Jesus is Superman?

[starvenger 0]

From Newsarama

 

MILLAR v. KNOWLES: WHEN GEEKS COLLIDE

First came Mark Millar, claiming that recent Jesus Jim Caviezel was signed, sealed, and delivered to play Superman in Bryan Singers upcoming flick for the WB. Millar wrote at his Millarworld forum on August 30th:

 

“You remember I told you to relax about Superman? That a very, very trusted and experienced director we'd all love was coming over? That McG was just a blip? That everything would be fine?

 

Well, my same good buddy has informed me that, as of last Thursday night, Mister Jim Caviezel is officially the new man of steel and what a perfect choice he is. Expect an announcement shortly. Also, this Superman Returns thing was just for the press release. The movie itself is called SUPERMAN (Reeve's was called SUPERMAN THE MOVIE) and it's starting everything from scratch. Brainiac. Krypton. Robots. Alien super-cities. There's so much we can do now that they couldn't in 78. I cannot WAIT for this.”

 

Millar’s “news” took off like a rabbit across the Internet (resulting in the being picked up by the New York Post’s Page Six gossip report), and kept growing…until it hit Harry Knowles of Ain’t it Cool News, where it stopped cold.

 

On August 31st, Knowles wrote:

 

“Jesus did not come from Krypton! Clark Kent is not a Highwayman!

 

"Hey folks, Harry here... Jim Caviezel is not going to be Superman. In fact right now, he isn't even being considered, though his representation is pushing him. Where is the search for the last son of Krypton? It's still a wide search. I'm very curious who is feeding Mark Millar this off-kilter information... as my sources are dead on. Hmmm...

 

"The film is currently at the stage of preliminary location scouting all over the place, word has it Bryan has only just returned from checking out Australia. Word has it, that Bryan is beginning to form ideas regarding who would do for Superman, but he has been staying mum on the project... only... they've never played Jesus or have they been a TV Superman. So that's the gosh-darned truth of the matter.”

 

If Knowles is right well, it’s not like rumors about movie castings haven’t been released to/planted in the comic community before, only to be proven false later. However – Millar’s not backing down. This morning, the writer opted to put his money where his mouth is, calling Knowles out in a show of…well, in a publicity stunt.

 

At Millarworld, Millar wrote:

 

"First up, this isn't an attack on Harry. I love him and check out his site every day. We love the same movies and seem to have the same pop culture obsessions and would doubtlessly get on like a house on fire should we ever meet.

 

That said, just to hammer home how confident I am as regards my source (pretty much as good as it gets), I will personally write a cheque to charity for 1000 dollars from my Wolverine royalties (Wolverine 20 and 21 out October 2004) if Jim Caviezel isn't cast as Superman on the day principal photography starts. Warners may have a couple of PR stunts planned prior to the final announcement, but this is a bet that Jim C is standing there in a Superman costume once the cameras start rolling.

 

Now is AICN so sure of their sources that they will do the same?

 

MM

 

PS My charity will be the Clyde Coast Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre.”

 

Somewhere, someone waited with baited breath for the next move of the two gamesmen, while Caviezil, if he hasn't signed already, may be thinking about adding another zero or two to his salary demand, given the fuss.

This should be interesting. Will Knowles shit or will he get off the pot?

[AndrewTS 0]

I still don't believe anyone is Superman until they're already beginning to film, but who takes AICN seriously?

[starvenger 0]

I still don't believe anyone is Superman until they're already beginning to film, but who takes AICN seriously?

Too many, unfortunately...

[Guest JMA]

Millar seems awfully confidant. Personally, I wouldn't mind if Caviezel was cast as Superman. I would PREFER an unknown be chosen for the role, though.

[Guest SP-1]

He can do it.

 

Although I despise him being referred to as Jesus. Judging from interviews with him during The Passion, somehow I don't think he'd like it much either.

[Toshiaki Koala 0]

Hey, I've got an idea.

 

Why not make Jesus VERSUS Superman? How awesome would that be? Forget about having a plot, just give us 98 minutes of them fighting on top of buildings. At the end, they could settle their differences and join forces to quash a Satan-Luthor alliance. Throw in some snappy one-liners and a gratuitous nude scene, and Titanic would be quaking in its boots.

 

(Awaiting response of "never. post. again.")

[Guest JMA]

He can do it.

Oh, I'm sure he can do it. He even seems like a fan of Superman, which is always a big plus.

 

I would just prefer an unknown guy to get the role. I think it would greatly help this movie to choose someone not associated with other movie characters.

[Guest JMA]

Harry Answers the Challenge

[2GOLD 0]

I wouldn't believe Harry Knowles for anything. He could point to a McDonalds across the street and I would ask someone else if they could tell me where it was.

 

Either way, if it's Jim he was very good in Frequency so I'm fine with it. Course this project makes me ill but it's still good casting.

[starvenger 0]

Harry Answers the Challenge

I'll be honest, I think that Millar called Knowles bluff, but of course if Knowles doesn't accept the challenge than any credibility he had left (if he actually has any left. Only Moriarty is worth a damn on that site IMO) is shot.

 

Interesting that he pledged to donate to the CBLDF though, but that may have something to do with Millar working in comics.

[DerangedHermit 0]

A crown of thorns made of kryptonite would totally own both of them.

[Guest SP-1]

He can do it.

Oh, I'm sure he can do it. He even seems like a fan of Superman, which is always a big plus.

 

I would just prefer an unknown guy to get the role. I think it would greatly help this movie to choose someone not associated with other movie characters.

I would like to see an unknown tackle it as well, personally.

 

But then, I'm also a proponent of holding off on Supes, letting Smallville finish it's run, and then start a Superman movie franchise based on the Smallville continuity.

[Vyce 0]

I trust Millar far more than I trust tubby.

[EdwardKnoxII 0]

But then, I'm also a proponent of holding off on Supes, letting Smallville finish it's run, and then start a Superman movie franchise based on the Smallville continuity.

Thank you. Me too. I mean Tom Welling IS Superman. He's got the look and the acting down pat.

[Vyce 0]

Tom Welling can carry a 200 million dollar major motion picture?

 

Heh. Keep dreaming, fanboy.

[Guest SP-1]

Tom Welling can carry a 200 million dollar major motion picture?

 

Heh. Keep dreaming, fanboy.

That's why we're advocating letting Smallville finish out a good run so the kid can age and beef up a little.

 

And by the way: the fanboys are the ones that will either make this movie profitable, or destroy it in word of mouth. So catering to us might be something for the studio to consider. We're the ones building up Batman Begins so much before DC ever started promoting it publicly.