Thanks to a heads up from VancouverFilm.Net, Sneak Peek actor Henry Cavill as the bearded, brooding 'Kal-El', son of 'Jor-El' (Russell Crowe,) in director Zack Snyder's
"Superman: Man Of Steel", currently shooting in Vancouver.
"Superman: Man of Steel" (working title "Autumn
Frost"), started filming in British Columbia September 21, 2011 and will shoot through to January 20, 2012.
Prepping since early spring 2011,
crews built sets on available stages in and around Vancouver. Filming will also take place on land owned by a local First
Nations group, a neighbouring town playing the role of a small, Alaskan fishing village and at an industrial dock along the
Pacific ocean.
Using Chicago as a backdrop,
"Autumn Frost" started principal photography in the US, August 1, 2011.
"...'Clark Kent'/'Kal-El' is a young twentysomething
journalist who feels alienated by powers beyond anyone's imagination. Transported to Earth years ago from 'Krypton', an advanced
alien planet, Clark struggles with the ultimate question—'Why am I here?'
"Shaped by the values of his adoptive
parents 'Martha' and 'Jonathan Kent', Clark soon discovers that having super abilities means making very difficult decisions.
But when the world needs stability the most, it comes under attack.
"Will his abilities be used to maintain peace or ultimately used to divide
and conquer? Clark must become the hero known as 'Superman', not only to shine as the world's last beacon of hope but also
to protect the ones he loves."
"Superman: Man of Steel" also stars Amy
Adams as 'Lois Lane, Michael Shannon as 'General Zod', Antje Traue as 'Faora', Laurence Fishburne as 'Perry White', Kevin
Costner as 'Jonathan Kent', Diane Lane as 'Martha Kent', Harry Lennix as 'General Swanwick' and Christopher Meloni as 'Colonel
Hardy'.
With a soundtrack by Hans Zimmer, "Superman: Man Of Steel", from Legendary
Pictures, Syncopy Films, DC Comics and Cruel and Unusual Films, will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, June 14, 2013.
Click the images to enlarge...
February 21, 2011
According to reports, director Zack Snyder has cast actor Kevin
Costner ("Dances With Wolves") as 'Jonathan Kent' in the upcoming Vancouver-lensed, Warners/Legendary feature "Superman:
Man Of Steel".
Created by writer Jerry Siegel
and illustrator Joe Shuster, the Pa Kent character debuted in the comic book "Superman" #1, (1939).
Both Jonathan and 'Martha
Kent' (née Clark), referred to as 'Ma' and 'Pa' Kent, are are the adoptive parents of 'Kal-El' aka 'Superman', living in
the rural town of Smallville, Kansas.
In most versions of Superman's origin story, Jonathan
and Martha were the first to find the rocket that brought infant Kal-El to Earth, with their adopting him shortly thereafter,
renaming him 'Clark Kent' — 'Clark' being Martha's maiden name.
The Kents are usually portrayed as caring parents
who instill within Clark a strong sense of morals, and they encourage Clark to use his powers for the betterment of humanity.
In most continuities Martha is also the one who creates Clark's superhero costume.
In DC Comics continuity before John Byrne's 1986 reboot
of the 'Superman' story, the Kents die shortly after Clark's high school graduation. In the current comics' continuity, they
both remain alive even after Clark becomes an adult. As a couple, the Kents were important supporting characters until Pa
Kent's recent death during an attack by the supervillain 'Brainiac'.
In film, the 'Pa Kent' character
was portrayed by actor Ed Cassidy in the 1948 "Superman" movie serial, by Canadian actor Glenn Ford in 1978's "Superman",
by Tom Fadden in the pilot for the 1950's "Adventures of Superman" TV series, by Stuart Whitman in the 1988 TV series "Superboy",
by Eddie Jones in the 1993 "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" TV series and by John Schneider in the current
"Smallville" TV series.
Click the images to enlarge...
January 30, 2011
Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures report that Henry Cavill
("The Tudors") has won the feature film role of 'Superman', based on the DC Comics character.
