:52 PM EST

Don't link to Web sites like Variety where you have to pay a subscription fee to read the article. Just give us the gist. We're too poor.

pn Tue, Jul 25, 2006 at 03:22 PM EST

I liked Superman Returns also, but as most, i think there will be no sequel , although i am still holding out. Even if there will be a sequel you can bet the budget will be cut dramatically.

Ed Tue, Jul 25, 2006 at 02:36 PM EST

I'm still holding out for He-Man and the Masters of the Universe.

Ed

Ceballos Tue, Jul 25, 2006 at 02:00 PM EST

"Superman Returns" has brought in $288 million...which is about what it cost (factoring in budget, marketing, plus the approximate $50 million wasted when they kept trying to develop the project unsuccessfully). Though it will make some money on DVD and licensing, it would've been a LOT nicer if it had made more money during its theatrical run (since studios and theatres split the grosses almost 50-50)

By that account, "Superman Returns" HAS dissapointed (althought I enjoyed the movie)...there's just no way around it. Unfortunately, "artistic merit" probably won't count as much as it should when they make a decision on a sequel.

Though "Fantastic Four" was EXTREMELY lame it, pretty much tripled its production budget worldwide...THAT'S why it gets a sequel...and "Superman Returns" probably won't.

Brian Tue, Jul 25, 2006 at 01:40 PM EST

I would love to see a Justice League movie or TV show

Lauren Tue, Jul 25, 2006 at 01:35 PM EST

Outside of the fact that it did have quite a high budget, I still think it's crazy that a film like Superman Returns can make $180 million in less than a month and still be called disappointing! Superman IV made exactly 15 million in its entire theatrical run and it took 8 weeks for Batman Begins to hit 200 million so why is SR being called a failure when it's close to 288 million world wide and its not finished its run yet. If WB had opened it up a few weeks before Pirates started vacuuming up cash, I think the film would have already hit 200 million. It just seemed to get damaged in the Pirates wave (lord know why considering what a sloppy mess Pirates 2 was).

I thought SR was a great film and I'll be really sad to see if it doesn't get a sequel and crap like The Fantastic Four does.

mike Tue, Jul 25, 2006 at 01:07 PM EST

How fortunate for Jared Padelecki that the young MacGyver pilot failed. He ended up on Supernatual. Most MacGyver fans probably enjoyed the Mastercard commercial with Richard Dean Anderson more than they would have a teen version of the original.
If the CW needs a slot for Aquaman, they can always cancel Everwood again.
(not bitter)

Beetle Tue, Jul 25, 2006 at 12:45 PM EST

I hear you, Wendy. I have the same problem with people writing "Spiderman" instead of "Spider-Man." (Luckily, Scott didn't make that mistake.)

WendyD Tue, Jul 25, 2006 at 12:33 PM EST

I have to be nitpicky... its "MacGyver" not "Macgyver" It was my fave show as a kid and is still my cat's name and people constantly spell/capitalize it wrong ;)