You may not have noticed, but when the general public exited the theater after almost spending three hours viewing Superman's return to the big screen, they were shrugging their shoulders. They were either shrugging off the bad experience that was "Superman Returns" or they were shrugging their shoulders because there is no way they could pick their favorite scene. Either way, the moment they left the theater they stopped thinking about Superman.
Leading up to "Superman Returns" in 2006, Superman was indeed everywhere. Superman was featured on everything from cereal boxes to lunch boxes. When kids drank a bottle of orange juice and looked at the carton they would exclaim, "That's Superman." That is how WB feels about Brandon Routh who carried the burden of portraying the iconic character on the big screen. The last thing that WB wanted was the general public shrugging their shoulders at Superman.
It is my opinion that a supervillian and some action featuring said supervillian would have went a long way towards boosting the box office of "Superman Returns". I think the general public was turned off by Superman having a kid, lack of action, which a lack of a supervillian contributed to. WB ended up in the worst position possible. They ended up with a film that didn't flop, but didn't meet their projections. WB's one constant was that they are happy with Brandon Routh in the role.
WB's President & Chief Operating Officer Alan Horn, Legendary Pictures Chairman & CEO Thomas Tull, and DC Comic President Paul Levitz are reportedly all in agreement that Routh embodies the character of Superman both in and out of the suit. This is why Routh's likeness is still finding its way on Valentine's Day cards and stationary even today. Most of the information coming from various web sites and sources inside and affiliated WB suggest that they are looking to go forward with a Superman film that would still star Routh as Superman. Kellvin Chavez of Latino Review had a chance to talk to Paul Levitz back in October of 08 about Superman and Brandon Routh:
I saw the one and only Paul Levitz, the President of DC Comics. I walked over to him and had a moment to hang out and chat with him briefly. I could not keep my mouth shut and had to ask the questions that Latino readers are asking. So I went in straight for the kill.
“So Paul, what the fuck is happening with Superman?” Well not in those words actually. Paul looked over both shoulders like he was about to score some basura and said that things are still brewing.
In fact, he told me that “Last week Brandon Routh has come around the offices in New York and Los Angeles as of late to talk about Superman and what we want to do”……blah blah blah!
At first I thought it was the Apple Martini I was drinking but I soon realized that I just heard a bombshell go off in my brain! Brandon? He did say Brandon Routh was coming around talking about Superman! Why the hell would they be talking to Brandon if he was not going to be part of the reboot? Because he’s still in the mix!!!
Granted it is now April of 2009 and a lot has changed over at WB. They've been going through Superman ideas over there in Burbank like Zod dishes out the word "kneel". There are certainly fans of Routh in places that count but actors Tom Welling and Henry Cavill certainly have strong backing in the "fanperson" community. Welling has been every Smallville fans top choice for almost a decade. The worst thing that happened to Welling's chances is they made another Superman film while he was taking Smallville by storm. Henry Cavill has been up for a handful of high profile roles, James Bond among them, but is most known for being a "Top 3 Candidate".
What Would Peter Do:
I would go forward with a "Superman Film". I wouldn't worry about the "Donnerverse" or the "Singerverse". I would tell a Superman: Year One type story in a similar vein to Batman Begins. The story arc would feature Lex Luthor's rise to power in Metropolis coinciding with Superman's first year in Metropolis and how they both deal with the arrival of Brainiac. I would recast every role including Superman searching worldwide for the new "Man of Steel"
What Will Warners Do:
This will depend on what else, time. If they get moving sooner rather than later with Horn still at the wheel and before a transition to Robinov, they will stick with Brandon Routh as Superman. They will also stick with some of the cast. Frank Langella, Kevin Spacey, and Sam Huntington the favorites to return. They will transition to Lex Luthor and Luthorcorp and bring a Supervillian like Brainiac or Doomsday.
Who will write? Who will direct?
To Be Continued...
Superman Limbo: Where Has He Gone?
Superman Limbo II: Why The World Needs Superman
Sun, April 12, 2009 