The film
"Superman: Man Of Steel" will be directed by Zack Snyder in Vancouver this summer.
"In the pantheon
of superheroes, 'Superman' is the most recognized and revered character of all time," said Snyder, "and I am honored to be
a part of his return to the big screen. I also join Warner Bros., Legendary and the producers in saying how excited we are
about the casting of Henry. He is the perfect choice to don the cape and S shield."
Charles Roven,
Emma Thomas, Christopher Nolan and Deborah Snyder are the producers of the film. The screenplay is being written by David
S. Goyer based on a story by Goyer and Nolan. Thomas Tull and Lloyd Phillips are serving as executive producers.Cavill recently wrapped production on “The Cold Light of Day”
and stars in the upcoming “Immortals,” opening this fall.
"Superman: Man Of Steel" is targeted for release December 2012.
Click the images to enlarge...
January 23, 2011
The last big Hollywood production to shoot in Alberta, Canada
was director Christopher Nolan's "Inception", with both Fortress Mountain and Kananskis Village, in Kananaskis Country, Alberta,
hosting a unit location shoot.
Now new reports indicate that Warners
upcoming reboot "Superman: Man Of Steel", in association with Legendary Pictures, to be directed by Zack Snyder ("Watchmen")
in Vancouver this summer, will also shoot in Alberta, for what is expected to be "Smallville" flashback scenes, picturing
endless rolling fields.
According to Alberta-based newspaper, the Calgary Herald :
"...Culture minister Lindsay Blackett
confirmed Wednesday that part of a $200-million Hollywood film will be shot in Alberta. He would not name the film, the director
or the studio behind it, but did say that the production is expected to spend roughly $35 million in the province.
"An industry insider
told the Herald that this likely means "Superman: Man of Steel", director Zack Snyder's big-budget reboot, will have a unit
shoot here. Another source confirmed that producers behind "Man of Steel" have been looking at Alberta.
"I would expect there
will be an announcement in the next 60 days about a significant picture, a blockbuster to be shot in Alberta," said Blackett.
"There might be one that is a $200 million, but it's probably more like a $35-million Alberta spend. The details are fairly
intricate right now. That's a big-budget movie for us. The success of (Warners) "Inception" and all the good comments made
by the crew and actors and director go a long way. That is a movie that made a lot of money."
Premise of the
new film. according to circulating casting notices, will reportedly follow 'Clark Kent' as a rookie reporter, working as a
foreign correspondent in West Africa.
While in Africa, Kent is witness to violent events between two African
clans, that causes him to question his alien origins and superpowers, when he returns to big city 'Metropolis' and 'The Daily
Planet' newspaper.
The storyline is similar to DC Comics' "Superman: Birthright", a twelve-issue limited series published in 2003 and 2004, written by Mark Waid and illustrated by Leinil Francis Yu, intended
to be the 'ultimate' version of Superman, showcasing his origin and updating the character for the 21st Century.
"Superman: Man Of Steel" will open December 2012.
Click the images to enlarge...
December 10, 2010
According to reports,
director Zack Snyder will shoot Warners "Superman: Man Of Steel" feature in Vancouver, prepping for a summer 2011 start. Snyder filmed both "Watchmen"
and the upcoming "Sucker Punch" features in Vancouver.
Premise of the new film
will follow 'Clark Kent' as a rookie reporter, working as a foreign correspondent in West Africa.
While in Africa, Clark is
witness to violent events between two African clans, that causes him to question his alien origins and superpowers, when he
returns to big city Metropolis and The Daily Planet newspaper.
The storyline is similar to DC Comics' "Superman: Birthright", a twelve-issue limited series published in 2003 and 2004, written by Mark Waid and illustrated by Leinil Francis Yu, intended
to be an 'ultimate' version of Superman, showcasing his origin and updating him for the 21st Century.
Click the images to enlarge...
December 6, 2010
According to casting breakdowns recently circulated to agents,
director Zack Snyder's upcoming reboot "Superman: Man Of Steel", will follow 'Clark Kent' as a young rookie reporter, working
as a foreign correspondent in West Africa.
While in Africa, Clark is
witness to violent events between two African clans, that causes him to question his alien origins and superpowers.
The storyline is similar to DC Comics' "Superman: Birthright", a twelve-issue limited series published in 2003 and 2004, written by Mark Waid and illustrated by Leinil Francis Yu, intended
to be an 'ultimate' version of Superman, showcasing his origin and updating him for the 21st Century.
Click the images to enlarge...
December 3, 2010
Creator Grant Morrison’s Eisner Award-winning "All-Star Superman" is the newest entry in the ongoing series of "DC Universe Animated Original Movies" from Warner Premiere, DC Entertainment
and Warner Bros. Animation.
The full-length film will be distributed by Warner Home Video, February 22, 2011 as a Blu-ray Combo Pack, 2-Disc
Special Edition DVD and single disc DVD. The film will also be available On Demand and for Download.
"...In 'All-Star Superman', the 'Man of Steel' rescues an ill-fated mission to the Sun (sabotaged
by 'Lex Luthor') and, in the process, is oversaturated by radiation – which accelerates his cell degeneration.
"Sensing even he will be unable to cheat death, Superman ventures into new
realms – finally revealing his secret to 'Lois', confronting Lex Luthor’s perspective of humanity, and attempting
to ensure Earth’s safety before his own impending end with one final, selfless act..."
Voice cast includes James Denton as 'Superman', Christina Hendricks as 'Lois
Lane', Anthony LaPaglia as 'Lex Luthor, Ed Asner as 'Perry White', Frances Conroy as 'Ma Kent', Matthew Gray Gubler as 'Jimmy
Olsen', Linda Cardellini as 'Nasty', Arnold Vosloo, Catherine Cavadini, Finola Hughes, Alexis Denisof, Obba Babatunde, Michael
Gough and John DiMaggio.
"All-Star Superman" is executive produced by Bruce Timm and directed by Sam
Liu ("Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths") from a script by Dwayne McDuffie.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "All-Star Superman"...
September 3, 2010
The
CW reports on the 10th and final season of the Vancouver-lensed 'Superman" TV series "Smallville":
"...The end of the beginning starts here. Taking flight in its tenth and final season, this modern retelling of a hero's legendary
origins continues to blend realism, action, heart and humor as Clark Kent (Tom Welling) soars toward claiming his birthright.
'Clark' has emerged from his darkest hour, only to find the path to his destiny blocked by ghosts from the past -- shadows
in the present tempting Clark toward the darkness at every turn. Despite insurmountable odds, is Clark strong enough to step
into the light and claim his rightful place as Earth's mightiest protector?
"As Smallville's epic ninth season came to a close,
'General Zod' (Callum Blue) and his 'Kryptonian Army' declared war on the people of Earth. Clark prevented the deaths of thousands,
if not millions of humans by using the Kryptonian Book of Rao to stop the attack. The spiritual tome opened a gateway to another
world, one where Clark's people could exist in peace. One-by-one, every Kryptonian on Earth was propelled across the universe,
but as Clark prepared for his 'ascension,' Zod refused to leave. Using a blue Kryptonite dagger to make himself human and
avoid being sucked into space, Zod remained behind so that he could rule a world without its guardian, Clark Kent. Having
no other option to rid the world of Zod's tyranny, Clark plunged the dagger into his own abdomen, protecting himself from
ascension -- and exiling Zod in the process. Though victorious, Clark's win was bittersweet as he plummeted off the building
and into the darkness below.
"...After a fateful kiss, 'Lois Lane' (Erica Durance) realized that the two men she had been torn between all season -- Clark
Kent and Metropolis' heroic 'Blur' -- were one and the same.
Having finally found redemption and a second chance at love, 'Chloe Sullivan' (Allison Mack) and 'Oliver Queen', aka the 'Green
Arrow' (Justin Hartley), were ripped apart.
"Chloe was forced to painfully listen as the love of her life, Oliver, was abducted by mysterious assailants during his attempt
to help Clark defeat Zod's Army.
"And 'Tess Mercer' (Cassidy Freeman), heir to the late 'Lex Luthor'
empire and double agent for the now-defunct government organization 'Checkmate', was fatally burned at Zod's hand in an attempt
to right past wrongs. As Tess flatlined in Metropolis General Hospital, she was visited by a shrouded, elderly woman. The
granny's motives...still unknown.
"Throughout season nine, Clark, bearing the iconic S-shield of his heritage, struggled to find his place between the human
world in which he was raised and the Kryptonian world he was born into. Having made peace with his dual heritage, Clark, in
season ten, must now find the courage to step out of the shadows and emerge into the light. Never before has there been such
a dangerous time for Clark to step into the public eye and take on the mantle of the inspirational icon he is destined to
be. As the tide of sentiment in 'Metropolis' turns against heroes, branding them as unchecked vigilantes, our defender of
justice will be called upon to re-define what it really means to be a superhero.
"Given how dangerously close Clark has skirted to crossing the line in the name of 'justice' in the past, will he truly earn
the right to be the symbol of good for humanity, or will he prove the naysayers right, that no one individual can be judge,
jury and enforcer.
"In the midst of
this turmoil, a new danger will emerge as a dark force takes on many faces, threatening Clark at every turn.
"'Hawkman' (Michael Shanks), 'Supergirl' (Laura Vandervoort) and 'Jonathan Kent' (John Schneider), Clark's late, adopted father
-- forever and always Clark's moral compass, will stand by Clark's side as he takes his final steps toward accepting his birthright.
He will need all the help he can get to fight the impending evil onslaught...the greatest darkness ever unleashed on Earth.
"The season ten premiere, 'Lazarus', opens mere seconds after last season's finale. Clark Kent wakes from his near-death experience,
haunted by the ghosts of his past, both friend and foe. Given a new lease on life, Clark must find a way to rid himself of
every last temptation, to purge himself of every last shard of doubt in his heart before he can become the beacon of hope
the world needs. But a very real threat from Clark's past has returned to challenge his ascent, causing Clark to question
the nature of his crusade. Lois Lane will face her own crisis of meaning, trying to redefine her place in the world now that
she knows Clark's super secret -- but Clark won't discover that she knows, and that's the way she wants to keep it. Lois will
try her best to keep the mild-mannered reporter at arms' length in the hopes that a life free of romantic complication will
make him a better hero. Struggling with her own affairs of the heart, Chloe Sullivan will be faced with an impossible question
-- how much is she truly willing to sacrifice to protect the people she loves? Chloe will take a tumultuous step into danger
for the greater good, the hands of Fate, her only guide. When Chloe vanishes, Oliver Queen will be forced to look long and
hard at the circumstances behind it. Blaming himself for her disappearance, Oliver will begin exploring accountability for
all his past actions, good and bad -- what great lengths will Oliver go to in order to bring his lost love back home?
"Having risked her own life in an attempt to become accountable for her own misguided actions, no one is more surprised than
Tess Mercer when she wakes, alive and well, in a seemingly abandoned medical facility. But what secrets lie in wait in the
recesses of 'Cadmus Labs'? And how much is Tess willing to give up to seize her second chance at redemption?..."
August 21, 2010
The upcoming 10th and final season of the Vancouver-lensed CW "Superman"
TV series "Smallville", will showcase the return of 'Hawkman' (Michael Shanks).
The last season episodes will also feature 'Clark Kent' (aka
'The Blur') wearing the familiar red, blue and yellow 'Superman' costume, as well as the return of Canadian actress Laura
Vandervoot as 'Supergirl'.
Also featured will be the TV introduction of DC Comics' Jack Kirby-created "New Gods",featuring the villain 'Darkseid', supreme monarch
of 'Apokolips' and his evil minions 'Desaad' (Steve Byers) and 'Gordon Godfrey' (Michael Daingerfield).
The new comic book-to-film characters will be introduced in the
third episode of the season. Industry insiders also believe that "New Gods" will be the new spin-off TV series, after "Smallville"
wraps its successful run.
"New Gods" first appeared in DC Comics' "New Gods" #1 (February 1971), natives of the twin planets of 'New Genesis' and 'Apokolips'.
New Genesis is an idyllic planet filled with unspoiled forests, mountains, and rivers, ruled by the benevolent 'Highfather',
while Apokolips is a nightmarish, ruined dystopia filled with machinery and fire pits, ruled by the tyrant Darkseid.
The two planets were once part of the same world, a
planet called 'Urgrund', but it was split apart millennia ago after the death of the 'Old Gods' during 'Ragnarok'.
The beings of New Genesis and Apokolips call themselves
gods and live outside of normal time and space in a realm called the 'Fourth World'. These New Gods have evolved due to their
close proximity to the 'Source', a primeval energy, believed to be one of the ultimate foundations of the 'Universal Expression
of Energy', along with their superior technology, into beings of genetic stability and evolutionary perfection.
The denizens of New Genesis and Apokolips are immortal,
stronger, faster, and smarter than humans, despite their resemblance, although they are vulnerable to a substance called 'Radion'.
Its source is unknown and its effects are toxic only in sustained amounts or after explosive exposure. The average New God
can be slain by an application of Radion from a Radion blaster or bomb.
Click the images to enlarge...
August 10, 2010
Written by Cary Bates and illustrated by Renalto Arlem/Felipe
Massafera, DC Comics upcoming 3-issue comic book series "Superman: The Last Family Of Krypton" :
"...hinges on the fact that while
baby 'Kal-el' has rocketed to the planet Earth from his doomed homeworld of 'Krypton', he was not alone. How does a world
handle the emergence of the Last Family of Krypton as 'Jor-El', 'Lara' and Kal-El make Earth their adopted home...?
The entire 'El' family adapts to their new home on Earth
with varying degrees of success. Young Kal-El becomes a reporter for 'The Daily Planet', while Jor-El favors the company of
boy-genius 'Lex Luthor'.
Lara's charity work includes a fateful meeting
with the wealthy family that runs the 'Wayne Foundation', while the two new El family members, 'Bru-El' and 'Valora', are
the only ones struggling to fit in, even though they're the first Els born on Earth.Click the images to enlarge...
May 15, 2010...
According to reports, DC Comics, a unit of Time Warner’s
Warner Bros., has filed a lawsuit against LA attorney Marc Toberoff in an attempt to protect their rights to the "Superman"
property, after failing to settle with the heirs of the "Superman" creators Toberoff represents.
In the suit, DC says that during their lifetimes, “Superman” co-creators Jerome Siegel and Joe Shuster never attempted
to terminate DC’s copyrights to the super hero character and that their families agreed to lifetime compensation agreements.
Allegedly Toberoff provoked the Siegel, Shuster families to repudiate those agreements, enter into new contracts with his
companies and seek to terminate DC’s "Superman" copyrights.
But Toberoff, the high-profile copyright lawyer repudiates all claims.
"Having lost repeatedly on the merits over the last five and a half years in 'Superman' litigation," said Toberoff, "Warner
Bros. and their new attorney Dan Petrocelli have now launched a libelous personal attack against me and my clients."
Click the images to enlarge...
January 20, 2010
The special two-hour episode of the Vancouver-lensed "Smallville" TV series,
showcases DC Comics' superhero team, 'Justice Society'.
Glen Winters directed the first hour and actor Tom Welling directed the second hour, connecting the unaired TV
episodes "Society" and "Legends".
"...A man named 'Sylvester Pemberton' tracks down 'Chloe' (Allison Mack), tells her he knows about her team
of superheroes and needs their help. However, before he can explain he is killed by 'Icicle' (Wesley Macinnes). 'Clark' (Tom Welling) and Chloe's investigation leads Clark to the former headquarters of the 'Justice Society
of America', where he meets up with 'Nelson' AKA 'Dr. Fate' (Brent Stait), 'Carter Hall' AKA 'Hawkman' (Michael Shanks) and
'Courtney' AKA 'Star Girl' (Britt Irvin). Courtney pleads with Hawkman and Dr. Fate to help her catch the killer that is targeting
their group but they are reluctant to resume their duties as superheroes. Clark, 'John Jones' (Phil Morris), 'Green Arrow'
(Justin Hartley) and Chloe team up to help the JSA stop Icicle before he murders another member of the group. "Meanwhile,
'Lois' (Erica Durance) receives a package from a mysterious agency called 'Checkmate', run by 'Amanda Waller' (Pam Grier)...
Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original
'Hawkman' debuted in 1940's Flash Comics #1, with several incarnations appearing in DC Comics, all characterized by the use
of archaic weaponry and large, artificial wings, attached to a harness made from 'Nth' metal that enables flight.
"Stargirl" can shoot stars from a 'Cosmic Converter Belt', via her 'cosmic
staff'. The socerer Doctor Fate' gets his mystical powers from the 'Helmet of Nabu',
giving him super-human strenth, allowing him to fly and withstand injury. Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Smallville:
Absolute Justice"...
January 15, 2010
The Friday, Jan. 29 episode of CW's Vancouver-lensed "Smallville" is "Warrior", written by Bryan Q. Miller and directed by Allison Mack following 'Clark' (Tom Welling) meeting
'Zatanna' (Serinda Swan) at a comic book convention, where she tells him her magician father 'charmed' a copy of the comic
book "Warrior Angel" with special powers.When a man named 'Stephen' (Carlo Marks) steals the comic and develops
super powers, he transforms into 'Warrior Angel', saving 'Chloe' (Allison Mack) from a bad accident. Meanwhile 'Lois' (Erica Durance) grows jealous of Clark's relationship with Zatanna." Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Smallville"...
November 15, 2009
The Vancouver-lensed CW TV series "Smallville", focusing on the early life
of 'Superman', will feature DC Comics' 'Hawkman' in the 2-hour TV movie special "Smallville: Absolute Justice".
The film connects the unaired, new TV episodes "Society" and "Legends".
Michael "Stargate SG1" Shanks is Hawkman, Andromeda's Brent "Andromeda"
Stait is 'Dr. Fate', Brittney Irvin is 'Stargirl' and Pam Grier is 'Amanda Waller', leader of the superheroes.
"Smallville: Absolute Justice" airs February 5, 2010.
Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Dennis Neville, the original Hawkman
first appeared in Flash Comics #1, published by All-American Publications in 1940. Several incarnations of Hawkman have appeared
in DC Comics, all of them characterized by the use of archaic weaponry and large, artificial wings, attached to a harness
made from the special 'Nth metal' that allows flight. "Stargirl" can shoot stars from her 'Cosmic Converter Belt', via a 'cosmic
staff'. 'Doctor Fate' is a sorcerer, possessing mystical powers by wearing the
'Helmet of Nabu', giving him the ability to fly, an invulnerability to injury and super-human strength...
November 13, 2009
According to reports, Warners wants to 'reboot' the next 'Superman' film, similar to
their revamp of 'Batman' with "The Dark Knight", but first need to settle with the families of Superman creators Jerry Siegel
and Joe Shuster.
The families are due to regain the copyright to the character in 2013.
If Warners work$ out a generous deal with the Siegel, Shuster families, all rights
would conceivably merge and another film would be on the way. The possibility of rights may also be auctioned off to the highest
bidder, a scenario that may bring Disney, who recently purchased Marvel into the equation.
Released June 28, 2006, "Superman Returns" budgeted at $270 million, earned a domestic total gross of $200,081,192 and foreign
$191,000,000 for a worldwide total of $391,081,192.
"The Dark Knight", released July 18, 2009, was budgeted at $185 million, earning $533,345,358
domestic and $468,576,467 foreign for a worldwide total of $1,001,921,825.
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Superman Returns" and "The Dark Knight"...
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